The all-too-frequent dilemma of finding suitable furniture for your outdoor space is not just that it needs to physically fit into your garden or balcony, but that it needs to be comfortable, too — something that so many small furniture sets simply are not. And that’s exactly why this IKEA HAVSTEN LAGASKAR 2-Seat Conversation Set instantly stood out to me.

Although it only has four reviews to date, each is a solid five stars and every single one mentions how comfortable the garden sofa is, with one going as far as to herald it as “the most comfortable patio sofa I’ve ever tried” — they also revealed they’ve owned the set for five years, too. Minimalist, though inherently welcoming with its deep, plump cushions, it’s bringing the comfort of the indoors out, along with a coffee table with hidden storage to boot. Not bad for the price tag, in my opinion.

An IKEA outdoor sofa might not have been the first brand that comes to mind when searching for pieces to furnish your outdoor space with, but although the selection is small, there are some really great finds — and this conversation set is no exception. Small-space-friendly, low-maintenance, and elegant, it will be sure to elevate your garden setup.

A conversation set is a great way to create a cohesive outdoor seating area — plus, as they’re specifically designed for lounging and, of course, conversation, they help to create that ‘outdoor room’ vibe that features heavily in this year's biggest outdoor furniture trends, together with the comfortable, lived-in aesthetic we’re increasingly craving in our homes.

Although it only has four reviews, the IKEA HAVSTEN LAGASKAR 2-Seat Conversation Set is praised foremost for its comfort, along with its quality design that “holds up in all weather”.

It is worth noting, though, that some reviews of the separately sold HAVSTEN sofa are more mixed — some have found the cushions not to be easily washable, and some have not experienced the same level of durability highly praised by others.

With this in mind, it’s important to assess what kind of outdoor space you’re hoping to use the set in and how you would store it or the cushions when not in use when considering your purchase.

Stylish Alternatives

If there’s one thing that’s clear with garden seating in 2026, is that it’s gone soft — designers share why super plump outdoor furniture is this year’s biggest trend.

And for more shopping advice and design ideas for your garden and beyond, subscribe to the Livingetc newletter.

Having a plethora of cabinet handle choices can be a double-edged sword. It’s fun at the start, but eventually you’re left crippling with decision paralysis. And whilst you’re spiralling, your drawers are handle-less, leaving you prying them open with a spoon. Not ideal. Can't visualize which finish or color will work? Fallen in love with two different designs? Just imagine if you could easily switch between styles, without damaging your cabinets.

Well, that's exactly the problem IKEA's new LATMASK Clip-On Handles propose to solve. Available in white, black, and light blue, they're like clip-on earrings for your furniture — switch and swap as you please. Seasonal hardware? Why not. And considering it's so affordable (£3 for a two-pack), it's even a great option if you're waiting to make a bigger decision, and will prevent you from damaging your cabinets as you attempt to pry them open.

With well over 100 reviews already, customers say, "They look great, and they're incredibly easy to put on." Plus, "No drilling or screwing required." Simple silhouettes and playful colors are big kitchen handle trends this year, and with this style, you can have both.

Reviews are strong too, with customers praising the ease of install, affordability, and quality. "These are fantastic. I moved into a house with no handles on the kitchen cabinets, and these were so easy to fit! " Five-minute job," writes one. "Fits and stays in place without damaging the door or drawer front. We attached these handles to the kitchen cabinets until we decided which ones to use permanently. A wonderful temporary solution!" says another.

In terms of alternatives, I'll admit, it's hard to find anything else quite like it. But, if you're looking for a similar solution, these options below should help.

Choosing the wrong style, size, or shape can quickly become a big kitchen handle mistake because once you've installed them, you damage your cabinet doors, and it can be hard to find new ones that line up the same. That's why this solution from IKEA is such a great idea.

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I already own IKEA's RÅSKOG Trolley, so I can personally vouch for how handy it is around the home. I bought it as extra storage for my small university dorm bathroom (IYKYK). I liked how the wheels meant I could roll it in front of my full-length mirror when I needed, and out of the way when I didn't. Plus, I bought the Norrava Bamboo Lid to go with it, so I could hide things away and display my perfume collection on top.

I've since moved into a small flat with even less built-in storage, and have recently realized the seemingly unlimited capabilities of my trolley. It really is a storage unicorn for small spaces. Plus, a quick scroll through the 539 almost-perfect reviews reveals other customers use it to store vegetables in the pantry, art supplies in kids' rooms, as a bedside table, bar cart, craft caddy, and more.

It's not a new IKEA product per se, but it has just been released in a rainbow of pretty new colors (I'm seriously considering buying it again), as well as a slightly larger size, depending on your space. And before you ask, yes, I think it could be taken outside, too.

One reviewer even noted that its caster wheels make it a great bedside table without preventing access to under-bed drawers. Honestly, its uses don't end.

And in typical IKEA fashion, it’s also compatible with other products. Try hooking a SUNNERSTA Container for some extra storage, whether that’s a place to store your pencils if you’re using it under a desk, or a place to store teaspoons for a coffee station. And if you’re using it as hallway storage, try attaching these brass HULTARP Hooks for a handy place to hang your keys or sunglasses.

If for whatever reason it doesn't work for your space, here are six other trolleys that serve a similar purpose.

Having a trolley is certainly practical, but the wheels can make it feel less integrated with the rest of our furniture. Don’t stress; there are plenty of slim storage solutions that do just that, without overwhelming your small space.

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When shopping for garden furniture, I'd forgive you if you accidentally overlooked IKEA's outdoor sofa offering at first. Admittedly, it's not the first place I'd think to go either, but after spending an afternoon sitting on every style I could find in their showroom, I've got to admit: I'm pretty impressed.

Not only are IKEA's outdoor sofas available at the brand's famously affordable prices, but some models have some serious Scandi style, too. Options might not be as plentiful as other garden furniture brands, but depending on how you want to look at it, sometimes less choice can be a blessing.

As for which of IKEA's outdoor sofas to choose, I have become quite astute at picking a quality design over the last few years, and, as part of researching for this article, I spent an afternoon running — okay, there was a lot of lounging involved, too — around my local IKEA, testing every outdoor sofa I could sit on.

Three IKEA outdoor sofas really tickled my fancy, but when I looked online afterwards, I discovered two more that hadn't been on the showroom floor that day, but I really wished had been (so they get an honorable mention). So, without further ado, these are the only IKEA outdoor sofas you really need to know about.

NÄMMARÖ

Those who know know that as far as IKEA outdoor sofas go, the NÄMMARÖ series is a fan favorite. In fact, it's regularly completely sold out in the UK as a result. So, of course, I had to give it a try for myself.

To start, a disclaimer: I did not sit on the 2-seat NÄMMARÖ. I sat on what was essentially a sectional version, built out with the two-seaters and other NÄMMARÖ series components. Overall, though, it was basically the same product, and its modularity is one of the things people love most about this IKEA outdoor sofa.

As for my thoughts, this is quite a chic sofa. The seat is super firm (which shouldn't be too shocking; the frame is wood), and comfortably deep. The cream-colored cushions might be best suited for a covered patio, as I would imagine they get dirty quite easily, but they are also removable and washable, which is good.

But don't just take it from me. This IKEA outdoor sofa is rated 4.7/5-stars after 64 reviews, with one customer writing: "The long wait for it all to be back in stock was totally worth it. It's super comfortable and looks great in my garden. Some reviewers mention that the cushions slip. I haven't found this at all, as the seat cushions are anchored to the frame with elastic fixings. The DUVHOLMEN cushions with cream FROSON covers are very comfortable, and my dogs' muddy paw prints wipe off easily with a damp cloth. My only regret is that I didn't get one years ago!"

TEGELÖN

The TEGELÖN is not your average IKEA outdoor sofa. It's pretty minimal, as you can tell from my photo above, and comes as part of a conversation set, which is complete with two chairs and a coffee table. Despite appearances, I thought this was comfier than anticipated.

Is it the same feel as sitting on a couch with cushions? Not at all. But it's a good option for a front porch set-up, and would require a lot less care than something with true seats. I like that it's black, as well, which is yet another safeguard against stains and marks. And it's currently on sale.

Looking at reviews, one customer identified a bit of an annoying point: it's currently only available to purchase as a complete set rather than individual pieces, which could be restricting depending on the size of your garden — but that's what Facebook Marketplace is for, right?

VITTSKÄR

The VITTSKÄR is probably the most traditional of these three IKEA outdoor sofas. It has very plush cushions and a very deep sit, with a plastic/rattan frame. Due to its size, I'd say it's better for backyards and patios than a small balcony.

And while the plastic isn't quite as nice as the Acacia wood on the NÄMMARÖ, it's definitely easy to care for and quite durable. You should have no problems with this sitting on an uncovered patio (white cushions aside).

Also, I liked that the chaise is movable, so you can turn whichever side you like into the sectional or even treat the ottoman as a 'coffee' table. Alternatively, there is a matching coffee table, too.

While it currently only has one review online, it's remarkably positive. "This IKEA outdoor sofa has ample space for extra cushions along the back and is very comfortable to lie out on," it reads. "I love that I can replace any cushions or parts in the future if need be, as it is totally modular and you can even just buy a new cushion insert. The fabric is smooth and very easy to clean."

