Skip to main content
IKEA logotype
The white exterior of the IKEA Museum seen in its entirety.

The IKEA Museum
Celebrating ten years

Since opening in 2016, visitors from around the world have flocked to the IKEA Museum in Älmhult, Sweden. But what's the story behind it and what can you expect when you step through the doors?

Housed on the site of the very first IKEA department store, the museum has become a popular stop for curious visitors and IKEA co-workers alike. Inside, you'll find the people, products, ideas and turning points that have shaped IKEA over the decades, from our roots in Småland to the global company it is today.

But before we delve into the story, let's kick things off with a few fun facts.

The exterior of the IKEA museum seen from an angle..


1.5 million people have visited the museum since it opened in 2016.


One visitor has got down on one knee and proposed. How's that for a little romance?


The museum ranks among the 20 most-visited museums in Sweden.


One-third of visitors are families with children under the age of twelve.

So, how did it all begin?

With a rich history and an extensive archive to draw on, the idea of creating an IKEA Museum had been bubbling away for some time. By 2011, the moment felt right to make it happen, and a group of co-workers came together to shape a museum that would bring the story of IKEA to life.

And where better to put it than where the story began? Work got underway to carefully restore the exterior of the very first IKEA department store in keeping with local architect Claes Knutson's original design, while inside, the building was completely reimagined as a contemporary 6,000-square-metre museum.

Skip carousel
  • A black and white picture of Ingvar Kamprad standing in from of the first IKEA department store.

    Ingvar Kamprad stands in front of the first-ever IKEA department store in Älmhult, Sweden, which is now the site of the IKEA Museum.

  • A person working with a ruler on an architectural drawing of the first ever IKEA department store.

    Local architect Claes Knutson works on the sketch for the first-ever IKEA department store.

"The formal decision to build an IKEA Museum was taken and we got a clear message from Jonas Kamprad that it should be "ett sjudundrans IKEA museum" (a spectacular museum), a huge but inspiring challenge!"

Mats Agmén
Former Managing Director at Inter IKEA Systems

The white IKEA Our Story book seen from above.

Celebrating the good times (and the mistakes)

A decade later, the museum has plenty to celebrate. This year marks its tenth anniversary, alongside two other big IKEA milestones: 100 years since our founder Ingvar Kamprad was born, and 50 years since The Testament of a Furniture Dealer, a manifesto of IKEA culture and values in Ingvar's own words, was published.

To mark the occasion, an exciting new tome has been released. IKEA – Our Story is the first-ever book about IKEA, by IKEA, tracing the journey from a small mail-order business in Småland to a global brand. Along the way, it shares previously untold stories from the archives, including the successes and, yes, even some of the mistakes we've made along the way!

So, what can you expect from a visit?

If you're visiting for the first time, you're in for a treat. Spread over four floors, the world’s only IKEA Museum takes you on an immersive journey from the stony soil of Småland, where Ingvar Kamprad grew up, to the global home furnishing brand we know today.

Across four permanent exhibitions, you’ll discover stories of people, places, ideas, innovations, memorable products and, yes, a few mistakes along the way. There are also two temporary exhibitions each year, currently Who builds the future? and Real Play.

Designed for all ages, there’s plenty to get stuck into too, from films and quizzes to games and even weaving. Who knows, you might uncover a hidden talent!

Skip carousel
  • A section of the Our Roots exhibition at IKEA museum featuring wooden furniture handcrafted in Småland.

    In Our roots, you’re invited to explore how the creativity and entrepreneurship of Småland’s poor, stony farming communities, together with Swedish modernism, helped shape IKEA.

  • Learn about how Democratic Design and its five principles: form, function, quality, sustainability and low price, guide our product developers and communication.

  • A view of the colourful IKEA Through the Ages exhibition in the IKEA Museum.

    IKEA Through the Ages takes visitors on a chronological journey from the 1950s to the present day.

A replica of Ingvar Kamprad's office in Switzerland with wooden furniture, shelves with files and a light blue wall.

Launched to celebrate the 80th anniversary of IKEA, the Hej Ingvar! exhibition explores the life, unique personality and unconventional leadership style of Ingvar Kamprad, and even includes a recreation of his office.

“We have a strong heritage and the IKEA Museum Archive & Collection holds a lot of artefacts, letters, as well as papers and documents. It’s a great resource for us when we curate the exhibitions, both in terms of items and the competence and knowledge that our co-workers there possess.”

Anna Sandberg Falk
Curator

Couch surfers welcome!

Can't make it to the museum? No problem. This year also marks five years since the launch of the digital museum, the Story of IKEA, where you can explore stories about our history, people and culture, discover iconic products and designs, browse old catalogues, and delve into films, interviews and archive material, all from the comfort of your sofa.

Best of all, it's completely free and open 24/7, so you can drop by whenever you like. Slippers optional.

Curious to find out more?

Plan a visit to the IKEA Museum in Älmhult, or explore the Digital Museum from the comfort of your own home. Either way, there’s plenty to discover!

Read more about the IKEA Museum