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The biggest IKEA in the United States isn’t just a store-it’s a destination. If you’ve ever wandered through an IKEA and thought, There’s got to be more, you’re right. The largest one in the country sits in the suburbs of Chicago, right off I-90 in the city of Des Plaines, Illinois. This isn’t a minor expansion or a fancy remodel. It’s the full-package experience: 443,000 square feet of showroom, warehouse, and dining space, spread across two massive floors and a sprawling parking lot that can fit over 4,000 cars.
Why Des Plaines? Location Matters
You might wonder why IKEA picked a suburb of Chicago instead of downtown or somewhere like Los Angeles or New York. The answer is simple: space, accessibility, and logistics. Des Plaines sits at the crossroads of three major highways-I-90, I-294, and I-94-making it easy for customers from Wisconsin, Indiana, and across the Midwest to drive in. It’s also close to O’Hare International Airport, so international shoppers and trucking fleets can move goods in and out efficiently. The land here was cheap, flat, and available in the 1990s when IKEA was expanding aggressively in the U.S. That’s why this location became the blueprint for future mega-stores.
What Makes It So Big?
Size isn’t just about square footage. The Des Plaines store has:
- More than 10,000 products on display
- 12 fully furnished room settings, including a full-scale apartment and a kid’s play zone
- A 1,000-seat restaurant that serves 15,000 meals per day on weekends
- A dedicated pickup and delivery zone for online orders
- Two separate warehouse floors with over 1,200 loading docks
- A 100,000-square-foot flat-pack storage area
That’s more than double the size of a typical IKEA, which averages around 220,000 square feet. Even the next largest U.S. stores-in places like Seattle, San Jose, and Philadelphia-fall short by at least 100,000 square feet. The Des Plaines location was designed to handle 10,000 visitors a day during peak seasons. On Black Friday, that number spikes to 25,000.
It’s Not Just a Store-It’s a System
What most people don’t realize is that the size of this IKEA isn’t just for show. It’s built around a highly efficient logistics model. The warehouse below the showroom isn’t hidden-it’s engineered. Every product you see on the floor has a matching pallet in the warehouse, labeled with a barcode and location code. When you order something online or decide to buy on-site, the system instantly locates the item, pulls it, and sends it to a packing station. This store alone ships over 1.2 million items per year to customers who don’t want to carry them home.
And because it’s so large, it can stock rare or seasonal items that smaller stores can’t. Think custom-sized bookcases, limited-edition holiday collections, or bulk packs of KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts. If you’re looking for something specific, this is the place to go. The Des Plaines store has the deepest inventory of any IKEA in the country.
Bookcases? Yes, Even the Big Ones
You mentioned bookcases. That’s no accident. The Des Plaines IKEA carries over 150 different bookcase styles-from the classic BILLY (now in 14 colors and finishes) to the tall, narrow KUNGSBACKA with hidden doors, and the massive, floor-to-ceiling KUNGSBACKA with integrated lighting. The store has a dedicated aisle just for storage solutions, where you can see how 30 different bookcases fit into real room layouts. You can even test how a 72-inch wide BILLY bookcase stacks with a LACK shelf unit to create a custom media wall.
And if you’re thinking about customizing? The Des Plaines store has a dedicated customization station. You can order a BILLY bookcase with extra shelves, glass doors, or LED lighting-then pick it up in under 48 hours. No other U.S. IKEA offers that speed.
How It Compares to Other U.S. IKEAs
| Location | Size (sq ft) | Opened | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines, IL | 443,000 | 1990 | Two floors, 10,000+ products, 1,000-seat restaurant |
| Seattle, WA | 340,000 | 2000 | Outdoor garden area, solar panels |
| San Jose, CA | 335,000 | 1994 | Large kitchen demo zone, EV charging stations |
| Philadelphia, PA | 330,000 | 1991 | First U.S. store with IKEA Family membership center |
| Ontario, CA | 325,000 | 1990 | High traffic from Mexico border, large warehouse |
The Des Plaines store isn’t just bigger-it’s more complete. It’s the only one in the U.S. that offers same-day pickup for 90% of in-store items. It’s also the only one with a dedicated service desk for flat-pack assembly, where you can pay to have your BILLY bookcase built by IKEA staff before you leave.
What You’ll Find Inside
Walking in, you’ll notice the layout is different. There’s no single path. Instead, you can start on the second floor and work your way down, or enter at the warehouse level and grab your items before browsing. The kitchen section alone is the size of a small grocery store, with working sinks, stoves, and countertops you can test. The bedroom area has 12 full beds with different mattress types, all labeled with firmness ratings and customer satisfaction scores.
And yes-the bookcase aisle is longer here. You’ll find every variation ever made, including discontinued models. There’s even a wall of BILLY bookcases from the 1980s, labeled with original prices and materials. It’s like a museum, but you can buy any of them.
Is It Worth the Trip?
If you’re shopping for one or two items, maybe not. But if you’re furnishing a whole home, planning a renovation, or just want to see what’s possible with storage, then yes. The Des Plaines IKEA is where you’ll find the most options, the best prices on bulk items, and the fastest service. It’s also the only place where you can order a custom-sized bookcase with a built-in charging station and have it ready in three days.
Pro tip: Go on a weekday morning. The store opens at 10 a.m., but the parking lot is empty by 9:30. You’ll get a cart, avoid crowds, and have staff available to help you find that one bookcase you’ve been dreaming about.
Is the Des Plaines IKEA the biggest in the world?
No, it’s the biggest in the U.S., but not globally. The largest IKEA in the world is in the Philippines, in the city of Pasay, with over 500,000 square feet. The second largest is in Sweden, in the town of Älmhult, where IKEA was founded. But among U.S. locations, Des Plaines holds the record.
Can I buy a bookcase online and pick it up at Des Plaines?
Yes. The Des Plaines store is one of the few U.S. locations with a dedicated online pickup center. You can order any bookcase from IKEA’s website and choose Des Plaines as your pickup location. It’s usually ready within 24 hours, and staff will load it into your car.
Why are there so many bookcases at this location?
Because storage is one of the most popular categories in the U.S. The BILLY bookcase alone has sold over 50 million units worldwide since 1979. The Des Plaines store carries more variations than any other-over 150 types-because it serves a huge, diverse region. If you need a tall, narrow, deep, wide, or customizable bookcase, this is the place to find it.
Does the Des Plaines IKEA have a café?
Yes, and it’s the largest in the U.S. The restaurant seats 1,000 people and serves over 15,000 meals daily during peak times. The menu includes Swedish meatballs, salmon plates, and the famous cinnamon buns. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
Is there parking? How much does it cost?
Yes. The parking lot holds over 4,000 vehicles and is free for all customers. There are dedicated EV charging stations, family drop-off zones, and a free shuttle that runs between the parking lot and the store entrance every 10 minutes.
Final Thoughts
The biggest IKEA in the U.S. isn’t just a store-it’s a statement. It shows what happens when a company invests in scale, logistics, and customer experience all at once. Whether you’re looking for a simple bookcase or planning a full home overhaul, this location gives you more choices, faster service, and deeper inventory than anywhere else in the country. It’s not the most glamorous, but it’s the most capable. And if you’ve ever needed a BILLY bookcase with extra shelves and LED lights? This is where you’ll find it-and get it home the same day.