The review does note one drawback, though. "The seat cushion toggles have nothing to attach to, so I just linked them to each other at the back of the cushions. I ended up buying another backrest and back cushion for the ottoman part, as otherwise the end cushion would just slide around, and the zipper is visible on three sides."

Honorable Mentions

I did not get to try these options in-store, but I did look into them online. And they're on this list as much for positive customer reviews as they are for style.

FAQs

Does IKEA Have Good Outdoor Furniture?

Absolutely, it does! IKEA's outdoor furniture is as strong as its indoor offerings. There might be a tad less of it, which makes sense, but it's still a great place to shop for all your porch and patio needs, especially if you're looking to save a couple of dollars.

What Is the Best-Looking IKEA Outdoor Sofa?

I did not get to try it in-store, but I am very impressed with the look of IKEA's TVARÖ outdoor sofa. It's a simple, clean design with a sort of hand-assembled, rattan frame. Looks very chic. What's more, it is — you guessed it — modular, which ensures longevity, practicality, and bang for your buck.

But if you think these outdoor sofas are good, just wait until you see IKEA's sofa offering for indoors — and yes, before you ask, I spent an afternoon sitting on these too, and have shared my insight into which styles are actually worth shopping.

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Don't get me wrong, I love spending time out on my patio come summertime, but between my sunlounger and the fact I've now pulled my bike out of storage for the season, the space is starting to look like a cluttered mess. And while there are plenty of dividers out there that would help me zone the space better, because it's small, I don't want to dominate it with anything too tall or solid-looking. The solution? IKEA's VISINGSÖ Plant Stand.

Not too tall or looming, and adding some much-needed softness through leafy foliage, this mesh-like plant stand can be used to subtly divide an outdoor space without dominating a smaller one. The mesh makes the plants appear to float, meaning the divider has less visual weight in the space — especially when compared to other patio dividers or screens, which can feel bulkier and more dominating. Plus, the green color blends in with your plants, helping it to sink into the background even further.

While it won't provide as much privacy if you want to screen out neighbors, for example, this plant stand is perfect for smaller gardens that could benefit from subtle zoning or hiding smaller details (like my bike) from sight.

You could also use this indoors. Perhaps in the kitchen holding herbs, or behind a sofa to add some softness and greenery to the space. If your home office sits in another space (like a spare room or the living room), it could even be a nice way to zone the space, creating privacy without blocking light. I could even see it refashioned as a bar cart, with bottles filling the top.

If for whatever reason the IKEA VISINGSO Plant Stand doesn't quite work for you, here are six other similar plant stands that I think would work to divide your patio (or indoor areas) without compromising on natural lighting or style.

If it's really privacy that you're after, you may be pleased to know there are ways to add privacy to gardens without buying anything new, whether that's training climbing plants or rearranging the furniture you already have.

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Buying a sofa is — in a word — hard. And expensive. And frustrating, and painful, and exhausting, too. I guess maybe you can't distill the sofa-buying process down to just one word, because it really is just too big a deal. Because if you want a couch that's really going to last, you can't take any shortcuts.

If there were a shortcut, though, I am confident it would have something to do with IKEA's sofas. Because of its reputation and its furniture acumen, you can generally shop with the understanding that you'll find something of decent quality. But there is also so much product to sort through, and in this case, that might mean finding the best sofa for you feels like finding a needle in a haystack.

Well, dear reader, that's where I can help. A few weeks ago, I spent an afternoon at my local store, where I did nothing but sit on every single IKEA sofa available in the showroom (okay fine, I ate some meatballs, too). I sat up, sat down, rolled around, touched, felt, plopped, plumped ... I did everything you would need to do to get a decent feel for a sofa before purchasing, then compiled my testing in the shortlist below.

Now, you can shop a pre-selected shortlist of sofas that not only impressed me during my visit but also come with a first-person review you can trust. Below, you'll find my five fave IKEA sofas (though take a look at my separate guide to IKEA sleeper sofas if you're looking for a sofa bed) as well as some honorable mentions, which are good choices, stylistically, but may come with more caveats than their predecessors.

JÄTTEBO

This was, by far, my favorite IKEA sofa. From my experience, I would certainly recommend it. It is so incredibly chic — the low profile, the corduroy fabric, the green color — and very on trend. Plus, IKEA's JÄTTEBO sofa also conceals hidden storage beneath (yes, you read that right).

I quite like that it is modular, as well, which means you can reconfigure the layout as your life changes, grows and expands. The sit itself is medium — it was softer than I thought but not uber-plush, either.

I also touched and felt a few of the different upholsteries available and can confidently say they are all chic and of high quality. The soft brown was definitely my favorite (included in the gallery above), but the white and blue bouclés were also nice for something a bit more tactile.

STOCKHOLM 2025

As for my second favorite IKEA sofa, I would have to say the STOCKHOLM 3-seater took the cake. The look and style of this piece is a 10/10, and it's not something that seems like it came from IKEA; the visible wooden frame, for instance, elevates it instantly.

It's also much bigger than you'd expect, in part because of the deep seat and pocket-spring core, and the sit is extremely plush — probably an eight out of 10, with 10 being the most plush possible. (So if you have back problems, maybe not the one for you.)

The cotton-linen blend fabric feels pretty durable and would be nice to curl up on, but I do wish that the fill felt a touch more substantive or high-quality. It's also worth noting that the cover is washable and comes with a 25-year guarantee.

UPPÅKRA

If you're looking to buy a main living room sofa for a family, the UPPÅKRA is probably the one for you. It's a very big couch, with an extremely deep seat depth and a chaise that could fit two adults or three to four kids.

Now, at least in my showroom, the cushions on the display UPPÅKRA seemed a tad too big for the frame, but I'm not sure if that was just wear and tear on the showroom model or a hallmark of the product. Still, though, the sit is really nice, and the overall product makes for a quality family couch, not least of all because the style is top-notch.

It comes in six different colored, washable fabrics, and you can also choose between wood or chrome-plated legs, depending on the look you're going for. As someone who cares a lot about style, I appreciate the options.

KIVIK

The KIVIK is a solid buy when it comes to IKEA sofas. I have linked a three-seater here, but I tried a sectional in the store. I quite liked the chaise; it was pretty wide and could easily serve as a place for a guest to sleep.

Regarding plushness, I'd give this a 7/10. It didn't feel like a luxury sofa to me, but it felt good for what it was. In other words, if you bought this couch online and sight unseen, you wouldn't be unhappy when it arrived.

The other thing I would note: the armrests are sofa height, so if you like to lean your head on your hand while you, say, read a book, you'd be leaning over pretty far. That said, one online review notes: "To someone who has back problems, I find this sofa very comfortable. It’s on the firm side (which is perfect for me) and doesn’t eat you when you sit down."

It also comes in eight different fabric colors. Plus, top tip: the matching Kivik footstool has hidden storage space.

FINNALA

The FINNALA is another solid IKEA sofa. Good for the price, nice fabric, stylish silhouette. I'd say that the sit leans plush (6/10), but not overly so, and that the seat itself is deep.

Personally, I wish this had a bench cushion instead of three individual seats — I just think that's a classier look — but it's also true that three separate cushions make for easier cleaning and replacement. So, there's a silver lining there. I'd just keep an eye on this fabric if you have pets, as I'm not sure that it would be a good sofa for animals.

I'm also sorry to UK readers, but this IKEA sofa seems to only be available in the US right now. It's also currently on clearance, so it may be on its way out. If you like the look, I'd move quickly.

Honorable Mentions

The IKEA sofas that are still worth mentioning — and could still work great for you! — but didn't crack my top five after my afternoon spent in-store.

SALTMYRAN

I don't think the look and sit of IKEA's SALTMYRAN 2-Seat/loveseat rises to the level of main sofa (you just cannot lounge the way you want on this), but it's a shocker for the price and also surprisingly comfortable. It has a medium firmness with a compact, minimalist design. Consider for an office, guest room, or dorm.

SALTSJÖBADEN

The SALTSJÖBADEN is pretty firm, but the deep seat kind of makes up for that (i.e. you don't feel like you're chilling with a railroad-straight spine). The fabric covers are washable, and would probably stand up nicely against kids and pets. In fact, the IKEA I visited had this in a nursery-themed showroom, and I quite liked that placement.

If you'd like to use the 2-seater as a main couch, I would also recommend buying the matching footstool to go with it; I tried it out and liked having that flexibility. But the SALTSJÖBADEN series also has three-seat and sectional options, too, so you're covered if you want something bigger, too.

MORABO

The MORABO would be higher on this list of IKEA sofas if it were available in both the U.S. and the U.K. — as of this writing, it is only available in the U.S. Sigh. This green colorway is fabulous, in my opinion; in store, I sat on a black leather MORABO, which, although the quality did surprise me (it has a nice deep seat and a medium-plush sit), wasn't my favorite stylistically. If you can capitalize on this natural green look, do it. Best of all, you can honestly bring this into your scheme as something of a neutral.

FAQs

What is the best-selling IKEA sofa? 

