Ikea has re-released some of its most-loved iconic pieces to celebrate its 75th anniversary – and one £45 table could be worth thousands in the future.
The coveted £45 piece, The Lövebacken (previously the Lövet), is a statement design side table with three legs, first released in the 1950s. It was created by one of the most successful Swedish designers, Gillis Lundgren, and has become a collector’s item for the most discerning furniture experts.
The Scotsman notes that the reissued table will be the same amount as a Rolex watch or an Hermès Birkin handbag by the year 2040.
Barnebys, a Swedish-based auction listing website, has predicted the piece’s increase in worth, highlighting how Ikea’s original designs from the 50s and 60s have always had a good track record when it comes to increasing in value over the years.
"We can expect prices to quickly go up if the furniture is limited edition or no longer manufactured,” says Barnebys co-founder Pontus Silfverstolpe. “It may come as a surprise to many, but we frequently see very popular products of the past getting some of the most recognition at auctions, as they become future antiques within their own right."
House Beautiful highlights how contemporary pieces of furniture have a distinct style that promises great staying power. Jared Sager, head of collections at Ikea, comments: “In recent times, we’ve seen a selection of Ikea’s most iconic designs become sought-after collectables in auction houses across the world, commanding prices up to 10 times higher than their launch price.”
Although Ikea's founder Ingvar Kamprad died in January this year, his vision to create beautiful and affordable contemporary pieces of furniture has continued to be Ikea’s driving idea when it comes to conceptualising and relaunching furniture for the home.
Apart from the Lövebacken, other reimagined pieces from Ikea, as listed by the Independent, includes designs from the 70s and 80s – like the Klippan sofa, which has been updated with new covers in bright red, yellow, and blue.
Furniture lovers can also buy the Råane armchair (now called the Järpen), which is made from a mesh material without any filling or fabric. It is part of the second instalment of Ikea’s Re-imagined Classics series, along with the Klippan sofa. The third instalment of the series will be launched in December, and, according to reports, will include a more minimalist 90s look.
Aside from starting the ball rolling when it comes to affordable and chic home furniture, Ikea also transformed the DIY industry and brought constructing furniture into the home. This led to a boom in tool sales that could be used for DIY projects, with homeowners confident and inspired to tackle wood, metal, and masonry ventures.
The masonry drill bit page on Screwfix's website details how modern equipment can now tackle tough materials including stone and concrete, and often comes with a flute design for effective debris removal. Many homeowners are now adept at building complex pieces of furniture and DIY projects without the added expense of bringing in hired help. And this is ultimately why Ikea continues to be a leader in its industry.
Ikea is not only the furniture design store that has re-released old pieces and reimagined them as new ones. Italian furniture brand Cappellini released reimagined classics like Joe Colombo's iconic Tube Chair, which was originally produced in 1969 – while fans of Finn Juhl can find his reimagined 1956 FJ 136 chair created for British entrepreneur CWF France at furniture manufacturer Onecollection.
As Ikea and the above examples show, the past is very much the future when it comes to furniture.
