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.
Knut & Marianne Hagberg Sideboard IKEA 2010 Eiche Design Kommode
By IKEA
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes und äußerst seltenes Sideboard von IKEA aus dem Jahr 2010 zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Knut & Marianne Hagberg und zeichnet sich durch die ...
Oak
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
French Art Deco Sideboard, Walnut Veneer, Curved Design, 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking Art Deco console features a bold, symmetrical silhouette centered around a vertical stack of four drawers with sleek, circular metal pulls. The design features bold, ar...
Walnut
Ole Wanscher Sideboard for Iversen, Scandinavian Design
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Rare sideboard designed by Ole Wanscher. Structure in rosewood with brass knobs. Composed of two sliding doors with 5 drawers. High quality work.
Brass
$3,141
H 43.31 in W 43.31 in D 15.75 in
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
$6,100
H 23.63 in W 61.03 in D 15.56 in
Sideboard with Metal Top by Charlotte Perriand, 1970s, kitchen storage.
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Sideboard in solid pine with brushed metal top, designed by Charlotte Perriand for her Les Arcs collection.
Metal
$2,284
H 29.53 in W 42.13 in D 17.33 in
"Archimede" modular wooden storage unit / sideboard by Hirozi Fukuoh, 1962
By Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
The Archimede sideboard is an icon of mid-century modern design, designed by Hirozi Fukuoh for Gavina in the 1960s. Crafted from solid rosewood and veneered with rosewood veneer, it ...
Brass
Bertu Sideboard, Suelo Modern Oak Sideboard
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Sideboard, Suelo® Modern Oak Sideboard This Suelo Modern Credenza is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each credenza is handmade with solid oak and finished...
Wood, Oak
$4,455 / item
H 9.85 in W 59.06 in D 14.57 in
Walnut Low Sideboard by Says Who with Metal Accents, Danish Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut array low sideboard 150 by Says Who Materials: walnut, metal Dimensions: D 37 x W 150 x H 25 cm Also available in different colours and materia...
Metal
1960s Timeless Danish Design Teak Sideboard
Located in Wesseling, DE
Beautiful Mid-Century teak sideboard with plenty of storage space. Minimalistic Danish design made from teak wood, 1960s. Offers a lot of storage space. One shelf is missing. Neat co...
Teak
Sideboard Made In Rosewood, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Large sideboard in rosewood with distinctive grain patterns, sliding doors and four centrally placed drawers with milled handles. The complete design and the slightly sloping legs gi...
Rosewood
Mid Century Teak & Oak Cabinet Sideboard, Danish Design 1950s
Located in London, GB
A fine Danish teak cabinet made in the 1950’s. A lovely mid century design the teak has a beautiful natural colour and patina created over years of use, complemented nicely by the oa...
Oak, Teak
$4,249 / item
H 9.85 in W 59.06 in D 14.57 in
White Oak Low Sideboard by Says Who, Danish Design, Post-Modern Style
Located in Geneve, CH
White oak array low sideboard 150 by Says Who Materials: oak, metal Dimensions: D 37 x W 150 x H 25 cm Also available in different colours and materia...
Metal
$20,570 / item
H 17.72 in W 94.49 in D 25.2 in
Brutalist Design Walnut Sideboard Featuring Two Doors & Middle Drawers
Located in New York, NY
This unique sideboard has bold geometric shapes and a simple, clean look. Made with high-quality walnut or oak wood, it's not only durable but also brings out the natural textures. T...
Wood, Walnut
Sideboard Designed by Alfred Hendrickx for Belform
By Alfred Hendrickx
Located in Beerse, VAN
Sideboard designed by the Belgian designer Alfred Hendrickx for Belform. The sideboard may seem simple at first sight, but it has very ...
Rosewood
$4,797
H 33.86 in W 52.37 in D 21.66 in
Reversible Sideboard by Dieter Wäeckerlin for Idealheim, Switzerland, 1963
By Dieter Waeckerlin
Located in Barcelona, ES
Reversible sideboard designed in 1963 by Dieter Wäeckerlin for Swiss company Idealheim. White laminate and birch wood interior. Rare model from the Series 3 with doors on both sides,...
Laminate, Birch
Bookcase with display case by Marian Grabinsky for IKEA
By IKEA
Located in Brescia, IT
Oak bookcase from the early 1960s with storage compartment with two hinged doors and upper part articulated into open compartments and hutch with sliding glass door. Elegant oak boo...
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood "Ladoga" Credenza by Erik Wortz
By Erik Wortz, IKEA
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by Erik Wortz for IKEA Mobler during the 1960s, the "Ladoga" credenza represents a fascinating chapter in Scandinavian design history, when IKEA collaborated with accomplish...
Rosewood
Scandinavian vintage teak sideboard
By IKEA, Erik Worts
Located in Brescia, IT
1960s sideboard designed by Erik Worts for Ikea. A Swedish modern antique furniture piece in excellent condition that traces mid-century taste...
Teak
Rare Mid-Century Rosewood Cabinet by Erik Wörts
By IKEA, Erik Wørts
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rare sideboard in rosewood designed by Erik Wörts for Ikea 1960's. One of the most soft after designers and somewhat elusive Erik Worts only designed a few pieces for IKEA and very f...
Rosewood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 66.93 in D 16.54 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak&Beech Sideboard Model Forum by Gillis Lundgren for Ikea
By Gillis Lundgren, IKEA
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This modernist sideboard was designed by Gillis Lundgren for the Swedish company IKEA in 1955. The piece of furniture is part of the Forum series, which a...
Beech, Teak
Sold
H 15.75 in W 43.31 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Vintage Ikea 1960s Oak Sideboards Designed by Marian Grabinski
By IKEA
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A pair of Vintage Design oak chest of drawers designed by marian grabinski for möbel-ikéa in the 1960s.
Oak
Rare Mid-Century Teak Cabinet by Erik Wörts
By Erik Wørts, IKEA
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rare Scandinavian Danish Modern sideboard in Teak wood designed by Erik Worts for Ikea 1960's. One of the most soft after designer...
Teak
Rare Mid-Century Rosewood Cabinet by Erik Wörts
By IKEA, Erik Wørts
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rare sideboard in rosewood designed by Erik Wörts for Ikea 1960's. One of the most soft after designers and somewhat elusive Erik Worts only designed a few pieces for IKEA and very f...
Rosewood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 78.75 in D 17.72 in
Midcentury Sideboard "Danske" by Erik Wørtz, Danish Design, 1950s
By Erik Wørts, IKEA
Located in Hägersten, SE
Sideboard model "Danske" designed by Erik Wørtz. Produced in Denmark for Ikea during the late 1950s. Made from teak with beech wood on the inside. Tapered legs. Four drawers and slid...
Beech, Teak