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Why is it called that?

IKEA product names can appear strange even to a Swede. Elsewhere in the world they’re virtually incomprehensible, but fun! Get the inside scoop on why IKEA products have such odd names, and learn about the intricate rules for naming them. Because there is a method to the madness.

More than a low price

IKEA is a balancing act between seemingly conflicting ambitions. Sales machine or inspiration? Business or people? For IKEA, it’s never been about choosing one or the other, it’s always both. Ingvar Kamprad’s original idea to offer products with both a low price and good quality has grown into a strong culture and identity. It is still a driving force at IKEA today.

Design by IKEA of Sweden

Ideas for IKEA products are always inspired by needs and dreams in people’s lives at home. In this film, two generations of IKEA people tell the story of working towards fulfilling those aspirations. It’s about finding the best and most cost-effective solution, guided by all the different dimensions of Democratic Design – form, function, quality, sustainability, and low price.

The store part 1

Explore the development of IKEA stores, from the very first showroom in little Älmhult to today’s city stores. IKEA people behind the scenes reveal the inner workings of setting up a store and striking the balance between home furnishing inspiration and sales.

The store part 2

An IKEA store is of course filled with home furnishings, but above all it’s full of people. What are they up to in there all day and half the night? Meet the truck drivers and salespeople, store managers, chefs, interior decorators and, perhaps most importantly, the customers. Together they make it all work.

Children’s IKEA

Explore two stories about Children’s IKEA. Children and families with children have always been central to IKEA. But it was in the 1990s that things really took off. Find out about the early beginnings, how it works today, and what IKEA puts into making a range for the most important people in the world.

Democratic Design

What is Democratic Design? Is it a road map for product developers, or a communicative tool that brings great ideas to the many people? In true IKEA style, it is of course both. Here, we explore the roots and application of the Democratic Design principle and its five pillars.

A dinner conversation about IKEA Food

Three IKEA Food veterans meet over hot dogs, plant balls and other yummy IKEA classics. Jan Kjellman, Miriam Swärdh and Michael La Cour talk about the past, present and future – sharing stories about everything from the first IKEA restaurant in 1960, to the Swedish food market and food becoming an integral part of the IKEA identity.

Small space living

In the age of urbanisation, more and more people are living in less and less space. IKEA has been working with small space living for a long time, but now it’s more important than ever. Explore how IKEA works to create a better life at home for people living in small spaces. Also, find out how a furniture retailer thinks around doing the most with the least.

A story of how IKEA uses home visits to get closer to what people want and dream about when it comes to creating a better life at home. After finding out how people live and what they think makes a good home, IKEA can create even better solutions to people’s need for privacy and security, comfort, ownership and belonging.

IKEA is, at its core, collaborative. Be it suppliers or consumers, everyone is invited to join in. Collaboration happens when customers assemble furniture at home, and when creatives like Virgil Abloh and Olafur Eliason develop new products together with IKEA. This film takes a deep dive into the creative process of collaboration, and how IKEA strives to find the right people to seek out the right solutions to everyday challenges.

Meet the designers

Are you curious about what it’s like to work as a designer for IKEA? Sketching cutlery one day, and a big sofa or maybe a whole kitchen the next? Meet Marcus Arvonen, Sarah Fager, Mikael Axelsson and Akanksha Deo – democratic designers on a mission to make life at home a little better. By making small changes they can have a big impact.

Go back in time and explore the origins of IKEA and Ingvar Kamprad. Hardship, thrift and ingenuity in Småland, Sweden, and visions of a new life at home for the many people. Simple, functional and beautiful.

The swinging ’40s

The war ends and neutral Sweden gets a head start, boosting its economy and sense of community. From playing shop as a small boy, Ingvar Kamprad founds IKEA and a new era is dawning.

The rocking ’50s

In the shadow of the Cold War, Sweden experiences a time of self-confidence and progress and Swedes have more money. IKEA opens home furnishing showrooms and what will become the first store in Älmhult.

The political ’60s

The world is rocked by ideological conflict. In Sweden, social reforms improve living standards. A building boom creates a need for home furnishings and an IKEA flagship store opens in Stockholm.

The radical ’70s

A decade defined by political activism and discussion around consumerism. A good fit for the unpretentious style of IKEA. Despite the looming oil crisis, the great expansion begins.

The individualistic ’80s

As the global recession subsides, luxury consumption makes a comeback. The IKEA product range gets lost in attempts to keep up with global trends and the IKEA identity becomes muddled.

The soul searching ’90s

The yuppie fades away and IKEA struggles with an identity crisis. It’s time to go back to the Scandinavian roots. While becoming a truly global brand, IKEA reclaims its soul.

The digital ’00s

An era of new challenges and innovation for the world and for IKEA. The climate crisis climbs high on the global agenda, and the digital revolution changes everything.

The chaotic ’10s

In a world of urbanisation and housing shortages, financial worries and rising nationalism, IKEA intensifies its efforts to contribute to global sustainability for people and planet.