The new IKEA Greenwich store is here – and it's unlike any other! Find out why

Today sees the doors open to IKEA's most impressive store yet

The new IKEA Greenwich store is open! And it's so much more than a retail space. Firstly it should be painted green, rather than the signature blue, given it's the first leading sustainable store built on British soil.

Taking sustainability to the next level, IKEA Greenwich incorporates a number of green technologies. Those include solar panels, rainwater harvesting, renewable construction materials and a geothermal heating system.

In other IKEA news: A new Ikea high-street store is opening this Spring 2019 – is it in your home town?

Secondly the store offers a whole lot more, to bring the community together. Designed as a place for customers to ‘meet, share, learn and shop’ it includes a drop-in cafe, a welcoming work space and a rooftop garden and pavilion.

The store offers a totally unique IKEA shopping experience...

New sustainable IKEA store

IKEA greenwich store

(Image credit: Ikea)

The new IKEA Greenwich store is targeting a BREEAM ‘outstanding’ accreditation

IKEA Greenwich is a 32,000 sq m plot, located on the Millennium Way Retail Park in London. The impressive new space will be IKEA’s first leading sustainable store here in the UK.

Fun fact – it’s the first full-sized IKEA to open in London in 14 years!

greenwich showroom

(Image credit: Ikea)

The first major difference that will strike customers is the vast amount of natural light flooding the shop floor. Unlike other IKEA stores that have a more enclosed feel, this space has been designed to embrace the light.

The use of natural light, reduces a dependence on artificial lighting – making it more green and efficient.

New informative approach

IKEA greenwich refuse notices

(Image credit: IKEA Greenwich)

Throughout the store customers will be encouraged to consider the small changes they can make to have a more positive impact on environmental issues.

kitchen with white wall and sink and plant with wooden table

(Image credit: IKEA Greenwich)

New smart kitchens will allow customers to explore prolonging the life of products, grow food, upcycle and live healthier, more sustainable lives at home.

bedroom with wooden bed and white bedlinen

(Image credit: IKEA Greenwich)

The impressive new bedroom department overlooks sprawling wild meadow gardens – adding to element of well-being rightly associated with sleep.

room with russet coloured wall and cotton in glass box

(Image credit: IKEA Greenwich)

Informative displays are dotted throughout the different departments to help enhance the shopping experience.

room with peacock blue wall and tv plants with book rack

(Image credit: IKEA Greenwich)

The much-loved room sets are still there to inspire shoppers. The crèche, restaurant, Bistro and Swedish Food Market are all still there too.

New unique spaces

unique spaces with plant valley light with tables and chairs

(Image credit: IKEA Greenwich)

The new store offers the unique facilities of flexible work areas, workshops and free green spaces.

IKEA greenwich lab with blue lights and ladies

(Image credit: IKEA)

The unique new Learning Lab hosts workshops to lteach customers how to repair and upcycled old furniture. This new initiative hopes to encourage a less-waste.

IKEA greenwich rooftop with yoga mats and potted plants

(Image credit: IKEA Greenwich)

Can you think of any better activity for the new roof pavilion than a wellness yoga or meditation class? The new store will offer a booking system so that very thing can happen for local residents. Namaste.

Transport and delivery

IKEA greenwich delivery bikes

(Image credit: IKEA)

The new store and services have been designed to encourage customers to use public transport, as a more sustainable option. In addition to excellent tube and rail links, up to 50 buses pass the store every hour. That's a bus every 1.5mins.

For those buying more than candles and Kilner jars, a wide choice of affordable delivery services are available. Of which our favourite is the Zedify bike courier service!  For the first ten weeks of opening, IKEA is running a special offer on home delivery for those living within 40-minutes of the store by public transport.

Related: Can you guess the classic furniture pieces featured in the IKEA 10 year challenge?

After our store tour we left (by bus of course) feeling very inspired to do our bit to help the environment.

Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.