New life for rediscovered classic

A burst of joy spread through Anders Adler, one of our product developers, as he scrolled through the auction firm's listings. There it was – a classic wooden spindle-back chair, made by IKEA but forgotten for decades. Fast forward a couple of years, and HÖGVED enters the scene – an updated version of the original.

Anders is a true enthusiast when it comes to historical IKEA products. “I’ve been collecting old catalogues for many years – they’re a real gold mine. I had seen pictures of this spindle-back chair but hadn’t managed to track it down in our archives or at any auction. Until now.”

Stable lightness

Anders successfully bid on six pieces of the chair. Maybe one or two could get a spot at the IKEA museum? But his professional role took over; he studied seat angle, measurements, the tilt of the legs – and liked what he saw. “The chair had a distinctive lightness to it, while still being stable. We felt it was something to continue working on, considering the advancements in production techniques, ergonomics awareness and packaging solutions over the past 50 years.” The updated version was named HÖGVED. “We're close to the original, but we've ensured it fits a smaller package and worked quite a lot on the seating comfort. Thanks to the contoured seat and embracing back, you sit comfortably – whether you're short, tall, or somewhere in between.”

A chair with a place in the memory bank

The spindle-back chair is a classic in our product range and an important part of our Scandinavian heritage. At the same time, it is neutral and timeless enough to fit various interior design styles and eras. While watching an old VHS tape from his childhood, Anders caught a glimpse of something familiar. “I sat on that very chair in our kitchen! It’s strange that I can’t recall us having it at home, but somehow it must have stayed with me.”