We are happy to announce that the Museum of Furniture Studies will open again, now in Småland – the region of furniture making.
IKEA Älmhult acquires the museum and will continue supporting design students and making the collection accessible to the public.
Älmhult is set to become a global destination for design. This is the long-term goal as IKEA Älmhult AB acquires The Museum of Furniture Studies, the acclaimed institution founded by architects Kersti Sandin and Lars Bülow. Following the acquisition, one of the most comprehensive private furniture collections in Northern Europe will once again be accessible to the general public, but now in Älmhult, in the southern Swedish province of Småland.
The Museum of Furniture Studies features more than 1,200 unique items of furniture and other design pieces by more than 400 designers and architects from around the world. The objects, ranging from the late 19th century to the present day, have been collected by Kersti Sandin and Lars Bülow over more than 40 years. Their ambition – to increase knowledge of historical and contemporary furniture culture among students and the general public – is a vision that is shared by IKEA.
“We are delighted and honoured to acquire this amazing collection from Kersti and Lars. It is truly an inspirational legacy, one that we want to manage carefully but also evolve by making design accessible and relevant to everybody, regardless of background. Älmhult already welcomes a large number of international visitors, and our investment in The Museum of Furniture Studies is a further step in making the town an important knowledge hub and a leading destination for design studies,” says Tina Petersson Lind, Managing Director at IKEA Älmhult AB.
“This initiative will mean a huge amount to Älmhult, and we look forward to working together to enhance Älmhult as a destination,” says Eva Ballovarre, Municipal Commissioner of Älmhult.
It has not yet been confirmed exactly when The Museum of Furniture Studies and its public exhibition will open in Älmhult. The acquisition was made during summer 2024, and work is now underway to find a permanent location for the extensive collection.
“It is good to know that our collection is being taken over by an owner that has the knowledge and ability to evolve the museum’s vision: to support Scandinavian furniture culture through themed exhibitions, seminars and workshops. IKEA bring their inclusive design approach, their international network and their resources to the table, which ensures a powerful new start for the museum. More over, being close to the Copenhagen–Malmö region, the collection will have a far broader potential audience,” says Lars Bülow, designer, design entrepreneur and co-founder of The Museum of Furniture Studies.
“The most important target group for The Museum of Furniture Studies is students of architecture, design, arts and crafts. Our unique collaboration with design colleges, including student exhibitions, lectures and matchmaking activities, is a fundamental aspect of the overall vision, and one that IKEA will now continue globally. One of the main considerations for us in this transfer of ownership has been to ensure a continued focus on fostering knowledge,” says Kersti Sandin, architect, design researcher and co-founder of The Museum of Furniture Studies.
The acquisition is part of a wider ambition to strengthen Älmhult as a design destination. IKEA already has IKEA Museum in Älmhult, which features exhibitions about Småland province and IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad, as well as furniture design and general design at IKEA through the ages. Establishing The Museum of Furniture Studies as an independent institution outside of IKEA Museum, people will have greater opportunities to learn about and be inspired by international design history.
“We want Älmhult to play a vital part in providing unique conditions for future learning when it comes to furniture design: how to create well-made products that strike a chord, serve a purpose and make a difference in people’s lives. With the acquisition of The Museum of Furniture Studies, we are now making an invaluable design legacy accessible to students and the general public,” says Johan Ejdemo, Global Co-head of Design at IKEA.
About IKEA Älmhult AB:
IKEA Älmhult AB manages IKEA Museum, IKEA Hotell, Aktivitetshuset in Älmhult as well as IKEA Property. The company is part of Inter IKEA Group where also the product development centre IKEA of Sweden is included. The mission and ambition of IKEA Älmhult AB is to strengthen IKEA and Älmhult through development that creates a better place for the next generation.
About The Museum of Furniture Studies:
The Museum of Furniture Studies was founded in 2017 by Swedish architects and designers Kersti Sandin and Lars Bülow. The main mission of the museum is to inspire and educate students and young professionals in the field of architecture, design and crafts. The collection features more than 1,200 unique items of furniture and other design pieces by more than 400 designers and architects from around the world. The museum closed for public visits 2022.
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