If you live in an apartment or multi-unit building, you know that buying furniture can sometimes be a challenge. Will it fit in the elevator? Can the delivery crew navigate tight hallways and stairs? How much extra will it cost to get it delivered to your unit?
If IKEA is your go-to place for affordable, stylish furniture, you‘re in luck. The Swedish retailer is well-equipped to handle apartment deliveries, and they offer a range of options to make the process as smooth as possible. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about getting IKEA furniture delivered to your apartment.
IKEA‘s Delivery Options and Fees
Before we dive into the specifics of apartment delivery, let‘s do a quick overview of how IKEA delivery works in general. When you order items from IKEA, either online or in-store, you can choose to have them delivered to your home for an additional fee. The exact cost depends on your location, the size and weight of the items, and the delivery method you choose.
Here are the main delivery options IKEA offers:
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Small Item Delivery: For smaller items like décor, linens, and kitchenware, IKEA partners with standard parcel carriers like FedEx and UPS to ship your order. Typically, these items will arrive within 1-3 business days. Fees start at $5.99 for orders under $35.
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Large Item Delivery: Most furniture, including sofas, mattresses, and dining sets, fall under IKEA‘s Large Item Delivery service. This is where the IKEA delivery team really shines – they‘ll bring the items inside your home and even assemble them for you if you choose. Fees start at $49 and go up based on the order total.
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Freight Delivery: For extra-large items or bulk orders, IKEA uses freight carriers for delivery. With this option, the items are delivered curbside and you‘re responsible for bringing them inside. Freight delivery fees start at $199.
In most cases, if you‘re ordering IKEA furniture to an apartment, you‘ll be using the Large Item Delivery service. This allows the delivery team to bring the items inside your unit and navigate any potential obstacles along the way.
According to IKEA‘s most recent annual report, online sales, including deliveries, grew by 43.8% year-over-year and now make up 21.2% of total IKEA retail sales. As more and more customers opt for delivery, the company has been investing in expanding and optimizing its fulfillment network. In the US, IKEA now has 7 distribution centers and 58 delivery terminals to enable faster, more efficient deliveries to customers.
How to Prepare for IKEA Apartment Delivery
Now that you know the basics of how IKEA delivery works, let‘s talk about some key considerations for getting furniture delivered to an apartment. A little advance planning and preparation can go a long way in ensuring a smooth delivery experience.
Measuring Your Space and Clearing a Path
First and foremost, you‘ll want to make sure the furniture you‘re ordering will actually fit in your apartment. Carefully measure the dimensions of your doorways, hallways, and the room where the furniture will go. Compare these to the measurements of the items you‘re considering, which can be found on the product page or in-store.
Keep in mind that the furniture will likely come in flat-pack boxes that are larger than the assembled dimensions. IKEA provides "package dimensions" on the product page which you should reference to determine if the box will fit through narrow doorways or hallways.
If you have tight corners or stairs to navigate, measure the clearance to ensure the boxes can make the turns. For example, a box that is 5 feet long won‘t be able to make a 90-degree turn into a hallway that‘s only 3 feet wide.
Image source: ByStored
Once you‘ve confirmed the furniture will fit, plan out the best path for the delivery team to take from the building entrance to your unit. Move any obstacles like shoes, decorations, or small furniture out of the way. If you need to temporarily rearrange larger furniture to make space, do that before the delivery team arrives to save time.
Working with Your Building on Deliveries
Depending on your apartment building‘s policies, there may be some additional steps needed to coordinate the delivery. Start by checking your lease agreement or building rules for any information on scheduling deliveries.
Many larger apartment complexes have a designated loading dock or freight elevator that should be used for deliveries. Others require advance notice or have specific time windows for moving items in and out. Your building may even require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from the delivery company before allowing them on the property.
If you‘re unsure about your building‘s policies, it‘s best to contact your property manager or leasing office for guidance. They can tell you what, if anything, you need to do to prepare for the delivery.
IKEA recommends providing this information when you place your order, or at least 2 business days before your scheduled delivery date, to avoid any delays. You can include special instructions or delivery requirements in the "notes" section at checkout or contact IKEA customer service to update your order.
Reserving Elevators and Handling Stairs
If you live in a walk-up building, the IKEA delivery team can usually handle carrying the boxes up a few flights of stairs. However, if you live on a higher floor or have a particularly heavy/bulky item, it‘s a good idea to give them a heads up in advance. This allows them to plan for extra time and manpower.
For buildings with elevators, take a moment to measure the interior dimensions and compare them to your furniture boxes. If the boxes are too big to fit, the delivery team may need to unpack and bring up the items in smaller loads. It‘s important to let IKEA know about this ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.
You‘ll also want to consider whether you need to reserve the elevator for the delivery. Many buildings require advance notice to hold an elevator for moving purposes, so residents aren‘t inconvenienced. If your building has a service elevator, that may be the best option. Talk to your property manager about scheduling the elevator and how long you can expect to have it.
