IKEA

IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943 and has been the world’s largest furniture retailer since 2008. It is one of the world’s most recognised brands, its iconic yellow logo has been implemented on 483 stores in more than 60 countries.

As part of IKEA’s major site-wide refurbishment and rebrand programme, we were appointed to implement a comprehensive new signage and wayfinding scheme that complemented the refreshed building facade and upgraded customer environment.

At a glance

• IKEA is the world’s largest furniture retailer

• 463 stores globally, 22 in the UK

• Morgans Consult has been surveying, project managing and installing branding, signage and wayfinding

• Initially working at the Cardiff store, now working on stores across the UK.

• External signage included large, illuminated brand marks, wayfinding and a giant changeable banner system.

Brief

Implementing signage at the IKEA store in Cardiff. Morgans Consult were contracted to manage the surveying of the site, devising install processes and fixing methods for various sign types in a range of locations including high elevations.

The client required a large banner system on the south elevation that allowed the client to regularly update the banner.

Installation could not impact the store operationally, and so provisions were needed to ensure vehicle and customer movement was not impacted, and staff safety was not compromised.

The Solution

We delivered a comprehensive signage scheme for IKEA, incorporating both large-scale external branding and detailed site wayfinding.

The project included the installation of prominent IKEA wordmarks to the main building elevations. Each feature was constructed from aluminium fabricated letters with internal LED halo illumination, producing a soft, even glow across the facade for maximum visibility both day and night. The signage was mounted using a concealed subframe system to ensure a clean architectural finish in keeping with IKEA’s brand standards.

A new 11 m x 11 m banner system was also installed, designed with a custom-engineered winch and pulley mechanism that allows store personnel to safely lower, remove, and replace the banner graphics from ground level. The system utilises a tensioned cable framework and reinforced fixing rails, ensuring stability and ease of maintenance in varying weather conditions.

In addition, we installed new entrance and site wayfinding signage, comprising internally face-illuminated and non illuminated, directional signs, and building identifiers. All signage utilised energy-efficient LED moduleswith uniform light diffusion, built to IP65 weatherproof standards to ensure long-term durability and performance.

This scheme enhanced the visual consistency, accessibility, and operational functionality of the site, aligning fully with IKEA’s corporate identity and sustainability principles.