Owning IKEA furniture is practically a rite of passage for millennials leaving their college dorms behind and couples sharing the first apartment.
The company releases some 2,500 new products annually, but since the Swedish ready-to-assemble furniture company was founded in 1943, some favorite products have emerged and stood the test of time. The Poäng armchair just celebrated its 40th birthday, while a Billy bookcase is sold every 10 seconds somewhere in the world.
We asked IKEA to point us towards the company’s most popular products of all time. These are not necessarily the best-selling overall – it’s hard to calculate that since not all products are sold internationally and some have a limited release – but rather the top-selling products in an array of individual categories, like armchairs or bed frames.
Take a look.
12. Ribba frames make your photos and art pop.
Price: $1.99 - $19.99
Simplicity is a top design principle at IKEA, and the Ribba frame series proves it.
Ribba frames come in a variety of sizes and in black, white, and steely gray.
11. The Färgrik mug is the quintessential coffee cup.
Price: $0.99
The white stoneware Färgrik mug goes with any kitchen color scheme - plain and simple.
Plus, you won't break the bank replacing it if one crashes on the floor.
10. The Klippan loveseat fits small budgets and smaller apartments.
Price: $399
Stretching just over 70 inches, the Klippan sofa squeezes into most shoebox apartments. It's available in white, gray, and caramel.
If you make a tough stain, you can buy a replacement cover for as little as $29.
9. The Docksta table completes a minimalist kitchen.
Price: $179
The Docksta table blends in with its soft edges and a simple silhouette. The white finish allows an eclectic assortment of chairs or decorations to stand out.
8. The Ektorp sofa is built to last.
Price: $499
Small details such as the strong seams, changeable covers, and reversible seat cushions toughen up the Ektorp sofa to withstand years of use.
Plus, the foam and polyester fiber-packed seat cushions give great support.
7. The Lack table series hardly lacks style.
Price: $7.99 - $49.99
"Basic" isn't a bad thing when it comes to IKEA's preeminent table series.
Tables, ranging in size and proportions, come in a wide variety of colors and finishes. They're lightweight so you can move them easily and feng shui your living room over and over again.
6. The Stockholm rugs add a burst of color to any room.
Price: $99 - $349
Stockholm rugs are made by hand in textile centers in India that provide good working conditions and fair wages, according to IKEA.
They're also adorable and available in checkered and picnic-blanket-like patterns.
5. The Rens sheepskin rug brings warmth into your home.
Price: $29.99
IKEA's white sheepskin rug begs to be thrown in front of a fireplace and curled upon. It's irresistibly soft.
The wool is soil-repellent and durable, though not machine-washable.
4. The Kallax shelving series became an instant classic.
Price: $15 - $249
The internet freaked out when IKEA discontinued everyone's favorite shelf, the Expedit. But it's back with a new name (Kallax) and a sleek new design.
Kallax shelves, which come in multiple sizes, are durable thanks to a scratch-resistant surface and rounded corners that make them less painful to bump into.
3. The Malm bed frame series streamlines the bedroom.
Price: $149 - $559
A millennial's first apartment isn't complete without a Malm bed frame. The Malm come in two flavors: one that raises the mattress high off the floor and another that includes storage.
2. The Poäng chair sells 1.5 million units a year.
Price: $109 - $229
Created by famed Japanese designer Noboru Nakamura, the Poäng chair is one of the most iconic IKEA products of all time. It recently celebrated its 40th birthday with a limited-edition frame and six new covers.
Style, quality, and an affordable price point helped the Poäng chair stand the test of time.
1. The Billy bookcase is the most ubiquitous piece of IKEA furniture.
Price: $69.99 - $544.97
A Billy bookcase sells every 10 seconds, according to the New York Times. Why? It speaks directly to the IKEA ethos of simplicity that makes the company a global success.
The Billy bookcase can also grow with its owner over time. New shelves can be added when your library expands, and it's available in a variety of heights, widths, and finishes.