IKEA is the world's largest furniture retailer, but its origins were far humbler than its global footprint suggests. Founded in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in the Swedish village of Älmhult, the company began as a mail-order business selling pens, wallets and picture frames. It wasn't until 1948 that the IKEA catalog started featuring furniture, altering the course of modern domestic design.
IKEA is rooted in democratic design, or the belief that well-made, beautiful objects should be accessible to everyone. This philosophy took shape in the 1950s when IKEA began working with independent designers to develop its own furniture lines. The pivotal innovation came in 1956, when IKEA introduced flat-pack furniture, a practical solution born out of necessity when designer Gillis Lundgren removed a table's legs to fit it into a car. This single insight reshaped how the world thinks about manufacturing, shipping and the relationship between consumer and object.
The 1970s and 1980s are now widely considered the golden age of IKEA design, a period when the company regularly collaborated with outside designers before transitioning to entirely in-house production. These decades produced some of the brand's most collectible pieces, and vintage examples are today actively sought after by collectors worldwide. Karen Mobring's safari-influenced seating — including the Diana, Natura and Amiral chairs — captures the organic, relaxed spirit of the era, while Noboru Nakamura's Bore chair and Lundgren's Pixi lounge chair round out the most coveted 1970s offerings. The 1980s brought a sharper, more industrial sensibility through Niels Gammelgaard's work in wire and tubular steel, among them the Enetri shelf, the wire Jarpen chairs and the foldable Ted chair, as well as Tord Björklund's Skye chaise and Klinte armchair.
Beyond these core collaborators, IKEA has worked with some of the most significant names in 20th-century design. Kai Kristiansen, Ettore Sottsass, Verner Panton and Mats Theselius all produced pieces for the brand, and rare examples of their IKEA work are among the most prized finds for collectors today. More recently, collaborations with designers such as Ilse Crawford, Tom Dixon and Hella Jongerius through its IKEA PS (“post scriptum”) collections have continued to push the brand into more expressive territory.
IKEA has also shaped retail culture itself. Its sprawling, maze-like store format — introduced in Älmhult in 1958 — transformed shopping into an experience, complete with room vignettes, a Swedish café and a one-way path designed to inspire. The brand has since expanded to more than 60 countries, while its annual catalog, once one of the most widely distributed publications in the world, became a cultural artifact in its own right.
IKEA continues to balance its founding tension: mass production in the service of good design. As Kamprad once put it, "to design a desk which may cost $1,000 is easy for a furniture designer, but to design a functional and good desk which shall cost $50 can only be done by the very best."
Find a range of vintage and collectible IKEA chairs, shelving and furniture on 1stDibs.
Space Age Cirkel Ikea Table Lamp Plexiglass (Acrylic) and Metal, 1990
By IKEA
Located in Beirut, LB
A striking example of 1970s modernist design, this sculptural table lamp features a distinctive architectural silhouette, blending industrial and space-age aesthetics. The lamp compr...
Metal
Set of Two Design Stools Vitamin, Ikea, Nicholai Wiig-Hansen, Sweden, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Praha, CZ
marked min seat height: 51 cm max seat height: 71 cm.
Fabric, Plastic
Vintage Oak Chest of Drawers by Marian Grabinski, Swedish Design, 1960
By IKEA
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage chest of drawers cabinet 1960s Swedish period 1960s design Marian Grabrinski IKEA Sweden condition good light signs of use size 64 x 57 x 47 (hxwxd) details oak...
Oak
Vintage ikea wall lamp sconce , 1970s
By IKEA
Located in Delft, NL
Vintage ikea wall lamp sconce , 1970s
Metal
Vintage Original 1980s IKEA folding chairs, model Robban, Set of 3
By IKEA
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Original 1980s IKEA folding chairs, model “Robban.” Made from birch plywood, these chairs feature a classic Scandinavian design typical of the era....
Birch, Plywood
‘Stoja’ Ceiling Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for IKEA, Sweden, 1987
By IKEA
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Ettore Sottsass for IKEA in 1987, the “Stoja” ceiling lamp represents a rare intersection between postmodern Italian design and Scandinavian mass production. This black ...
Plastic
"Stoja" Ceiling Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for IKEA Sweden, 1987
By Ettore Sottsass, IKEA
Located in Stockholm, SE
This ceiling lamp is an example of Ettore Sottsass’ work during his collaboration with IKEA in the late 1980s, a period when the designer explored how postmodern ideas could be trans...
Plastic, Wood
$2,626 / set
Pair of chairs "Eker'" by Illis Lundgren
By Gillis Lundgren, IKEA
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian vintage chairs model "Eker," designed by Illis Lundgren for IKEA. Painted wooden frame with an iconic, lightweight design. The "Eker" model, designed by Gillis Lundgren...
Wood
$1,790 / set
Coppia poltrone “Skopa” di Ikea, 1974
By IKEA
Located in Brescia, IT
Coppia “Skopa” del 1974, scocca in plastica rigida arancione, base tronco-conica, cuscini rifatti in tessuto grigio chiaro, iconico gusto pop. Disegnate e lanciate nel 1974, le “Sko...
Fabric, Plastic
Scandinavian mahogany and iron bedside table from IKEA, model "Rolf"
By IKEA
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian 1960s mahogany and iron bedside table, model "Rolf" from IKEA, with lightweight frame and brass details. Vintage Scandinavian mahogany and iron bedside table, model "Ro...
