Decline

We had a great IKEA sofa for about 10 years. It was attractive, comfortable, durable, and inexpensive. We didn't bother to move it because we figured it would be easier to buy a new one in Arizona. So we sold the old one.

The new one sucks. It was more expensive than the old one, much less comfortable, and it's falling apart after only one year. Here you can see how the side has caved in. Also, the old one didn't need a slip cover, this new one does, so that makes it even more expensive because you need at least two if you ever want to wash it.

IKEA has always sold junk, but it used to be easier to find a good piece here and there. All those good pieces have either been discontinued or redesigned to make them into crap. I truly believe that IKEA does this intentionally. They must have realized that building disposable furniture creates more repeat customers.

It sickens me to watch the ongoing decline of mass produced furniture. But it's not just IKEA, it's across the board.