Here’s What IKEA Looked Like When the First Store Opened in 1958
Updated: Feb. 25, 2022
It has really come a long way.
The beginning
Ingvar Kamprad actually started IKEA in 1943 initially selling miscellaneous small trinkets like pens, wallets, picture frames, and watches. He used money that his father gave him as a reward for doing well in school to buy items in bulk and sell them for fair prices while still making a profit.
IKEA offered us a few photos of what the very first store looked like. You get a small glimpse into how it used to run and how much the exterior has changed over the years.
The first store
It wasn’t until 1948 that Ingvar decided to start producing furniture. The small line of pieces they introduced was a huge success and he decided to expand the business and start selling furniture on a larger scale using a catalog. Ten years after that, in 1958, IKEA opened its first ever store in Älmhult, Sweden. When it first opened, it was the largest furniture display in Scandinavia. We love IKEA hacks! Check out this one for a craft room.
A success from the start
Within a year of the store opening, IKEA had already hired over 100 employees. Today, their uniforms are a little less formal.
Taking over the world
Due to the success of the first store, IKEA’s began popping up all over the world. Their first international store opened in Norway in 1963. From there, stores opened up in Switzerland (1973), Germany (1974), Australia (1975), France (1981), the United States (1985), the United Kingdom (1987), China (1998), and Russia (2000). Next, check out the 16 reasons why IKEA is a DIYer’s dream.