Iron
"Domino" entryway cabinet by A. Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen, IKEA
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian teak entry cabinet from the 1960s, model "Domino" by Arne Wahl Iversen for IKEA, with strict geometric balance. Scandinavian teak entry cabinet, designed by Arne Wahl I...
Teak
$1,800 / set
Set of 4 Monika Mulder Vintage "Hasslo" Chairs
By Monika Mulder, IKEA
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four stylish and comfortable dining chairs designed by Monika Mulder for Ikea. A plastic and metal frame can be used in the home or out on the patio. Please confirm item pic...
Metal
Mid Century Floor Lamp Fackla, Ikea, Uplighter, Sweden, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Praha, CZ
- very nice style of lighting.
Plastic
IKEA “RUM” Table Lamp, Paper Lantern & Metal Base, 1999
By IKEA
Located in Stockholm, SE
The “RUM” table lamp was produced by IKEA in 1999 and represents the brand’s late-1990s exploration of Scandinavian modern lighting through lightweight materials and expressive struc...
Metal
$345Sale Price|20% Off
Per B. Sundberg Candlestick from the "FÖREMÅL" Collection for IKEA, 2018
By Per B. Sundberg, IKEA
Located in London, GB
For sale a wonderfully playful and typically kitsch stoneware candle holder by the rebel Swedish artist and designer, Per B. Sundberg for his limited edition "FÖREMÅL" Collection for...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Early IKEA of Sweden Nesting Tables — Chrome and Glass — Scandinavian Modern
By IKEA
Located in Voorburg, NL
An exceptionally refined set of early IKEA of Sweden (marked)nesting tables, executed in precision-joined chrome with inset glass tops. The composition is purely architectural — redu...
Chrome
Vintage ikea ceiling lamp set of 2 opaline glass , 1970’s
By IKEA
Located in Delft, NL
Can be used with or without silver cap. Dimensions: 22cm diameter, 19cm H Material: Glass, metal , porcelain Color: White , silver , beige Manufacturer: Ikea Origin: Sweden
Metal
Vintage Ikea 80ties Tord Bjorklund Modell Klinte Lounge Chair Armchair
By IKEA, Tord Bjorklund
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Ikea Modell Klinte design by Tord Bjorklund in the 80ties. Comfortable Lounge Chair.A classic design from Tord Bjorklund. Black thick Saddle leather and chromed tubular steel. Gre...
Steel, Chrome
$725Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage pine wood serving cart by Erik Wørts, 1970s
By Erik Wørts, IKEA
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Rare pine wood serving cart designed by Erik Wørts for Ikea in 1977 and stayed in production for only two years. In very good original condition. Height 74 cm, width 70 cm, depth 47 ...
Pine
Vintage IKEA Ceramic Vase, 1980s, Scandinavian Design
By IKEA
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceramic vase produced by IKEA during the 1980s, reflecting the company’s interest in expressive Scandinavian forms and colour-focused design. The vase is defined by its round, flatte...
Ceramic
Rare Pair of Noboru Nakamura 'Bore' Leather Lounge Chairs with Footstool, 1970s
By Noboru Nakamura, IKEA
Located in Voorburg, NL
An extremely rare and beautiful pair of 1970s original Noboru Nakamura leather button back lounge chairs, with a matching footstool in chocolate brown leather. The ‘Bore’ called chai...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Diana Armchairs Designed by Karin Mobring for Ikea, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Charming pair of so called 'safari' armchairs designed by Karin Mobring for Ikea. The chair's model name is 'Diana' Made from solid pine wood frames with brown fabric canvas uphol...
Fabric, Pine
IKEA Vintage Conference Chairs Set of 4, Wood & Fabric, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage conference chairs chairs Sweden period 90s design Ikea Sweden condition good light signs of use size 80 x 57 x 50 (hxwxd) sea...
Fabric, Wood
Sophisticated Black Leather ‘Skye’ Chaise Longue by Tord Björklund, Sweden 1970s
By Tord Bjorklund, IKEA
Located in Voorburg, NL
Awesome ‘Skye’ lounge chair, designed by Tord Björklund for Ikea Sweden in the 1970s. This chair is extremely comfortable and has a beautiful black l...
Chrome
Vintage Ikea 80ties Tord Bjorklund Modell Klinte Lounge Chair Armchairs Set of 2
By IKEA, Tord Bjorklund
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Ikea Modell Klinte design by Tord Bjorklund in the 80ties. Comfortable Lounge Chairs.A classic design from Tord Bjorklund. Brown thick Saddle leather and chromed tubular steel. Th...
Steel, Chrome
Karin Mobring Model Diana brown Cognac Sling Lounge Chair Vintage Ikea, 1 of 2
By IKEA
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This Ikea Classic Vintage Lounge chair was designed 1975 by Karin Mobring. It is a different version of the Diana Model. It has a solid frame made of beech. The armrests has a great ...
Leather, Wood, Pine
Scandinavian Design Stools for IKEA, Swedish, 1970s
By IKEA
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ikea manufactured wooden stools. A great piece of Swedish Mid-Century Modern design. Perfect for a dining area or office space where the number of seats change from day to day. Can b...
Wood