So what's the alternative to ikea then?

[WinkyWinkola]

Because I'm getting a little bit bored of it! Anybody found somewhere else that is easy on price?

2nd hand stuff on Ebay or at Auction?

Antiques. Very good value at the moment. We bought a beautiful Narnia-worthy early Victorian mahogany wardrobe on EBay for the same price as a flimsy Ikea melamine one with wobbly doors.

are you going to tell us which Ikea products you have in mind?

I know!!!! Where do you go for decent furniture these days? We always say we won't go back to Ikea but always end up there purely for lack of a decent alternative.

I prefer a modern style, not into antiques or the country look. Been to a few places at Lakeside but the stores are so old fashioned and staffed by slimy moustacioed men in tight nylon suits. Habitat/Heals not bad style wise but v expensive. John Lewis also nice but prices vary, some things OK but some things just so expensive.

Sorry, cant help, just sympathise!

Try Dwell. Not as extensive a range but modern in style, decent quality and fairly reasonable.

Dwell stuff is appalling quality relative to price. Pay attention to the scratches On disPlay items. Looks better than ikea but with ikea you get what you pay for.

Yes Dwell is more expensive, and tends to look uber bachelor pad, but everything we have bought there was great quality and came ready assembled. I'm partial to a bit of DIY but there is only so many hours in a day.

I have to second ebay though, you can get modern/sixties stuff that is fantastic quality at near-ikea prices, and be certain your whole street won't have the same expedit bloody bookshelves. (Disclaimer: we have four said bookshelves, they are great and ridiculously cheap.)

If the vintage look isn't for you, I'd try looking for modern stuff on Ebay - you can get some good bargains if you're prepared to wait. Try searching for B&B Italia, Ligne Roset and Conran along with your more mid-range Habitat, Heals, etc.

For shelves etc a good carpenter is much better. For sofas I would look for top end on eBay rather than cheap new stuff.

Or go for those online shops that sell replicas of design pieces... though I have no idea what the quality is like.

I once won bought a gorgeous sofa on Ebay which was originally from Espacio and cost about £2.5k new. It was a lesser-known Italian brand so wouldn't have come up on usual searches, and didn't sell when the owner put it up at £300 start price. I was gutted to have missed it as was busy when the sale ended, but then he relisted it at £200 and I snapped it up. Was in immaculate condition and is still a stunner - love the fact it was a bargain every time I look at it!

Quite a nice B&B armchair for sale on Ebay at the mo here

Thank you all. Have renewed my campaign to put dh off Ikea with all this info!