Short answer: IKEA is the better all-around choice for furnishing a small Canadian apartment on a budget — more compact-specific pieces, lower prices, and easier returns. Structube is worth the premium for visible living room and dining pieces where style matters more than storage density.
If you are furnishing a small apartment in Canada, the two names that come up constantly are Structube and IKEA. Both are accessible, both ship nationally, and both target the same demographic — renters and first-time homeowners who need functional furniture without paying boutique prices. But they approach the problem differently, and in a small apartment layout where every piece is on full display and every centimetre counts, those differences matter.
This is a direct, category-by-category comparison based on what each brand actually sells, what it costs in CAD, and how well it works in apartments under 700 square feet.
The Core Difference: Design Philosophy
IKEA builds furniture around a problem — how to store more, fit more function into less space, and keep prices as low as the material allows. Their design team obsesses over flat-pack efficiency, modular add-ons, and multi-use pieces. The aesthetic is clean and functional, sometimes generic.
Key takeaway: IKEA optimises furniture for maximum function per square foot — flat-pack efficiency, modular add-ons, and multi-use pieces. Structube designs for maximum visual impact per dollar, pricing below West Elm and CB2 but rarely optimising for small-space constraints. For apartments under 500 square feet, IKEA’s space-conscious sizing usually wins.
Structube takes a different approach. They design furniture that looks like it belongs in an interior design magazine, then price it below what comparable-looking pieces cost at West Elm or CB2. The trade-off is that Structube rarely optimizes for small-space constraints the way IKEA does. Their pieces look great, but they are not always sized for a 500 sq ft rental.
For a small apartment, this distinction shapes every buying decision. You are choosing between maximum function per square foot (IKEA) and maximum visual impact per dollar (Structube).
Price Comparison by Category (CAD)
Prices below reflect standard retail at the time of writing. Both brands run seasonal sales — IKEA’s Boxing Day and summer clearance events are the deepest discounts; Structube’s warehouse sales (typically spring and fall) can cut prices by 30–50% on discontinued lines.
Sofas and Loveseats
| Piece | IKEA Range | Structube Range |
|---|---|---|
| Two-seat sofa | $399–$699 | $599–$1,099 |
| Sofa bed | $599–$1,299 | $899–$1,499 |
| Compact loveseat | $299–$499 | $499–$799 |
For small spaces: IKEA’s FRIHETEN sofa bed (~$999, price verified Oct 2026) remains the default choice for Canadian renters who need a guest bed inside their sofa. It fits in most living rooms under 12 sq m and includes under-seat storage. Structube’s sofa beds look better — the ADAM and the BENSON have a more residential, less dorm-room feel — but they cost $200–$400 more and the sleep surface is about the same comfort level.
If your living room is the room guests see first, Structube’s styling edge is real. If your sofa needs to do three jobs (seating, sleeping, storage), IKEA’s integrated designs win.
Dining Tables and Chairs
| Piece | IKEA Range | Structube Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2-person table | $79–$199 | $149–$299 |
| 4-person table | $149–$399 | $249–$599 |
| Dining chair | $39–$99 | $79–$199 |
For small spaces: This is where Structube closes the price gap. A Structube bistro table at $199 looks significantly better than an IKEA MELLTORP at $99 — and in a small apartment where the dining table is three feet from the sofa, that visual quality carries weight. IKEA’s drop-leaf tables (NORDEN, NORBERG wall-mount) are unmatched for truly tight spaces, though. Nobody else sells a wall-mounted drop-leaf table for under $100 that folds completely flat.
Storage Furniture
| Piece | IKEA Range | Structube Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bookcase | $59–$249 | $199–$499 |
| TV unit | $79–$349 | $249–$599 |
| Sideboard/console | $149–$399 | $299–$699 |
For small spaces: IKEA dominates this category. The KALLAX, BILLY, and BESTÅ systems are purpose-built for maximizing storage in small living rooms. They are modular, wall-mountable, and available in sizes that fit narrow walls and awkward corners. Structube’s storage pieces look better on an Instagram post, but they waste more floor space per unit of actual storage capacity. In a small apartment, storage density matters more than storage aesthetics.
Desks and Home Office
| Piece | IKEA Range | Structube Range |
|---|---|---|
| Small desk (≤100 cm) | $79–$299 | $199–$449 |
| Desk with storage | $149–$399 | $299–$549 |
| Office chair | $99–$399 | $199–$499 |
For small spaces: IKEA’s MICKE desk ($149) and ALEX drawer unit ($129) are almost universal in Canadian student and remote-worker apartments for a reason — they are compact, functional, and cheap enough that you do not feel bad selling them on Facebook Marketplace when you move. Structube’s desks are prettier, but few of them are sized below 120 cm wide, which cuts out many of the tight corners and bedroom-office setups that Canadian renters actually deal with.
Beds and Bedroom
| Piece | IKEA Range | Structube Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bed frame (queen) | $199–$599 | $399–$899 |
| Storage bed (queen) | $399–$799 | $599–$999 |
| Nightstand | $39–$149 | $99–$249 |
For small spaces: The IKEA NORDLI and MALM storage beds are hard to beat here. Built-in drawers underneath the mattress replace the need for a separate dresser entirely, which in a small bedroom can free up enough floor space for a desk or reading chair. Structube’s bed frames look more polished — the FELIX and KOBE lines have a mid-century look that IKEA’s bedroom range cannot match — but integrated storage options are limited, and you will likely need a separate dresser, which defeats the purpose in a tight bedroom.
