Frustrated IKEA Shopper Calls Out Retailer For 'Downhill' Quality Of This Popular Bookcase

When it comes to shopping for furniture, it's only natural to get attached to pieces that perform well. For myself, choosing the right piece is a calculated combination of appearance, quality of the build, versatility, and price point; any one of these characteristics coming up short can spell disappointment. It makes perfect sense when loyal customers of particular products become frustrated when their favorite items start going downhill.

A beloved item by many customers, the IKEA HEMNES bookcase ($329) has been the subject of recent ridicule and critique from buyers who make a number of negative claims. In all fairness, it can be difficult to spot the IKEA products that aren't worth buying unless you're willing to do a little digging, so I took to the IKEA reviews page as well as Reddit forums discussing the HEMNES to get a more full picture of the controversy. One thread features a post by an individual who writes, "The bookcase is the absolute worst." The original poster then goes into details about the bookcase: their piece was scratched and the drill holes did not line up. I recall how infuriating it was when I purchased an IKEA TROFAST whose drill holes were ever so slightly misaligned — to this day, the drawers do not slide in smoothly — and I felt completely ripped off.

However, other customers on the same Reddit forum and IKEA's website praised the same exact item, saying that theirs looks good, performs well, and wasn't difficult to assemble. The disparity between negative and positive feedback left a lot to question, like whether the product has really gone downhill and, if so, why.

While researching the HEMNES, I found that the bookcase historically has quite positive feedback with over 700 5-star customer reviews. Strangely, it also has a steep number of 1-star reviews (more than 120), with customers complaining that they have been thoroughly displeased with the piece's quality in relation to price. One customer specifically mentions they believe tariffs are the cause for a recent price hike (a claim that I found to be backed by an early December 2025 report by Reuters stating IKEA raised prices on certain imports, such as bookcases, in order to offset tariffs). 

Another working theory of mine is that the buyer dissatisfaction is related to the IKEA effect of self-assembled furniture. When customers are extra invested in pieces they are putting together themselves, they may value the piece more than if it came preassembled. Could this lead to more frustration when our work falls apart in front of our eyes? The tone of these reviews, however, are at odds with many other reviewers who say that they did not struggle assembling their HEMNES; from my own experience, sometimes IKEA quality control can differ piece to piece and is just par for the course when buying mass produced items.

While it's hard to say why this bookcase has such mixed feedback, it's always a good idea to hang onto receipts from larger purchases. In the event that you run into an issue with the HEMNES, IKEA's website outlines the steps for filing a claim online and receiving a refund. If you're still in the market for an affordable bookcase, check out other brands like West Elm that have less expensive options.