Ikea's Sources of Inspiration

Ikea's own designers and producers for the furniture company in the mid-20th century often turned to their contemporaries for inspiration. Here are some of the top Ikea designs that were clearly influenced by famous models:

Alvar Aalto's E60 and Frost

Alvar Aalto, stool, ’E60’, Artek. Photo © Metropol Auktioner

The original: E60 Launched: 1934 Designer: Alvar Aalto For: Artek

Related: Alvar Aalto: A Finnish Hero

Stool, ’Frosta’, Ikea. Photo © Stockholms Auktionsverk

Ikea's variant: Frosta Launched: Year unknown (but for obvious reasons not before 1934) Designer: Gillis Lundgren

Barnebys comment: The stools are very similar in design, however the seat part on Ikea's version is thinner.

Arnold Madsen's Clam Chair and Åke

Arnold Madsen, chair, ’Clam Chair’. Photo © Stockholms Auktionsverk

The original: The Clam Chair Launched: 1944 Designer: Arnold Madsen For: Henry Schubell (license sold to Norwegian Vik & Blindheim in 1953)

Related: The Curse of the Clam Chair

Ikea's variant: Åke Launched: 1950s, included in the catalog in 1954 Designer: Unknown furniture manufacturer for Ikea

Barnebys comment: Ikea's variant Åke has sharper corners than the Clam Chair

Nanna Ditzel's Model 83 and Rondell

Nanna Ditzel, chair, ’Model 83’. Photo © Bukowskis

The original: Model 83 Launched: 1952 Designer: Nanna Ditzel For: Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik

Erik Wörts, chair, ’Rondell’, Ikea. Photo © Auktionshuset i Oskarshamn

Ikea's variant: Rondell Launched: 1963 Designer: Erik Wörts

Barnebys comment: In Ikea's version, the screws are clearly visible on the high chair legs.

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Yngve Ekström's Arka and Eker

Yngve Ekström, chair, ’Arka’. Photo © Metropol Auktioner

The original: Arka Launched: 1955 Designer: Yngve Ekström For: Stolab

Related: Swedish Design Classics

Gillis Lundgren, chair, ’Eker’, Ikea. Photo © Stadsauktion Sundsvall

Ikea's variant: Eker Launched: 1961 Designer: Gillis Lundgren

Barnebys comment: The chairs are largely the same. Eker has a slightly higher back than Ekström's Arka.

Yngve Ekström's Rhythm and Lövet / Lövbacken

Yngve Ekström, coffee table, ’Rhythm’, Westbergs furniture, Tranås. Photo © Bukowskis

The original: Rhythm Launched: 1954 Designer: Yngve Ekström For: Westberg's furniture in Tranås

Gillis Lundgren, table, ’Lövet’, Ikea. Photo © Bukowskis

Ikea's version: Lövet (now Lövbacken ) Launched: 1955 Designer: Gillis Lundgren

Barnebys comment: The table was the first Ikea sent in a flat package for the consumer to put it together themself. The model is now manufactured again by Ikea under the name Lövbacken.

Børge Mogensen's Spanish Chair and Natura

Børge Mogensen, armchair, ’Spanish Chair’, Fredericia Stolefabrik. Photo © Uppsala Auktionskammare

The original: Spanish Chair Launched: 1958 Designer: Børge Mogensen For: Fredericia Stolfabrik

Karin Mobring, armchair, ’Natura’, Ikea. Photo © Stockholms Auktionsverk

Ikea's variant: Natura Launched: 1977 Designer: Karin Mobring

Barnebys comment: The leather in Ikea's version does not extend beyond the frame.

Sonna Rosén's Solfjädern and Sierra

Sonna Rosén, armchair, ’Solfjädern’, Nässjö Stolfabrik. Photo © Auktionshuset Gomér & Andersson

The original: Solfjädern Launched: 1948 Designer: Sonna Rosén For: Nässjö Stolfabrik

Bengt Ruda, armchair, ’Sierra’, Ikea. Photo © Bukowskis

Ikea's variant: Sierra Launched: 1959 Designer: Bengt Ruda

Barnebys comment: The Ikea version is narrower than the original.

Related: A New Auction Record for IKEA Furniture

Ilmari Tapiovaara's Mademoiselle and Din

Ilmari Tapiovaara, chair, ’Mademoiselle’, Edsbyverken. Photo © Bukowskis

The original: Mademoiselle Launched: 1956 Designer: Ilmari Tapiovaara For: Asko and licensed by Edsbyverken

Related: The Mystery of the Aulanko Armchair

Gillis Lundgren, chair, ’Din’, Ikea. Photo © Bukowskis

Ikea's version: Din Launched: 1961 Designer: Gillis Lundgren

Barnebys comment: The high back was significant for Tapiovaara and Lundgren replicated this, but added arms. It is also interesting that the Ikea model, just like Mademoiselle, was also available as a rocking chair.

Hans J. Wegner's CH20 and Danske

Hans J. Wegner, chairs, ’CH20’, Carl Hansen & Son. Photo © Bukowskis

The original: CH20 / Elbow chair Launched: 1956 Designer: Hans J. Wegner For: Carl Hansen

Related: A Brief Guide to Danish Design

Erik Wörtz, chairs, ’Danske’, Ikea. Photo © Bukowskis

Ikea's variant: Danske Launched: 1960s Designer: Erik Wörts

Barnebys comment: The backrest bend on the Wörts variant is on the upper side and on the Wegner variant on the lower side. The Wörts' seat is on top of the frame.

Hans J. Wegner's The Chair and Troy

Hans J. Wegner, armchair, ’The Chair’, Johannes Hansen. Photo © Uppsala Auktionskammare

The Original: The Chair / JH501 Launched: 1949 Designer: Hans J. Wegner For: Johannes Hansen

Related: 10 Reasons to Buy Vintage

Kai Kristiansen, karmstol, ’Troy’, Ikea. Foto © Auktionshuset Kolonn

Ikea's variant: Troy Launch date: 1959 Designer: Kai Kristiansen

Barnebys comment: The chairs have the same construction, and lots of similar models have been made since.

Related: Ikea's Most Expensive Designs

When this furniture is sold at auction, the Ikea variant can sometimes cost as much as the original. In November 2022, a pair of Ikea's Natura armchairs were sold for just over SEK 22,000 ($1,990), i.e. SEK 11,000 ($995) each. A few years earlier, the Spanish Chair was clubbed for the same price. Ikea's variants can even sell for more than the original. This spring, Bengt Ruda's chairs Sierra were clubbed for SEK 3,800 ($343), a few months earlier Sonna Rosén's chairs Solfjädern had changed hands for SEK 2,400 ($217).

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This is an updated version of an article originally published on July 15, 2020.