IKEA MILLBERGET Office Chair: Complete Guide (Variants, Repair, Spare Parts)

The MILLBERGET may be less well-known than the MARKUS, but it occupies a real place in tens of thousands of student offices and home workspaces. Its affordable price, accessible size and relative lightness make it the most widely distributed entry-level office chair in the IKEA catalog. And like any chair with a pneumatic cylinder, it has its characteristic failures — starting with the seat that slowly descends on its own after a few years. This guide covers the model's anatomy, its official variants, reading its references, and repairing the most frequent problems.

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Anatomy of the MILLBERGET: what you need to know before ordering a part

The MILLBERGET is a swivel office chair with a mid-backrest. Unlike the MARKUS which goes up to the neck, its backrest stops in the upper back — this is the first criterion that allows you to identify it from a distance.

The base is a five-star steel structure, epoxy-polyester lacquered to resist corrosion. It is equipped with double wheels that incorporate an automatic braking mechanism: the wheels lock when no one is sitting, and unlock under the effect of weight. It's discreet, but useful to prevent the chair from moving on its own when you get up.

The gas lift connects the base to the seat and controls the height adjustment. This is a standard part — an important point we will return to in the repair section.

The seat is made of polyurethane foam (35 kg/m3) covered with MURUM fabric (100% polyester, at least 90% recycled) protected by a layer of polyurethane. It is perforated to allow air to pass through. The padded armrests are fixed directly to the seat frame — fixed, non-adjustable.

The backrest varies depending on the version: perforated padded fabric on current MURUM models, or mesh covering on some older editions. This point is crucial: a torn mesh backrest cannot be repaired — you must replace the entire backrest. A damaged MURUM fabric backrest is in the same situation: no fabric replacement sold, replacement of the whole unit.

The tilt mechanism is accessible under the seat via a rotating button that adjusts the tilt resistance. Simple, effective, without complicated locking levers.

Reference dimensions (current model):

• Total width: 70 cm
• Total depth: 70 cm
• Maximum height: 123 cm
• Seat width: 50 cm
• Seat depth: 46 cm
• Seat height: adjustable from 45 to 58 cm
• Chair weight: approximately 17 kg
• Maximum load: 110 kg

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The MILLBERGET variants: the complete catalog

This is where many owners get lost. The MILLBERGET is not a single model — it has existed under several coverings and in several configurations since its launch in the 2010s.

MURUM — the current version

This is the MILLBERGET you find today on ikea.com and in store. Two colors available:

• MURUM black: the classic, the best-selling, compatible with the vast majority of office setups.
• MURUM beige: for light spaces and Scandinavian interiors. Caution: beige is more sensitive to marks and visible wear.

MURUM fabric is a polyester with polyurethane finish. It is soft to the touch, firm under pressure, easy to wipe with a damp cloth. It is not machine washable — do not try.

BOMSTAD — the faux leather version

The BOMSTAD version (black) existed in the MILLBERGET catalog as a faux leather covering. It offered a more "professional office" look and an easy-to-clean surface. This version is not systematically available in the France catalog — check availability in store. On the used market, it is recognizable by its smooth and shiny appearance.

KIMSTAD — the old fabric version

The KIMSTAD reference (white in particular) appears in the MILLBERGET product archives. This is a classic fabric covering, older, that you can still find on used chairs or in offices equipped several years ago. If you are looking for parts for a MILLBERGET KIMSTAD, note that some references may differ from current MURUM models.

With or without armrests: the classic trap

This is the most frequent source of ambiguity on the MILLBERGET. Some versions have been sold without armrests — particularly in certain markets or bundled with other IKEA furniture. IKEA UK has explicitly reported this ambiguity in its documentation. Before ordering replacement armrests thinking they were lost or broken, first check if your version was originally equipped with them. The article number (8 digits) under the seat is your best source of truth — it allows you to find the original product sheet on the IKEA website.

