Are IKEA Pillows Worth Buying?

IKEA has earned quite the reputation all over the world for its high-quality home merchandise with price tags that won't break the bank. Most people shop for things like furniture, home decor items, home textiles, and office desks. Pillows, on the other hand, aren't quite as popular. They're probably not the first items that come to mind when you think of IKEA, but the store's online inventory includes more than 200 pillow products (including covers)! The question is, are they worth buying? Some shoppers say they are, others say they aren't, but the answer ultimately depends on which pillows you buy and what features you're seeking.

Just as you'd expect, IKEA sells a variety of pillows, including ergonomic designs with a layer of cooling gel, decorative/throw pillows, and supportive varieties. You can find selections made from both natural materials like down and feathers and synthetic materials like polyester and memory foam. There are also options of varying levels of firmness. Once again, it's a pretty impressive inventory, so if you're considering purchasing a pillow from IKEA, do your research first before making a decision.

Among the best-selling bed pillows is the polyester VILDKORN high pillow, with around 350 reviews. It's advertised as soft and firm, with the ability to be plumped up. Online reviews average a 3.9-star rating out of 5, with many positive reviewers describing it as an adequately supportive, comfortable pillow that keeps its shape. Other shoppers disagree, saying it's lumpy, disappointing, and lifeless. In fact, a Reddit user said they throw out "one or two" every year because they get "too lumpy and low."

The ergonomic memory foam ROSENSKÄRM pillow for side and back sleepers "filled with goodness" is another bestseller, with around 300 reviews and 4.2 stars. One reviewer said it's "firm but soft enough," while others say they no longer have neck pain. The 1-star reviewers, however, had a different experience, claiming the memory foam is too hard, while others say it's too soft and doesn't support the head.

Last but not least are the natural pillows. The top-selling award goes to the high LUNDTRAV pillow, with around 400 reviews and a 4.1-star average. Most of the 5-star reviews indicate that the pillow is very comfortable, keeps its shape, and offers "just the right amount of squishiness and support." Shoppers who gave the lowest ratings claim the pillow isn't worth the cost because it "sinks a lot" and is unsupportive, while others mention a foul smell. The same Reddit user that reviewed the VILDKORN agreed with the unpleasant smell and the pillow's flatness.

One of the nice things about decorative pillows is that overall appearance usually dictates the buying decision. If you think a certain set throw pillows will complement your decor, sofa, bed, or patio furniture, you'll probably be more likely to buy them, right? Comfort tends to be a secondary factor, unlike bed pillows. IKEA's online inventory at the time of this article showed 26 different throw pillows and cushions in round, square, and rectangular shapes. You can even find a few less common options like pyramid, bean, and cylinder-shaped pillows.

Zeroing in, once again, on the bestsellers, you'll find the KRANSBORRE round-shaped velvet cushion in the top spot with a 4.8-star rating. More than 88% of reviewers gave it 5 stars, with one shopper describing it as "perfectly retro." Many others complimented the color, softness, texture, and design. Only four buyers expressed dissatisfaction with the product, three based solely on the color, and another on the cushion quality. Most other throw pillow options also received high ratings — higher overall compared to the bed pillows.

So are IKEA's throw pillows worth buying? Most shoppers say they are. As for the bed pillows, although there are more bestsellers in that category, there are also many more negative reviews, so be sure to consider each design carefully before making a decision. And if you're not happy, the store issues full refunds for products up to 365 days after purchase if you still have the receipt.