Anecdotally speaking, I would say that the FRIHETEN sleeper sofa is one of, if not the, best-selling sofas at IKEA. You can't seem to go on any trip or crash at any friend's house without running into one. And for good reason!

I have had many a sound night's sleep on a FRIHETEN, then gotten up and lounged on it all day. Don't get me wrong — it's not what I'd want as the main couch in my living room. But it's an affordable, versatile piece that makes hosting overnight guests a breeze. You can see the appeal!

What is the best-looking IKEA sofa? 

In my opinion, the best-looking IKEA sofa is easily the JÄTTEBO. Truthfully, it blew me away. I felt like I was looking at and sitting on something much more expensive, from a higher-end brand. The other fabric options are just as chic as the olive green I tried, too. I don't think you can go wrong with this sofa, especially because it's genuinely comfortable, too. Perhaps on the more expensive side for this retailer, but worth the money, no doubt.

Looking for an IKEA sofa that can do it all? I've also shared my hands-on experience with IKEA's best sofa beds, which will hopefully help you in your search.

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IKEA has a lot of great furniture you probably don't even realize you want or need. That's why any 'quick' trip in-store tends to famously turn into a few hours and a trolley full of things that definitely weren't on your list. And while impulse purchases can sometimes catch you out, if there's one I think is worth making, it's IKEA's STOCKHOLM PS Side Table on Casters.

I was first introduced to this side table at a sneak peek of the IKEA STOCKHOLM collection back in 2025. At the time, it was styled as that — a side table — but Karin Gustavsson, the creative lead behind the collection, quickly explained that, "The height of the bottom shelf is actually made for bottles," so it could double as a rolling bar cart, too. Clever, I thought.

But it didn't stop there. "You could even use it as a Lazy Susan beside the dining table," she added. Or in the kitchen with potted herbs, to give the feeling of a 'walk-in' closet stacked with shoes or bags, in a kids' room with books, in the bathroom with beauty products... get the picture? It's perfect for small spaces — there when you need it, easily rolled out of the way once you're done.

All this time later, I still think it's IKEA's most versatile piece of furniture, and considering it's from the brand's most premium collection, it's one of the prettiest and best-made, too.

But don't just take it from me. With a 4.8/5-star rating from over 40 reviews, it seems well-worth an impulse purchase. Here's what customers have to say, specifically:

• "This side table was very simple to assemble and moves about easily on a carpeted floor."
• "Coffee tables can often get in the way, but the 5 casters on this make it so easy to move."
• "It took about 10 minutes to assemble using just one key."
• "Expensive but money well spent. This is one of those Ikea products that I can confidently recommend to everyone."
• "A future classic."

The only design flaw it seems, is, as one review points out, "the base isn't quite big enough to fit a magazine or paper." So, if you can see yourself wanting to do that, specifically, here are some alternatives that might be better suited.

Alternatively, if you've already got a coffee table, side table, or bar cart you really like, but want to make it more multifunctional and flexible for your smaller space, you could always buy a set of heavy-duty caster wheels from Amazon and attach them to the base yourself.

Further to that, you can even find small caster wheels for kitchen appliances, to make moving them (and storing them) on your kitchen countertop easier.

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Europe may have sold out of every last air conditioner unit, but there is one piece of home tech that I think everyone should own as high temperatures and heatwaves become more of an issue: the smart room thermometer.

If you've got young children, or care for someone older or with health issues, it's something you may already do religiously in a heatwave, as we all know such temperatures pose a greater risk to people in those groups.

However, for everyone else, it gives you a weapon in the fight to keep cool in your home — knowledge. Yes, while a smart thermometer isn't going to actually cool down a room, it's going to help you understand what's going on in your home and how to work around the temperature to keep as comfortable as possible.

It may seem like a niche bit of kit to own, but my go-to is IKEA's TIMMERFLOTTE, a stylish, minimalist temperature and humidity sensor that I picked up in store for £5/$9.99. Or, if you want it quickly, Govee's Smart Thermostat is available on Amazon Prime, so it will deliver in one day. Both offer an easy-to-use device that can help you plan better when it's hot — here's how.

1. Keep an Eye Out for Unsafe Temperatures

Of course, the most obvious way to use IKEA's TIMMERFLOTTE is to use it to monitor rooms to check temperatures in a room remotely, ensuring that they're not reaching dangerous levels. It's hard to guess the temperature of a room, but feeling alone, so this gives you a little more peace of mind, or the knowledge of when staying put in a room might be dangerous for a more vulnerable person.

2. Measure Different Rooms at Different Times of Day

More than just using a smart home thermometer to see how hot you are, it's a clever gadget to buy for a heatwave because you can track the temperature of different rooms at different times of day during hot weather.

What I discovered about my home is that upstairs is generally cooler in the mornings, as I've often slept with my windows open. However, towards the afternoon, it gets hotter upstairs by a couple of degrees, presumably from heat radiating from my loft, where the roof has heated up after being exposed to the sun all morning. Right there, it gives me the start of a routine to make sure I'm not accidentally spending time in the hottest part of the house at the wrong time of day.

You can do this by either buying multiple sensors and having them in every room (they're inexpensive, after all) or by just moving one sensor around the house and making note of the differences.

3. Figure Out If Your House Is Hotter or Cooler Than Outside

The big debate — should you open or close windows during hot weather? Most experts agree that when the temperature outside is hotter than inside your home, windows should stay closed, opening them when the outside temperature has cooled down. This is usually at night, and vital if you want to sleep well in the heat, but it's hard to tell by feel alone when it's time to open them again.

A room thermometer strips out the guesswork, so you can get to grips with what time of day to fling open the windows and make the most of cooler air from outside.

4. Track the Humidity Measurement, too

Recent heatwaves have been accompanied by high humidity, which makes them feel even more uncomfortable. High humidity prevents your sweat from evaporating, making the room feel hotter than it actually is.

IKEA's temperature and humidity sensor will help you identify when humidity is a contributing factor, so you can know when to turn on a dehumidifier and bring down the air's moisture in a room. Try this dehumidifier from Blue Air if you want one stylish enough for a modern home.

Alternative Smart Thermometers to Buy

Looking for more smart ways to beat the heat? Our wellness editor rated Shark's handheld fan, the ChillPill, nearly perfect scores recently, ideal for keeping you feeling fresh when on the move.

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What I love about lighting — both indoors and out — is how one piece can make such a big difference to an entire space; how it looks, how it feels, not to mention its practical benefits. When it comes to outdoor spaces, finding pieces that don't just light up your garden but also add ambience and decorative flair is key to creating a lived-in feel that makes it a true extension of your home, which is what we’re seeing more and more of in outdoor spaces in 2026.

A piece that does this very well is IKEA's SOLVINDEN LED Outdoor Table Lamp. Its modern silhouette is a design statement in its own right, and the on-trend green hue is just the right amount of color to be interesting without being overbearing. The open-stripe style casts a wonderfully magical glow into your space that will make you want to stay out in your garden long into the early hours.

What makes this particular outdoor lantern a great choice, for both small and large gardens alike, is its ease of use and versatility — powered by solar, not only is it a more eco-friendly lighting option, but there's also no need to fuss with wires and outlets, while its handle lets you carry it with you wherever you need it — you could even hang it if you wish. So if you're looking to buy garden lighting that's as multifunctional as it is elegant, at a very affordable price point, then this lantern is one of the pieces to have on your radar.

With a 4.4-star rating, reviewers share they are particularly impressed by its aesthetics, quality, and ease of use — and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a statement-making piece that’s as stylish as it is functional and one customer notes that it still works well even when wet, while another adds, "Despite its low price, the light has a very high-quality appearance. A beautiful blend of minimalism and retro. Makes a beautiful light."

This modern retro lantern will suit any style of outdoor space, making it feel softer, warmer, and more inviting. One of 2026's biggest outdoor lighting trends is gentle layering, and this piece is a great way to tap into the motion. With the myriad of solar lighting options available on the market — and there really are a lot; I see countless flood my inbox every day — the styles that tap into the latest trends while having timeless appeal, all while being pleasantly affordable and versatile are a big win in my book.

Stylish Alternatives

If you're interested in exploring more solar lighting options, IKEA's SOLVINDEN solar-powered outdoor pendant lanterns are just as magical, and can be hung anywhere in your garden.

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Ten years on from its last release, IKEA is officially back with the latest rendition of the iconic PS Collection, and this time, I was lucky enough to get to experience the products first hand ahead of the launch. During my time in Älmhult, the home of IKEA, I got to dive deep into the 44-piece collection, chatting to the designers behind it all, and finding out exactly what makes PS so special. And while every item holds its own unique appeal, this is the one I instantly knew would fit right into my home.

Designed by Henrik Preutz, this colorful chair is more than it meets the eye. Inspired by this year's theme of playful functionality, Henrik wanted to create something that incites joy and is useful enough to fit seamlessly into your everyday life — while also being surprising and innovative enough to set it apart from the crowd. And with his IKEA PS 2026 Chair, he achieved exactly that.