Quality and Durability
Neither brand sells heirloom furniture. Both target the 2–5 year lifecycle that aligns with how often Canadian renters move. Within that range:
IKEA’s lower-priced lines (LACK, KALLAX, MALM) use engineered wood with laminate or foil finish. They hold up well enough if assembled carefully and not moved too many times. The hardware is where IKEA furniture tends to fail — cam locks loosen, drawer slides wear out, and particleboard does not forgive disassembly and reassembly more than once or twice.
Structube’s materials trend slightly better. More pieces use solid wood, metal frames, and real veneer rather than printed foil. Their upholstered pieces generally have denser foam and better fabric weight than IKEA’s equivalent price tier. You can feel the difference when you sit on a Structube sofa vs an IKEA sofa at the same price point — the Structube feels like a $1,200 sofa priced at $800, while the IKEA feels like exactly what you paid.
The honest take: If you plan to stay two years and sell everything on Kijiji when you leave, IKEA’s durability is fine and the lower price means less money lost on resale depreciation. If you plan to keep pieces for four or five years and you care about how they age, Structube’s better materials justify the price gap on select items — particularly sofas, dining tables, and bed frames.
Delivery and Assembly
Delivery
IKEA Canada offers Click & Collect (free or low-cost at most locations), standard home delivery ($49–$99+ depending on order size and distance), and a generally reliable logistics network across major Canadian cities. Rural delivery can be slow and expensive.
Structube ships from their warehouses, with delivery fees typically running $99–$149 for furniture-sized items. Delivery timelines are less predictable — Structube has had well-documented delays, particularly on back-ordered items that can take 8–16 weeks. IKEA’s in-stock items are generally available for delivery or pickup within a week in most urban areas.
For renters: If you need to furnish an apartment on a move-in deadline, IKEA’s stock availability and Click & Collect system is a major practical advantage. Structube’s wait times can genuinely disrupt a move-in plan.
Assembly
Both brands sell primarily flat-pack, self-assembly furniture. IKEA’s assembly instructions are famously wordless and generally well-designed — most people can build a BILLY bookcase in 30 minutes. Structube’s instructions are adequate but less polished. Assembly difficulty is comparable between the two brands for similar piece types.
Both offer paid assembly services through third-party partners. IKEA’s TaskRabbit integration books directly at checkout; Structube partners with local delivery crews who offer assembly as an add-on.
Return Policies
IKEA Canada: 365-day return policy on most items, even assembled, with receipt. This is one of the most generous furniture return policies in Canada and a genuine safety net for renters who are not sure if a piece will fit or work in the space. You can buy, assemble, live with it for a month, and return it if it does not work — that flexibility has real value in a small apartment where fit is everything.
Structube: 30-day return policy, and the item must be unassembled and in original packaging. This is a much tighter window and a much harder requirement to meet — once you have built it and put it in your apartment, returning it is essentially not an option unless the piece is defective. Structube does accept exchanges on defective items.
For renters in small spaces: IKEA’s return policy alone is a reason to buy there first when you are unsure about fit. In a 450 sq ft apartment, a sofa that looked right in the store but blocks the hallway by 10 cm is a real problem. Being able to return it assembled, no questions asked, within a year is a meaningful advantage.
Style Differences
IKEA’s aesthetic is Scandinavian-functional: clean lines, neutral tones, minimal ornamentation. It works everywhere and offends nowhere. The downside is that IKEA-furnished apartments tend to look like every other IKEA-furnished apartment — functional but not memorable.
Structube leans into mid-century modern, industrial, and contemporary design trends. Their pieces have more character — tapered legs, textured upholstery, brass hardware, walnut-tone finishes. In a small apartment where every piece is visible from every angle, a few well-chosen Structube items can make the entire space feel more intentional and designed.
The practical approach: Use IKEA for the infrastructure — storage systems, bed frame with drawers, kitchen organization, bathroom storage. Then add one or two Structube pieces in the most visible spots — the sofa, the dining table, a statement shelf — where the style upgrade has the most visual return per dollar.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
There is no single winner here. The right answer depends on three things: your budget, how long you are staying, and which room you are furnishing.
Choose IKEA when:
- You are furnishing an entire apartment on a budget under $3,000
- You need storage-integrated, multi-functional pieces (storage beds, modular shelving, drop-leaf tables)
- You are on a move-in deadline and need furniture available this week
- You are not sure if a piece will fit and want the safety of a 365-day return window
- You plan to sell and replace within 2–3 years
Choose Structube when:
- You have room in the budget for a $200–$400 premium on select pieces
- You are furnishing a living room or dining area where style is the priority
- You plan to keep the piece for 4+ years and want better material quality
- You are combining it with IKEA storage and infrastructure pieces elsewhere in the apartment
- You want your apartment to look less like everyone else’s first apartment
The mix most Canadian renters land on: IKEA for 70–80% of the apartment (storage, bedroom infrastructure, kitchen, bathroom), Structube for the 2–3 pieces guests actually see and sit on. That blend gives you maximum function where it matters and maximum style where it shows.
Related Reading
- Small Space Furniture: What to Buy in Canada — the full guide to choosing apartment-size pieces with real CAD prices
- Small Apartment Layout Ideas — how to arrange furniture in tight floor plans so nothing feels cramped
- Small Living Room Storage Solutions — making the most of every wall and corner for storage
