Why This IKEA Flatware Set Is Such Poor Quality, According To Shoppers

Being foodies, when we think of IKEA, we tend to imagine just how many Swedish meatballs the company sells in a year (prepare to be mind-blown!). Yet, IKEA is, after all, a home goods store first and foremost. Some of our favorite low-cost, high-quality kitchen essentials have even come from there, including stainless steel serving tools, glass baking dishes, and wooden bread bins. According to customer reviews, however, you might want to avoid the rose gold variant of the FÖRNUFT 20-piece flatware set. Oh, sure, it looks amazing — the rose gold color is vibrant and unique, and the set comes with four five-piece settings. However, this item might be all style and no substance.

Beginners to the art of table setting are prone to common mistakes like overcrowding, and choosing utensils based entirely on looks and not durability can be one such pitfall. If dissatisfied buyers are to be believed, the gorgeous metallic finish on the FÖRNUFT sets — which, as of this writing, retail for just under $50 — don't stay put. "The rose gold silverware is awesome looking but within a month the coating is washing off. Will be returning both sets," one review lamented. "Looks nice, but the finish washes off in the dishwasher," another reported. Yet a third complaint spelled things out in more detail: "We've been using this set for a little over three months and are very shocked & disappointed in how quickly they've degraded. From shiny with light rose gold colouring; to dull, darker in colour, and with many water spots and scratches." The reviewer noted that they had been careful to handle them as the instructions dictated, but the finish wore off nonetheless.

We could never stay mad at IKEA — especially not when it has a cheaper food court hot dog than Costco — even if certain silverware tends to lose its signature color when washed over a short period of time. Luckily, the retailer carries an array of utensils, many of which are not only rated better for durability but also carry a lower price point. In fact, you can enjoy the same look and function of the FÖRNUFT utensils, only in stainless steel, for just $12.99 for 20 pieces. Reviews are solid, and the aesthetics are almost as satisfying, with fewer worries about tarnishing or erosion. A newer product as of this writing, the SJUGÄLSHAJ 20-piece set is super interesting in appearance and is literally half the price of the rose gold FÖRNUFT. Reviews are limited, but quite positive so far.

Perusing the flatware section of IKEA's website, we found dozens of options for silverware and utensils. There's no need to settle! It's highly likely that you can find something worthy to call your own and bring home to adorn your table without choosing the rose gold forks and spoons. True, they look very sleek, but we just can't see paying for goods that don't retain their good looks for very long. IKEA has better. Grab a snack from the cafeteria and go check out flatware!