Where Is the Biggest IKEA in the US?

If you’ve ever walked into an IKEA and thought, There’s no way this is the biggest one, you’re not alone. The truth is, there’s one IKEA in the United States that blows all the others out of the water-not just in square footage, but in sheer scale, selection, and sheer overwhelm. It’s not in New York, not in Los Angeles, and not even in Chicago. It’s in California, and it’s the largest IKEA in the entire country.

The Largest IKEA in the US: Burbank, California

The biggest IKEA in the United States sits in Burbank, California, at 3500 West Empire Avenue. Opened in 2018, this 434,000-square-foot store replaced an older, smaller location just down the road. It’s not just big-it’s a full-blown retail experience. To put that in perspective, that’s about eight football fields stacked on top of each other. You could fit the entire original IKEA in Stockholm inside this one and still have room left over.

What makes this store stand out isn’t just its size. It’s the way everything is layered. You don’t just walk through a showroom here-you climb, you explore, you get lost. The store has three full floors of furniture displays, including a massive basement level dedicated to storage solutions, kitchen units, and lighting. The upper levels feature fully furnished rooms, from tiny studio apartments to sprawling family homes. There’s even a dedicated home office zone with ergonomic desks, cable management systems, and adjustable monitor stands that actually work.

Why This Store Is So Massive

IKEA designed the Burbank location with one goal: to handle the demands of Southern California’s massive population. With over 13 million people living within a 90-minute drive, this store needed to be a one-stop destination. It’s not just about selling furniture-it’s about selling lifestyle. That’s why this location has:

• A 100-seat restaurant with a full bar and vegan options
• A dedicated children’s play area that can handle 50 kids at once
• A 24-hour pickup and returns center
• Free parking for over 2,000 vehicles
• A dedicated assembly area where you can book a professional to build your bookcase, bed, or wardrobe

And yes, it has more bookcases than any other IKEA in the country. Not just the classic BILLY-there are over 150 variations of storage units here, from floor-to-ceiling units with glass doors to modular systems that can be rearranged like LEGO bricks. If you’re looking for a custom solution to store your books, records, or display your plants, this is the place.

What You Won’t Find Elsewhere

While other large IKEAs in the US-like the ones in Phoenix, Seattle, or Philadelphia-have similar layouts, none match Burbank’s inventory depth. Here’s what makes it unique:

• Exclusive product lines only sold here, including a limited-edition SKÅDIS wall organizer with 120+ compartments
• Real-time inventory tracking on kiosks so you can see if your desired bookcase is in stock at this location before you walk in
• A design studio where you can book a 30-minute session with an IKEA stylist to plan your entire living room, bedroom, or home office
• A return-only counter for online orders, so you don’t have to wait in the main line

Even the parking lot is designed differently. There are separate zones for electric vehicles, bike riders, and ride-share drop-offs. The whole place feels like a city block, not a store.

Is Bigger Always Better?

For some people, yes. If you’re planning a full home renovation, need to buy 12 bookcases, or just want to spend a Saturday wandering through mock living rooms, Burbank is unbeatable. But if you just need a single bookcase and a pack of LED bulbs, you might be better off going to a smaller store. The sheer size can be exhausting. One visitor told me they walked 7 miles in 4 hours and still didn’t see everything.

Pro tip: Download the IKEA app before you go. It has a map of the Burbank store with real-time navigation. You can search for any product-like a specific bookcase model-and it will show you the exact aisle, shelf, and even the cart number it’s sitting on. No more wandering past 20 different storage units only to find the one you wanted was on the third floor.

What’s Next for IKEA in the US?

IKEA is testing a new concept called “IKEA Next” in Europe-smaller, urban stores with online ordering and same-day delivery. But in the US, the trend is still toward bigger, more immersive locations. A new 450,000-square-foot store is planned for Houston, set to open in 2027. It’ll likely surpass Burbank in size. But for now, Burbank holds the crown.

If you’re planning a visit, go on a weekday. Weekends turn into a maze of strollers, kids running around, and people arguing over whether the KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts are worth the wait. And bring comfortable shoes. You’ll need them.

Why This Matters for Your Home

Big doesn’t mean better-but it does mean more choice. When you’re looking for the right bookcase, having 150 options means you can find one that fits your space, your style, and your budget. Whether you need a narrow unit for a hallway, a wide one for a media room, or a floating shelf that doubles as a plant stand, Burbank’s inventory gives you the freedom to build a home that’s truly yours.

And if you’re wondering whether it’s worth the drive? For many, it is. People fly in from Arizona, Nevada, and even Oregon just to shop here. It’s not just a store. It’s a destination.