ᐅ How durable is Ikea PLATSA with frequent use in a children's room?

Created on: 27 May 2020 18:13
F
fonick
F
fonick
27 May 2020 18:13
Hello everyone,

I have been considering using the IKEA Platsa system for the children’s bedroom for some time now. My question is:

How well does the IKEA PLATSA system hold up with daily and frequent use in a children’s room? I am particularly interested in the stability and durability of the materials and construction when used playfully, with frequent rearranging, as well as regular opening and closing of doors and drawers.

Have you had any experience with how the furniture looks after extended use? Are there any weak points that could be especially problematic with children? It would also be great if you could share your thoughts on the assembly quality and how practical it is for everyday use in a children’s room.

Thank you in advance for your helpful responses!
B
blapau
27 May 2020 19:47
I have been using the PLATSA system in a child's room daily for over a year. The stability is satisfactory as long as the individual components are assembled correctly and the screws are checked and tightened regularly. Since the modules are relatively lightweight, they show no signs of warping, even with frequent use.

An important point is the installation: although IKEA provides good instructions, some of the connecting hardware is not very robust. For larger assemblies, I recommend reinforcing these connections with appropriate brackets or screws.

Regarding doors and drawers, I have noticed that the rollers and hinges can develop some play over time, but this can usually be resolved through readjustment. Overall, I find PLATSA quite suitable for everyday use, though not exactly "indestructible." Especially for very active children, it might be wise to implement protective measures and perform regular inspections.
N
NoValentin
27 May 2020 20:12
PLATSA holds up well. However, regularly retighten the screws. Doors and drawers can be easily adjusted. For heavy use, the structure should be reinforced. Suitable for children's rooms if used with care.
L
lomin
28 May 2020 08:36
blapau schrieb:

One important point is the assembly: IKEA provides good instructions, but some of the connectors aren’t particularly sturdy.

That matches my experience, unfortunately. I know how much you want furniture in a child’s room to be sturdy and durable, especially since you don’t want to keep replacing it.

It’s frustrating when you have to tighten things more often after just a few months or notice that small kids find spots where the wear shows through. But I find it reassuring that with some maintenance, the system can hold up well. Still, sometimes I wish these pieces were just a bit tougher.

Has anyone tried adding extra reinforcements that you can install yourself? I’m considering using additional brackets or stronger fasteners during the next assembly to reduce wear. Your advice would be much appreciated.
J
julian36
28 May 2020 10:29
Regarding long-term stability and use in a child’s room, I can add the following:

- The PLATSA system is made from inexpensive materials (particleboard, thin metal fittings), so it cannot compete with solid wood systems.
- For moderate loads and normal use in a child’s room, PLATSA is completely sufficient. According to IKEA, the load capacity of a single compartment module is about 25 kg (55 lbs).
- Weak points: The connecting elements between modules can loosen over time, which, if assembled carelessly, may cause tipping hazards.
- The surfaces are resistant to scratches and moisture, but with aggressive use (e.g., paint, toys with sharp edges) chipping may occur.

Conclusion: PLATSA is suitable for everyday use in a child’s room if the assembly is done carefully, connections are checked regularly, and stabilizing measures are added if needed. For very rough use with extreme loads, I would recommend solutions with more robust materials.