IKEA Return Policy: 365 Days Unopened, 180 Days Opened & Mattress Swaps

IKEA's return policy is one of the longest in US retail, but the deadline you get depends on one thing: whether the box has been opened. This guide covers the windows, what you need to bring, which products are excluded, how mattress exchanges work and how to physically get a bulky item back to IKEA, with every rule tied to IKEA's own US customer-service pages.

How long do you have to return something to IKEA?

There are two clocks, and both require proof of purchase:

In practice, a flat-pack box you never got around to opening keeps the 365-day window, while anything you've unpacked has roughly half as long. If you're unsure whether you'll keep a piece, leaving it sealed keeps the longer window open ¹.

Receipt and ID requirements

IKEA requires both your receipt and a valid government-issued photo ID to return or exchange a product ¹. Information from your ID is kept in a company-wide database that IKEA says is used only for authorizing returns ¹.

IKEA's policy pages don't describe any option for returning items without a receipt, so treat the receipt as mandatory. For exchanges, IKEA lists the receipt or an online order confirmation, along with the card you paid with ². If you bought online, keep the order confirmation email until you're sure you're keeping everything.

How IKEA refunds work

Refunds go back to the same form of payment originally used for the purchase ¹. A few details can make the amount smaller than you expect:

• Net price only: IKEA refunds only the net purchase price shown on your receipt ¹. If you paid a discounted price, that's what comes back.
• Promotional items: if a promotional item was part of the original transaction and you don't return it, its value is deducted from your refund ¹. Bring the free or promotional item back along with the product it came with.

What IKEA won't take back

Some products are excluded from returns entirely: plants, cut fabric, custom countertops and as-is products ¹. Treat anything bought from the as-is section, and any countertop made to your measurements, as a final purchase.

Condition matters for everything else. IKEA won't refund or exchange merchandise that has been modified from its original form, or that is dirty, stained or damaged ¹. If you've drilled, cut, painted or otherwise altered a piece, assume it can't come back.

IKEA mattress returns: the "Love it or exchange it" program

Mattresses follow their own rule. Instead of a refund, IKEA lets you exchange a mattress for another one time within 90 days ¹. The conditions:

1. The mattress must not be dirty, marked or damaged ³.
2. Take it back to an IKEA store with your receipt, and staff will help you pick a different one ³.
3. If the new mattress costs more, you pay the difference; if it costs less, IKEA credits the difference to an IKEA refund card for a future purchase ³.
4. If your original mattress came through IKEA's Home Delivery Service, collection and delivery of the replacement are free; contact IKEA Customer Service to arrange it ³.

The program applies to all new mattresses but not to bed bases, bed slats or mattress toppers ³. IKEA also notes that a new mattress can feel too firm at first and suggests allowing at least one month to adjust before deciding ³. Mattresses also come with a free 10-year limited warranty ³.

How to return an item to IKEA

In store. Go to your local IKEA, use the Exchanges & returns entrance, follow the signs to the Exchanges & returns desk and sign up to join the line ². You can also start your return online first ².

Home pickup. If your items were delivered from the store, contact the Customer Support Center to schedule a pickup; the same applies to online purchases ². Pickup availability varies by market, and items should be placed on a covered porch, in the garage or at the doorstep ¹.

FedEx for small items. If you recently bought a small item in store, you can contact the Customer Support Center to return it via FedEx at a FedEx drop-off location ².

Can't get to a store? IKEA invites you to chat with customer service online ².

One location rule to know: returns are not accepted at IKEA Planning Studio or IKEA Pick Up Point locations ¹. Head to a full IKEA store instead.

Exchanging an item

You can exchange items at any IKEA store. Bring the merchandise, a photo ID, your receipt (or online order confirmation) and the card you used for the purchase ². The condition rules still apply: modified, dirty, stained or damaged items can't be exchanged ¹.

Damaged or missing parts

If only one part of your product is damaged, IKEA may be able to ship replacement parts from one of its stores ¹. For the quickest resolution, IKEA recommends visiting a store with the damaged product or part and your order confirmation or receipt; if you can't, call the IKEA US Customer Support Center at 1-888-888-4532 ¹.

Quick tips

• Keep products sealed until you're sure: unopened items get 365 days versus 180 days for opened ones ¹.
• Pack your receipt and a government-issued photo ID before you go ¹.
• Return any promotional item that came with your purchase to avoid a deduction ¹.
• Don't drive to a Planning Studio or Pick Up Point with a return ¹.
• Test a new mattress for at least one month, but decide before the 90-day exchange window closes ³.

See all IKEA guides on the IKEA store page, or compare with other retailers in our return policy hub.