Interiors professionals in Russia have long noted how IKEA furniture won a steady foothold in the budget segment of the market. Its pieces often served as versatile accents in homes, rental apartments, and especially in children’s rooms where modularity and clean lines matter. This perspective comes from Elena Karasaeva, an interior designer who has watched the brand influence many projects over the years.
Karasaeva points to a core strength: the interchangeability and predictable sizing of IKEA products. This clarity makes it easier for designers to mix affordable pieces with higher-end furniture without compromising the overall look. The ability to swap shelves, tables, or storage units and repaint or reconfigure them opens up endless possibilities, allowing clients to transform a space without breaking the budget.
From the Russian consumer’s standpoint, the brand did not so much alter tastes as it popularized a Scandinavian aesthetic. When IKEA stores first opened, they introduced a new and intriguing style that many found refreshing and practical. The designer recalls that the novelty lay less in a brand-new taste and more in a fresh approach to living spaces, where simple lines and functional layouts could coexist with personal warmth and a sense of hygge-inspired calm.
Today, Karasaeva sees the market offering worthy alternatives that meet similar needs. As an example, she mentions the Fix Price chain, a retailer known for economy-class offerings and thematic collections that feel at home in a wide range of interiors. These lines include everything from decorative items to plates, storage boxes, and bathware, echoing features that once helped IKEA create a cohesive lifestyle narrative.
Her outlook is optimistic: changes in the market are improving the landscape for designers rather than closing doors. The departure of IKEA, she argues, does not signal the end of an era but rather a shift in how designers meet demand. Scandinavian trends are gradually being supplanted by new influences, and she is confident that Russian manufacturers will fill any gaps quickly, providing fresh options that align with contemporary preferences.
Victoria Pashinskaya, founder and designer at PV Design Studio, shares a similar sentiment. She believes the Swedish brand did not rewrite Russian tastes but instead became a reliable resource that many homeowners trusted for good value. For those on tighter budgets, IKEA proved to be a lifeline—offering practical design solutions for compact living spaces that were easy to access in the showroom. The brand’s convenience and straightforward ordering system made renovations and upgrades feel feasible, especially for renters who needed flexible, affordable options.
Beyond private homes, IKEA furniture has also proven suitable for business spaces. Pashinskaya notes that the products are portable and easy to adapt to more tailored configurations, a quality often prized by commercial clients who seek quick, visible results. In periods of rental or renovation, the ability to reconfigure a layout swiftly proved especially valuable, with IKEA pieces frequently stepping in to bridge gaps between projects.
Despite these strengths, the designer observes a shift in stylistic preferences among clients. Rather than a persistent love for Scandinavian aesthetics, many now lean toward classic or art deco influences that evoke a sense of timeless elegance. IKEA’s signature look is increasingly seen as a stepping stone rather than the final destination. In fashioning interiors that nod to mid-century style and other vintage-inspired lines, designers are reimagining older pieces with modern finishes, giving spaces a refreshed yet nostalgic feel. This evolving trend mirrors a broader move in Russia toward design narratives that blend history with contemporary influences.
Looking ahead, Pashinskaya notes a rising confidence in the quality of locally produced furnishings. She expects the domestic market to increasingly host products that align with Scandinavian practicality while also embracing homegrown aesthetics. The idea is not to imitate but to innovate—creating furniture that respects enduring design principles while offering new textures, forms, and materials that resonate with today’s buyers and tenants.
In sum, while IKEA’s role in Russian design history is undeniable, the ongoing evolution of taste and the strengthening of local manufacturing suggest a richer, more diverse market. Designers anticipate a future where affordable, well-made solutions flourish across homes and workplaces, with a broader palette of styles compatible with varied budgets and living arrangements. The adaptive capacity of the market—seen in how brands manage collections, respond to rental needs, and deliver rapid, flexible solutions—points to a robust design ecosystem that continues to thrive in Russia and beyond, welcoming both familiar favorites and exciting new players.