Why Ikea makes you assemble your own furniture

Ikea's greatest innovation came from its greatest challenge.

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[cameronkemp]

For a long time Ikea has offered something many competitors still can't and that is the ability to get your furniture on the same day. It's not uncommon that other stores will have a waiting period of months on some goods, hardly practical when moving houses.

May the algorithm continue to shine upon you this week Phil, dispite your lack of faith.

[JasonMcLemore]

I love assembling IKEA furniture. For me, it's quite simple and straightforward. Any time I've bought another furniture item that needs assembly (like my boys bunkbeds) that isn't IKEA, I compare which was easier. The single tool concept to me, just makes so much sense.

[KimKhan]

Being Swedish and working in North America in an IKEA store, the culture shock was definitely real. Ingvar Kamprad was spouted as an ingenious pioneer of business, making things for "the little man", with environmental concerns being at the forefront... and here I am going "Yep, he is definitely just some dude that started just another company".

[mtalhaawais]

I think I'm part of the minority who really enjoy putting together their furniture.

[ASPwesome]

I've went to my "local" IKEA with my family a couple of times. Either for furniture, the food, or both. I've had my first experience putting together my new desk when I was around 12 (I'm now 18). I found it quite fun, maybe because I loved building with LEGO's and transitioning to IKEA furniture was quite intuitive. I've been doing it since and half of the furniture in my room are from IKEA.

[swusho]

Never thought I'd happen to see my grandfather in one of your videos (Marian Grabinski), he was actually quite close to Ingvar and even designed the MTP line of cabinets which were a modular set of cabinets released in the 60s as a gift to Ingvar and his wife when they were getting married and is featured on ikeas 'History of ikea' page they have. (would have linked it but seems youtube doesn't like me doing that)

He can be seen standing furthest back at around 5:50

[tessiepinkman]

Having grown up with IKEAs headquarter just around the corner I gotta say you made me feel real proud as a Swede with this short history of IKEA. In Sweden IKEA is for *everybody*, it's so cheap that almost everyone gets their stuff for their first, second and perhaps even third apartment there. I don't know how you look at it on the other side of the world, but I think Ingvar Kamprad would be proud and happy to say that *anyone* can afford to have a beautiful home.

[CourtneyW]

Do a video about why we don’t have world’s fairs anymore and the legacy of them. I feel like there’s a story there that I’m missing and your production is always succinct yet gives the full breadth of the subject. It’s digestible and palatable yet I feel informed and still sort of like I’ve learned some deep secret at the same time. It’s really great content and I’m sure you would tell this story in an amazing way.

[liannapim]

You bought. One. Thing. At IKEA... You, sir, must have a will of iron. Also growing up in the UK, I never thought of IKEA as design-y or "prestige" - it was just one the cheapest places to get furniture. Enjoying your videos x

[johncrwarner]

I went with a couple of friends
to a newly opened IKEA
and we had a competition
"who would spend the least in IKEA"
I came home with six coloured plastic beakers
but the winner came home with just a jar of lingonberry jam!

[bonecanoe]

When I got my first apartment I was able to fit all the furniture I needed into a minivan. Not having to rent a moving truck and just making one trip was so nice!

[Gbee]

How crazy is it that Gary Oldman is down to earth enough to assemble his own IKEA furniture? What an awesome guy!

[BootstrapsBootstraps]

As a Norwegian living in Denmark: IKEA is the furniture for students and people who want something cheap. Many of us enjoy assembling the furniture, but most of us think going to IKEA is exhausting (too big, and too many people).

[rodaxel]

I had my first experience with IKEA this year, the first one in my country. Honestly I just went for the food. Furniture seems nice. Maybe I'll get to assemble one in the future.

[PJTierney]

I’m glad this channel’s finally blown up and getting the views it deserves. Well done sir 🥳

On-topic reply: I like the IKEA building process, went through it a lot with my most recent house move a few years ago. They don’t get enough credit for how clear their instructions are vs half the stuff you get on Amazon.

[lukedaniels]

I just found this channel, and it’s my new favorite channel. It feels like I’m watching an individual be able to explore their interest without being stuck exploring one theme or topic or influenced by other peoples vision of what something should be. But with the production value of a major studio.

[Unraveled]

Everytime I discover a vox's employee personal channel I feel like I stroke gold. I've been binge watching since yesterday, pretty good stuff! Keep it up

[VAM_Physics_and_Engineering]

I personally enjoy that if you want to look at one item before you buy you have to walk past every item sold in the store. I call it the slaughter house sales technic... just have faith in the arrow on the floor and eventually you will reach the inevitable checkout. (I assume this is all locations) Great as always Phil!

[rkx]

You have really good content here! Vox-style but without all the requests and what you wanna say! It sounds authentic and so entertaining but educational.

[robertkraszewski]

I was just on an ikea binge on YouTube and you just released this video, almost perfect timing