A collage of two images: a person painting blue shapes on paper and a SYMFONISK lamp on a white storage unit behind a sofa.

How we work

Creating home furnishing that is well-designed, functional, affordable and sustainable, is a long journey with many stops along the way. Explore the thinking, processes and principles that turn our ideas into reality.

Sarah Fager, Senior Designer, IKEA of Sweden AB.

Democratic Design. Making great design available to everyone.

The five dimensions of Democratic Design are at the heart of our products. Find out what they are and how we use them.

The five principles of Democratic Design are spelled out with food ingredients on a wooden surface. — The five dimensions of Democratic Design.

18
in-house designers
2,000+
new products per year
1,000,000+
product tests per year

A green background decorated with white LED bulbs. The bulbs’ colourful leads overlap to form a graphic pattern.

The one-euro challenge. Stopping at nothing to make LED bulbs truly affordable.

Find out how Product Design Developer Paulina Pajak at IKEA of Sweden AB and her team tackled the seemingly impossible task of creating an LED bulb that everyone could afford.

How we created a one-euro bulb

How we work with chemicals

On our journey towards becoming a fully circular business, minimising exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is vital.

Read about our choices, practices and policies regarding chemicals

A little boy is laying on a bed in his bedroom with an elephant soft toy in his arms. He is smiling.

In stubborn pursuit of speedy self-assembly

See how two self-taught prototype engineers doggedly refused to admit defeat, and ended up making self-assembly radically faster and easier for IKEA customers around the world.

A man wearing white clothes is spraying paint onto a canvas on the floor. A girl crouches beside him.

Designer collaborations

By collaborating with designers and brands that think differently from ourselves, we can develop and prepare for future challenges.

A few of our collaborations

More than a crib – our commitment to child safety

We believe that every child has the right to a safe home environment. That’s why we are always looking to update our knowledge about children, their development, and their needs.

Read about our zero-tolerance policy when developing children’s products

Two children are playing on swings in a playroom. A man and a toddler are sitting behind them on a green PLUFSIG gym mat.

A man’s hands are chopping herbs on a wooden board. Next to it is a black pan with vegetable sausages and its packaging.

How we work with food

Everyone should be able to enjoy well balanced and delicious meals at an affordable price. So we work to democratise healthy, natural and more sustainable eating.

Discover the seven food principles that guide us