These are the Most Popular IKEA Products of All Time - realestate.com.au (2024)

From the Frakta bag to the Billy bookcase, owning a piece (or five) from the Swedish furniture giant is almost a rite of passage in life.

With most IKEA locations stocking over 10,000 products, it would be an understatement to say it’s a challenge to unearth the perfect pieces for your abode.

Some items that have stood the test of time and are amongst the company’s most popular products, and seeking these out can absolutely make your visits to the village-like stores a little less overwhelming.

From practical pieces of furniture, statement items and everyday household goods, these are 10 of IKEA’s best-selling designs.

1. Billy bookcase

The Billy bookcase has cemented itself firmly as one of the most popular products in the IKEA family. It is estimated that every five seconds, one Billy bookcase is sold somewhere in the world.

The design can be built to fit a multitude of different room sizes, making it an ideal addition for any sized home.

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Billy bookcase, from $49. Picture: IKEA

2. Fratka shopping bag

The iconic Fratka shopping bag was released more than 30 years ago and is considered one of the most affordable and multifunctional bags in the world.

In fact, its design is so popular and respected that luxury fashion house Balenciaga released a look-alike version in 2017 worth a cool $2,695.

Not only that, but it also undertook a new design as part of IKEA’s designer collaboration with Danish design house, Hay.

3. Lovbacken coffee table

Fact: The Lovbacken coffee table is responsible for the flat-pack furniture trend. This design dates all the way back to 1956 when IKEA designer Gillis Lundgren would sell the three-legged coffee table out of his car boot. To make it easier to transport around, Gillis unscrewed the legs and just like that, the flat-pack furniture trend was born.

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Lovbacken side table, $79.Picture: IKEA

4. Poang armchair

Celebrating 42 years in the IKEA range, the Poang armchair and its classic Scandinavian design was the creation of Japanese designer, Noboru Nakamura, who arrived in Sweden in 1970 to learn about Scandinavian design.

Not long after his arrival, he collaborated with designer Lars Engman who put it on the 1977 product roster. Since then, the classic design has become one of the most popular products of all time, selling a global average of 1.5 million models a year.

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Poang armchair, $99.Picture: IKEA

5. PS watering can

Watering cans have long been a feature of the IKEA range, but what makes this particular design a long-running success? Designer Monika Mulder shared her inspiration to create the PS watering can which not only had a great design, but combined the right mix of form, function, quality and sustainability at an affordable price.

The conical shape enables quick production and it is perfectly stackable meaning more can fit in a box, which in turn, reduces shipping costs and keeps the watering can incredibly affordable.

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PS 2002 watering can, $1.99. Picture: IKEA

6. Strandmon wing chair

In 1951, the wing chair — which was originally named MK after IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad’s wife, Margaretha — was introduced to the range and was on the cover of the first ever catalogue.

It mysteriously disappeared from the range for 60 years, but in 2012, it made a comeback under the name Strandmonafter Ingvar personally wished to see the return of his favourite chair.

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Strandmon armchair, $249.Picture: IKEA

7. Lack side table

Since joining the IKEA family in 1979, the Lack side table has become a staple in millions of homes around the world. Its affordable price, versatility and easy construction has withstood the test of time and proves that simplicity and function never go out of style.

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Lack side table, $19.99. Picture: IKEA

8. Malm bed

The Malm bed has become renowned for its streamline design and handy storage underneath to create a practical and aesthetically pleasing sleeping solution for any space.

Launched in 2002 as part of the Malm range, this bed swiftly become one of IKEA’s most popular designs.

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Malm bed, $439.Picture: IKEA

9. Kallax shelving unit

The functionality, simplicity and practicality of the Kallax shelving unit makes its popularity predictable. On the floor, on a wall or as a room-divider, Kallax has the ability to completely transform any living area.

As its popularity began to grow, this versatile product has been made available in many different sizes and colours with a selection of doors, inserts, boxes and baskets for easy customisation.

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Kallax shelving unit, from $45.Picture: IKEA

10. 365+ Carafe

Taking three years and four designers to develop, it’s unsurprising that IKEA’s365+ carafe is one of its best-selling designs.

The carafe’s classic glass design means it will be forever in style and the cork is made of renewable oak bark which is a lightweight, water-resistant material, which makes it practical for everyday use.

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365+ carafe with stopper, $4.49.Picture: IKEA

This article was originally published on 19 Jul 2019 at 10:00am but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.

These are the Most Popular IKEA Products of All Time - realestate.com.au (2024)

FAQs

What are IKEA's main products? ›

Our range of products spans furniture, lighting, textiles, tools, and more. There are fancy dinner tables and beautiful chinaware and coasters for your dining area and creative modular sofas, plush rugs, practical TV units, and more for your living room.

