There’s a special joy in adorning our living spaces with vintage charm for a delightful dose of nostalgia. Yet, the scarcity of authentic vintage homeware has made this pursuit more challenging than ever. One unexpected place you can find such pieces is from IKEA, where amidst their catalogue of modern and contemporary pieces is a treasure trove of vintage gems.
But rather than visit IKEA Alexandra or Tampines, vintage IKEA items can only be found on secondhand platforms like Carousell and Etsy. Here, we’ve curated 9 vintage IKEA pieces ranging from chairs to table lamps that you should consider to give your home some preloved character.
Contents
1. Åland’ foldable chair
Image credit: Etsy
Designed in the 1970s, the Åland chair is proof that flat-pack furniture can age like fine wine. Made with a white lacquered metal seat and backrest, it folds up neatly when not in use, a small-space dweller’s dream even back in the disco era.
It’s a collectible piece that nods to IKEA’s early design innovation: practical, minimalist, and surprisingly chic for something that can be stashed behind your door. At around $193.30 on Etsy, it’s not the cheapest seat in the house, but hey, you’re basically sitting on history.
2. PS 2014 side table
Image credit: Etsy
The IKEA PS 2014 side table looks like something straight out of a design school project that actually worked. Designed as part of IKEA’s PS (Post Scriptum) line, it features four sturdy plastic trays stacked on a round metal base, each layer ready to hold anything from magazines to your snack stash.
The top yellow tray even doubles as a removable serving tray. It’s a versatile piece that brings both storage and personality to the room, proving that even IKEA’s plastic phase had serious design chops.
You’ll be able to get this for $440 on Etsy today, but for a piece that’s equal parts art, furniture, and conversation starter, it’s money well stacked.
3. FLIT bookends
Image credit: Etsy
Before IKEA went all-in on sleek shelving units, there were the FLIT bookends. Made from wire steel in a range of colours like white, black, silver, pink, and red, these minimalist supports are as no-nonsense as it gets.
They fit perfectly into an industrial or modern setup, adding just enough retro charm without shouting for attention.They’re going for $19 on Etsy, which is quite a steal today!
4. IKEA VI Table
Image credit: Etsy
If IKEA ever had a wild phase, the VI table from 1993 was it. Straight out of the Memphis design playbook, this piece is bold, playful, and just the right amount of eccentric. Its vivid red circular tabletop, contrasting black pedestal base, and quirky little ball handle on top make it feel more like a pop art sculpture than a side table.
Made from powder-coated steel with a plastic knob that lets you move it around with one hand, it’s equal parts functional and fabulous, the kind of furniture that doesn’t just sit in your room.
At about $400 on Etsy, it’s definitely pricier than your average IKEA side table, but then again, this isn’t your average IKEA side table. It’s vintage IKEA with attitude, a statement piece that says you appreciate design history, but still like to have a bit of fun.
5. IVIKEN ice cube table lamp
Image credit: Etsy
Before IKEA started selling table lamps that looked like actual lamps, they had the IVIKEN ice cube table lamp up for sale in the 1990s as a quirky alternative to the ubiquitous banker lamps.
The cuboid-shaped lamp is made out of molten glass and has a singular lamp in the middle emanating a soft, diffused light. As much as it’s a utilitarian piece of furniture that illuminates your room, it’s also a guaranteed conversation starter as how often can you tell your friends that you have a melting ice cube lamp in your home?
We’d advise you to be quick though, as some IVIKEN ice cube lamps on Etsy are in limited stock.
6. MARD storage boxes
Image credit: Etsy
The MARD storage boxes, once a household staple, are now elusive treasures since IKEA ceased their global distribution. These highly functional boxes, featuring convenient cutout handles on each side, boast an array of unique colours and shades.
For added convenience, consider the vibrant crates with wheels – a perfect solution for organising your children’s toys or maintaining a neat and stylish home.
On Etsy, you can opt for either the plain one or the one with wheels in different colours for $77.34 each.
7. Colourful squiggle vases
Image credit: Etsy
For enthusiasts who revel in adorning their homes with fresh blossoms or artificial blooms, these vintage colourful squiggle vases present a delightful departure from the conventional vase designs. Their distinctive shape and a vibrant array of colours exude a pronounced vintage charm.
Hailing from the renowned SKAMT IKEA collection, these vases made their debut in the late 90s, injecting an eclectic, retro flair into any space. Beyond their conventional use for flowers, these versatile vases can double as charming candle holders or stand-alone decorative pieces. They’re available in a spectrum of colours including clear, red, blue, baby pink, and more in this Etsy listing with prices starting from $10.56.
8. LYKTA glass table lamp
Image credit: Etsy
The LYKTA glass table lamps have a silhouette that resembles a traditional lamp with a lampshade and a base, but they’re a design marvel in its own right. The mushroom shape is crafted from a continuous piece of glass and is illuminated from within by a bulb, giving the walls of the lamp a vibrant, ombre shade.
Although it doesn’t emit the brightest light for a conducive reading session, the different colours of the lamp can transform the mood of your room with the flick of a switch.
The most common colour of the LYKTA lamp on Etsy is white, but you can also collect them in a rainbow of colours including blue, lime green, purple, and red.
9. SKOJIG cloud table lamp
Image credit: Etsy
At first glance, IKEA’s SKOJIG lamps look like ordinary – albeit colourful – lamps. But on closer inspection, you’ll see that it has fluffy cloud silhouettes in its lampshade for a touch of whimsy. You can’t find it anymore in IKEA Tampines or Jurong, but you can still get it off Etsy for just $101.40.
Vintage IKEA items on Etsy & Carousell
For those looking for vintage IKEA pieces, it can be challenging to find exactly what you’re looking for as many of the items are no longer being produced or are in very limited quantities.
Fortunately, you can still find some hidden vintage gems on Etsy and Carousell with just a little luck and some scrolling. So, whether you’re a vintage enthusiast or a homeowner simply looking to add a little old-fashioned fun to your home, consider exploring Etsy and Carousell for these timeless IKEA treasures.
For more IKEA inspiration:
- 7 stylish IKEA furniture to buy for an eclectic avant basic home
- 10 retro mid-century modern IKEA items under $600
- 12 best stylish IKEA lamps to match your home’s decor
Cover image adapted from: Etsy
This article was originally published on 12th December 2023, and updated on 31st October 2025.
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