IKEA’s living room has evolved over 70 years, but this one piece of furniture has remained the same

In 70 years, IKEA’s style has evolved from retro maximalism to the epitome of Scandi-cool – but in all its evolution, one furnishing has remained the same. 

A recent study* has investigated IKEA’s museum of vintage catalogs to exhibit how their living rooms have changed from the 1950s to the contemporary day. However, despite its diverse styles, hues, and textures – one piece appears in every era: a statement armchair. 

While IKEA’s armchairs have developed over the years – observing different shapes, sizes – and even a complete redesign from an IKEA hack – their ability to make a statement continues. And, we expect this furnishing to prevail for 70 more years to come. 

In an investigation that begins in the 1950s (above), the study explored IKEA’s catalog archives to create digital renders that show how IKEA’a living room ideas have changed since its launch. While these eras are all dramatically different, their armchairs continue to make a statement in every image. 

In 1950, the dark gray REX armchair demanded attention amid the pink-hued chintz living space. Meanwhile, in the 60s (above), the retro ESBJERG chair armchair adds a stylish structure to the yellow, wooden-filled scheme. 

Ten years later, the RICCI armchair (above) introduced a curved focal point to the nostalgic living space. 

This was before the Hede armchair brought a sense of balance to the otherwise maximalist scheme.

In the 1990s (above), IKEA made arguably their most significant statement to date with the MULLSJO chair, a staple leather furnishing with a matching footstool that adds a new texture to the overflow of material in the rich wooden space. 

The turn of the millennium saw the rise of a modern IKEA icon that still reshapes modern home decor ideas today – the POÄNG – the 1970s piece that surged – and continues to surge in popularity. 

There are various ways to style the IKEA POÄNG armchair, but the living room above is a noughties-inspired capsule with an ever-timeless appeal.

The 2010s saw the KARLSTAD armchair take center stage, with its knitted gray hues paving the way for the biggest interior design trends we are currently experiencing.

And at the peak of these contemporary statements, the most daring of IKEA’s armchairs to date, the NOLMYRA ‘easy’ chair is an unconventional but ever-so stylish armchair, a strikingly modern feature in the 2020s living space.

While we can never predict the future, we expect IKEA’s armchairs will continue to transform schemes for 70 more years in the future.

*Study by Householdquotes