Imagine spending an entire afternoon meandering through a maze of furniture showrooms, trailing the scent of Swedish meatballs, and wondering if you’ll ever find the exit. That’s the magic of visiting IKEA, but not every store is built the same. There’s one US IKEA that dwarfs the rest—a place so massive you’ll need a game plan just to survive the endless aisles. Let’s peel back the layers on what makes the country’s largest IKEA a magnet for design seekers, bargain hunters, and the just plain curious.
The Crown Jewel: IKEA Burbank’s Massive Scale
If you’re after the biggest IKEA in the US, set your sights on Burbank, California. Opened in February 2017, this megastore spans 456,000 square feet—that’s more than eight football fields stacked side by side. To put it in perspective, most US IKEAs hover around 300,000 square feet or less, so Burbank blows the others out of the water. This store replaced the old Burbank IKEA, which was itself no slouch, but IKEA went big because crowds kept pouring in. On opening day, the parking lot—built for nearly 1,700 cars—was brimming before noon. Locals love to joke that you need a trail mix and a comfy pair of sneakers before tackling this blue and yellow giant.
Burbank’s IKEA wasn’t just built for ego. It’s a response to the LA area’s insatiable appetite for home makeovers and clever design hacks. Southern California loves efficient living, so it’s no wonder this particular location leads in sales for modular storage and city-friendly sofa beds. The store’s structure is a marvel, split over three levels, with escalators wide enough to wheel entire shopping carts. There’s even a dedicated kids’ play area known as Småland and a restaurant that can seat 600 people—because wandering 50+ model rooms can work up a serious appetite.
And for those wondering, New York’s Brooklyn IKEA clocks in at just over 322,000 square feet. It’s big, sure, but Burbank has them beat by more than a football field. The scale isn’t just flexing for bragging rights—it’s how IKEA can showcase more collections, hold bigger seasonal events, and keep up with the ever-growing crowds. For fans who visit just for the LEKSVIK bookshelf, the Burbank store always seems to have it in stock, even when other locations run dry.
What Sets the Largest IKEA Apart?
When you walk through the Burbank store’s entrance, you instantly get why this store turned into a pilgrimage site. The showroom floor, stretched out like a city grid, lets you stroll through over 100 inspiration rooms, all fully decked out and ready to snap for your design mood board. Think you’ve seen it all? Check out the handful of “tiny living” displays—a nod to LA’s interest in compact apartments and ADUs—that aren’t set up anywhere else in the country right now. The planning studios inside Burbank’s IKEA take customization further, letting you mock up your kitchen remodel inches away from the real thing and then order components with staff who’ve answered the weirdest and wildest requests.
But this place isn’t just for browsing kitchen layouts. Burbank gets exclusive product launches and hosts events like “Midnight Madness” sales, which see lines snaking around the block before doors open. IKEA uses this store as a test lab for trends, rolling out sustainable materials or organizing hackathons where customers can put together furniture with friends for prizes. There are digital kiosks sprinkled throughout—each with QR codes to check real-time inventory or build a shopping list on your phone, so you’re not juggling a crumped paper printout by the fourth department.
The kids’ play area deserves a shoutout, too. Unlike most stores, Burbank’s Småland has expanded hours and more handlers to cope with the stream of families. You can drop off junior for an hour of ball pit chaos, then finish shopping in peace. Burbank’s restaurant goes big on choices, too; yes, you get the classic Swedish meatballs, but there’s also veggie-balls, vegan desserts, and a coffee bar that puts some neighborhood cafes to shame. The dining area overlooks swatches of the LA skyline—grab a seat by the window and admit, it’s hard not to love those cheap refills while you plot out your next cartful of furniture.
Unique to this IKEA, you’ll find giant clearance zones, seasonal pop-up markets, and an eco-friendly delivery hub out back. If you’re not up for wrestling a flat-pack wardrobe into your back seat, Burbank’s last-mile delivery partners offer same-day service throughout the Valley. And unlike many other locations, you can book personalized appointments with design staff, whether you’re jazzing up a tiny dorm or outfitting a big Spanish-style house in Pasadena. The scale of Burbank’s service menu matches the store’s sprawling floor plan: think assembly help, haul-away old furniture, and even textile recycling drop boxes—all under one oversized roof.
What’s It Like Shopping the Biggest IKEA in the US?
Picture arriving early—really early—because parking fills up fast, especially on weekends and holidays. Beat the morning rush, and you get the rare feeling that this city-sized IKEA is your private playground. Most visitors follow the arrows, snaking through the entire three-story layout, but if you know your goal, you can take shortcuts by slipping through the “marketplace” doors or hopping floors via elevators at the back. Veterans swear by following the wall maps posted throughout; otherwise, you’ll loop back to “bathroom storage” so often you’ll start recognizing the staff by name.
