IKEA Return Policy
IKEA gives you 365 days to return unopened items, the longest window of any major furniture retailer. Opened items get 180 days.
IKEA Return Policy
IKEA offers a 365-day return window for unopened items and 180 days for opened items. IKEA Family members get purchases tracked automatically. Receipt and photo ID required for all returns.
Bought something at IKEA? You have 365 days.
The UnBuy app will track your IKEA return window and alert you before day 365. Coming soon for iOS.
Get notified when the app launches:
How Do You Return Items to IKEA?
In Store
Bring item + receipt + photo ID to full-size IKEA
Staff inspects condition and processes refund
Online
Go to ikea.com → order history → Return
Choose mail return or schedule pickup for large items
Refund in 5–10 business days
Do You Need a Receipt to Return to IKEA?
Proof of purchase and government-issued photo ID required for all returns
Alternative proof of purchase:
- IKEA Family account purchase history
- Email order confirmation
- Original receipt
What Condition Do Items Need to Be In?
Items must be clean, undamaged, and complete. Items do not need to be in original packaging but must be in resellable condition. Modified, dirty, stained, or damaged items will not be accepted.
What Are IKEA's Return Exceptions?
Not all items follow the standard 365-day rule. Review the exceptions below.
| Category | Window |
|---|---|
| Opened items | 180 Days |
| Mattresses | 90 Days |
| Plants | See rules |
| Cut fabric | See rules |
| Custom countertops | See rules |
| Plants | No returns |
| Cut fabric | No returns |
| Custom countertops | No returns |
| As-is section items | No returns |
| Gift cards | No returns |
| Items modified from original form | No returns |
Does IKEA Charge Return Fees?
Assembled furniture returns may receive a partial refund based on condition. Disassembly is the customer's responsibility.
Applies to: Assembled furniture
What Should You Watch Out For at IKEA?
Government photo ID required for every return, no exceptions
Full-size IKEA stores only. Planning Studios can't process returns.
Do Members or Cardholders Get Extra Return Time at IKEA?
IKEA Family Members
Free membership with the same 365-day window, but purchases are tracked automatically for receipt-free returns
How Long Does a IKEA Refund Take?
Refund to original payment within 5-7 business days
Missed Your IKEA Return Deadline?
Still thinking about that return?
The average person forgets about returns until it's too late. The UnBuy app will watch every deadline for you and send a reminder while you can still act.
Coming soon for iOS. Get notified:
Get policy change alerts
We'll email you when major retailers update their return policies or holiday windows open.
Common Questions About IKEA Returns
The Full Picture: IKEA Returns
IKEA gives you 365 days to return unopened items and 180 days for opened items in resellable condition. That is the longest return window of any major furniture retailer. However, IKEA requires both proof of purchase and a government-issued photo ID for every return, which creates more friction than most other stores.
Opened items must be in resellable condition, and that judgment is made by the staff at the returns counter. A bookcase that's been assembled, used for six months, and disassembled for return will likely get a partial refund, or might be rejected if there are screw holes, scratches, or missing hardware. Don't expect full value on assembled furniture you're returning.
As-Is items are final sale, no exceptions. IKEA's As-Is section sells floor models, returned items, and slightly damaged pieces at a discount. Once you buy from there, you own it. No returns, no exchanges. This catches people who grab a good deal without reading the tags carefully.
IKEA mattresses can be exchanged once within 90 days, but you cannot get a cash refund on a used mattress. If you bought a mattress, slept on it for three months, and hate it, you can swap it for a different IKEA mattress, but you cannot get your money back.
IKEA Family membership is free and tracks every transaction to your account, giving you receipt-free returns. If you shop at IKEA without your account linked, you're making the return process harder than it needs to be.