Review: Ikea SKOGSTA Stool

Been meaning to pick up something from the Ikea SKOGSTA line for a while because I liked the look of the acacia wood. The time came to get a food-picker-upper and the SKOGSTA stool was relatively cheap, so aye, why not?

Inside an Ikea SKOGSTA Stool package

Configuration
x1 - Ikea SKOGSTA Stool, size 17 3/4": US$ 19.00 (CA$ 29.00)

Video
In 33s: Ikea SKOGSTA Stool Assembled
Overview: Ikea SKOGSTA Stool

Assembly
As with other chairs or stools I've built from Ikea, the Ikea SKOGSTA stool was not the most difficult item in the world to put together. The parts were not overly packaged. I opened up the cardboard box, which I was able to carry home on public transit without causing too much damage, and laid the parts out. There were around a half-dozen major pieces of wood and roughly an equal number of screws. Most of the work was done with the provided Allen key, but I did have to break out the toolbox for a screwdriver for one step. In short, the legs were attached to the seat.

Time: ~30 minutes

Ikea SKOGSTA Stool assembled

Stability
With the stool being relatively short and wide, I didn't notice any issues. There was a sticker on the bottom of the SKOGSTA stool that looked like a warning against stepping/standing on it though.

Expandability / Customizability
Get more SKOGSTA or acacia wood stuff?

How was it?
I needed a small side table more than a chair. My first choice was to get an Ikea NORNAS side table, which I bought but ended up using for something else entirely. Not wanting to purchase the same item again and to save a few dollars, the Ikea SKOGSTA stool looked like a good option.

Thus far, it's been used as an elevated surface to hold up food and drink. There have been occasions where I sat on it and it didn't fall apart -- that's one good thing going for it? The weight of a glass or plate of food is obviously less than that of a fully grown adult, so my SKOGSTA stool will probably see a lot less wear than one used for proper seating.

Seat surface of an Ikea SKOGSTA Stool

In terms of look and style, I loved the color and grain pattern in the chair. The wood looked a bit like a darker colored pine, and it felt harder than pine as well. According to the Ikea.ca product page for the item, the SKOGSTA stool used "solid acacia wood" and "wax." An information sheet that came with the package talked about the surface treatment and maintaining it. The waxed wood seemed kind of like an oiled wood utensil or a lightly lacquered surface to me. I didn't have any trouble wiping the thing down with a damp paper towel after assembly -- as opposed to solid, untreated pine.

Moving the item around felt fairly easy given its relatively light weight and size. No backrest to worry about and a smaller seat size than a proper chair made for easy carrying/moving.

Conclusion
A short wood stool for about CA$ 30. The Ikea SKOGSTA stool appeared to do what I bought it for: as a very small side table to keep food and drinks off the floor. How it works as a chair for a fully grown human being, you tell me. It's pretty though.