Burbank’s size means there are surprises tucked everywhere. The textiles zone alone could take half an hour if you touch every curtain. There are sample kitchens ready to demo every weird little cabinet hinge. You’ll spot couples measuring table legs against their forearms, parents negotiating with toddlers over plastic plates, and design students sketching lamp shapes. There are staff everywhere—just ask, and you’ll get directions with no attitude (they’re used to panicked shoppers lost between “Living Room” and “Bedroom” for the third time).
If you make it to the restaurant before noon, you can grab breakfast specials and coffee before the rush. Seriously, this cafeteria runs smoother than most brunch joints—food gets prepped assembly-line style, but it’s comforting stuff. Grab lingonberry soda and give those cinnamon rolls a shot; they’re the real deal. Many locals turn a visit into a day event. You’ll see people hanging in lounge setups, taking selfies, or comparing DIY assembly war stories like seasoned vets swapping battle tales.
The one thing you can’t do is escape the siren call of impulse buys. There are bins of LED gadgets, ice cube trays shaped like moose heads, plus bags of pick-and-mix candy at the checkouts. If you’re buying big, take advantage of the home deliveries or rental vans—cramming a MALM bed frame into a Prius is a puzzle best left unsolved.
Money-Saving Tips for Tackling the Largest IKEA
The most successful IKEA runs always start with a plan, especially if you’re braving Burbank’s superstore. Start by checking online stock—burbank.ikea.com updates inventory daily, so you won’t waste time hunting for a sofa that sold out last night. Download the IKEA app for maps, barcodes, and digital coupons tailored to the store; you’ll thank yourself at checkout when you skip the laggy WiFi lines.
If you’re after discounts, keep an eye out for yellow “Last Chance” signs. Burbank’s clearance zone is notorious with regulars, who scoop up returns, open-box finds, and even display models for a song. Weekdays are best for scoring deals (and quiet aisles), since weekends get downright crowded. Shop mid-morning on a Tuesday for the best chance to wander in peace without bumping elbows over throw pillows.
Ditch the paper measuring tape for the free ones at the door. Write your pickup location on your hand—yes, really. The self-serve warehouse in Burbank is epic in scope, but if you have the right aisle and bin numbers, you can swoop in and out. Cart strategy matters: grab two if you’re loading up, and use the big blue bags for odds and ends to cut down on juggling twelve tiny items to the register.
Dining smart helps you survive a long haul. Timing your meal for just before or after the main lunch crowd means fewer lines, fresher food, and a better shot at landing a window seat. IKEA Family membership is free to join and chalk full of storewide discounts, special restaurant menus, and even birthday meal perks. Flash your card at checkout—you’ll stack up points for future trips.
For assembly, check out the bulletin board in the exit area—local pros often leave business cards, and staff will also suggest trusted partners. Delivery rates change seasonally, but Burbank tends to offer aggressive promos, especially during back-to-school and holiday surges. If you’re making lots of upgrades, bundle your large item pickups to save on delivery fees. And don’t forget—there are often staff on hand at the entrance who’ll jot down directions or help plot your shopping route before you even step inside.
Burbank’s IKEA: More Than Just a Store
Burbank’s IKEA isn’t just the biggest IKEA in US—it’s really an experience, one that LA locals and out-of-towners alike cherish for different reasons. It’s become a kind of cultural microcosm, where young families navigate first cribs, USC students grab fix-it lamps, and retirees browse textile sections just because it’s air-conditioned and there’s cinnamon rolls waiting at the end. The store’s ties to its community run deeper than its enormous warehouse footprint: you’ll spot collabs with local charities, frequent blood drives, and surprise guest chef appearances in the restaurant. Even the retail staff go above and beyond, often speaking multiple languages and swapping design tips with customers as if they’re old friends.
If you need inspo, follow the Burbank IKEA’s Instagram or TikTok—they post behind-the-scenes peeks at quirky product launches, store layout hacks, and the occasional viral video of a crowd cheering for stuffed sharks. Burbank hosts seasonal outdoor markets, where local artisans mingle with the expected IKEA goods, turning the parking lot into a mini street fair. The green initiatives here go beyond recycling bins; you’ll find solar panels stretching over the rooftops and workshops on sustainable living nearly every month. Whether you’re after a new dresser or just hunting for design eye-candy, Burbank’s IKEA has plenty to gawk at.
The giant scale might seem intimidating at first, but repeat visitors swear there’s a rhythm to it. Step lightly, bring a friend, and let yourself get a bit lost—there’s always something new to discover, whether it’s a hidden sale or some unexpected Swedish snack. When you’re tucking your flat-pack finds into the trunk, you’ll realize something: this isn’t just shopping. It’s a day out, a rite of passage, and—for better or worse—a serious test of any relationship. That’s the Burbank IKEA experience: exhausting, exhilarating, and only possible because it’s the biggest IKEA in the US.