Ikea

yellow and black building under white clouds during daytime
Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on March 6, 2023 and last updated on May 14, 2023

Ikea is a popular and global home furnishings brand that can provide a useful conversation topic for English language learners. The topic also offers opportunities to talk about different aspects of home decoration and furniture, which can be useful for learners who plan to live in English-speaking countries or work in fields related to interior design.

Additionally, learning about Ikea’s history, products, and marketing strategies can provide valuable insights into business and consumer culture in English-speaking countries. Overall, using Ikea as a conversation topic can be an engaging and effective way to improve English language skills.

About Ikea

Ikea is a Swedish multinational company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, home accessories, and kitchen appliances. The company was founded in 1943 and has since expanded to over 400 stores in 52 countries, making it one of the world’s largest furniture retailers.

Ikea’s products are known for their modern and functional design, affordability, and sustainability. They offer a wide range of furniture and home decor items for various rooms, including living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.

Ikea’s popularity is largely due to their ability to provide stylish and affordable products that are accessible to a wide range of consumers. One unique aspect of Ikea is that their furniture and home accessories are designed to be assembled by the customer, allowing them to take their purchases home on the same day, unlike other furniture stores that often require delivery and assembly services.

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • Furniture (noun)
  • Affordable (adjective)
  • Assemble (verb)
  • Put together (phrasal verb)
  • Decorate (verb)
  • Modern (adjective)
  • Flat-pack furniture (phrase)
  • Bring back (phrasal verb)

Conversation Questions

My Image
  • Have you ever been to an Ikea store? If so, what did you think of it?
  • Why do you think Ikea is so popular?
  • What are some of the cons of buying furniture from Ikea?
  • What is the most important factor for you when buying furniture?
  • What are some ways that you can personalize or customize Ikea furniture?
  • Do you think Ikea's sustainable practices are important? Why or why not?
  • Should furniture be built to last a long time or be disposable?
  • Have you ever built furniture yourself? How did it go?
  • Do you prefer to shop online or in person when buying furniture? Why?
  • Is it better to buy furniture from a big brand like Ikea or from local artisans?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.