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Welcome to Germany!

A country known for its rich cultural history, technological innovation, a strong economy and of course, punctuality, Germany is also our biggest market. What goes on behind the doors of a German home and in IKEA stores? Let’s find out!

  • 83.7 million people live in Germany

  • 29% of people work from home
     

  • 107m2 is the average size of a German home

German mapA map of A colourful vector graphic of a map of Germany, with images that relate to German architecture and culture.

  • 42,971m2 is the size of Germany’s largest IKEA store, Berlin Tempelhof

  • 108m2 is IKEA Germany’s smallest location, a Plan & Order Point in Marburg

  • 83.2 million customers visited IKEA stores in Germany in FY25

A vector image of a colourful German style house with a yellow roof and green facade.

Life at home A place to be me

For many Germans, home is a sanctuary that reflects their lives and values. The concept of "Zuhause" or "home" goes beyond the physical space; it's also about comfort, security and the freedom (and privacy) to be oneself. Regional architecture and design styles also influence homes; from the industrial minimalism of Berlin to the rustic charm of Bavaria.

Comfort, practicality and of course tidiness are top priorities in a home and possibly the first sign of spring is "Frühjahrsputz", which involves decluttering, deep cleaning, and organizing the home. Sustainability is also a major focus. While recycling is very much a part of everyday life, energy-saving solutions and second-hand shopping are also becoming increasingly popular. Take a look around to see what life at home looks like in Germany. Herzlich willkommen!german for warmly welcome

A relaxing brown, cream and orange bedroom. The sun casts shadows on the wall.
Close up of an open, red-framed window with white curtains and a white-shaded floor lamp nearby.
A bright white kitchen with METOD units below and framed pictures on the wall.
Three people enjoying pasta together in an oak-effect KNOXHULT kitchen with burnt orange tiles.
Two TJUSIG shoe racks, side by side in a hallway, holding many pairs of shoes and with a bag perched on top.

A way of life

From fresh air pursuits and growing their own veggies to scrolling on the sofa, what do Germans get up to in their spare time? Let’s take a look!

  • A bicycle is being repaired on a balcony. A seating area with plants can be seen behind a wooden room divider.

    The people have a strong connection to nature, so outdoor hobbies are a favourite pastime. Cycling is a popular, sustainable alternative to driving.

  • A person wearing gardening gloves plants a sapling in a terracotta pot.

    Many Germans enjoy growing their own vegetables – even in cities, where urban gardening, community gardens and allotments are thriving.

  • A bowl of pasta garnished with parmesan, served on rustic brown STOCKHOLM 2025 stoneware.

    Inspired by a growing interest in healthy eating and reducing food waste, cooking and baking is on the rise, with 32% of Germans enjoying cooking for leisure.

  • In a living room, a young person sits on a sofa looking at a tablet device, while another youth lays on a window seat, reading.

    Many Germans love to curl up on the sofa. Reading, watching TV or scrolling their devices in their favourite comfy spot is the top pastime.

Source: German Home Report 2025

A graphic image of a pretzel.

Food at IKEA Bite-sized facts

A trip to IKEA wouldn't be complete without sampling our delicious food offerings in the IKEA restaurant, bistro or Swedish Food Market. In Germany, our classic meatball and plantball dishes are just some of the favourites on our restaurant menu, but there are plenty of others, including some exclusive to IKEA Germany. And of course, there are plenty of treats to take home. Here's a healthy serving of fun food facts!

A plate with a chicken schnitzel, a slice of lemon garnish and french fries.
A plate with two scoops of mashed potato, red cabbage, duck breast and gravy.
A plate with boiled potatoes, white asparagus and hollandaise sauce.
An open IKEA hotdog party package with hotdogs, buns, ketchup and pickles popping out.
A cutout of a packet of KAFFEREP raspberry cookies.

Mealtime favourites

Many people love to cook at home, and even entertain at home. In fact, 79% of Germans cook at least two to three times a week. Fruit and vegetables are an important part of everyday diets, while take-away and instant meals rank lowest. Sustainability is also an important food factor as many shoppers look for labels regarding animal welfare, fair trade and organic. In addition 55% of Germans are flexitarians, meaning they eat meat, but often choose meat-free alternatives.

  • IKEA meatballs served with pasta sauce and pasta on two pink plates on a pink table.

    Although traditional dishes are still popular, more international foods like pasta are a popular choice for weekday family meals.

  • A plate of white asparagus, surrounded by potatoes, tomatoes, a packet of hollandaise sauce and cooking utensils on a wood surface.

    Nothing says spring like asparagus – in particular the white variety. It's so popular that the harvesting season even has its own name; Spargelzeit!(German for Asparagus time)

  • Apple topped pancake next to a bowl of jam and cream on a rattan trivet, on a pale green surface.

