Famous for everything from flatpack furniture to steaming plates of meatballs, our favourite Swedish home furnishings store has been around for more than 80 years. Many of IKEA’s products have become household names over the decades and some have gone on to become collectors' items worth thousands. But where did this $22 billion (£17.4bn) empire begin?

From its humble beginnings in rural Sweden, click or scroll on to discover the history of this iconic brand and its global influence from Austria to Japan.