"With IKEA PS 2026 chairs, I wanted to create something you’d fall for at first glance — the kind of pieces that make you stop and smile," says Henrik. Staying true to the signature IKEA minimalism, Henrik experimented with form, landing on something that felt truly original, yet pleasingly classic, too. And the best thing about the design? How you use it is completely up to you. Sit forwards, using the padded cylinder as a backrest, or spin around and rest your arms on it — we'll leave that up to you.

Stylish Alternatives to Shop

If you can believe it, this wasn't the only stand-out chair from this year's PS Collection. The inflatable chrome chair, which was featured in the IKEA PS Collection teaser, went viral instantly, and it's easy to see why.

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Nightstands, hallways, and desks are notorious for being clutter hotspots. At my house, it’s almost guaranteed that at least one of them is messy at any given time. As places of transition and focus, it is important for them to feel calm — though somehow it feels we never have quite enough space or storage to create that sense of ease.

But it turns out we have been looking laterally when we really ought to have been thinking vertically. IKEA's iconic SKÅDIS Pegboard has been making organization look stylish since 2017, and it’s undoubtedly one of IKEA’s best products for chic storage; however, it's just been released in a new double-sided colorway that is totally on point when it comes to color trends in 2026 that make us love it even more.

While the word ‘pegboard’ can conjure up images of garage storage, if you style it right, pegboards can make storage feel like an individualized art form. Sitting above a nightstand, it might hold a few of your current reads, hang a sleep mask, or keep your jewelry. As a hallway console, it holds your favorite bag, a pair of headphones, and keys. It could organize your desk, or perhaps you could use it to hang pictures, art, display your current favorite record, or keep plants. Versatile, affordable, and stylish — tick, tick, and tick.

If a pegboard is something you need on your wall, but the deep-toned SKÅDIS feels too moody, here are some strong contenders that are lighter.

The wine-red, midnight-blue SKÅGIS is yet another storage-turned-stylish hit from IKEA — and on that note, I recommend scrolling through their new PS collection, if you haven’t seen it already, which is filled with some seriously stylish finds.

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"A bit of a cylinder, a Christmas bauble, and a petri dish," are the words designer Lex Pott uses to describe the Portable LED Lamp he designed for IKEA's PS 2026 collection. On paper, it doesn't sound like it should work, but oh, it does. Falling somewhere between a street lamp silhouette and an exposed bulb, it's sleek and modern, and comes in three punchy colorways: a vibrant green and blue, blue and burgundy, and red and burgundy.

The battery-operated portable lamp has three dimming settings and stretches 22cm high, so it's perfect for placing on a shelf, desk, or dinner table without obstructing your view. It would even work to add a bit of extra glow to your kitchen counter, as its glass and metal make-up would be very easy to clean. Honestly, the biggest question is which colorway you'd pick.

Lex says he found inspiration from the last IKEA PS Collection, which was launched almost 10 years ago. "The common denominator was explicit exploration, experimentation," he says. It included now iconic designs — including the Railway Lamp, which came in a steel cage — and provided Lex "the freedom to think openly and use that heritage and legacy towards new openings."

While IKEA's PS 2026 Portable LED Lamp is a winner in my eyes, if you're looking for something a bit more unique (that's not also all over your TikTok FYP), below I've sourced some equally kaleidoscopic portable table lamps to shop.

IKEA’s PS 2026 collection has pleasantly surprised the design world, proving that true creative innovation is still possible. As part of the collection, Lex Potts also designed a twisting floor uplighter — the three-in-one lamp that functions as an uplighter, a spotlight, and a reading lamp, which is as carefully crafted as its portable cousin.

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When it comes to IKEA, storage furniture is likely the first thing you think of. Cabinets, consoles, dressers — there are certain designs from the brand that you'd be hard-pressed not to find in every home, and one of those is the MALM system. You can't go wrong with its flat profile, linear silhouette, and sliding drawers. So when the brand recently announced it would be retiring the cult-favorite, we got to thinking: what are the best IKEA MALM alternatives to fill the hole it will inevitably leave behind?

Whether you're looking for something just as simple (perhaps primed for a DIY?), something a bit more designed, bigger, or smaller, we've scoured the best IKEA alternatives to see what's on offer that serves the same purpose, while looking even better.

From three simple sliding drawers all the way to Anthropologie's pretty patterned six-drawer chest of drawers, these are the best IKEA MALM alternatives to shop when stock eventually runs out.

So, while there are lots of IKEA MALM alternatives on the market (some that arguably look much better), it's hard to argue with the fact that the original provided the perfect base when it comes to DIYing, and there are so many IKEA MALM hacks that transform the chest of drawers into so much more. If you've got a plan you haven't quite put into action yet, time is running out!

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For every PS Collection IKEA has released, the designers were given a specific theme to work around, a starting point to jump off and land at their own unique conclusion. And this year, for the tenth iteration of the initiative, the theme was playful functionality.

Not a far cry from the brand's typical style, with the 2026 IKEA PS collection, the goal was to push this concept to its limits, diving into the space where functionality intersects with fun — and the designers did not hold back. From inflatable chairs to flexible lamps, the collection showed the broad scope of what playfulness can look like and how personal it can be. Each design revealed something about its creator and how they experience the joy of the everyday.

I was lucky enough to experience the collection firsthand, ahead of its launch, and while the range is full of delights, I was particularly taken by the joyous creation that was the Pine Rocking Bench by Marta Krupinska. Crafted from solid pine, with a simple, minimalist look, this bench invites you to bring a little more joy into your everyday.

The Bench That Rocks

Despite how simple the design appears in its final form, the journey to get to this was anything but. In fact, it was one of the trickiest products to get right in the whole collection.

The concept came to Marta almost immediately, though not quite as it looks today. "It all started from the brief, which at the time was an optimistic future," explains Marta. This idea, Marta says, reminded her of a TED talk she'd listened to in the past, exploring the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness, the speaker argues, is the culmination of many joyous moments, a build-up of the small things, to make up a whole. What Marta wanted to create in her design was something that could offer this moment of joy every day.

In its initial form, this looked like a bright red rocking bench, complete with a full backrest and a metal backing supporting the joints. The red, Marta explains, was a major sore spot in the production process. The team at IKEA pushed for a simplified version of this model, and after several attempts, Marta landed on a design that satisfied them all.

Swapping the metal backing for a clever interlocked wood-grain system, Marta developed a design that was lighter, more transportable, and even more durable than its initial iteration. Working in solid pine, this design fits in with the quintessential Scandi design style IKEA is so well known for, with a crisp, light minimalism that the bright red version was missing.

The exact mechanics of the rocking system were also laboriously pored over. Marta had a vision for how this bench should feel — the rocking should be subtle, not like a see-saw. It had to offer a comfortable experience, not just a novelty one.

Together, Marta and Fredrik spent months researching the physics, the engineering, and the mechanics needed to bring their concept to life. A product of passion, love, and tireless work, this bench is every bit as joyful as Marta first envisioned it to be.

Alternative Styles

If you love the joyful aspect of this design, I have a feeling you're going to be a fan of the playfulism decor trend. And for more design ideas and inspo, subscribe to our newsletter.

The journey to a style-forward outdoor space involves, in part, the careful curation of furniture pieces and decor, and, crucially, how these are styled together. You need to take into account the surroundings, how you plan on using the space, and how you want it to feel. And in 2026, that feeling is increasingly towards outdoor spaces that feel like a natural extension of our interiors — designed the same way you would a room inside the home. But 'style-forward' does not have to mean expensive. And a brand that knows how to do that well? IKEA.

There's a reason it's included in our list of the best garden furniture brands. Synonymous with versatility and practicality, the Scandinavian design brand is also very capable of creating designer-look pieces at pleasantly affordable price points. And its outdoor furniture collection is no exception. As Miaad Latoof, one of the stylists for Design Lab by Livingetc, explains, "Growing up in Scandinavia, I learnt to appreciate the simplicity of form because I was surrounded by it, and IKEA was definitely part of that visual influence. I have always seen the brand as practical, accessible, and incredibly adaptable, which is why so many of its pieces work across different styles. With its garden furniture, I think IKEA does that clean Scandinavian simplicity really well."

Needless to say, I spend an inordinate amount of time checking IKEA's latest offerings, and with the onset of better weather, that includes a daily check of its outdoor furniture range. Here, I've rounded up what I think are twelve of the best IKEA products for your outdoor space that not only deliver big points on style but are kind to your wallet, too. From sofas to storage, consider this your one-stop shop for IKEA garden furniture for 2026.

Chairs

Tables

Sofas

Storage

Styling IKEA Garden Furniture

The key to making IKEA outdoor furniture look design-forward comes down to the styling. As Design Lab by Livingetc stylist, Iokasti Sotirakopoulou explains, "What I love about IKEA's garden furniture is how easy it is to build a beautiful outdoor space around.

"The designs are often simple and versatile, which means they can adapt to so many different aesthetics. I love the idea of starting with a Scandinavian-inspired foundation from IKEA and then layering in handmade ceramics, colorful cushions, and decorative accessories to make the space feel more personal and curated."

Mixing in natural elements and personal pieces will not only add character to your space but will also organically make it feel more lived-in and storied, which is a key outdoor furniture trend for 2026.

