IKEA’s new Chantilly store is scheduled to open Thursday, June 18, 2026, inside the former Dulles Expo Center building, bringing the chain’s familiar showroom-style layout, a planning studio, and that Swedish food counter locals know by heart. The roughly 110,000-square-foot location is pitched as a closer option for shoppers in Loudoun and western Fairfax who would otherwise trek to Woodbridge or College Park. Staff have been quietly running previews this week while managers put final touches on displays and services before the doors officially open.
According to IKEA, IKEA Chantilly opens June 18 with hours listed as 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20151. The company describes the new spot as a small-format store built for quicker, same-day purchases alongside in-house design services. The page also notes special events and planning appointments that will be available at the location.
In an earlier announcement, the IKEA U.S. newsroom said the Chantilly site will offer nearly 110,000 square feet of retail space, with about 7,700 products on display and roughly 4,400 items ready for immediate takeaway. "We are thrilled to continue our expansion across the DMV to bring the dream of a better home within reach for more people," CEO Javier Quiñones said in the announcement. The release also points to a central planning area and an As-Is department featuring discounted and returned items.
Inside the preview
Store manager Jayme Wilson joined a FOX 5 DC segment this week to give viewers an early look at the Chantilly store’s layout and services. As seen on FOX 5 DC, Wilson highlighted the planning studio and the Swedish food experience as key draws for shoppers looking for both inspiration and grab-and-go buys. The station’s video also captured early merchandising on the floor and staff getting ready for the expected opening-day crowds.
What the swap means for the area
The new store arrives in place of the long-running Dulles Expo Center, which spent decades hosting fairs and conventions before closing to make way for the IKEA conversion. Northern Virginia Magazine reported last October that the Expo Center would hold final events as the site shifted to retail use, a change that local promoters say removes a major indoor events venue from the region. Community leaders and event organizers are expected to watch how the loss of the Expo Center affects weekend traffic patterns and the supply of large event space in western Fairfax County.
How shoppers will use it
Retail trade coverage notes that IKEA Chantilly is part of a broader rollout of smaller urban and suburban formats. Furniture Today reports the Chantilly store will be the seventh IKEA presence in the greater Washington area and the company’s third full-service store in Virginia. The company plans to offer planning appointments, click-and-collect pickup, and a curated in-store assortment for customers who want immediate takeaway, creating a different shopping rhythm than the sprawling big-box locations many shoppers are used to. Expect opening-week crowds, a slate of local events, and IKEA Family promotions tied to the new site.
Opening day is two days away, so shoppers can expect staffed planning stations, the Swedish food menu, and at least some traffic snarls around the shopping center as people check out the store. For the latest details on promotions, event registration, and hours, keep an eye on IKEA’s Chantilly store page and local coverage ahead of Thursday’s opening.
