Design for the people's home

New kitchens and living rooms, and a design meant to be both beautiful and affordable.

After the war Sweden was built out, and housing research measured how people used kitchens and storage. Standards for kitchens and cupboards made design part of social planning. Lena Larsson championed movable furniture and a freer home.

Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg, Sigurd Persson in silver and Astrid Sampe at NK's textile studio made Sweden part of Scandinavian Design. IKEA began selling furniture in flat packs in 1956 and opened its store in Älmhult in 1958. The Ericofon and Volvo's cars showed Swedish industrial design.