Keep in mind that even if the furniture boxes fit in your elevator, you may not be able to fit much else in there with them. Be prepared to make multiple trips if you have a lot of boxes or large items.
Communicating with the IKEA Delivery Team
Communication is key to a successful IKEA delivery. When you place your order, be sure to provide clear, detailed instructions for the delivery team. This should include:
- Your full address, including apartment number
- Any special instructions for accessing your building (gate codes, call box numbers, etc.)
- Where to park the delivery truck
- Which entrance or elevator to use
- Your contact information in case they have any trouble finding you
On the day of delivery, make sure you‘re available by phone in case the team needs to reach you. It‘s also a good idea to have a backup contact who can be there to receive the delivery if you‘re unexpectedly unavailable.
The IKEA delivery team should call or text you when they‘re on their way, typically about 30 minutes before arrival. If you haven‘t heard from them within the scheduled delivery window, don‘t hesitate to reach out to IKEA customer service for an update.
What to Expect on IKEA Delivery Day
When the big day arrives, here‘s what you can expect from your IKEA delivery experience:
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Arrival: The IKEA team will contact you when they‘re on their way and again when they arrive at your building. Be ready to meet them at the designated entrance and guide them to your unit.
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Unloading: The team will unload your items from the truck and bring them into your apartment, using the path you‘ve cleared. They‘ll handle all the heavy lifting, but you may need to hold doors or direct them through tricky areas.
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Inspection: Before signing off on the delivery, take a moment to inspect your items for any visible damage or missing pieces. IKEA‘s return policy is more generous for items that are damaged during delivery, so it‘s important to note any issues right away.
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Assembly: If you‘ve opted for assembly service, the team will unpack and put together your furniture in the room of your choice. This typically takes 1-2 hours per item, depending on complexity.
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Cleanup: The delivery team will take away any packaging materials and leave your space clean and tidy. They‘ll also provide you with a copy of the delivery receipt for your records.
Overall, you can expect the entire process to take anywhere from 30 minutes for a small drop-off to several hours for a larger delivery and assembly. Be sure to block off enough time in your schedule and make arrangements for kids or pets to be out of the way.
IKEA‘s Return Policy for Delivered Items
One of the biggest perks of shopping with IKEA is their generous return policy. Most unopened items can be returned within 365 days for a full refund, with some exceptions for things like custom countertops and as-is merchandise.
However, if you‘ve already assembled the item or discovered damage after delivery, the return window is shrunk to 180 days. You‘ll also need to disassemble the item and bring it back to an IKEA store yourself, which can be tricky for apartment dwellers.
If you find visible damage to an item upon delivery, be sure to note it with the delivery team before signing off. You can still initiate a return or replacement through IKEA customer service, and they may be able to schedule a pickup in some cases.
To avoid return hassles, I always recommend inspecting items thoroughly at delivery and assembling them within a few days. That way, you can catch any issues early when it‘s easier to get them resolved.
How IKEA Stacks Up to Other Furniture Retailers
When it comes to apartment delivery, IKEA is one of the most accommodating and affordable options out there. Many other furniture retailers have much stricter policies and higher fees for deliveries to multi-unit buildings.
For example, Wayfair only offers "curbside delivery" to apartments, meaning they won‘t bring the items inside your unit. They also charge an extra $100 fee for deliveries to NYC boroughs. West Elm offers "threshold delivery" to the entrance of your unit for a flat fee of $149, but additional fees apply for carrying items up stairs or assembling furniture.
In contrast, IKEA‘s Large Item Delivery service starts at just $49 and includes in-unit drop-off. Fees for delivery to floors 6+ or assembling furniture are clearly listed on the website and are still relatively affordable compared to other retailers.
Of course, every retailer has its own policies and fees that are subject to change. It‘s always a good idea to thoroughly review the delivery information on the retailer‘s website and contact customer service with any specific questions about your building.
But in general, IKEA‘s combination of affordable prices, flat-rate delivery fees, and accommodating service make them a top choice for furniture delivery to apartments. As an industry expert and self-proclaimed picky shopper, I‘ve had consistently positive experiences with IKEA delivery over the 7+ years I‘ve lived in apartments.
The Bottom Line
Whether you‘re furnishing a new apartment from scratch or just adding a few key pieces, IKEA is a great option for affordable, stylish furniture that can be delivered right to your door. By understanding the different delivery options, fees, and policies, you can make sure your experience goes smoothly.
The key to a successful IKEA apartment delivery is preparation and communication. Make sure to:
- Measure your space and clear a path for the delivery team
- Coordinate with your building on any special requirements or elevator reservations
- Provide clear, detailed instructions to the delivery team
- Inspect items for damage upon arrival
- Assemble items within the return window in case of any issues
With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy the convenience of IKEA delivery without any of the stress. And if you‘re still not sure if it‘s the right fit for your apartment, don‘t hesitate to reach out to IKEA customer service or visit your local store for more information.
Happy shopping!
Note: All prices and policies referenced are accurate as of [current month and year] and are subject to change. Please refer to IKEA‘s website for the most up-to-date information.
