The history of 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.

IKEA is named after the initials of founder Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd, the farm on which he grew up, and Agunnaryd, the nearby village.

A portrait of the late Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA. He is resting his arms on a cardboard box and is looking up.

Snapshots. The history of the IKEA brand at a glance.

A timeline of the events that shaped the IKEA business as we know it today.

Take a look at our milestones

From child entrepreneur to IKEA founder: the story of Ingvar Kamprad’s early years

The inspiring journey of Ingvar Kamprad and how the IKEA business came about.

Read Ingvar Kamprad’s story

Ingvar Kamprad (left) together with his sister Kerstin on a Swedish summer’s day in the early 1930s.

Did you know that our iconic logo wasn’t always blue and yellow?

The development of the IKEA logo over the years.

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A man and a woman reading in a living room, each sitting on an IKEA TROFE armchair from 1969.

IKEA design through the years

From an inflatable chair to washable sofa covers, our range has developed with the times. Some failures, many successes.

Explore our design development