How to Build an App like IKEA

April 14, 2025

Technology is changing day by day like fashion. Everything you need is just one click away. People need not travel anywhere to buy their homely things. Today, people are becoming more conscious of home decor. Its popularity is increasing every passing day. Apps like IKEA are gaining everyone’s attention. People can now buy home decor products online such as furniture. This raises the demand for more apps like IKEA for businesses that are involved in furniture or home decor things to strengthen their business.

Such AR apps help homeowners and business professionals create unique and intricate home decor furniture. Do you also run a furniture or home decor store? Or want to create an app like IKEA? If yes, you are just one step away. Today, we will guide you through how to build an app like IKEA. ‘What are the essential features of IKEA?’ and ‘How much does it cost to develop and maintain an AR app like IKEA?’

Let’s start with first, what is IKEA?

What is IKEA

Founded in 1943, IKEA is a Swedish company that is a worldwide retailer that sells furniture, kitchen appliances and other well-designed home decor for every room. IKEA is well-known for its flat-pack furniture which helps customers to easily carry and put together items on their own and lower expenses. They have 75 years of experience in making homes better.

To promote its business, IKEA uses digital innovation and introduces online shopping platforms and mobile applications that utilize Augmented Reality (AR). This app will help customers to see how furniture will look in their own spaces before purchasing it. It helps to improve the user experience and shopping journey.

How to build an app like IKEA in 2025?

Define Objective and Conduct Market Research

It is the first and foremost step to build an app like IKEA. Businesses should know their objectives and goals before delving into the development process. Clear objectives and vision help to understand the target audience and competitors.

Conduct market research to understand the marketing trends and what strategies your competitors are adopting. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors and check out all the popular furniture apps for making development plans. It will also help businesses to understand the cost of developing a furniture app.

Define Features and Functionalities

Now comes another important step, i.e., the features and functionalities of an app. Smooth and unique features attract users and offer a seamless user experience. Include the below key features in your app: 

1. User Registration and Authentication

Build an app where users can sign up for their account using their email, social media accounts, or phone numbers. Security should be the top priority in an app to protect users’ personal information. Your app should support two-factor authentication (2FA) so that only authorized users can access their accounts.

2. Product Catalog & Navigation

Images are a great way to attract user attention. Use the high-quality images and videos of furniture in your app and systematically categorize the products. You can use filters in an app for easy navigation. Provide detailed information about the product such as pricing, its availability etc to help customers make informed decisions.

3. Augmented Reality (AR) Integration

Make sure to integrate the augmented reality feature in your furniture app because it will help users understand how furniture will look in their homes before purchasing it. Through this feature, users can place virtual furniture in their homes, and 3D visualization will help users to see the product from all angles.

4. Shopping Cart & Checkout System

Build an app where users can add items to their shopping cart and proceed to checkout smoothly. There should be multiple payment method options, such as debit/credit cards, Paypal, etc., to ensure the flexibility and security of customer transactions. 

5. User Reviews and Ratings

To enhance credibility and trust, the app should display the reviews and ratings from verified buyers and help customers make informed decisions. 

6. AI-Powered Recommendations

To improve the user experience, add artificial intelligence in the app that can analyze user behavior and suggest products based on their preferences and browsing history.

7. Customer Support & Chatbot Integration

An app should provide strong customer support to solve their queries. There must be a live AI-powered chatbot that can answer users’ frequently asked questions to ensure quick assistance even during peak business hours.

Choose the Right Tech Stack

Businesses should choose the right technology to ensure the app’s performance, security, and scalability.

1. For Frontend Development:

For frontend development, you have two options i.e. build native apps or cross-platform apps. In building native apps, use Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android or opt for cross-platform frameworks like React Native and Flutter. 

2. For Backend Development:

Backend development should have a robust and scalable structure. You can use programming languages such as Node.js, Python, or Java, along with frameworks like Express.js, Django, or Spring Boot.

3. Database Management:

Database management helps in handling user data and transactions. For database management, you can choose SQL databases like PostgreSQL or MySQL for structured data management, while NoSQL databases like MongoDB and Firebase provide flexibility for handling large amounts of unstructured data.

4. Cloud and Storage Solutions:

Use platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure for cloud and storage solutions. It provides secure and scalable options for hosting and managing app data. 

5. Augmented Reality Development:

To build an e-commerce app like IKEA, integrate the augmented reality feature in your app. You can integrate Apple’s ARKit for iOS and Google’s ARCore for Android. To better user experience, use 3D modeling and visualization, tools like Unity and Unreal Engine.

6. Payment Gateways:

Use secure and reliable payment gateways to ensure the protection of user personal data. You can use Stripe, PayPal, or Razorpay as a payment gateway. They enable fraud protection and ensure user trust and safety.

UI/UX Design for IKEA

Now comes another crucial step to building web apps like IKEA. The UX/UX design should be attractive and easily navigable. The design should be intuitive, engaging, and simple. Make sure, not to complicate your apps with excessive

features and test each element before incorporating it into your app.  You can use tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch for wireframing and prototyping.

Development Process for An App like IKEA

After deciding on the design, the development process begins. The frontend of the app should be built according to the wireframes which make sure it works well on all devices. The backend should have a secure login and organized APIs for sharing data. 

If you have your team of developers, that’s great. If not, it’s a good idea to find a trustworthy company that offers app development services when you need them. The experts will understand what your project needs and help you create an app like IKEA that fits your business well.

Launch and Maintain the App

After the app is finished, it must be deployed on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, making sure it follows all rules. Once it’s launched, it’s important to keep it running smoothly by listening to user feedback and fixing any problems. Regular updates should be provided to add new features, increase security, and make the app better overall.

Conclusion

Building an app like IKEA is a challenging but rewarding task that needs careful planning, the right technology, and a focus on user experience. By adding important features like augmented reality (AR), AI suggestions, and a safe checkout system, you can make a fun and easy-to-use platform for your customers. 

The success of your app will depend on how well you do market research, create easy-to-use features, and pick technologies that can grow with you. Working with skilled developers or a good app development company can help your project go smoothly from design to launch. 

In the end, a well-made IKEA-style shopping app will improve the shopping experience for users and help your e-commerce business grow. With regular updates, customer support, and new features, your app can stand out in the busy furniture and home décor market. By choosing the right approach and smart technology, you can create a strong and future-ready shopping platform.