IKEA is rolling out a series of furniture collections incorporating relaunched pieces from the 1950s to the 2000s, in celebration of its 75th birthday.

To commemorate its anniversary, the Swedish furniture giant will be re-introducing some of its most popular and iconic products from the past 75 years in three different collections.

IKEA is rereleasing furniture form the 1950s to the 2000s to celebrate its 75th anniversary

Since being founded in July 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad on the outskirts of Älmhult, Sweden, IKEA has transformed from being a small post order business "ran by a teenager on a bike", to being the world's largest furniture retailer.

The furniture company has looked to its past to create three collections of its classic IKEA products.

Named the Gratulera series the collections will feature reinterpretations of IKEA's furniture, lighting and tableware pieces from the 1950s to the 2000s, including products like the company's first Klippan sofa and its retro Ekenäset armchair.

The three collections will each contain furniture from a period of 20 years

"Each launch is different to the other, signifying its time period; from dark woods with a classic expression, to a very playful style with strong colours and then to a more natural look with Scandinavian woods and graphic colours," said IKEA's creative leader Karin Gustavsson.

"Some of the products are icons of vintage furniture – they're everywhere today!," she continued. "I still buy IKEA vintage in auctions and second-hand shops. I see people having this desire for history and heritage."

The 1970s and 1980s collection features bright and colourful items

The first collection that takes items originally launched in the 1950s and 1960s will be available in August, the second taking items from the 1970s and 1980s in October, and the third from the 1990s and 2000s in December.

These "golden oldies" have been hand-selected by IKEA, and will need to be snapped up quick, as only a limited number are being made.

The second collection will features items originally released in the 1970s and 1980

The retro 1950-1960s range will feature midcentury darker woods and classic lines. This collection includes the company's 1956 Lövet table – it's first flat-pack table, which was re-engineered and renamed Lövbacken in 2013.

The three-legged side table features a leaf-shaped tabletop made from poplar veneer, and has three detachable beech legs with gold-coloured accents on the feet.

The 1990s and 2000s collection will be released in December

The original design was conceived when IKEA designer Gillis Lundgren was unable to fit the table in his car. By sawing off the legs, Lundgren inadvertently created flat-pack furniture.

"An icon is an icon because it's unexpected, or considered an innovation of its time," said creative leader Karin Gustavsson.

"Like the Lövbacken table (previously known as Lövet), such a cool statement piece, with only three legs, the tips covered in metal. It's our first knock down product," she added.

The final collection features the clean and minimal design language of the 1990s and 2000s

Moving forward in time, the 1970s and 1980s-inspired collection released in October will contain colourful and fun designs, with wire chairs and bold prints – including the cushiony Klippan sofa.

"I just love the covers that are like puffy jackets – they're cool and colourful," said Gustavsson. "It’s a tribute to the Memphis group, an 80s design movement that was very popular during that time."

"The Klippan sofa was one of the first affordable sofas we had to offer, which is why it’s an icon of its time," she added.

All three collections will be available in limited numbers

In December, IKEA will embrace the more clean and minimal design language of the 1990s and 2000s, boasting a fusion of untreated, blonde Scandinavian woods with graphic patterns.

"During the 90s, we went for a more natural expression," said Gustavsson. "I think the sculptural furniture of Thomas Sandell is iconic. The small bench with wheels on one end, and legs on the other, was a design piece desired by so many people at that time."

IKEA, which topped the latest Dezeen Hotlist, has recently released collaborated with Virgil Abloh and Craig Green to create a collection of statement rugs and earlier this year released its first range of speakers.

(Source: Dezeen)