How the IKEA Effect Is Redefining Furniture Choices?

Our grandparents and even their grandparents had their furniture custom-made by a carpenter.  Even when they went furniture shopping, they would sit on the chair to see how comfortable it was, how much weight it could hold, and how strong it was. The most crucial component was that the furniture must last for a long time and only require minor maintenance. However, this furniture can be extremely heavy and bulky. No doubt they had intricate designs and amazing durability, but with evolving times and trends, they easily went out of style. This, perhaps, is one of the reasons why there has been a shift in preference in furniture choice and the growing IKEA effect.

This shift has been observed since light-weight, easily movable furniture entered the scene. It is primarily because it is comparatively inexpensive and serves its purpose just well. It is also more pet-friendly as it reduces the risk of tipping over and its material is easy to clean, especially when dealing with pet hair. Apart from this, the larger reason was the Industrial Revolution which introduced machinery and mass production techniques, making furniture more affordable and accessible. New materials like plywood, plastic, and metal enabled lighter and more innovative designs, moving away from traditional heavy wood furniture.

In the 1990s, as urbanisation spread, cities grew and living spaces shrank, thus the consumers needed furniture that was compact and multifunctional. Smaller homes and apartments led to a demand for sleeker, lighter, and more space-efficient pieces. Moreover, a German design school in the 20th century named The Staatliches Bauhaus, commonly known as Bauhaus (which also became a design movement), emphasised minimalism and mass production. Designers began using lightweight materials like tubular steel and plywood, focusing on clean lines and eliminating unnecessary ornamentation. This set the stage for practical yet aesthetically pleasing furniture. Some famous Bauhaus design figures are Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Paul Klee and Marianne Brandt.

Currently, a known name for a furniture retailer is Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd, and Agunnaryd; IKEA. Founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad with pens, lighters, picture frames and wallets as their initial product line. Then they moved to self-assembly, flat-packed furniture, drastically reducing transportation costs and damage rates while making it easier for customers to take products home themselves. They leveraged the economic pressures, especially during the 70s energy crisis, where they pioneered the use of chipboard and other light materials which allowed for affordable mass production and easier handling for the consumers. This flat-pack model enabled IKEA to scale internationally as it simplified shipping, storage and appealed to a broad range of customers living in diverse, often compact, urban settings.

The term IKEA effect comes to our mind automatically when we discuss IKEA. It is a psychological boost that the consumers get when they assemble their IKEA furniture. This boost makes people place a higher value on that furniture because it makes them feel that they have ‘partially created’ it themselves, providing them with a sense of achievement. This term was formally identified and named by researchers Michael I. Norton, Daniel Mochon and Dan Ariely in a 2011 paper published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology. This widely known effect has influenced individuals globally. 

The IKEA effect popularised DIY, from making Lego in childhood to making furniture as adults is nostalgic and in this manner this effect has shifted consumer preferences and expectations. Individuals increasingly seek products that allow them to participate in the creation process, leading to a market where self-assembly, personalisation and user involvement are not just accepted but actively desired. This shift has not only changed the way furniture is designed and sold but also how consumers resonate with the products in their homes, making the assembly process a valued part of ownership rather than a chore.

Therefore, with the IKEA effect, traditional furniture has started to lose its consumers to lightweight furniture as the aesthetic has moved towards minimalism, which was also promoted by Bauhaus. Traditional furniture is made using heavy woods like mahogany, walnut, and oak which give off a sense of permanence and grandeur. They feature intricate carvings, embellishments and mouldings showcasing craftsmanship. But maximalism came with a cost which could not be afforded by the middle class. In contrast, IKEA’s aesthetic features neutral tones- such as whites, greys and beiges, accented with occasional pops of colour, allowing for easy coordination and a timeless look. This caters to contemporary needs for flexibility and personal expression in an affordable manner.

This minimalist yet practical aesthetic is further supported by the use of sustainable materials like bamboo, steel, glass and steel along with recycled plastic. With a specific product range of the said materials which includes water bottles, serving dishes, straws, baskets, jars and pressure cookers. The recycled plastic material product range includes duvets, curtains, dish drying mat, magazine files, parasols, door decorations, plushies and more. Further, making a point that some trends can bring responsible beauty and inculcate a habit towards preserving nature. In essence, this shift might be a more environmentally conscious change with a focus on functionality, moreover, reusability.