"I also think the brand has become much stronger at introducing trend-led colors and finishes, making it easier to create a space that feels current without committing to a huge investment," says Iokasti. "It also offers pieces that allow you to experiment, layer, and evolve your outdoor setup over time. I believe the brand is approachable, flexible, and encourages people to have fun with their outdoor spaces."

Our interiors editor, Emma Breislin, agrees. "In the right context, and styled well, IKEA's outdoor furniture range can look extremely expensive — without, of course, actually being so."

What draws us to Scandinavian design is not just that pared-back, effortlessly chic aesthetic, but the way that functionality sits at its core, which is exactly what makes it so ideal for garden furniture, too. As Miaad says, IKEA "proves that practical outdoor furniture can still have real design appeal."

If you want to take IKEA's practicality indoors, these 12 IKEA kitchen storage buys will double, if not triple, your storage space.

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Having a fruit and vegetable bowl is great in theory, but in truth, it can be quite impractical. Before you know it, your apples are stacked too high, your oranges squished, and your bananas bruised — not to mention: who wants to display potatoes in pride of place on the counter?

Kitchen produce drawers are undeniably the most stylish solution; fruit and vegetables can be tucked away, well-ventilated, and easily accessible. The biggest drawback, though, is that not everyone has the space to dedicate an entire drawer (or two) to produce. Enter: IKEA's KANELMOTT Vegetable/Fruit Basket.

This two-tiered bamboo 'basket' has space to store your colorful fruit on the top, while tucking your not-so-sexy potatoes and onions underneath. Beyond aesthetics, the basket weave offers ample air circulation (just like a produce drawer), extending the life of your produce, while the stacked design saves counter space.

Like the idea but not the look? There are plenty of other pieces designed specifically for storing produce in your kitchen. Whether that's hanging fruit baskets or woven potato hoppers — the money you'll save in properly storing your fruit and vegetables will far outweigh any upfront expense.

Here are six alternatives to shop.

All of these design-led storage solutions will save space while perfectly preserving your pears (and more). Specialized storage is definitely something people with tidy kitchens always have.

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In the chaos of the day-to-day, it’s all too easy for our spaces to become cluttered. The bathroom knows this all too well. Whether it’s a dainty powder room or an impressive master suite, this space bears the brunt and never seems to have quite enough room to organize our essentials. And when it’s 6:30am, and you’re rushing into work, hunting for your toothbrush among a sea of makeup brushes is hardly an optimal way to start your day.

We’ve found 12 of the best IKEA products that will transform not just your bathroom, but arguably your life by organizing your daily products, covering everything from unconventional towel rack chairs to charming bathroom sets.

But of course — this is Livingetc — and we are anything but utilitarian. So, these bathroom storage ideas will not just streamline and structure; they'll offer a healthy refresh of panache, ensuring every aspect of your routine is stylish, right down to the way you organize it.

These IKEA storage buys for your bathroom can help streamline your day so that your 12-step skincare routine doesn’t require a 12-step clean-up.

While investing in organization can feel like a drag — let’s face it, it’s never been the most enticing item on a shopping list — these buys fuse practicality with taste so storage enriches your space, rather than pollutes it.

Next up, IKEA kitchen storage buys that will double the size of your space.

Reliable, affordable, and accessible are all words people would readily connect with Scandi super-giant, IKEA. Artistry and craftsmanship, however, may not be the most typical descriptors. However, as this beautiful IKEA PS 2026 Pine Cabinet goes to prove, the brand is more than capable of doing both.

Designed by master woodworker and former boatbuilder Friso Weirsma, this ornate cabinet is part of the much-anticipated 2026 IKEA PS Collection. For the first time in over a decade, IKEA has returned with a brand new PS Collection, with the same core concept of Democratic Design, coupled with the new theme of 'Playful Functionality'. Each design in the 44-piece collection offers a unique view of what joy can look like, drawing on the designer's own understanding and experience of the theme. "I was so impressed with all our designers — they took up the task with so much enthusiasm and energy," says Maria O'Brian, the creative lead for this year's collection. "This IKEA PS collection is all about challenging and being playful while staying simple and creating interesting design."

With the signature Scandinavian simplicity that IKEA is known for, coupled with an intricacy and precision you would expect to find in luxurious, designer homewares, this woven cabinet feels at once quintessentially IKEA and undeniably elevated — and it's one of the standout pieces from the whole collection.

IKEA's PS 2026 Woven Cabinet

Although Friso is now a champion of IKEA, his journey to working with the brand was less than conventional. Trained as a traditional woodworker and boatbuilder, Friso saw the massive corporation of IKEA as the antithesis of everything he valued and worked for: "I saw IKEA as such an enemy of what I was doing," he reflects. In response to these feelings, he created a collection exploring how he would use the resources IKEA has available.

"So I made this collection, and I presented it at Milan Design Week, then I got a call from the IKEA design manager who said, ‘I’ve heard you were quite critical, would you like to come and be critical in Sweden?’" Although at first, Friso was hesitant to accept this request, once he did, he never looked back. "When I came here, I found the whole culture of IKEA really fit with me, even more so than the design world.”

But he never left his traditional roots far behind. Even when designing this piece, his primary goal was to create some kind of homage to the craftsman he first trained under. "It was for me a dream to bring this level of craft to IKEA," Friso explains, and in this intricately woven cabinet, he was able to bring that dream to life.

In order to achieve this beautiful, tactile woven finish on the doors, they had to work with expert craftsmen, who hand-wove the doors for each and every cabinet, bringing a level of artistry you wouldn't typically expect to find from a retailer of this size.

Alternatives to Shop

If you love the cool, laid-back look of this design, you're sure to find plenty more where that came from in our roundup of the best Scandi decor pieces. And for the rest of your design inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter.

There is nothing worse than opening your kitchen cabinets and being confronted by a mess of rolling bottles, precarious stacking, and wasted space. No matter how well thought-through the rest of your kitchen is, when the insides of your cupboards look chaotic, it undermines the whole effect.

Enter: IKEA's VARIERA Bottle Rack. This bamboo rack looks simple, but that's also what makes it look incredibly custom when stacked on your shelves. Designed to fit in drawers or shelving from IKEA's kitchen systems, it could also be stacked on a worktop or even inside a fridge, and can hold more than just bottles: think cans, large spice jars, and tins, too.

Small organizational pieces are some of IKEA's best products, and can do so much heavy lifting — no renovation required — and are the kind of kitchen cabinet detail that makes your home feel more expensive.

If the IKEA pick has you rethinking how functional your kitchen cabinets are, there are plenty of other options to choose from, depending on your style and budget.

Because having loose bottles rolling around is something people with tidy kitchen cabinets would never do — here's how to fix it.

Whether you're overhauling your whole kitchen or just finally dealing with that one chaotic cabinet, the right storage makes everything feel calmer, and knowing the latest kitchen storage trends makes everything look better.

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There are a few fundamental ideas central to the concept behind IKEA'S iconic PS Collection: accessibility, innovation, and exploration, to name a few. But equally important is the commitment to small space living. Finding smart, creative solutions to the issues that arise when working with limited space is a leading motivation for the designers at IKEA, and in this year's collection, Matilda Lindstam Nilsson hit the jackpot with this foldable SKIFTEBO chair-bed.

Acting as both a stylish chair and a cozy bed for your guests to sleep on, this design is a must-have for anyone who loves to host but can't always find the space to do so. "For this collection, we really wanted to make everything accessible for people, no matter how big their homes would be, so we have tried to make everything as feasible as possible for a small-space living home," explains Maria O’Brian, creative leader of IKEA’s 2026 PS Collection.

This had to mean something more creative than simply shrinking designs to make them more appropriate for smaller spaces; it was about finding actual solutions that make living in a smaller space easier and more seamless, which is exactly what this chair-bed design does so well.

Matilda Lindstam Nilsson's Chair-Bed

"First of all, it was small-space living that was my inspiration from the beginning," Matilda tells me, with studio apartments, student homes, and urban environments in mind as she designed. This product was created to help quell the issue she noticed occurring all too regularly for those in these homes.

For the majority of us, a guest bedroom is nothing more than a home fantasy, but this doesn't mean we've all written off the possibility of hosting, either — it just means we do it slightly more creatively. In this design, Matilda was determined to show just that: "Even if you don't have an extra guest room, you should be able to have some guests over." And, this chair, which is small enough to fit in either your living room or your bedroom, certainly proves her right.

However, not just practical, it had to look good, too. "It was very important that it would be a nice armchair and a nice bed, at the same time," says Matilda. So whether you choose to have it folded up as a chair or laid out like a bed, it will look just as stylish either way.

Decorating a small space is all about making the most of what you've got, and chair-beds are one of the easiest ways to add a little extra functionality to your home.

And if you love this design from IKEA's PS Collection, you'll also love the new Woven Pine Cabinet from the collection, too.

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The bathroom is the room most people furnish last and think about least — and it shows. A functional vanity, a mirror that came with the flat, a soap dispenser that's been there so long you start using a bar instead. It's only when you start swapping things out that you realize how much the details matter. And do you know a surprisingly good place to shop for expensive-looking (but not necessarily actually expensive) bathroom accessories? IKEA.

