Question about Ikea / question about memory foam

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:22 pm

Never been to an Ikea store in my life but a friend suggested them because I need a new bed and they suggested memory foam. I need it all - bed frame (hopefully platform style-ish), mattress, etc.

Is the stuff at Ikea solid wood or wood veneer (the beds, anyway). Is it solidly constructed (wouldn't want it creaking about when, you know...).

Are memory foam mattresses really a good alternative to spring mattresses? I'm a side sleeper so need a mattress that's much less firm than the one I have now and since memory foam is so cheap I thought it might be a good pick.

Thoughts?

SED · Post by **SED** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:51 pm

I can't say much about memory foam's virtues as a mattress, but I can this: if you're really thinking about using it as material for a sex doll, you may be disappointed.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:32 pm

SED wrote:I can't say much about memory foam's virtues as a mattress, but I can this: if you're really thinking about using it as material for a sex doll, you may be disappointed.

Why would I need a whole doll?

Gravity Mike · Post by **Gravity Mike** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:55 pm

Most Ikea stuff is particle board, but they do have a fair amount of 'real' wood products also. In general, my impression of Ikea: they nearly always have something that suits my taste and budget - otherwise I have to endlessly drive around from store to store. If there's one in your area (an hour or so away) I recommend a visit to check it out.

Ikea downside - the store is literally a maze, not rows and aisles, so you have to walk the whole giant store, or locate the few 'short cuts.' Also, if you like 'high end' furniture, you'll hate Ikea - I'd call it the best budget furniture, and even some mid (we have an Ikea leather couch).

memory foam - I've thought of getting some myself for quite some time. I've been told that memory foam will 'trap' you, and I'm a tosser and turner, so I've passed so far.

Gravity

tisha2 · Post by **tisha2** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:59 pm

a friend of mine just got a memory foam mattress and said she couldn't get out of bed this morning...it was too comfy!

i had an ikea table that made it thru 2 trips to the desert before it fell apart. also, my kids have a metal ikea bunkbed that seems ready to make it thru the apocolypse.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 11:39 pm

One good thing about Ikea is they have a pretty good showroom (once you figure out how to use the shortcuts!) so you can try things out. I picked up their Heimdal metal bed a while back and it's very well built. That sucker is solid! Some of their other stuff felt a little flimsy. Definitely go for solid wood or metal. They also have some system where you plug legs directly into the box mattress but I didn't look into that.

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:43 am

I have a memory foam mattress topper, very comfy. The only reason I don't use it is because I picked up the wrong size; so now it is down on the double bunk bed in the basement. We've even taken it to burning man to layer with other mattressy items but it is bulky and heavy.

You need to go to a place that sells all kinds of mattresses and have naps.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:56 am

I think "memory foam" must be what the inside of my head's filled with, sometimes.

I actually LIKE the "Ikea Maze" layout....It forces me to look into places I might otherwise miss, and find el-cheapo art materials. The most important section is the scratch-and-dent clearance area...Big chunks of cool stuff for a buck or so.
And Ikea carries EL wire now. (They call it "GLANSA".)

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:08 pm

Thanks for all the opinions. I'm debating whether to buy a bed there or build my own. The price point of the bed I like at Ikea makes it silly to build my own (for now) if it's sturdy enough. I guess I'll go check it out for myself.

Davoid · Post by **Davoid** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:34 pm

I've had lots of Ikea stuff over the years, with varied results. Besides lots of particle board as mentioned above, they also use lots of pine wood, which is kinda crappy. Also, since most of their stuff is assemble-at-home, if you're the type who moves around a lot (like me), you may find that repeated disassembly/reassembly has a wearing effect on the piece (not that you need to do it for the smaller things).

Stay away from stuff that has any plastic hardware, though maybe their beds use this less than their dressers/desks. Dunno. Stick to good wood and metal and it'll probably be decent.

Don't forget to get a bunch of those cheap-ass candles while you're there.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:00 am

Davoid wrote:Don't forget to get a bunch of those cheap-ass candles while you're there.

Ooooh- yeah, and cheap batteries! And compact flourescent bulbs! I love wandering through the lighting section.

Just segregate their batteries from the cheap yellow NiCad rechargeables from your solar lights- They look VERY similar.

If they still have 'em, get the gingersnaps too.

Come to think of it, I got a great hanging organizer for the dome there the other year.

RebA! · Post by **RebA!** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 1:30 pm

but what ever you do.. dont ever.. EVER go to Ikea on a weekend or a holiday.. Instant Migrane.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:29 am

Plus instant urge to migrate to Sweden where no one bothers to go to one!