John Downs
It’s hard to even imagine a world without IKEA. We often consider the Swedish retail giant as our go-to place for an easy fix for our interior design challenges but, we’re not the only ones…
More than simply a quick fix, behind each piece is conscious, considered design. Hundreds of items have stood the test of time to become household names. Here are 6 of the most popular items sold at IKEA the world over:
1. Billy bookcase
The Billy is quintessentially IKEA and, according to the New York Times, there is one of these sold somewhere in the world every 10 seconds. For many of us our first experience of flat-pack furniture comes in the form of a Billy bookcase and we never looked back.
2. Poäng armchair
The POÄNG armchair turned 40 last year and sales of this iconic piece are showing no sign of slowing as it enters the next decade. IKEA themselves describe it as one of their most beloved items. It’s bentwood frame lends a sleek look and ever-changing smorgasbord of washable covers has it at home in any interior.
3. Malm bed
Possibly the cheapest bed you can buy for the quality, the Malm comes either with storage boxes underneath, or the option of a high lift off the floor. Just like the Billy bookshelf was the first brush with IKEA for tens of thousands of homemakers, the Malm bed was what they laid their head on in their first home-away-from-home.
4. Expedit/Kallax bookshelf
Possibly the most hacked IKEA item ever, it cemented itself in our homes as the Expedit, the modular shelf unit now known as Kallax comes in a host of configurations and wields IKEA adaptability like a weapon, either in your living room, bedroom or home office as a bookshelf, or with an an upholstered pad thrown on top to create a kitchen nook in moments.
5. Rens sheepskin rug
We call it the Ludde in Australia, but with the Rens IKEA has produced the definitive sheepskin throw and, with Jon Snow even getting in on the game, it continues to reinvent itself as a classic – from lining your baby’s basinet to the latest accent to work your hygge styling, this is a keeper.
6. Stockholm rug
The ultimate in versatility, this rug spans decades of design with its classic geometric pattern in monochrome black and white. As perfect for a kids play room as it is for a retro revival, we’ll take two.
Related:
The 7 Ikea products the Home Beautiful editors love
Ikea launches new furniture range – for pets!
