The IKEA Henriksdal was a long-standing favorite dining chair, but it has been discontinued and fully replaced by the newer Bergmund model. While both serve the same function, the Bergmund is a refinement of the original design, featuring improved comfort, a more streamlined look, and interchangeable legs, whereas the Henriksdal had fixed legs and a simpler construction. The most significant difference is the Bergmund's emphasis on better lumbar support and customization.
Here’s everything you need to know about these chairs to see if the upgraded Bergmund is right for your dining space.
IKEA Henriksdal Dining Chair
The Henriksdal was IKEA’s go-to upholstered dining chair for many years, celebrated for its simple design, comfortable seat, and the practicality of removable, washable slipcovers. Its classic shape, featuring a high back and straight legs, made it an incredibly versatile choice that could blend into traditional, modern, and eclectic dining rooms. Though now discontinued, it remains a popular item on the second-hand market.
- What it is: A discontinued, upholstered dining chair with a solid wood frame.
- Key features: Padded seat and backrest, removable fabric slipcovers, high-back design.
- Price: Originally priced around $79-$149, now varies on second-hand markets.
- Dimensions: Approximately 21 1/4" wide, 22 7/8" deep, and 38 1/4" high.
- Materials/Construction: Solid wood frame with polyurethane foam padding. Came with fixed legs in different finishes (e.g., black-brown, white, oak).
- Style: Timeless and traditional. Its straightforward design made it a flexible styling piece for many homes.
- Pros: Classic and versatile design that works with many decor styles. Padded seat offers good comfort for its price. Washable slipcovers made it great for families. Widely available on second-hand sites.
- Cons: Has been discontinued, making it impossible to buy new. Limited customization with fixed legs. Comfort is good, but lacks the refined ergonomic support of its successor.
The Henriksdal is ideal for someone who finds a good deal on the used market or wants to match existing chairs they already own.
Shop this product: Available on second-hand marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
IKEA Bergmund Dining Chair
The Bergmund is IKEA's modern replacement for the beloved Henriksdal. It takes the core concept - an affordable, comfortable, slipcovered dining chair - and adds significant improvements. With better back support, thicker cushioning, and the ability to swap out the legs, the Bergmund offers more comfort and customization. It's designed to be a direct upgrade, providing a similar aesthetic with superior ergonomics.
- What it is: The current model upholstered dining chair designed to replace the Henriksdal.
- Key features: Enhanced lumbar support, thicker foam padding, and interchangeable legs (sold separately) that allow for customization.
- Price: Around $99 per chair (frame and cover), with legs sold separately for around $20-$30 per pair.
- Dimensions: Approximately 20 1/8" wide, 23 1/4" deep, and 38 1/4" high.
- Materials/Construction: A durable frame made with a combination of solid wood and particleboard. Seat is supported by steel springs and polyester foam for lasting comfort.
- Style: Contemporary and clean. While similar to the Henriksdal, its lines are slightly more modern and the customizable legs allow it to lean into different style identities.
- Pros: Superior comfort thanks to better lumbar support and padding. Interchangeable legs offer great customization (black, white, oak effect). Removable and machine-washable covers. Still a great value for an upholstered chair.
- Cons: A slightly higher all-in price since the frame, cover, and legs are often sold as separate components. The frame shape is slightly different, so Henriksdal covers will not fit perfectly.
The Bergmund is the perfect choice for anyone looking for new, comfortable upholstered dining chairs that offer customization and modern ergonomics at an affordable price point.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/bergmund-chair-white-orrsta-light-gray-s89492167/
Henriksdal vs. Bergmund Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
Dimensionally, the Bergmund chair and Henriksdal chair are very similar, intended to occupy the same footprint in a dining room. Both stand at the same 38 1/4" height, ensuring they work well with standard dining tables. The Bergmund is about an inch narrower than the Henriksdal, which can be an advantage when trying to fit more chairs around a table.
Despite their similar sizes, the Bergmund has a slightly more contoured and visually lighter shape thanks to subtle changes in its frame. For most people, replacing Henriksdal chairs with Bergmund chairs will not noticeably impact floor space or arrangement.
Comfort & Ergonomics
This is where the Bergmund truly shines and justifies its existence as the replacement model. While the Henriksdal was considered comfortable for its time, its backrest was fairly flat. The Bergmund frame has a more pronounced curve built into the lower back area, providing significantly better lumbar support. You can feel the difference immediately during long dinners or when using the chair as a workspace seat.
