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IKEA furniture is worth buying second hand when it is solid wood or built to be taken apart and rebuilt, like Ivar, Hemnes and Poäng, or so common that you can buy it already assembled and carry it home, like Kallax and Billy. Particleboard pieces that have been dismantled several times are often not worth the effort. The rule: the cheaper it was new, the less sense it makes used.
These hold up well, are easy to find on Marktplaats, and sell for a fraction of new.
Some IKEA items lose a lot when they are taken apart, or are so cheap new that used makes little sense.
Particleboard holds screws and cam locks well the first time and worse every time after. Look closely at the holes for the cam locks and dowels: crumbled edges or holes that are oval mean the joint won't be tight. Check the back panel (the thin hardboard sheet nailed on). If it is missing or torn, the unit will wobble, though you can buy a replacement sheet at any hardware store. Look for swollen edges near the floor, a sign of a wet basement or a leak.
Ask for the assembly instructions or the article name, so you can download the manual from IKEA's site. Most parts and screws can be ordered through IKEA's spare parts service, sometimes free for small items.
If you can, buy assembled and transport it in one piece. A Kallax 4x4 fits in most estate cars lying down. Billy at 202 cm tall needs a van. If it has to come apart, take photos at each step, bag and label the screws, and keep each panel's orientation. Dutch stairs are narrow, so check whether an assembled Pax or Hemnes dresser will make the turn before you decide not to dismantle it.
IKEA furniture typically sells for 30 to 60 percent of the current new price in good condition, less if you need to dismantle it yourself. Check IKEA's current price first, since some items got more expensive and some cheaper, and sellers often use the price they paid. Dutch sellers usually use the IKEA name in the title, so searches are easy. On vindje.com you can ask for a Kallax 2x4 in white oak effect, already assembled, within 5 km, and it skips listings with missing shelves or the wrong size.
| Item | Typical asking price |
|---|---|
| IKEA Kallax 2x4 | EUR 20-45 |
| IKEA Billy 80x202 | EUR 15-40 |
| IKEA Poäng armchair | EUR 20-60 |
| IKEA Hemnes 8-drawer dresser | EUR 60-140 |
| IKEA Pax wardrobe with doors | EUR 100-350 |
| IKEA Ivar section with shelves | EUR 20-60 |
Rough Marktplaats asking prices in the Netherlands. Condition, age and season move them a lot.
Describe what you want in your own words and vindje.com searches Marktplaats in Dutch, then reads every listing and keeps only the real matches. For example:
IKEA Kallax 2x4 white, already assembled, all shelves present, under 40 euro, within 5 kmSearch Marktplaats like this
Solid wood ranges like Ivar and Hemnes and sturdy items like Kallax and Poäng are. Cheap particleboard that needs to be dismantled often is not.
Yes, but particleboard gets weaker each time. Check that cam lock and dowel holes are not crumbled.
IKEA has a spare parts service where you can order screws and fittings with the article number from the manual, often for free.
Often yes, a Pax with doors costs a lot new. Make sure the height fits your ceiling, all hinges and rails are included, and you can dismantle it carefully.
Usually 30 to 60 percent of the current new price, depending on condition and whether you need to dismantle it.