Exhibitions The Story of IKEA

IKEA Through the Ages

80 years of doing things differently

Come on a journey through IKEA history from the 1950s to the present day. From the very first store in Älmhult, to a global brand with the vision of creating a better everyday life at home for the many people.

Enjoy some virtually unknown and amazing stories about how IKEA was born, how it grew, and how it goes on expanding around the world. There are examples of innovations and insights, magnificent catastrophes, fantastic ideas and innovative designs. The exhibition also shows some of the very first furniture sold by IKEA.

The first store

When the ground was dug to build the first store in Älmhult, it was to be the biggest furniture store in Northern Europe. In 1958 the building was finished, and it had everything for the modern home, all under one roof. For more than 50 years it was a store, before being made into IKEA Museum. So this exhibition truly is a walk on historic ground!

Home through the ages

With rooms and original furnishings typical of their time, you can see how life at home has changed over eight decades. See how our homes have changed character, and how everything from technological progress to attitudes towards children are reflected in the home environment. We occasionally shift the perspectives, and you can also see examples of how IKEA works with smart, multifunctional solutions for all the people who live in small spaces today.