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.
IKEA ‘MTP’ Cabinet in Natural Oak, Designed by Marian Grabinski in 1963
By IKEA
Located in Beerse, VAN
Beautiful IKEA cabinet that was initially designed as a wedding gift for Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA. The cabinet is made of natural oak veneer with all edges in full oak, w...
Oak
Vintage Model Märd Rolling Storage Box from Ikea, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Model Märd Rolling Storage Box from Ikea, Sweden, 1991 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Plastic, Wood Color: Red Period: 1990s Item ...
Plastic, Wood
IKEA Märd Rolling Storage Box in Red Plastic, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vintage IKEA “Märd” rolling storage box from the 1990s, executed in durable molded red plastic. Designed as a compact and mobile storage solution, the piece features integrated whee...
Plastic
2x Original Karin Mobring Vintage Schrank 1970er Vadstena IKEA
By IKEA
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten zwei wunderschöne Vintage Schränke von Karin Mobring für IKEA aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design zeichnet sich durch seine Einfachheit, Funktion und die klar...
Pine
2x Original Karin Mobring Vintage Regal 1970er Vadstena IKEA
By IKEA
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten zwei wunderschöne Vintage (Bücher-) Regale/ Sideboards von Karin Mobring für IKEA aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design zeichnet sich durch seine Einfachheit, F...
Pine
Scandinavian Modern Teak Low Bench Cabinet Credenza Attributed Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen, IKEA
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous 1950-1960’s Scandinavian Modern teak 2 drawer low bench, dresser, cabinet, or credenza attributed to Arne Wahl Iversen for vintage IKEA. This piece has been attributed based upon archived research including online sources, vintage documentation and catalogs, designer literature, and other materials however it is not signed or marked in any way. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. We have repaired/filled some nicks & dings. It has small scratches as you would expect, and it has a fresh coat of Danish oil. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1950-1960’s. There are cabinets… and then there are MARVELOUS, not to mention VERSATILE cabinets like this Scandinavian Modern teak low dresser, cabinet, credenza, or bench cabinet...
Teak
$1,816Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.75 in W 17.25 in D 6 in
Cappellini Cross Medicine Cabinet in Gloss White, Thomas Eriksson, Italy, 1990s
By Thomas Eriksson, Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cappellini Cross Medicine Cabinet in Gloss White, Thomas Eriksson, Italy, 1990s. Equal parts storage solution and wall art, Thomas Eriksson's Cross...
Steel
Arne Wahl Iversen Planter, Scandinavian Design, 1960s
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Planter made of teak by Arne Wahl Iversen Minor damage on the top (see photos).
Teak
On Hold|$2,198
H 31.5 in W 62.41 in D 18.9 in
Vintage 1970s Danish Oak Low Cabinet / Sideboard, Henning Kjærnulf style
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This commanding oak sideboard is a masterful homage to the iconic “Baroque Modern” style of Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf. Exemplifying the Brutalist-inspired furniture movement o...
Oak
$890Sale Price|19% Off
H 15.36 in W 43.31 in D 15.75 in
1963 Oak Storage Bench Sideboard MTP collection by Marian Grabinski IKEA
By IKEA
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
This is a rare oak storage bench from the MTP collection, designed by Marian Grabinski for IKEA in 1963. Crafted in solid oak with clean Scandinavian lines, the piece reflects the mi...
Oak
Vintage red chinoiserie cabinet, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Striking red chinoiserie cabinet consisting of two doors and four drawers. Notice the cool cuttlery shaped handles on the drawers as well as ...
Lacquer
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 72 in W 30 in D 18 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood 8 drawer dresser by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood 8 drawer dresser by Arne Wahl Iversen A beautiful example of Danish design in simplicity and quality. The rosewood grain is absolutely striking an...
Wood, Rosewood
Danish Modern Teak Bar Cabinet by Arne Wahl-Iversen for IKEA
By Arne Wahl Iversen, IKEA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Teak bar designed by Arne Wahl-Iversen for Ikea in the 1960s. 39.5w 18d 44.5h
Mirror, Wood
Vintage brutalist bar cabinet, 1970
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Two tone oak graphical door brutalist (bar) cabinet. Stately piece of furniture which offers plenty of storage space and made out of high quality oak panels. Good condition. 1970s...
Oak
1990s Figured Walnut Studio Craft New Hope Woodworker Medicine Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a custom made medicine cabinet, made by a woodworker in New Hope, PA and produced in the 1990s. The design is comprised entirely of walnut. The medicine cabinet measures 9 ...
