New IKEA Store Coming to Webster’s Baybrook Area
Houston locals, get ready for an exciting addition to the Baybrook retail corridor! IKEA is setting up shop in Webster, bringing its unique Swedish home furnishings, design inspiration, and beloved cafeteria to southeast Houston by summer 2026. This new location promises an easier and more convenient shopping experience, cutting down the drive for many compared to the existing Katy Freeway store.
Your New IKEA Destination is Coming Soon
The new IKEA Webster store is slated to open in summer 2026, marking a significant expansion for the popular retailer in the Houston area. Spanning approximately 93,000 square feet, this will be IKEA’s 10th location in Texas, reinforcing its commitment to the state. IKEA U.S. CEO Javier Quiñones noted that this expansion aims to “bring the dream of a better home within reach” for more customers.
What to Expect Inside
Shoppers can look forward to a thoughtfully designed space that combines inspiration with practicality. The Webster store will feature fully furnished room vignettes, offering design ideas and practical solutions for every area of the home. In-store design consultation areas will provide personalized assistance, while the renowned Swedish food experience will be available for a delicious break. On the sales floor, you’ll find about 7,000 products, with over 4,800 items ready to be taken home the same day. For larger pieces, convenient in-store pickup or home delivery options will be available. Additionally, the store will include IKEA’s As-Is department, where you can discover discounted, returned, or discontinued items, offering great value finds. This format is designed to blend hands-on browsing with a seamless omnichannel retail experience.
Location and Investment
The Webster store will be located at 19801 Gulf Freeway, taking over the former Bel Furniture/Chair King space at the Center at Baybrook. This adaptive reuse approach, involving the remodeling of an existing tenant shell rather than a ground-up big box construction, is projected to shorten timelines and reduce site preparation costs. The build-out of this new facility is estimated at roughly $16.5 million, reflecting a strategic investment in bringing IKEA closer to the community.
A Strategic Shift for IKEA
At 93,000 square feet, the Webster store is notably smaller than the expansive 300,000-square-foot Houston flagship on the Katy Freeway. This reflects a broader shift in IKEA’s U.S. strategy towards developing smaller, denser footprints in various markets. This move is part of a multi-year, $2.2 billion national expansion initiated in 2023, which includes new stores, “Plan & Order” points, and pickup locations. This strategy aims for faster growth and improved last-mile logistics, making IKEA more accessible and convenient for a wider customer base.
Local Impact: What This Means for Baybrook
The arrival of IKEA is expected to bring significant changes to the Baybrook retail landscape. Retailers within and around the Center at Baybrook, which already hosts anchors like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Hobby Lobby, will be closely watching how IKEA reshapes weekend foot traffic. A destination tenant of IKEA’s caliber typically boosts sales for neighboring businesses, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the commercial area. However, the increased traffic may also necessitate adjustments to parking and access, especially during peak weekend hours. The remodel, designed by Wares Malcomb, emphasizes adaptive reuse, preserving elements of the existing structure while transforming it into a modern IKEA experience.
| Store Location | Approximate Size (sq ft) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Webster (Opening 2026) | 93,000 | Smaller format, adaptive reuse, closer for SE Houston |
| Katy Freeway | 300,000+ | Original Houston flagship, full-scale experience |
What’s Next for the Webster IKEA
As the summer 2026 opening approaches, the next steps for the Webster IKEA will involve permit filings and visible site work. Construction schedules will dictate when fencing and signage appear, giving residents a clearer view of the progress. The company will also begin hiring for various positions to staff the new store. We’ll be keeping a close watch on permits, hiring announcements, and any community outreach initiatives as these details become available.
- When is the new IKEA Webster store expected to open?
The new IKEA store in Webster is scheduled to open in summer 2026. - Where exactly will the new store be located?
It will be located at 19801 Gulf Freeway, taking over the former Bel Furniture/Chair King space at the Center at Baybrook. - How big will the Webster IKEA be compared to the existing Houston store?
The Webster store will span approximately 93,000 square feet, which is significantly smaller than the 300,000-square-foot flagship store on the Katy Freeway. - What kind of products and services can shoppers expect at the new location?
Shoppers can expect fully furnished room vignettes, in-store design consultations, a Swedish food experience, about 7,000 products on the sales floor, with over 4,800 available for same-day take-home, and an As-Is department. - What does this new store mean for southeast Houston residents?
It means a much shorter drive to access IKEA’s products and services, providing greater convenience and making the “dream of a better home” more accessible for residents in that area.
For Houston residents, especially those in the southeast, this new IKEA location signifies not just a new retail option, but a more convenient gateway to home furnishing inspiration and the unique IKEA shopping experience.
Houston Gets New IKEA Store in Webster