The padding on the Bergmund's seat is also reportedly thicker and supported by S-shaped steel springs, giving it a more plush and durable feel over time. The Henriksdal used simpler foam padding that was comfortable but could compress and lose shape after years of heavy use. In terms of pure comfort, the Bergmund is the clear winner.
Materials & Construction
Both chairs are built on a solid wood and wood-product frame, designed for everyday durability. The primary functional difference is in the leg design. The Henriksdal’s legs were part of the chair assembly, fixed in place, and came with the frame. You chose your leg finish at the time of purchase and couldn't easily change it.
The Bergmund features a modular design where the chair frame is standard and the legs are chosen and attached separately. IKEA currently offers options in black, white, and an oak effect. This allows you to update the look of your dining room in the future just by swapping legs without buying all-new chairs.
Price & Value
Originally, both models occupied a similar, budget-friendly price point for an upholstered dining chair. A complete Bergmund chair today (frame, cover, and two pairs of legs) typically costs between $100 and $130, which is slightly more than the Henriksdal's final retail price. However, the value proposition for the Bergmund is higher.
For a small increase in cost, you get better ergonomic support, longer-lasting comfort, and the ability to customize its appearance. While you can find Henriksdal chairs for very cheap on second-hand markets, the comfort trade-off and lack of warranty may not be worth the savings for most people.
Style & Versatility
The Henriksdal is the definition of a classic, transitional dining chair. Its simple form allows it to act as a blank canvas, with the fabric slipcover defining its style. This made it a decorator-favorite for its flexibility.
The Bergmund retains this slipcover versatility but adds the layer of customizable legs. By pairing a gray tweed cover with oak-effect legs, you can create a warm, Scandinavian look. The same cover with black legs feels more minimal and modern. This added flexibility makes the Bergmund even more versatile than its predecessor, even though its core design feels more contemporary.
Which One Should You Choose?
While one has been discontinued, the choice depends on your budget, availability, and specific priorities.
Choose the Henriksdal (if you find it used) if:
- You already own Henriksdal chairs and want to find one or two more to match your set.
- You're on a very tight budget and find a great deal on the second-hand market.
- You own vintage or custom Henriksdal slipcovers you want to continue using.
- You prefer the slightly wider seat and more traditional silhouette of the original design.
Choose the Bergmund if:
- Comfort and ergonomic support, especially for your back, are your top priorities.
- You want to buy new chairs that come with a warranty and are in current production.
- You value the ability to customize your chairs by swapping out different colored legs.
- You plan to use the chairs frequently for long periods of seating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the Henriksdal and Bergmund?
The main difference is comfort and customization. The Bergmund has significantly better lumbar support, thicker padding, and interchangeable legs, while the older Henriksdal has a flatter back and fixed legs.
Can you use Henriksdal slipcovers on a Bergmund chair?
No, they will not be a perfect fit. While the dimensions are similar, the frame of the Bergmund chair has a different shape, particularly around the backrest. A Henriksdal cover would be very tight or might not fit at all, and it would not align properly with the chair's curves.
Is the Bergmund chair better than the Henriksdal?
Yes, for most people, the Bergmund is objectively a better chair. It was specifically designed by IKEA as an improvement, focusing on key areas like back support, seat comfort, and modern customization options.
Why did IKEA discontinue the Henriksdal?
IKEA regularly updates its product lines to improve functionality, adapt to new manufacturing processes, and refresh styles. They replaced the Henriksdal with the Bergmund to offer a product with better ergonomics and more customization options, reflecting modern consumer preferences.
Are Bergmund chairs easy to assemble?
Yes, like most IKEA furniture, the Bergmund chair is designed for easy assembly. The process involves attaching the four legs to the pre-assembled seat/back frame and then putting on the slipcover. The instructions are clear and all necessary hardware is included.
How do you clean Bergmund and Henriksdal covers?
Most fabric covers for both models are removable and machine washable. Always check the care label on the specific cover, but typically you can wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle and let them air dry or tumble dry on low to prevent shrinking.
Can I buy new legs for an old Henriksdal chair?
No, you cannot use the new Bergmund legs on an old Henriksdal frame. The Henriksdal chair was not designed with removable legs, they were a part of the original frame structure.
Which chair is more durable?
Both chairs are designed for durability in a normal household environment. However, the Bergmund's S-spring seat support may offer better long-term resilience and prevent sagging compared to the Henriksdal's simpler foam-only seat cushion.
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