That's right, there are plenty of great bathroom buys hidden amongst IKEA's best products. And it's not just the vanities; it's the smaller things too — stoneware accessories, mirrors that could belong in a boutique, or bamboo trays that make a cluttered shelf look more curated. Just like when making your bathroom look more expensive, it's all about material, finish, and a bit of extra thought.

So, what are the most expensive-looking IKEA bathroom buys? I've gone through the range to find 12 pieces most worth your attention, from hooks to hampers and handy little accessories.

When it comes to modern bathroom trends, renovating isn't the only way (in fact, it's often not the best choice). These pieces are all reasonably inexpensive, but will make a massive difference to how your bathroom looks, feels, and functions.

And why stop there? The best IKEA kitchen storage buys could double (if not triple) the storage capacity in the heart of your home.

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Raise your hand if your kitchen pantry is currently cramped and overflowing with half-used bags of flour, outdated tins, and bottles of who-knows-what. Raise your hand if you can't even see the back of your kitchen cupboards, let alone know what's in there. When it comes to organizing a kitchen, especially a smaller one, it's not always about having more storage, but about how you use it.

It might be known for its furniture hacks, but the storage section is where you'll find some of IKEA's best products. Not only is it brimming with clever buys you didn't know you needed (or even existed), but most of the time, they're super affordable, too. From stackable shelf inserts to slimline trolleys and wall-mounted organizers, these clever products can transform every inch of your kitchen into a functional zone, without the need for a full renovation.

Now, I know storage doesn't sound sexy, but this is a Livingetc edit after all, so not only have I considered each piece's ability to double your kitchen storage, but I've also weighed up how it will look doing it, too. So, this is what you need to add to your cart, whether you've got an IKEA kitchen, or not.

Whether you need better pantry organisation, more drawer space, or somewhere to store your seemingly multiplying collection of Tupperware, IKEA’s kitchen storage range demonstrates that you don’t need a full kitchen renovation to make your space feel bigger and more functional.

By investing in some vertical storage, modular organizers, and multi-purpose trolleys, you can completely change how your kitchen works and often for less than the cost of your Friday night takeaway.

After a ten-year hiatus, IKEA is officially back with the latest rendition of the iconic PS Collection, which I was lucky enough to preview ahead of the launch. And, while each of the 44 designs had its own unique appeal, there was one in particular I haven't been able to stop thinking about.

Designed by Lex Pott, the Floor Uplighter may appear simple upon first glance, but once you look a little closer, you'll quickly realize it's anything but. Thanks to two completely discreet hinges, this lamp can be twisted and turned, transforming from an uplighter to a spotlight to a reading lamp, all with a simple shift. It's one of those products you can't believe didn't exist before, and you will want to add it to just about every room in your home.

Centered on the theme of playful functionality, the IKEA PS Collection is all about exploration, innovation, and excitement, and each design offers a unique take on the concept, blending a joyful visual language with forward-thinking, modern design solutions. "It's a joint sort of feeling in the room when you see a product, where people are drawn in, and you see there's an interaction and maybe even a smile on the face," says Maria O'Brian, the creative lead behind this year's collection. There's an element of surprise in these designs, something that makes them different enough to catch your attention, while still being simple enough to work in any home — and that's exactly what this product does so well.

Lex Pott's 'Lamp That Bends'

You know you're onto a winner when your design actually sparks annoyance amongst your colleagues. And that was exactly the case with Lex Pott's genius, bendable floor lamp. In fact, not one, but three other IKEA designers told me their biggest regret was not coming up with the Scandinavian lighting design themselves. And I can see why. Surprisingly simple, and yet undeniably original.

For Lex, the opportunity to design for IKEA's PS Collection was a chance for real exploration and experimentation. "I literally grew up with it," he says of the earlier collections, several of which were released while he was completing his studies. So, when it came to creating his own contribution, it only made sense to refer back to what had come before.

"The common denominator was explicit exploration and experimentation," he tells me, a theme that is certainly present in his designs. "There are a lot of icons that came out of it, but at the same time, it provided me a lot of freedom to think openly and use that heritage and legacy towards new openings," he explains.

"Each PS represents signs of the time," notes Lex, and, with this collection, there is a certain element of optimism and playfulness that feels particularly prevalent. In its saturated tones and secretly flexible form, this lamp challenges your expectations, inviting an element of play into your home. Equally prevalent across the designs, though, is a focus on small-space solutions, but not as you may expect.

It was important for Maria that this collection didn't simply miniaturize products, but offered new, creative ways to make the most of your available space — something this lamp does uniquely well. Describing their modern approach to small-space living, Maria says, "Lex's lamp, for example, is three lamps in one. One sort of footprint which is also really smart for a small space living situation, but it doesn't scream 'I'm made for a tiny space'."

Stylish Alternatives

And if you love this design from IKEA's PS Collection, you'll also love the new Woven Pine Cabinet from the collection, too.

And for more great finds and design ideas, sign up for our newsletter.

If your outdoor space is desperate for a declutter, but the thought of adding a bulky plastic shed fills you with dread, I may have just found the perfect solution. IKEA's KOLBJÖRN Cabinet proves that practical garden storage doesn't have to come at the expense of good design.

With loads of vertical space, shelves, and hooks, coupled with a simplified, Scandi-sleek silhouette, it's got all the functionality you'd expect (and want) from your garden storage ideas, without any of the stress of having to hide them away and out of sight.

In 2026, we're replacing simple storage for 'garden closets' instead, and this beige indoor-outdoor metal cabinet hits the spot. It would blend seamlessly into modern patios, balconies, and compact gardens, receding into the background rather than dominating the design.

What makes the design feel especially elevated is the detailing. Adjustable feet help it sit neatly on uneven patios, while discreet ventilation holes at the base encourage airflow, a practical touch that also keeps the silhouette visually streamlined.

Unlike many outdoor storage solutions, IKEA's KOLBJÖRN cabinet feels intentionally decorative. The soft neutral tone fits perfectly into a Scandi aesthetic, pairing effortlessly with natural wood furniture, gravel courtyards, and Mediterranean-inspired planting schemes.

But if it's not quite to your taste, it's only the beginning when it comes to this new approach to garden storage. Below are a few other options I've found, which include different styles and price points.

Or Try These...

For £159, IKEA's KOLBJÖRN outdoor cabinet feels like a great, design-forward alternative to the average garden shed, especially if you're working with a balcony or compact urban garden where space really matters.

And for more pieces like this, our IKEA garden furniture edit includes the key pieces that we think are big on style, but not on cost.

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Whether you can't find the exact furniture piece you've imagined in your head, or you're trying to furnish a slightly awkward space, we've all been tempted a time or two by the allure of a stylish DIY. However, a burl wood nightstand with a white marble top? I had to do a double-take when I read that this was actually built with IKEA furniture.

The typical IKEA hack usually involves a unique arrangement of BILLY bookcases or HAVASTA cabinets and a coat of paint, maybe some peel-and-stick molding if we are getting fancy. So when I saw burl wood and marble, my first thought was 'this is going to be intensive.' And while it does take some effort, the creator who made these nightstands using IKEA's EKET drawers, Clare Leith, says, "I won't pretend it doesn't require patience; it absolutely does," but the payoff is a one-of-a-kind, expensive-looking bedside table. "It's one of those projects that feels so rewarding when it comes together, I genuinely feel so happy and satisfied every time I wake up and see them," Clare adds.

So, if you've been wanting to score some beautiful burl wood decor pieces for your interior, but are working with a tighter budget, take this as your sign to give this IKEA nightstand hack a chance. A little elbow grease always results in a more personalized space.

As with most hacks and easy home DIYs, this burl wood and marble nightstand project was born out of necessity. Clare Leith explains, "We'd bought a bed with an extended headboard and quite a low profile, and I was desperate to find bedside tables that matched both dimensions — nothing too tall, and wide enough to sit flush with the headboard." Simple in theory, but difficult in practice.

"I'd seen beautiful pieces from homeware brands like Soho Home (the stunning Warwick Bedside Table comes instantly to mind), but it felt silly to spend that kind of money on something that still wasn't quite right for our specific space in terms of shape and size," adds Clare.

Going custom is the best way to ensure your home pieces fit both aesthetically and functionally. And while the personality of burl wood furniture has definitely gained popularity over the past year's interior design trends, this particular IKEA piece feels unique.

"What I found interesting was that nobody seemed to have done anything quite like this before with the IKEA drawer," shares Clare. So to begin the process, "I ended up down a rabbit hole of tutorials from men veneering speakers, trawling through comment sections to learn from other people's mistakes so I could avoid the same pitfalls myself." How did it go? Well, more on that below.

What You Will Need

The main thing to note about this DIY is that you'll be working with wood veneer and a marble slab if you choose to follow Clare's exact steps. "There were definitely some challenges to perfectly applying the veneer, and of course, as bedside tables come in pairs, you'll have to make two!" says Clare. "But the second one was noticeably easier and quicker."

Below is a list of everything you'll need to prep and plan for your nightstand DIY project.

