23 IKEA Products You'll Likely Return, According To Customer Reviews

IKEA is a mainstay for outfitting your home, but not all products are created equal. While some items are sure to retain their value and help you enjoy life in your house more (such as the best products at IKEA to help you organize your bedroom), others might come with more frustration than they are worth. Before spending your hard-earned money and valuable time going to IKEA, selecting an item, and then bringing it home and assembling it, it might be wiser to first educate yourself on what products don't deliver. By avoiding some products you'll likely return, you can save yourself a world of frustration. 

IKEA offers a lot of products every year — more than 10,000 currently— and since the company is always trying new things, it's unlikely that every single item will be a home run. Fortunately, your purchases do not have to tempt fate; by reading up on customer reviews, you can gain beneficial information about products, steering clear of ones that you might end up returning. Among some underwhelming and disappointing finds from IKEA are the ROCKSJÖN Armchair, the LILLBERGET Nightstand, the ÖBONÄS Wall Shelf with Suction Cup, the MORABO Sleeper Sofa, and the EKFÄNN Mirror with Built-in Light. Each of these products has reviews where numerous customers have been highly dissatisfied, many to the point of returning them, leading to this age-old wisdom: always read product reviews before making a purchase.

Buyer beware — while the ROCKSJÖN Armchair ($249) looks nice enough and its price is hard to beat, multiple customer reviews caution against bringing it into your house. With a cumulative 3.8-star rating from nearly 40 reviews, several customers write that this chair is not worth the money. Two reviewers write that the chair has a sloppy appearance when fitted with the slipcover. The "slipcover just hangs loosely at the floor," one review states, adding that after assembling it, they quickly put it back in the box and returned it to the store.

Is there really anything worse than a lamp that doesn't turn on? The NÖDMAST LED Portable Lamp ($11.99) has gained this unfortunate reputation for itself, with a 3-star rating across hundreds of reviews. Customers write that the lamp doesn't work or that it doesn't hold a charge, rendering it basically useless. Even individuals who claim that they had genuinely high hopes for the product caution against buying it — what's more, the lamp is so cheap that it might not even be worth returning to the store if you live far from IKEA.

This nightstand might look cute, but looks aren't all that matter. The LILLBERGET Nightstand ($39.99) is highly affordable, which can be a draw for consumers who have a limited budget, but its poor ratings (3.3 stars) point to it being equally poor in value. Customers write that the drawers don't open and that this was the worst IKEA product they have ever bought, forcing them to return it. If you're in search of an affordable but more dependable nightstand, consider the VIHALS Nightstand, which is the same price and widely loved. You can also explore IKEA bedside tables vs. nightstands.

Looking for a cute dresser for your kid's room? You might be initially tempted by this cute SMÅSTAD / UPPFÖRA 6-Drawer Dresser ($390), but it's likely best to search elsewhere. This item has earned for itself a 3.2-star rating from more than 50 reviews. Customers state that, for the cost, it should be easier to put together. A couple of reviews mention that the pieces are confusing and it takes over three hours to assemble, giving serious pause as to whether this is worth keeping or better to return for an easier-to-assemble product.

Affordable and crafted from natural pine, the RAST 6-Drawer Dresser ($129.99) is an obvious product to get excited about — especially if you love how easy it is to personalize with a coat of stain or colorful pop of paint — but it's best to pass this one by. More than 120 reviews of this product have resulted in a 2.7-star rating of the dresser. Common customer complaints include claims that it is a horrible process to assemble, as well as statements about it not staying put together after several months. 

Sometimes, low-cost items seem like safe bets because they are such a small investment to experiment on, but this product is most likely to result in frustration and a return (if it's even worth your time to bring back). The ÖBONÄS Wall Shelf with Suction Cup ($4.99) promises to deliver sturdy storage for a variety of settings, thanks to the suction cup mounting design. Customer reviews, however, tell a different story, which involves the suction cups not staying secure even when the shelf is empty, making the entire product useless.

