IKEA

Founded in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA transformed from a modest mail-order business in Sweden into a global empire where DIY furniture assembly is the price of stylish affordability. The company’s flat-pack revolution democratized design, bringing minimalist aesthetics to the masses while turning Saturday afternoons into a test of patience and marital stability. IKEA’s labyrinthine stores, equal parts retail wonderland and endurance test, have become iconic in their own right, even as the brand faced controversies—from labor practices to Kamprad’s troubling ties to Nazi sympathizers in his youth. Yet, IKEA’s influence on how the world decorates is undeniable, with its “Billy” bookcases and “Poäng” chairs achieving cult status. The company remains privately held, with a valuation that dwarfs most public competitors, proving that Kamprad’s vision of affordable design has legs—though, like many IKEA pieces, they might wobble a bit if not assembled just right.