• IKEA EKET drawers in walnut
• Wood veneer of your choice
• A marble tile to fit the top (IKEA has a marble effect wall panel, or you could use marble contact paper)
• Contact adhesive
• A foam roller and tray
• A small water spray bottle
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• A pair of scissors (most likely a pair already in the drawer)
• A weight (anything heavy enough around the house could do!)
• A flat board to iron on (a plank of wood works best)
• An inexpensive iron (pro tip: the wood stain can transfer onto it, so don't use one you love)

After you have your equipment sorted, all that's left is putting in the time. The burl wood veneer will be your biggest challenge. As Clare says, "Getting the burl veneer flat enough was tough, though I did get the hang of it after a few attempts."

Burl wood is naturally knotty, which creates an uneven surface that needs some serious ironing out to make it flat. "The method I found worked best was to spray both sides of the veneer generously with water and leave it to absorb for five to ten minutes, then spray again so it's thoroughly hydrated," says Clare.

With your iron on the move at all times, work over both sides, flipping and repeating until the veneer is completely dry. Then "immediately place it under a flat piece of wood from your IKEA set with a weight on top for five minutes, and the moment you lift it, roll on the adhesive straight away before it has any chance to start curling again," says Clare. It's not that it's exponentially hard, but that it takes patience.

The top tip is to make sure the veneer is bone dry before applying the adhesive; if there's any residual moisture, it can shrink slightly once it's on the furniture. Then secondly, "the veneer can be brittle when dry, so when trimming the edges, take it slowly with a sharp pair of scissors," adds Clare. But above all, enjoy it, because on the other side is a beautiful pair of bedside tables to style with all of your favorite things.

Then you simply add the marble top and voila!

IKEA furniture hacks are the quickest way to make your interior feel more customized and personal, and even though this one isn't too intensive, it still requires a bit of effort.

And if you really can't be bothered with a DIY, then of course, there are ways to shop the burl wood nightstands ready-made.

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IKEA's original glossy orange lamp has been a main character in the realm of internet viral interior finds since its release in 2023. And now, the Scandi brand has released a new, frosted, smart version that claims to be much more customizable. So, I put the IKEA VARMBLIXT to the test, and it did not disappoint.

While I would put it up there with some of the best IKEA products, there are a couple of specifics about the lamp you should know before you adopt it into your home. Simply put, it's more diverse than the original donut and a stylish addition to homes built around sensory design and vibe-y aesthetics.

However, it's not as flexible without a home hub to pair with. But before I get into the technicalities, let's start with the lamp's quality.

Is IKEA's VARMBLIXT Lamp Good Quality?

IKEA is beloved for providing high-quality homewares on a humble budget. And as far as table lamps are concerned, the VARMBLIXT is no exception. The lamp itself is fairly heavy, which in part is due to its durable glass top.

Although I'm partial to cordless lamps, I will admit that the cord on the VARMBLIXT also boasts a more premium finish than typical plastic-clad wiring. Additionally, the lamp also comes with a mini remote control that adds to the overall user quality of the light.

"We spent a lot of time fine-tuning the transitions between the curated colors," says Sabine Marcelis, interior designer, artist, and creative behind the VARMBLIXT revamp. "What makes this lamp unique is that switching between colours is not a sudden change, but a very smooth journey through all the hues to get to the next color."

This updated function in the VARMBLIXT is another factor that elevates its experience in defining the way your space glows, and speaks to the quality of its functioning.

Does IKEA's VARMBLIXT Lamp Work Well?

Moving on to the actual working of IKEA's VARMBLIXT, I'm impressed and not in the least bit surprised that this donut lamp is a contemporary favorite. Although the comment section under the product features some users feeling frustrated by the setup, I found the instruction guide quite straightforward.

Living in a furnished studio with lighting designed into the space, I haven't found the need for a smart system to control my space. This means that I don't get to reap the benefits of the hyper-customization you can unlock with the DIRIGERA hub or a larger recognized home networking hub.

Having said that, I'm quite content with the preset color options, including white, amber, warm red, pink, lavender, turquoise, and yellow tones. And the ability to dim the light with the battery-controlled remote allows you to control the ambiance with a click.

How Does IKEA's VARMBLIXT Lamp Rank on Style?

Having been such a fan of the original glossy finish on the VARMBLIXT, I had some reservations about the frosted finish. But I stand corrected, as this mellow finish has made it a soothing addition to my bedroom lighting scheme.

With regards to the silhouette of the VARMBLIXT, the iconic donut shape adds a softness to my space. And the base is cleverly designed to be well concealed, so you don't have to worry about it stealing the shine away from the glass top.

So, if you ask me, the VARMBLIXT definitely has a style factor to it. The cord is the only thing tainting the vision ever-so-slightly. However, I've spotted some interior enthusiasts braiding and beading around the wire to conceal it.

Is IKEA's VARMBLIXT Lamp Worth It?

Yes, IKEA's VAMRBLIXT is absolutely worth it. It's stylish, high-quality, and easy to work with. Plus, it has a lifetime of around 25,000 years. So, if you keep your VARMBLIXT on for three hours a day, it'll happily live on for 20 years or so.

If your home is already kitted out with other IKEA products like the smart sensors and motion sensor lights, then you probably have a hub. Which means that you'll have access to a whole new level of color customization. This is also possible if you have another Matter-compatible smart home framework, from Alexa to Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.

At £55, I'd go as far as to say the VARMBLIXT is a steal. But if it's out of stock or you want to explore other options, then here are some alternatives.

If you're looking for a more muted way to illuminate your space, IKEA's Ilse Crawford collection is a must to snoop through. And for more reviews of the latest homewares, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter.

There are certain names that embody quiet luxury, and Ilse Crawford is absolutely one of them. The British designer has spent decades shaping the way in stylish homes, boutique hotels, and high-end spaces. Her designs champion warm minimalism and tactile materials, and prioritize comfort as much as beauty.

As the founder of Studioilse and former editor-in-chief of ELLE Decoration UK, Ilse's work usually comes with a premium price tag, whether it’s collectible furniture, luxury lighting, or hospitality projects for brands like Soho House and Ett Hem hotel in Stockholm. And that's exactly what makes IKEA’s newest products — two table lamps designed by Ilse Crawford — such a big deal.

That's right, IKEA's new HALGATT table lamps have the backing of a seriously big name in design, and despite the elevated ceramic finish, soft linen shades, and design-y silhouettes, they only cost £25 and £35, making them absolutely, definitely the most affordable way to bring the designer's signature aesthetic home.

As with much of Ilse Crawford’s work, the new IKEA HALGATT lamps focus on atmosphere rather than statement-making spectacle. "When I design lamps, I want them to bring warmth and life to a room," she shares. "The challenge is to capture a classic’s qualities — the right proportions, choice of materials and shade, and a timelessness that makes the lamp always feel relevant."

As for her inspiration, Ilse explains it came from how we live our lives. "They have a versatility that supports the decor rather than dominating it — and are just as suitable in the living room as in a dining room, a bedroom, or a work area."

Both lamps are dimmable and crafted from ceramic with linen shades; a material combination Ilse has long favored for its warmth and tactility. While designer lighting often reached into triple-digit territory, IKEA’s pricing and commitment to 'democratic design' make these pieces feel surprisingly attainable.

Shop Stylish Alternatives

In 2026, designer homeware can come with intimidating price tags, but IKEA's new HALGATT collection offers a refreshing alternative. These table lamps offer a way to infuse your home with Ilse Crawford's signature warmth, comfort, and sophistication. And we've found plenty more anti-trend high street buys just like it.

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If there's one thing the world could always do with a little bit more of, it's joy. And, following a sneak preview at Milan Design Week, today, IKEA is officially unveiling the full 44-piece PS Collection, focusing on exactly that. This year, for the tenth installment of this brand-defining initiative, IKEA has partnered with 12 different artists for a joyful celebration, where functionality meets fun.

Arguably the most iconic name in interiors, for over 80 years, IKEA has offered homeowners across the globe high-quality, functional designs at a famously accessible price point. They introduced us to Scandi minimalism, long before it became a trend, and have continued to surprise and delight with each new launch. But, while it may be the reliable basics that are known as IKEA's best products, for over 30 years now, IKEA has explored true innovation within design, partnering with designers from across the world for their boundary-pushing PS Collection. Maria O'Brian, creative leader of the most recent iteration, explains, "Central to IKEA PS is the idea that simplicity doesn't have to be boring, but that it can reveal design in its purest and most engaging form. My hope is that through interaction and surprise, this simplicity gives way to discovery, with objects that have multiple functions and unexpected details that make people happy."

IKEA has returned to the core principles of Democratic Design, creating high-quality products that are designed to last, at a price point that's accessible to all. Centered around the idea of 'playful functionality', each of the 44 pieces explores the intersection of playfulness and practicality, finding fun in functionality. These are products designed to bring a smile to your face every day — so long as you can get your hands on one before it sells out.

What is The IKEA PS Collection?

First launched in 1995, following a turbulent era marked by the global effects of the stock exchange crash, the PS Collection was conceived as a way for the Scandinavian design brand to return to its roots and celebrate the unique visual culture of the nation. Suddenly, minimalist interior design was decidedly in vogue, and there was no better time to show the rest of the world how it's done.

