Crafted through a collaboration between product manager Lars Engman and designer Noboru Nakamura, the first Japanese to join Ikea’s exclusive design team in 1973, the innovative furniture piece was envisioned to “let off stress or frustration by swinging.”

Initially named “Poem,” this wooden cantilever armchair bore a striking resemblance to Finnish designer Alvar Aalto’s 1939 Armchair 406. Instead of webbed seating, Nakamura incorporated upholstery to complement the U-shaped structure of moulded plywood, offering a rocking chair-like experience.

“A chair shouldn’t be a tool that binds and holds the sitter; it should be a tool that provides us emotional richness,” Nakamura expressed his philosophy in a 2017 interview.

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Renamed “Poäng” in 1992, Ikea made a strategic shift, replacing the original tubular steel chair seat with an all-wood frame crafted from glued beechwood veneers and solid wooden rails with a clear lacquer finish; an economical move that reduced the price of the furniture since by 21 per cent.

Today, over 45 years since its introduction, the Poäng armchair remains a bestseller for Ikea, with approximately 1.5 million units sold annually in various upholstery colours and frame materials.

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The 2023 Life at Home Report has also revealed that 40 per cent of people around the world feel most content and at ease when in a tidy and well-organised home.

Ikea may be renowned for its ingenious storage solutions, with its vast collection of storage boxes and shelving compartments, the Malm bed frame has emerged as a standout favourite over the years. Not only does it offer an affordable and sleek, minimalist design, but it also incorporates various concealed storage options.

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Crafted by Scandinavian designer Eva Lilja Löwenhielm, the Malm bed frame is available in different sizes and is constructed with 70 per cent to 100 per cent recycled honeycomb structure paper filling. It comes in a range of finishes, from the japandi-style white-stained oak veneer to the sophisticated ash-coloured one.

The high-frame model provides ample space underneath for storage add-ons with castors for easy stowing-away manoeuvrability. Alternatively, the storage bed model features hidden storage space beneath the mattress, accessible via a small strap with an integrated lift mechanism, leaving room for more floor space while keeping items dust-free.

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Whether it is a single-, four-, eight- or 16-shelving unit, Kallax is as versatile as it gets despite its straightforward design by Tord Björklund, who was acclaimed for his modernist-inspired furniture designs.

Featuring clean lines in neat uniform squares, the Kallax shelving unit integrates seamlessly into any living space, whether as a room divider showcasing cherished items or a wall-mounted storage solution with the option for expansion alongside additional units.

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Available in monochromatic colours to complement diverse interior themes, homeowners can elevate their Kallax with optional underframes or choose from a range of inserts to tailor a variety of storage needs: additional drawers, attachable doors, baskets or boxes.

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Another Ikea seating classic from the Engman and Nakamura duo, the standard two-seater has been lauded for its versatility in size without coming off as overbearing, making it a perfect fit even in compact apartment spaces.

Named after Klippan municipality in southern Sweden, the sofa debuted in 1980, boasting a solid wood frame with matching legs for added stability. Its defining feature is the range of removable and interchangeable fabric covers, allowing for easy customisation to suit changing tastes or decor themes.

More contemporary models feature a lightweight frame crafted from a blend of particleboard, fibreboard and polyurethane foam instead. The legs, meanwhile, are made from steel or aluminium.

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For over 40 years, Ikea has periodically released limited edition covers for the Klippan sofa, breaking away from its minimalist aesthetic to offer bold and eye-catching designs. 

Past iterations have included the multicoloured Randwick, the striped green Ranta, the black-and-white patterned Storlien, and the playful Marehill cover in pink and green. 

One of Ikea’s most recent collaborations saw them partnering with denim brand MUD Jeans to create a limited edition cover made from recycled denim.

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Simple, practical, and timeless—that’s the winning formula behind the iconic Billy bookcase, designed by Gillis Lundgren, Ikea’s fourth employee.

Named after Ikea’s advertising manager, Billy Liljedahl, who expressed a desire for “a proper bookcase just for books,” Lundgren’s design from 1979 prioritised functionality and adaptability, especially in allowing homeowners to expand the shelving capacity over time with ease.

Manufactured initially by Gyllensvaans Möbler in the small Swedish town of Kattilstorp, with production later expanded to factories in Germany, Slovakia and China, the Billy bookcase featured melamine-coated or veneered particle shelving boards with plastic-stripped edges.

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Available in a variety of colours, finishes and widths, the bookcase quickly became a household staple: a staggering 130,000 units were produced each week, with an estimated average of one sold every five seconds; culminating at over 140 million units sold by 2023.

It was around the same time Ikea decided to rework the bookcase as well. Plastic snap fasteners replaced metal nails on the back panel, enhancing ease of assembly. While the original MDF-engineered wood veneer was swapped for paper foil, it was a more durable and eco-friendly alternative resistant to chipping and scratching.

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The timeless rug, with its striking black and white offset-stripe pattern, falls into place in any living space regardless of the interior design style.

Designed by Anna Sörensson, the Stockholm rug may elevate modern living spaces with warm wood furnishings or minimalist decors with light-toned white oak.

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It can also infuse character into plush settings with leather or velvet accents, adding a touch of luxury alongside gold-toned accents and bringing a natural vibe to biophilic environments adorned with indoor greenery.

Handwoven in India by skilled artisans at organised weaving centres, this rug is made from 100 per cent wool, ensuring durability and resistance to soil. Its flat woven surface makes it easy to vacuum, offering practicality and style to any room.

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