    Apple strudel is a favourite among many German families. This apple-topped oven-baked pancake is an easy take on a classic.

  • Huvudroll Plant balls in a metal frying pan, mixed with green peas, fennel and other vegetables. There are herbs nearby.

    Vegetarian and vegan alternatives to meat are becoming increasingly popular.

Source: Deutschland.de

A graphic image of a clock and a lamp.

Top products What's in the bag?

According to Eurostat, Germans are one of Europe's highest spenders on furnishings and maintenance, with almost 7% of their disposable income being spent on home furnishing and improvement. With IKEA as the top home furnishing store in Germany, what might you find inside an IKEA shopping bag?

In terms of quantity, the top selling article of FY25 in IKEA stores in Germany was – surprisingly – just the lid to the SAMLA box. Yes, we're just as confused!

A classic for both cold and warm beverages, the POKAL glass made of tempered glass is a favourite among German home shoppers. Finally, the JÄMLIK vanilla scented candle adds a cosy aroma to millions of homes.

A clear SAMLA lid for box

8 million

A cutout image of a LOKAL glass.

3.16 million

A cutout image of a JÄMLIK vanilla scented candle in a glass jar, with 12 hour burning time.

2.74 million

A large blue FRAKTA bag
Illustration of a smartphone with a red heart displayed on its screen.

Campaigns Home makeovers

There's always something fun and inspiring about makeovers; seeing a room transform from dream to reality. In this video campaign, IKEA Germany designer Konrad works his magic on the homes of lucky IKEA customers, giving us a peek into real life at home in Germany. Grab a coffee, press play and wait for the big reveal!

  • Konrad shares inspiring tips to transform a small balcony into a summer lounge area.

  • With a little help from Konrad, Mirjam's "boring" kitchen becomes the highlight of her open-plan kitchen and living area.

  • Konrad transforms Renee's living room into a calm, harmonious space to accommodate her diverse hobbies, with a workspace to boot!

A white graphic speech bubble with the word "Hey!" in orange-red.

IKEA co-workers Let's talk about IKEA!

Meet some of the fantastic co-workers who contribute to the smooth running of stores and happy customers at IKEA Germany.

IKEA Germany co-worker Ann stands outside an IKEA store and stands next to a person in a bear costume. She smiles and touches the bear's heart.

Ann Local Engagement & Loyalty Leader

IKEA Germany co-worker Jan Willem smiles at the camera.

Jan Willem Remote Area Manager

IKEA Germany co-worker Frank smiles at the camera, as he stands in front of a sign.

Frank IKEA Business Leader

  • What is your favourite IKEA product that you own and why?

  • My favourite product is the FLOTTEBO sofa bed, because it embodies all five dimensions of our Democratic Design. It's functional, beautifully designed, high-quality, sustainably considered and incredibly flexible – perfect for me and my guests.

    Ann

  • The BRILJERA knife. It's functional, simple with sophistication and ultimately versatile – indispensable for passionate amateur chefs.

    Frank

  • Definitely our new METOD kitchen. It's where the chaos and creativity come alive. My kids love baking like tiny master chefs, tossing Dutch pancakes into the air, and celebrating small wins, like finding two matching storage container lids.

    Jan Willem
  • What's your best home inspiration tip?

  • Make space for what you love. In our small Berlin apartment, we've learned that storage is magic. Hide what you don't need, and show what you love. When your home reflects who lives in it, even the smallest space feels bigger.

    Jan Willem

  • Use PLATSA to make the most of your room height. In my office with 3.4m high ceilings, I created a huge amount of storage space – and the same approach works brilliantly in my 7 year-old daughter's room. Plus, the different fronts allow me to add a personal touch to each room.

    Ann

  • Germans love "Gemütlichkeit" and what ever makes you feel "gemütlich" at home is right. Oh – and always a touch of rainbow.

    Frank
  • What do you like most about working at IKEA?

  • That I'm able to be myself and contribute with all my experience and knowledge.

    Frank

  • I appreciate the variety in my job the most – no day is like the other. Working with so many different people challenges me and strengthens my flexibility and ability to reflect. At the same time, I love developing creative ideas for our local brand presence and making IKEA come alive in our region.

    Ann

  • What I appreciate most is our constant drive to improve and renew. This IKEA value is truly at the heart of who we are. It pushes you to rethink, to re-imagine, and above all, to never settle for the status quo.

    Jan Willem

What's going on in your local IKEA?

For plenty of new and favourite products for the home, along with home furnishing ideas and inspiration, visit your nearest IKEA, or click below.