One of the issues with assemble-yourself furniture is that once it is put together, it might not be worth the time and energy required to take it apart and return to the store. Such is the case with the affordable TUFFING Loft Bed Frame ($199). Although this loft bed seems like a good way to steward your space and money, customer reviews complain that it is noisy, feels unsafe, and is difficult to assemble. Some customers voice regret that they did not read reviews more thoroughly so as to avoid this predicament.

Being able to host overnight guests with ease is a skill that many homeowners seek to perfect, and having the right equipment can make all the difference. If you're in the market for a good sofa bed, however, it's best to steer clear of the FRIDULT Sleeper Sofa ($349). Despite being affordably priced and having a compact design, it has a cumulative 3.3-star rating from 160 reviews. Customers report that this bed is terribly uncomfortable and that the toxic smell of the sofa takes a very long time to wear off.

An upholstered bed frame can bring a sense of refinement to your sleeping arrangement; if you choose incorrectly, however, you could be left with a dud like the IKEA IDANÄS Upholstered Bed Frame ($649). Despite looking quite nice, the IDANÄS has received massively poor reviews from customers, with a cumulative 3.3-star rating. Multiple reviews complain of the poor quality of the bed due to the legs breaking off and not being able to be replaced — a veritable quality control and safety issue.

Another sofa bed worth avoiding is the MORABO Sleeper Sofa ($1,899), which is pricey and doesn't seem to deliver the comfort it should for nearly $2,000. Undeniably beautiful as a piece of furniture, it has unfortunately received negative feedback from customers for a variety of issues. Namely, the sleeper sofa is said to be uncomfortable and not sturdy, with multiple customers stating that the leg broke off of it. If you're looking for a better-rated option, the FRIHETEN Sleeper Sectional ($999) is a best seller from IKEA.

Sometimes your mattress needs a little extra plushness. In these cases, a mattress topper can bring the added comfort you need without purchasing an entirely new mattress. For those seeking a good deal, the IKEA NOPAKTE Mattress Topper ($69) might seem like a steal, but this product has gotten pretty negative feedback. Multiple customers mention that the topper is floppy and doesn't stay put, making it uncomfortable and inconvenient to use. One customer writes it wasn't worth keeping, while another's unhappy comment yielded an invitation from IKEA to return the topper.

Offering a cute aesthetic and a maneuverable arm, as well as illumination, the EKFÄNN Mirror with Built-in Light ($49.99) seems to have a lot going for it. Unfortunately, the reviews tell a different story, with a 3-star average from 13 reviews. Customers write that the lighting feature does not work, stating that they will be returning it for another product, as well as criticizing other aspects of the light, such as the stiff movement of the mirror's arm. Since this item is likely to result in a return, opt for a different lit mirror.

Among kitchen essentials at IKEA, there are some that aren't worth buying, such as the HALVTOM Bottle with Pour Spout ($4.99). This product is made from glass with a plastic lid, and it cannot be denied that it has an attractive appearance. Unfortunately, however, it also has a lot of negative reviews, which caution against purchasing it. With a 3.1-star average from 44 reviews, many buyers compliment the appearance of the bottle but state that the lid leaks, making it a pointless addition to the kitchen that ought to be returned.

If an organized workspace is what you want in your life, finding an affordable option like the HÄSTVISKARE Mini Chest of Drawers ($9.99) can be tempting. However, this product is not as good as it seems on first glance. For starters, reviews are underwhelming, with a 3.1-star average across 31 reviews. Several reviews mention that the quality of the product is poor. One customer states that it isn't even worth the money required to return it, while another begrudgingly says they will stand in line to get their money back

The BOLLÖSUND Drawer Organizers ($8.99) might be tiny, but they have garnered a pretty large group of customers who have great disdain for them. These fabric-sided organizers claim that they will help you gain better organization of drawer or shelf space, but instead, the reviews outline how useless they are. Customers criticize them for not holding their shape and the sides falling down. Many customers say that they are so cheap that they are only good for throwing out. Save yourself the time and don't buy these items; you'll probably end up returning them.

