How IKEA Built a Virtual Furniture Designer on Low‑Code in 14 Days and Boosted Conversion by 37%

IKEA demonstrated how modern technology can help quickly implement innovation and make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Using the low‑code platform Mendix, the team developed an AR application in just 14 days, enabling customers to “try on” furniture from the catalog directly in their own space using their smartphone camera and save their designs to the cloud. The project became a clear example of how low‑code empowers businesses to deliver complex, in‑demand solutions without the need for a large team of professional developers. Unlike traditional development, which could have taken around six months, this application was largely built by store managers with no programming experience. They used Mendix’s visual builder to design the interfaces, configure the application logic, and integrate ready‑made AR SDKs for working with 3D models, while technical specialists only helped connect advanced external libraries and optimize graphics performance. Testing took place directly in the stores, with real customers, which allowed the team to gather feedback instantly, adapt to real usage scenarios, and quickly implement improvements. This approach not only significantly reduced development costs and time‑to‑market but also ensured that the application closely matched customer expectations. As a result, the AR application delivered a 37% increase in conversion, helped customers make more confident decisions, and improved their satisfaction with the furniture shopping experience. This case clearly shows that low‑code is an excellent choice for projects where speed, business‑user involvement, and cost savings are crucial: the platform enables businesses to independently create and enhance digital products, leaving only technically complex tasks — such as integrating external services or optimizing performance — to professional developers.