Version	Covering	Available colors	Armrests	Status
MURUM	Polyester + polyurethane	Black, Beige	Yes (padded)	Current catalog
BOMSTAD	Faux leather	Black	Yes	Variable availability
KIMSTAD	Classic fabric	White, others	Variable	Old version

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Reading your MILLBERGET reference

Under the seat, a label indicates the IKEA article number (8-digit format, ex: 70489394 for black MURUM). This is the only reliable information to identify your exact version and order the correct parts.

This number allows you to:

• Find the official assembly instructions on ikea.com (section "Assembly instructions")
• Contact IKEA customer service with a precise reference
• Verify which configuration (with or without armrests) corresponds to your purchase

The IKEA warranty on office chairs is 10 years on manufacturing defects. It does not cover normal wear and tear — a cylinder that fails after five years of intensive use falls into this category.

The standard applicable to IKEA office chairs is EN 1335, a European standard covering the ergonomics, structural strength and stability of office seats. Its presence in the product certifications means that the chair has passed repeated load and stability tests before marketing.

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Repair: common failures and their solutions

The seat goes down on its own

This is failure number one, on the MILLBERGET as on the vast majority of office chairs with a pneumatic cylinder. Symptom: you adjust the height, you sit down, the seat slowly or quickly descends to its lowest position. Cause: the gas cylinder has lost its internal pressure. The internal seals wear out, the gas gradually escapes, and the rod can no longer hold the seat.

The cylinder is not repaired. It is replaced.

Good news: the MILLBERGET cylinder is a standard 5-branch cylinder, more accessible than the GC-45 specific to the MARKUS. The MILLBERGET accepts generic market cylinders without the need for specific proprietary references. This means more choice, lower prices (count 10 to 20 euros for a replacement cylinder of correct quality), and immediate availability on online sales platforms.

Do not take the cheapest cylinder available without a brand. The quality of the cylinder steel is determining for the lifespan. A poor quality cylinder may fail in less than a year. Count at least 15 euros for a serious replacement.

Cylinder replacement — tools and procedure:

Materials needed:

• A rubber mallet
• A cylinder extractor (optional, recommended — about 10 euros on Amazon)
• A clean cloth

Procedure:

1. Turn the chair over. Separate the star base from the cylinder by gripping it firmly and pulling down while twisting. The base is held by friction, not by screws — it comes off without tools.
2. Remove the cylinder from the seat. It is also held by friction. A tap with a mallet on the base of the cylinder is usually sufficient. If the cylinder resists, the cylinder extractor inserts between the base and the cylinder and levers cleanly, without risking damage to the plastic parts.
3. Insert the new cylinder into the seat housing by pushing it in by hand. It should snap into place by simple pressure — no mallet needed.
4. Replace the star base by pressing down.

Total time: less than ten minutes. For a chair purchased for around 90 euros, it is clearly worth it before considering a complete replacement.

Wheels that no longer turn

The wheels of the MILLBERGET are standard double wheels with a cylindrical stem (grip ring stem system, 11 mm diameter). If they slip, lock up or scratch your parquet, they are replaced in a set of 5.

For parquet and hard floors, prefer replacement wheels in polyurethane (PU): they do not scratch, roll silently on all types of surfaces, and last longer than the original plastic wheels. Count 15 to 25 euros for a set of 5. This is one of the best improvements you can make to an office chair for less than 25 euros.

Missing or broken armrests

If your armrests are broken, first check if your version of the MILLBERGET was delivered with armrests originally (see the section on variants above). If so, contact IKEA customer service with your article number — replacement armrests may be available depending on stock.

If you own a model without armrests and wish to add them, know that there is no official IKEA kit for this modification. Universal armrests for fixing to the seat plate exist on the market, but their compatibility with the MILLBERGET must be verified on a case-by-case basis.

