Well-known Ikea furniture is named after these places

February 14, 2025, 4:03 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

Practical furniture, decorative items, and typical Swedish food are what the furniture giant Ikea is known for worldwide. But in addition to Billy shelves, Köttbullar, and home accessories, there is something else that makes the company so recognizable: the special names of the pieces of furniture. However, these are by no means fantasy words.

Whether it’s a Billy bookcase, a Kallax shelving unit, or an Ektorp sofa – many items from the iconic furniture store from Sweden carry names that are more than mere product labels. Behind them are real places in Scandinavia that are often only known to a few people. From kitchen gadgets to bathroom vanities, TRAVELBOOK introduces you to four places that have inspired the names of Ikea furniture.

What’s Behind the Furniture Names

It’s a common sight in many homes to find at least one piece of furniture from the Swedish powerhouse, Ikea. From sofas to shelves and bathroom cabinets to bed frames, each item shares one distinctive feature: a unique name. These names draw inspiration from a myriad of Scandinavian sources, including rivers, flora, cities, and even professions.

Each product category follows a unique naming convention. According to WELT, bathroom products bear the names of Swedish waters. Fabrics and curtains have Scandinavian girls’ names, while tables and chairs have Scandinavian boys’ names. Sofas, dining tables, and carpets are often named after different towns and villages.

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These Places Served as Namesakes

Tromsø, Norway

Until 2015, you could find loft beds and metal frames in Swedish furniture stores under the name “Tromsö.” Yet, the true namesake is the picturesque town of Tromsø in northern Norway, situated about 400 kilometers beyond the Arctic Circle. Located on the island of Tromsøya, Tromsø is considered by “VisitNorway” to be one of the best places to observe the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights.

Tromsö Norwegen — Tromsø is the largest city in northern Norway and is known for its northern lights and snowy landscapes

Visitors between May and July are treated to the midnight sun, a celestial spectacle where the sun never sets, providing perfect conditions for endless Arctic adventures. In winter, snowshoe hikes and dog sled rides through snow-covered valleys with views of the Lyngen Alps are tempting options. The highlight and landmark of the city center is the Ice Sea Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen), which can be seen from afar and is reminiscent of an iceberg due to its special architecture.

Skåne, Sweden

Although no piece of furniture bears the name Skåne directly, IKEA has named some of its products after places in the southern Swedish province. Skåne is known for its contrasting mix of untouched nature and vibrant city life. While rapeseed fields characterize the landscape in the east, there are wide sandy beaches along the coast.

Skåne, Schweden — Some places in the Skåne region have given their names to Ikea furniture

At the same time, modern architecture and cultural highlights can be explored in the cities of Malmö and Lund. One special place in Skåne is Kivik, after which one of the furniture giant’s sofas is named. According to “VisitSweden,” the largest apple orchard in the country is located here. And the old manor house “Stubbarp” in Arild, surrounded by a nature reserve, has also lent its name to a well-known range of furniture accessories.

Bolmen, Sweden

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The BOLMEN product range, consisting of bathroom accessories such as toilet brushes and stools, has little in common with its namesake. However, the lake of the same name in south-west Småland is much more appealing. Sweden’s tenth-largest lake, located in Ljungby, is a true paradise for anglers and nature lovers. Surrounded by forests and untouched nature, the lake, whose water is so clear according to WELT that it is safe to drink, is ideal for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.

Ektorp, Sweden

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Under the moniker ‘Ektorp,’ the Swedish furniture store boasts a collection of snug sofas perfect for unwinding. The suburb of the same name in the south of Stockholm exudes an equally relaxed atmosphere. Located in the municipality of Nacka, the lively residential area is not only well connected to the capital, which is around 15 minutes away, but is also surrounded by lakes, forests and the sea, reports “VisitSweden“. In addition to small stores, there are also numerous cafés in the town center where you can try typical local specialties such as cinnamon buns (kanelbullar).

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.