Most people who go to IKEA do so with the intention of setting up a home and this is something that is often shared with another person. This requires discussion and making joint decisions about personal preferences, lifestyle choices and budget considerations. But this so often leads to conflict that Amy Poehler once said that “Ikea is Swedish for argument”.

In this episode, we find out why visits to Ikea so often lead to conflict. We look at how very deliberate design choices have made the chain so successful, and how these same decisions create an environment that’s primed for conflict.

Produced by Reg Boy and Chris Montgomery

Sound mastering and composition by Johnathan Booy