IKEA 2019: now not only furniture

Last week, IKEA gathered guests in the Swedish town of Elmhult as part of the Days of Democratic Design. For everyone who couldn't make it to this significant event, we're sharing the trends, bold collaborations, and, of course, fresh collections that the brand is about to launch.

What's new with IKEA? A higher level of eco-friendliness

Today, IKEA's focus is on using only safe materials and reaching a new level of natural resource conservation, for example, by attracting alternative energy sources. The company is studying this issue together with the social project Little Sun, which promotes the use of solar-powered devices.

Only healthy and nutritious products

The menu at IKEA's bistro is expanding to include more plant-based dishes. We expect new vegetarian options such as ice cream and hot dogs. By the way, in Europe, these can be tasted as early as August.

6 cool collaborations

Among the most notable are partnerships with ADIDAS and LEGO. IKEA hasn't disclosed details yet, but it's known that the idea behind the collaboration with the German sports giant is to help ordinary people form healthy habits and make home workouts more accessible. The collection will include yoga mats, resistance bands, and other workout equipment.

Working with LEGO, IKEA plans to naturally integrate children's games into home life, focusing especially on family play.

Other interesting projects include collaboration with the American art project of singer Solange Knowles SAINT HERON (expecting something multi-functional and unusual centered on art) and creating a convenient workspace under the guidance of industrial designer Stefan Diez.

The collaboration between IKEA and the company UNYQ and the gaming center Area Academy will be a real gift for gamers. The project aims to improve ergonomics during gaming and create the perfect gaming chair using 3D body scanning.

11 fresh collections

In the near future, IKEA plans to truly delight us with limited edition innovations. We're going to tell you more about them.

ANNANSTANSdesignMartin BergströmWhat's the catch?Vibrant colors, handmade elementsWhen to expect?Spring 2019

This collection was created with the help of craftspeople from India, Romania, and Thailand.

The production technology for cushion covers, ceramic tableware, baskets made from banana fibers, and other items in the collection includes elements of manual labor, making the collection unique.

FÖREMÅLDESIGNPer B SundbergWhat's the catch?Folklore elements, kitsch and a bit of humorWhen to expect?September 2018

The FÖREMÅL line is presented in ironic grotesque decorative items such as trays, vases, candleholders, and ceramic planters, created in collaboration with Swedish ceramist Per B Sundberg.

The theme of the collection is inspired by folklore – light and understandable, according to its author.

TÄNKVÄRDdesignNike Karlsson, Iina Vuorivirta, Akanksha Deo what's the catch?Natural materials, Japanese motifs, lightnesswhen to expect?Spring 2019

The items in this collection are made from rattan, cotton, linen, jute, and seaweed. Therefore, each item is special and slightly different from similar ones.

Besides that, cushions, towels, benches, kimonos, and other items in the line are eco-friendly and lightweight, making them perfect for picnics or beach trips.

MARKERADdesignVirgil AblohWhat's the catch?Unusual, bold designwhen to expect?Fall 2019

Wooden chairs with a doorstopper on one leg, an ironic carpet in the shape of an IKEA receipt, a transparent lightbox cabinet that, according to the designer, can hold everything you want to showcase – just a small part of the highly anticipated collection by star designer Virgil Abloh.

Probably, the rest of the MARKERAD items will be just as extravagant. We’ll find out in the next year.

IKEA Art Collection 2019 designVirgil Abloh, USA Misaki Kawai, Japan Filip Pagowski, Poland and other well-known designers and artistswhat's the catch?Vibrant drawings, large patterns, mixing traditional and modernwhen to expect?Spring 2019

Nine contemporary designers and artists created a vibrant collection of carpets in the unique style of each author for IKEA. Among the star names are Virgil Abloh, Japanese artist Misaki Kawai, and design studio Chiaozza.

This collection is another way for the Swedish brand to make art more accessible.

FÖRNYADdesignSara Andelman Craig Redmanwhat's the catch?Vibrant, joyful printswhen to expect?Summer 2019

Funny prints with cyclops on notebooks, desk lamps, stools, carpets, and many other items from this collection will be appreciated not only by children but also by adults who want to add a touch of energy and humor to their homes.

By the way, this design is relevant not only for the FÖRNYAD line: vibrant prints will soon be available for CLIPPNES sofas, FRACKTAS bags, and other items.

RumtiddesignSiri Skillgate Elea Nouraud Jon Karlsson and othersWhat's the catch?Compact size, innovative materialsWhen to expect?Not earlier than 2020

The compact furniture and household items made from lightweight, eco-friendly materials based on plywood were specially designed for very small apartments and houses.

It's interesting that IKEA approached the development of this line very seriously, visiting NASA Mars Desert Research Station in Utah to study life and ergonomics in micro-spaces – truly cramped conditions.

ÖVERALLTdesignIssa Diabaté (Ivory Coast), Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem (Egypt) and 7 more designers from Africawhat's the catch?Prints, weaving elements, soft curveswhen to expect?May 2019

ÖVERALLT is the result of collaboration between IKEA and designers from seven African countries. It includes tableware, textiles, armchairs, carpets, baskets, and many other fun, unusual, and memorable items.

One particularly noteworthy item is the basket designed with motifs inspired by… hair weaving. Don't miss this new product!

FREKVENSdesignTeenage engineering, Nicholai Wiig Hansen, Jon Karlsson and othersWhat's the catch?Party equipment collectionwhen to expect?July 2019

A line of party equipment including spotlights, sound amplifiers, and other compact and mobile devices for parties, developed by IKEA in collaboration with the company Teenage engineering, proves that the Swedish brand is far more than just furniture.

The collection looks a bit vintage and very stylish, and by the way, it already received the prestigious Red Dot Award for excellent design. We just have to wait for the next summer to find out how FREKVENS sounds.

SYMFONISKdesignSonos, Andreas Fredriksson, Mikael Warnhammar what's the catch?Wi-Fi-enabled speakerwhen to expect?2019

There is not much information about the collection yet, but it, like FREKVENS, is not about furniture. SYMFONISK is the result of collaboration between IKEA and the American company that produces 'smart' speakers, and currently represents just one product – a Wi-Fi-enabled speaker.

By the way, it can also be used as a shelf, and the speaker pairs beautifully with METOD kitchens.

OSYNLIGdesign:BYREDOwhat's the catch?Home fragrancewhen to expect?2020

IKEA announced its cooperation with the Swedish fragrance brand BYREDO to create a line of home fragrances in the previous year. At this year's Days of Democratic Design, guests were lucky enough to test the developed scents.

Everyone else will have to wait two more years and watch for the release on the market.

Swedish perfumer Ben Gorham, founder of Byredo