What are IKEA famous for? ›

Inter IKEA Systems B.V. The group is primarily known for its modernist furniture designs, simple approach to interior design, and its immersive shopping concept, based around a showroom of decorated room settings, in which customers can interact with the available articles onsite.

Why is IKEA products so cheap? ›

Making products in bulk means IKEA also purchases materials in bulk, which is the best way to earn a discount in the manufacturing process. Just like you, the consumer, pay less for bulk items at places like Costco or Sam's Club, IKEA gets a cost break for producing in higher quantities, according to House Digest.

What made IKEA popular? ›

Low prices and good quality

IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad was always determined to offer the best possible prices but not at the expense of quality. He was aware that some of his competitors were cheating on quality to keep prices down, something he was not prepared to do.

What is the biggest market for IKEA? ›

IKEA's biggest presence is in Germany, boasting of 55 stores in a country of 83 million people, or about one store per 1.5 million Germans. 🇺🇸 U.S. A 2022 survey found that 96% of Germans knew of the IKEA brand of which 64% actively bought furniture from them.

What does IKEA mean in Swedish? ›

IKEA is the name of a popular Scandinavian-founded, worldwide furniture store. The acronym that makes up the name stands for Ingvar Kamprad (the founder's name), Elmtaryd (the farm where the founder grew up), and Agunnaryd (the founder's hometown). Related words: big-box store.

What is IKEA known for food? ›

The Swedish meatballs and gravy live up to the hype, bursting with flavorful beef and spices. Salmon plates, vegetable balls, mac and cheese, and chicken tenders are just some of the additional customer favorites. IKEA chefs focus on creating simple but appetizing renditions of Swedish and American classics.

Which country owns IKEA? ›

We've come a long way since our early days in Älmhult, Sweden, but IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad's dream to create a better life for as many people as possible – whatever the size of their wallet – is and will always be our driving force.

What is the target market for IKEA? ›

IKEA's target audience is as diverse as its product range, but there's a particular focus on younger, middle-class shoppers seeking budget-friendly, stylish home furnishings. IKEA is well aware of the eco-consciousness of this demographic.

Why do people buy from IKEA? ›

At the heart of Ikea's success is value: You know what you're going to get when you shop at Ikea, and it's going to be affordable. In fact, price is so important to Ikea's strategy that the company first decides on the price of a piece of furniture and then reverse engineers the construction, the company says.

What is the selling point of IKEA? ›

There are a few things that make IKEA's strategy to attract customers unique. For one, IKEA is known for its low prices, which is a big draw for many shoppers. IKEA is also unique in its product offerings, as the company sells mostly furniture and home decor items that you can't find at other stores.

What are the downsides of shopping at IKEA? ›

Over the years, Ikea products have been criticized for their poor quality and shoddy craftsmanship, which have resulted in allergic reactions, malfunctions, and in some cases, even tragic injuries. All told, it's enough to make even the most avid Ikea shopper think twice before buying certain products at the store.

Why is IKEA expensive on Amazon? ›

It's often just resellers that buy the products at Ikea and then list them on Amazon for higher prices. Many people have built multi-million dollar businesses reselling brick-and-mortar retail merchandise online, and anyone could understand how a massive retailer like Ikea would want to cut out the middleman.

How to get IKEA stuff cheap? ›

Here are a few tips to help you score the best prices when shopping at IKEA.
  1. Join the IKEA Family program to access exclusive deals. ...
  2. Get a discount when you bring back your old furniture. ...
  3. Get a deal when buying as-is furniture. ...
  4. Get a coupon when you move. ...
  5. Be prepared before you shop at IKEA.
Feb 23, 2024

What are IKEA stores known for? ›

IKEA, home furnishings retailer that was the world's largest seller of furniture in the early 21st century, operating more than 300 stores around the world. IKEA specializes in low-priced goods, sold whenever possible in compact “flat-pack” form for in-home assembly by the customer.

What is the majority of IKEA furniture? ›

The majority of IKEA's furniture is flat-pack, ready to be assembled by the consumer. This allows a reduction in costs and packaging. One of the key competitive advantages IKEA has is its extensive knowledge about the customers.

What is IKEA's unique selling point? ›

IKEA Unique Selling Proposition Examples

The globally known Swedish-origin furniture and hardware company, IKEA, has a USP that focuses on benefiting customers through high-quality furniture for a low price. "To create a better everyday life for the many people." is their USP. IKEA's vision goes beyond home furnishing.

What is the most iconic IKEA chair? ›

With its classic design that never goes out of style and the option to change cushions and covers whenever you feel like it, the POÄNG armchair is something you can love for a long time.

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