Metal
Chiffonier Cabinet in Solid Oak by Danish Cabinetmaker
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinet, oak, brass, felt, Denmark, 1940s. This refined chiffonier cabinet is certainly made by a cabinetmaker who understood how to design a high-quality piece of furniture. Excel...
Brass
$510Sale Price|20% Off
H 67.72 in W 39.38 in D 18.9 in
Vintage Cabinet 'Belmondo', High Gloss, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
By Novy Domov
Located in Praha, CZ
Vintage cabinet with shelves and drawers from 'Belmondo' collection made in high gloss. Made in Czechoslovakia by Novy Domov (marked) in t...
Metal
$2,510
H 33.5 in W 35.5 in D 18.75 in
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Louis XVI Style, White Paint Distressed, 1990s
Located in Stamford, CT
Gustavian, Swedish Commode, Louis XVI Style, White Paint Distressed, Sweden, 1990s Louis XVI style dresser or cabinet designed and produced in Sweden in the later half of the 20th c...
Paint
Sold
H 43.31 in W 43.31 in D 15.75 in
IKEA ‘MTP’ Cabinet by Marian Grabinski for IKEA, 1963, Natural Oak
By IKEA
Located in Beerse, VAN
Beautiful IKEA cabinet that was designed as a wedding gift for Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA. The cabinet is made of natural oak veneer with all edges in full oak, which limit...
Oak
4x Original Karin Mobring Vintage Schrank 1970er Vadstena IKEA
By IKEA
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten zwei wunderschöne Vintage Schränke von Karin Mobring für IKEA aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design zeichnet sich durch seine Einfachheit, Funktion und die klar...
Pine
Mid Century IKEA Teak Cabinet from the 1950s
By IKEA
Located in Handewitt, DE
Very nice IKEA cabinet in teak, birch and other wood from the 1950s. In front with 2 doors. Behind them with drawers and shelves. Black parts on doors. In the good old Ikea quality!
Brass
Sold
H 43.31 in W 43.31 in D 15.75 in
IKEA ‘MTP DL’ Cabinet in Natural Oak, Designed by Marian Grabinski in 1963
By IKEA
Located in Beerse, VAN
Beautiful IKEA cabinet that was initially designed as a wedding gift for Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA. The cabinet is made of natural oak veneer with all edges in full oak, w...
Oak
Sold
H 20.5 in W 46.25 in D 14 in
Scandinavian Modern Teak Low Cabinet Sideboard Model #394 by Kai Kristiansen
By Aksel Kjersgaard, IKEA, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible 1950-1960’s Scandinavian Modern teak 4 drawer low cabinet sideboard (or bench) Model #394 by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Odder. This piece has been attributed based upon its stamped mark, archived research including online sources, vintage documentation and catalogs, designer literature, and other materials. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are a couple of small darker spots on the top. A broken leg has been repaired and we have touched up some nicks & dings. Fresh coat of Danish oil applied. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1950-1960’s. My, my… what have we here? A fabulous Danish low cabinet? YES. A stunning Scandinavian Modern sideboard or media/console cabinet? YES. An incredible low bench or dresser? Also… YES!!! Talk about versatility overload!! This is a phenomenal low cabinet model #394 by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Odder. It is comprised of a gorgeous teak frame with stunning wood grain, straight square legs, and four drawers featuring 2 double recessed half-moon handles. The top drawers open from the bottom, and the bottom drawers open from the top! It’s a simple but oh-so-stunning detail. This is an INCREDIBLE cabinet and it’s bursting with versatility, impeccable style, and ample storage. It could be used as a wonderful low dresser for lingerie or other delicate items in a bedroom, a fantastic sideboard, credenza, console, or media cabinet in a living or dining area. Maybe a marvelous low bench cabinet in a hall or entry, or in any room that needs a touch of quintessential Scandinavian Modern flair. It’s EXACTLY what the designer ordered! Kai Kristiansen was born in 1929 in Denmark. His approach to design was, and still is colored by his outlook on life with his constant search of “getting as much as possible out of as little as possible.” A phrase he uses to this day is “Economy, ecology, and common sense.” He was taught and trained as a cabinetmaker by a Danish design role model Kaare Klint. He knew that early in his career how to create furniture with functionality and refined details while keeping the production methods and costs in mind. He designed his first table...
Rosewood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 19.3 in D 18.12 in
Pair of Scandinavian Teak and Oak Cabinets by Bengt Ruda for Ikea, 1950s
By IKEA, Bengt Ruda
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Pair of cabinets designed by Bengt Ruda for Ikea, Sweden in the late 1950s. From the “Modul V serie” made out of teak and oak. Drawers with brass handles. Excellent vintage condition...
Brass