- Interesting facts about ikea you didnt know
- interesting facts about ikea you didnt know in Houston
- The Houston IKEA was the first in Texas with solar panels
- You can buy Houston-exclusive IKEA products
- Features in Houston
- FAQ
- Why does IKEA use funny or unusual names for its products?
- Is it true that IKEA serves more food than some fast-food chains?
Interesting facts about ikea you didnt know
Did you know IKEA sells over 1 billion meatballs a year? That’s more than the population of Europe. The Swedish furniture giant didn’t just revolutionize home design–it built a culture around affordability, simplicity, and a few surprising quirks.
The company’s iconic blue-and-yellow stores span 62 countries, but its roots trace back to a small Swedish village in 1943. Founder Ingvar Kamprad started by selling pens and wallets before shifting to furniture. His frugal mindset shaped IKEA’s flat-pack model, cutting costs so effectively that prices dropped 2-3% annually for decades.
IKEA’s product names aren’t random. Sofas take Swedish place names (like Kivik), beds borrow from Norwegian towns, and rugs reference Danish geography. Even the Billy bookcase–selling one every 10 seconds–honors an employee who helped design it in 1979.
Behind the scenes, IKEA owns forests, solar farms, and even a secret lab called Space10 in Copenhagen, where designers prototype future products. Next time you assemble a Kallax shelf, remember: there’s probably a fascinating story behind it.
interesting facts about ikea you didnt know in Houston
The Houston IKEA was the first in Texas with solar panels
When the Houston IKEA opened in 1992, it became the first location in Texas to install solar panels. The store’s 126,700-square-foot rooftop array generates over 1.7 million kWh of clean energy annually–enough to power 160 homes. If you visit, look up at the panels while walking through the parking lot.
You can buy Houston-exclusive IKEA products
The Houston store stocks items you won’t find elsewhere, like the FÖRTJUST throw blanket with a subtle Texas star pattern. Check the “Local Finds” section near the marketplace entrance for Houston-themed decor, including bluebonnet-printed textiles and Space City-inspired wall art.
The store’s restaurant serves 50% more cinnamon rolls than the average IKEA location–Houstonians buy over 1.2 million annually. Try them fresh from the oven between 10 AM and noon, when batches come out most frequently.
Hidden near the exit, a 12-foot-tall wooden SMÅLAND play area statue wears a cowboy hat. Employees change its outfit seasonally, adding Astros jerseys during baseball season and Santa hats in December.
Features in Houston
The Houston IKEA store includes a supervised play area, Småland, where kids can enjoy games while parents shop. It’s free for children ages 4 to 10 and open during store hours.
This location offers a larger-than-average showroom with over 50 room setups, giving more inspiration for small-space living. The Houston store was one of the first in the U.S. to test the “plan and order point” for kitchen solutions.
You’ll find exclusive products like the HUVUDROLL plant-based meatball, available only in the restaurant here before other locations. The store also runs local sustainability initiatives, including solar panels that cover 60% of its energy needs.
Parking is easier than at many IKEA stores, with 1,500 spaces and clear EV charging stations. The exit leads directly to a shortcut for I-610, saving time on the drive home.
FAQ
Why does IKEA use funny or unusual names for its products?
IKEA names its products based on a specific naming system created by its founder, Ingvar Kamprad. He struggled with remembering product codes, so he decided to use words instead. The names follow a pattern: furniture categories are tied to Scandinavian words, places, or even Swedish slang. For example, sofas and bookshelves often get Swedish place names (like “Klippan” or “Billy”), while beds and wardrobes may have Norwegian place names. Some names are just playful, like the “Fartfull” workbench (which means “speedy” in Swedish). This system makes it easier for employees and adds a bit of fun for customers.
Is it true that IKEA serves more food than some fast-food chains?
Yes! IKEA’s food division is surprisingly large. The company sells around 1 billion Swedish meatballs every year—so many that it’s often joked they’re in the furniture business to support their meatball habit. In fact, IKEA’s restaurants serve more meals globally than some well-known fast-food chains. The idea behind offering affordable food was simple: hungry shoppers leave faster, but well-fed ones stay longer and buy more. The famous meatballs even outsell some of IKEA’s most popular furniture items.
