The REGOLIT lampshade is officially having a revival: Here are 5 ways to style the unexpected icon

When it comes to finding iconic furniture, you could do far worse than IKEA. Our favorite Scandi-cool powerhouse is responsible for some of the most legendary pieces of the modern interior design world, including the BILLY, KALLAX, POÄNG, and the REGOLIT. 

Wait? ‘The REGOLIT lampshade?’, we hear you ask. Surely not? Well, brace yourselves. The REGOLIT has had a revival. And we’ve unexpectedly fallen for the early noughties staple piece that costs as little as a filter coffee. 

Since the REGOLIT first graced our blue bags around 15 years ago, the paper lamp has become subject to chic IKEA hacks – while other design enthusiasts have styled the original to bring it into the forefront of their scheme. 

Here are five of our favorite looks that will rewrite all conceptions you may have had about the REGOLIT. 

1. A monochromatic REGOLIT  

With its moonlike aesthetic and minimalist hues, there is no perhaps no more fitting lampshade for a monochromatic scheme than the REGOLIT. The shade’s subtle paper tones made it the light of choice for designer Kay Prestney, who used a REGOLIT as a focal point in her barn conversion project in North Essex (above). 

‘I wanted everything to be rustic in keeping with the farm on which it sits, using natural materials to create a timeless and healthy, calming environment for all generations,’ Kay explains. 

‘We up-cycled lots of pieces of old furniture kept the exposed brickwork and original wooden beams but painted it all white to make the space feel bigger and brighter. The large paper lampshade makes a fun design feature but blends into the space and has a planetary feel.’ 

Plus, it’s now an AirBnB – if you want to trial life with a REGOLIT before you make the (small) investment. 

2. A reshaped REGOLIT  

While the REGOLIT is known for its crescent facade, there is a way to make it your own. 

Enter, Helsinki-based designer Kirsi Hyväkkö, who found her lamp at the flea market. However, she also picked up a paper shade from Flying Tiger Copenhagen to crown her bedroom with individuality – whilst maintaining a sought-after Scandinavian style. For, when Sweden meets Denmark and Helsinki, it’s a match made in heaven.  

3. An outdoor REGOLIT 

When initially hearing of the REGOLIT, you wouldn’t be alone in hanging above a living room or bedroom. However, Maren Baxter has rewritten our urban gardening ideas by taking this lamp outside – and we’re wholly inspired. 

While the start of autumn may discourage outdoor parties, we’re following Maren’s lead and bringing these little moons into the garden to illuminate the space when the sun inevitably sets earlier. So, your garden will not only look good, but you have an excuse to party on – long into the season. 

4. A lavender REGOLIT 

Trend forecasters WGSN has predicted that lavender will become the color of the year for 2023, but of course, IKEA knew that already. 

Maybe that’s why they paired their REGOLIT in a lavender-hued room and consequently provoked us to paint our living room purple – and buy a REGOLIT, naturally. This is the color pairing of the future. You heard it here first. 

5. A subtly striped REGOLIT 

With its spontaneously stripy shade, the REGOLIT knows how to subtly inject patterns into a room, but how do you accentuate this in your interiors. Once again, we’re stealing modern home decor ideas from the experts at IKEA who teach you how to combine patterns without interrupting a minimalist scheme. 

Pair your lampshade alongside similarly subtle textiles, including a small cushion, as demonstrated above. This is how to embrace pattern, the beautifully unobvious way – and it costs less than $5.