I've assembled hundreds of flat pack pieces from all three. People assume IKEA is best, Wayfair is stylish, and Argos is cheap. The reality is more nuanced.
Overall Quality Comparison
| Factor | IKEA | Wayfair | Argos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐½ |
| Instructions | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Assembly ease | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Design range | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
IKEA
The Good
Instructions are unmatched. Clear, wordless, step-by-step. Every screw type labelled. Every panel identified. If you follow them, things go together correctly.
Consistent quality. A BILLY bookcase today is essentially the same as one from 10 years ago. Parts are replaceable, instructions available online.
Engineering is clever. The cam locks, dowels, and fittings are designed for flat pack assembly. They're not trying to replicate traditional furniture construction.
Spare parts available. Lose a cam lock? Order replacements from IKEA. Missing a shelf peg? They sell them.
The Bad
Limited styles. IKEA's Scandinavian aesthetic is everywhere. If you want traditional or ornate, look elsewhere.
Particleboard is particleboard. The MALM dresser looks fine, but it's not solid wood. Don't expect heirloom quality.
Some complex items are brutal. PAX wardrobes with sliding doors can take 4-6 hours even for a professional.
Best For
- Bedrooms (MALM, PAX, KALLAX)
- Offices (BEKANT, ALEX, KALLAX)
- Storage solutions
- First homes and rentals
Worst Products
- Cheapest ranges (LACK, LERBERG) - fine for what they are, but very basic
- Kitchen units (installation is another level)
Wayfair
The Good
Design variety. More styles than anywhere else. Want mid-century modern? Industrial? Traditional? They have it.
Often looks better than the price. Some pieces photograph well and look more expensive than they are.
Regular sales. List prices are often discounted 30-50%.
The Bad
Instructions are often terrible. I've had items with:
- Steps in wrong order
- Missing steps entirely
- Incorrect part labels
- Multiple languages crammed together
Inconsistent quality. Wayfair sells from multiple manufacturers. One desk might be great, another awful.
Fittings can be poor quality. The screws strip, cams don't grip, dowels are loose.
Customer service varies. Returns are usually fine, but getting replacement parts can be difficult.
Best For
- Statement pieces (beds, dining tables)
- Specific style matches
- When IKEA doesn't have what you want
Worst Products
- Cheap wardrobes (flimsy, poor doors)
- Items with lots of drawers (quality drops quickly)
- Anything with complex mechanisms
Pro Tip
Check the reviews carefully. A 4.5-star item with 500 reviews is safer than a 5-star with 3 reviews. And read the negative reviews for patterns.
Argos
The Good
Convenient. Order online, collect same day from Sainsbury's. No IKEA trip required.
Often surprisingly decent. The Home range is reasonable quality. Not exciting, but functional.
Good for kids' rooms. Character beds, bright colours, not too expensive when they'll grow out of it.
Price is honest. The £80 chest of drawers is £80. Not "Was £200, now £80."
The Bad
Generic styling. The designs are safe to the point of boring.
Instructions vary. Some are fine, some are clearly translated poorly or missing detail.
Hardware can be cheap. Drawer runners in particular are often the first thing to fail.
MDF quality is variable. Some items are reasonable, others feel hollow.
Best For
- Kids' furniture
- Temporary/short-term needs
- Basic essentials (shoe racks, small storage)
- When you need it today
Worst Products
- Wardrobes (door alignment issues)
- Large TV units (often wobbly)
- "Replica" designer pieces
Assembly Difficulty by Retailer
IKEA Difficulty Scale
| Product | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|
| BILLY bookcase | Easy | 30 min |
| MALM drawers | Medium | 45 min |
| HEMNES day bed | Hard | 2 hrs |
| PAX wardrobe | Very hard | 4-6 hrs |
Wayfair
Unpredictable. A "simple" TV unit might take twice as long as expected due to poor instructions or misaligned holes.
Argos
Generally mid-range difficulty. Instructions are okay, but fittings may fight you.
Value for Money
Per-£ Quality
-
IKEA - Best value in the mid-range. The £200 HEMNES is better than a £200 Wayfair equivalent.
-
Argos - Best for budget items. Their cheap stuff is comparable to other cheap stuff.
-
Wayfair - Pay more for design. Quality premium isn't always there.
Longevity
IKEA: 5-15 years depending on product and use. Wayfair: 3-10 years (highly variable). Argos: 3-7 years typically.
My Honest Recommendations
For Bedrooms
Go IKEA. PAX wardrobes are industry standard. MALM beds are solid. HEMNES if you want something nicer.
For Living Rooms
Wayfair for statement pieces (coffee table, sideboard), IKEA for storage (KALLAX, BESTÅ).
For Home Offices
IKEA. The BEKANT desk and ALEX drawers are ubiquitous for a reason.
For Kids' Rooms
Argos for themed beds and budget pieces they'll outgrow. IKEA for longer-term.
For Dining
Avoid cheap flat pack. This is one area where solid wood is worth it. If budget demands flat pack, IKEA's higher ranges are acceptable.
The Professional View
When a customer asks what to buy:
If you're staying long-term: Invest in quality IKEA or solid wood.
If you're renting: IKEA mid-range survives moves well.
If you need it now: Argos is fine for the short term.
If you want a specific look: Wayfair, but research the specific item carefully.
Got flat pack waiting for assembly? I build IKEA, Wayfair, Argos, and everything else across Exeter. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.
Sam Hembury
Sam is the founder of Hembury Contracting, providing professional handyman services across Exeter and Devon. With years of experience in property maintenance, he shares practical tips to help homeowners tackle common tasks.