Looking to bring loose items in the home back under control? The TROFAST Storage Combination with Boxes ($146.99) might seem like an attractive option, but it might not be worth your time and trouble. Despite its ubiquitous presence in playrooms and homes everywhere, the reviews section shows that many customers are frustrated by the poor quality and build of the storage solution. One buyer says that they will be returning the piece, while another states that the bins constantly fall off the tracks. Since this is a larger and harder-to-return piece, skip this one.

Adding more storage to your kitchen can be an expensive ordeal, so if you are thinking of bringing some pull-out wire baskets into your cooking space, the UTRUSTA Wire Basket at $27 might entice you. Customer reviews for this product, however, are overwhelmingly negative. One buyer says that even though they love IKEA, these baskets are faulty and get stuck when they are supposed to slide. Another couple of reviews say that the measurements of the baskets are off, making them a waste of money. Buyers deciding to return the baskets are upset by the waste of time.

Some things in life are too good to be true, like the BESTÅ Storage Combination with Doors/Drawers ($340). Despite being aesthetically pleasing and easy on your budget, this piece of storage furniture is a huge disappointment. Customer reviews explain that assembling the item is a nightmare, saying that by the time the piece was put together, the screw heads were nearly destroyed. Such negative feedback elicited invitations from IKEA's customer service team for the piece to be returned for a refund or exchange. Other customers say this cheap piece is overpriced for the quality.

When you stumble upon a product that promises you a more organized space for an affordable price, it is easy to get excited. In the case of the UPPDATERA Divider for Drawer ($14), however, there seems to be a quality control issue that is interfering with the efficacy of this product, leading to a 1.9-star average. While the product states that this divider is 15 inches wide, multiple reviews say that the labeling is incorrect and does not fit in 15-inch spaces, which has caused some customers to drive back to the store to return it.

This cute dresser is compact and visually appealing, but has a significant number of poor reviews. The SONGESAND 3-Drawer Dresser ($119) has an interesting critique from a number of customers who complain that its drawers do not open fully. This functional issue seems to be part of a safety initiative by IKEA to prevent the piece from tipping over, but, understandably, it could be frustrating in homes without young children posing a tipping risk. Search elsewhere if you want a dresser that seamlessly integrates into your life and whose drawers open fully.

Keeping your kids' playroom or bedroom organized can be a challenge. While the TIGERFINK Storage with Compartments ($14.99) looks like it might provide you with some much-needed space in a variety of rooms, customer reviews are downright dismal. Frustrated reports from customers state that assembling this simple-looking structure is a nightmare. " This is not a simple toy tent, this is a torture device. I will be returning half assembled if I don't throw it out of my window from rage first," one descriptive reviewer writes. Some reviews even say that the screws do not fully tighten.

Looking for a cute bassinet to put your new bundle of joy into at night? While the ÄLSKVÄRD Bassinet with Sleeping Pad ($199) does have that designer baby gear appearance, multiple concerned customers recommend against this product. More than one review states that it is difficult to assemble and does not feel sturdy, resulting in a 2.6-star rating from 10 reviews. Even an IKEA enthusiast who said that they have put together hundreds of products from the company said this was the worst assembly process ever, and the product would be returned to the store.

A teakettle is an integral kitchen tool, whether you're pre-boiling water for pasta or making a pot of tea for a social gathering. One of the most important features of a teakettle, however, is the whistling sound that it makes to alert you that the water has reached the boiling point. Unfortunately, the VATTENTÄT Kettle ($24.99) comes up empty in this respect. Gaining a measly 2.9-star rating overall, some customers also highlight that it's impossible to clean the inside of the kettle since the top opening is so small.