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Rare cases and pitfalls to avoid

Torn mesh backrest

On older versions of the MILLBERGET equipped with a mesh backrest (net stretched on frame), a tear is not repairable. Unlike some high-end chairs where the mesh fabric is ordered separately, on the MILLBERGET there is no such part in the IKEA catalog. The only solution is to replace the entire backrest — if the part is still available from customer service, or if you accept that the chair will end its existence with a faulty backrest.

This is an argument in favor of current MURUM versions (padded fabric backrest): their backrest is less aesthetic than the mesh, but it is more resistant over time and less catastrophic in case of deterioration.

The confusion armrests "missing" vs "lost"

Regularly, MILLBERGET owners contact IKEA customer service to report "missing armrests", thinking that parts were forgotten in the box. However, some configurations of the MILLBERGET have been sold without armrests. Before any customer service request, find the article number under the seat and check it on ikea.com or on the IKEA Club archive site. The corresponding product sheet clearly indicates the original configuration. You will avoid a useless wait.

Stiff tilt mechanism

The tension adjustment button under the seat can become difficult to turn over the years, especially if dust accumulates in the mechanism. A few sprays of silicone grease spray (not WD-40, which is hygroscopic and attracts moisture in the long term) in the area of the button, left to penetrate for an hour, usually solves the problem.

A 3D printing tip

For owners waiting for a replacement cylinder, there is a trick documented in repair communities: print in 3D a locking sleeve that slides around the cylinder and holds the seat at a fixed height. The STL files for standard cylinders are available for free on Printables.com (search for "gas cylinder stopper office chair"). This is not a permanent solution — the sleeve wears out — but it is a reliable fix while waiting for the replacement part.

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FAQ: frequently asked questions

My MILLBERGET goes down on its own. Where do I start?

It's the cylinder. Order a standard 5-branch replacement cylinder (no need for a specific IKEA reference) and replace it yourself in ten minutes with a mallet and possibly a cylinder extractor. Total cost: 15 to 25 euros versus 90 euros for a new chair.

What is the difference between the MILLBERGET cylinder and the MARKUS cylinder?

The MARKUS uses a specific cylinder referenced GC-45 (4.5 inch stroke). The MILLBERGET uses a standard cylinder more common, compatible with a larger number of generic references on the market. The MILLBERGET is therefore easier and less expensive to repair on this point.

My mesh backrest is torn. What to do?

The mesh cannot be repaired and is not ordered separately. The only option is to replace the entire backrest via IKEA customer service, if the part is still available for your reference. If not, the chair is at the end of its life on this component.

Is the MILLBERGET suitable for long-term use?

It's an entry-level chair — it has its limits. For sessions of less than 6 hours, it is correct. For full-time intensive office work, its fixed armrests and minimal adjustment (only height and tilt tension, no lumbar adjustment or seat depth) will quickly show their ergonomic constraints. An external lumbar cushion can partially compensate for the lack of lumbar adjustment.

Does IKEA sell MILLBERGET spare parts?

IKEA customer service can provide some parts (armrests, screws, structural elements) depending on stock availability. For the cylinder, go directly to suppliers of generic office chair spare parts — it's simpler, faster and often cheaper.

Which wheels to buy to protect a parquet floor?

Polyurethane (PU) wheels of 50 mm with a cylindrical stem of 11 mm. Avoid the original plastic wheels on varnished or laminated parquet floors — they scratch. PU wheels are available between 15 and 25 euros for a set of 5 on the main online sales platforms.

How to know if my MILLBERGET was delivered with armrests?

Note the 8-digit article number under the seat and search for it on ikea.com or on the IKEA Club archive site. The corresponding product sheet clearly indicates the original configuration.

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*Sources consulted: IKEA France — MILLBERGET MURUM black, IKEA US — MILLBERGET MURUM black, IKEA US — MILLBERGET Bomstad black, IKEA Club — MILLBERGET Kimstad white, IKEA UK Community — MILLBERGET replacement cylinders, Workpickr — IKEA MILLBERGET specs*