The first iteration of the PS Collection saw 18 designers from across Scandinavia coming together to create a line of products that felt both innovative and authentically Scandi. Launched at Milan Design Week under the theme of Democratic Design, the main idea was that high-quality, functional design should be accessible to all. This collection, which included pieces like Thomas Eriksson's now iconic PS 1995 Clock, was an instant success and marked the beginning of a new direction for the brand.

What separates the PS Collection designs from the rest of the range is this ineffable element of surprise present in each piece. Explaning how she selects the designs, Maria tells me, "I would say it's a joint sort of feeling in the room when you see a product where people are drawn in, and you see there's an interaction and maybe even a smile on the face."

Since then, the PS Collections have become a way for the brand to explore new, creative ideas, showcasing the talents of artists and designers from across the world. And while the idea of Democratic Design has remained consistent across each development, themes like 'Unlimited Play' and 'Inside Out-Outside In' have offered up new, unique ways of interpreting this philosophy.

What to Expect From IKEA's 2026 PS Collection

For the first time since 2017, IKEA is back with the 10th installment of the PS Collection. As ever, the idea of Democratic Design is at the center of the launch, though coupled this year with the theme of 'Playful Functionality,' meaning you can expect the same high-quality designs and approachable price points, with an added touch of fun — something we could all undoubtedly do with some more of.

This theme, Maria tells me, was, in fact, a product of the designs, rather than the other way around. "Once we started looking at the objects in the collection, we saw that the playfulness was there and the functionality was something that was underlying throughout the whole process, so it came out of the project that those two words were kind of what we saw were represented, but also something that had been really important throughout the process, but maybe not specifically nailed down from the start."

In a shift away from the seriousness that once dominated design, while the world feels increasingly uncertain and turbulent, a little bit of playfulism is exactly what the doctor ordered. In this collection, a group of 12 designers from across the globe offer up their own takes on the theme. Full of unique, personal interpretations, each product from the 44-piece collection was conceived with the same goal: to bring more joy to your day-to-day.

We see designers play with color, picking out the hues and tones that bring a smile to their faces, while other artists search for the joy in unexpected shapes and forms, infusing modern, practical designs with a sense of childlike intrigue and wonder. “I was so impressed with all our designers — they took up the task with so much enthusiasm and energy," notes Maria, "Everyone started looking into how we can reduce materials while creating more impact. This IKEA PS collection is all about challenging and being playful while staying simple and creating interesting design."

The sheer variety in the collection goes to show just how many forms joy and pleasure can take, each equally valuable and worthy of celebration. In offering these artists the opportunity to explore their own versions of joy, IKEA has created a collection that actively encourages us to consider what happiness looks like to us, while also inviting us to share in the joy of others.

As well as joy and functionality, the heritage of Scandinavian design also plays a role in this collection; however, it was important to Maria that this didn't mean moving backwards, "I think with IKEA PS we really wanted to dig into where we come from with the Scandinavian heritage, but without being nostalgic, so we really wanted to look at where we come from and take inspiration from that but move it into the future. And the way we did it is by briefing 12 designers to do their version of that and see how that could surprise us in the team briefing, and I think in the end the collection kind of speaks for itself that we got these playful functional objects."

Joining the inflatable chair, rocking bench, and flexible lamp previewed at Milan Design Week is a plethora of playful and practical designs, with something at every point across the spectrum. At the more functional end, you'll find two elegantly designed, solid wooden storage systems from master cabinet maker and designer Friso Wiersma, while Maria Vinka's hand-blown glass vases are an embodiment of pure fairytale whimsy.

For those with limited space, Matilda Lindstam Nilsson's elegant folding chair-bed hybrid will be a standout; the perfect home office sofa bed solution. And, we'd be remiss to not mention Mikael Axelsson's vibrant green inflatable chair, which is sure to become an internet sensation.

Shop Previous Collections

While the full collection is available in UK stores from today, it won't be available to shop online until Friday 22nd May. But, if you missed any of the previous PS collections, these are a few of my favorites to tide you over until then.

When so much of life feels so inescapably serious, a collection that is so unashamedly and undeniably centered around having fun couldn't feel like more of a breath of fresh air. Just like good design, joy should be accessible to all, and this collection brings that belief to life.

And for more newly-launched products we're loving, IKEA's TERRSJÖ Kitchen Door Fronts are giving serious designer looks without the price tag.

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As the warmer months bring longer, lighter days, we begin to leave our cozy sofas behind in favor of summer evenings in the garden. I thought that there was nothing more magical than an evening under the stars, dining around a table with friends, lit by string lights — until I saw how beautiful a garden can look with firefly lighting.

Firefly lighting creates something a bit more organic and atmospheric than a traditional string light setup. Instead of the bright, uniformed strings, it mimics the gentle, scattered glow of fireflies flickering in the dusk. And one of the most chic and easy ways to recreate the trend is with IKEA's SOLVINDEN Solar-Powered Ground Stick.

This simple, stylish outdoor firefly light is an effortless way to make your garden feel more magical. You can place it anywhere in your space for an elevated, enchanted take on this outdoor lighting trend.

Dot lights along pathways, nestle them in flower beds, or arrange them around seating areas to create warmth. The light is diffused, so it avoids the harshness that can come with stark garden lighting, allowing a natural space to remain as such.

The solar-powered aspect is a great advantage, too, because you can reduce your energy use without sacrificing the atmosphere. This take on the firefly aesthetic is also easy to achieve — no electrician or precision wiring necessary. In fact, it looks best with irregular placement rather than symmetry. Try placing the SOLVINDEN garden light in foliage or behind planters to create depth, as if the garden is gently glowing.

Stylish Alternatives

The appeal of the SOLVINDEN garden light is not just about how it provides an affordable, solar-powered solution for outdoor lighting, but how it completely transforms the mood and magic of an outdoor space. IKEA also has some equally magical SOLVINDEN solar-powered outdoor lanterns, which are inexpensive and can be hung anywhere in your garden.

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Curved sofas are still dominating our living rooms; the softer silhouettes instantly make a space feel more elevated and cocooning. And while designer versions can easily set you back thousands, IKEA's recently released LILLESÄTER sofa delivers the same sculptural look for a fraction of the price. Is this the brand's best-looking sofa yet? I certainly think so.

While it comes in a bright yellow for the brazenly bold out there, it's the creamy, off-white bouclé fabric option that feels effortlessly expensive to me. The rounded arms, pillowy profile, and curved shape mean it will slip seamlessly into your space, without looking too heavy or dominating. It's certainly a strong contender for one of IKEA's best sofas.

And while I haven't had a chance to sit on it personally, I noticed it's made with a pocket-spring core and cold-moulded foam, the same as IKEA's STOCKHOLM 2025 sofa, which interiors editor Emma Breislin has sat on. "It's certainly a firmer sofa, not one you'll 'sink' into," she shares of this specific construction, "but it still comfortably supports you, and aesthetically, won't slouch or sag. I'd recommend adding some throw pillows for a bit of extra squish, though."

This sofa achieves the quiet luxury aesthetic without feeling sterile, and the organic silhouette helps balance out sharper architectural interiors beautifully.

And even better: the collection extends beyond just the sofa. There’s a matching swivel armchair, ottoman, and multiple modular sofa sizes, making it surprisingly easy to create a cohesive living room scheme around the look.

Stylish Alternatives to Shop

When it comes to sofa trends, curved silhouettes are here to stay. It helps to balance and soften more linear spaces, creating an enveloping and cocooning feeling — just what you want in your living room.

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Summer is on its way, and with it comes the promise of hosting friends and al fresco dining. And while preparation is key — garden furniture cleaned, lawns freshly mowed, cushions curated, and maybe even a pizza oven in pride of place — nothing can prepare you for one of your guests turning up with an unexpected plus one. Or can it...

IKEA's new foldable SOLUPPGÅNG stool may be part of the brand's camping collection, but its simple, refined design is what makes it most useful. In fact, Livingetc's editor Hugh Metcalf even styles a similar design in his bedroom. "It’s the kind of stool that just tucks away in between things, or behind a cabinet, so when you don’t want to see it, you don’t, but when you need a quick spot to perch, you can pull it out and set it up with one hand."

And yes, it's perfect for when you need to squeeze in one extra seat in your garden. Made with a durable canvas seat and eucalyptus legs, it's simple, sleek, and designed for the outdoors.

When it comes to outdoor furniture ideas for small spaces, there are two things worth keeping in mind: multifunctionality and foldability. Pieces that can double up in function mean you need fewer overall, and pieces that can cleverly fold away — like this stool — take up less valuable floor space.

It may be simple, but I bet it'll be a small space saviour, inside and out. But, for those who appreciate the utility of a fold-away stool but would prefer something with a little more luxury or architectural flamboyance, here are a few other options that achieve a similar goal.

The IKEA SOLUPPGÅNG stool is the secret weapon for hosting garden parties and elevating picnics this summer. But that's not all the flat-pack retailer has to offer by way of folding furniture — make sure to check out IKEA DJUPON outdoor folding table, too.

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When curating an outdoor space, no matter the size, shape, or location, you want it to look good, and you want to feel good in it, too. As natural extensions of our home, our outdoor areas are increasingly being designed with the same care and consideration as our interiors. Furniture pieces for our gardens aren't just crafted to withstand the elements; they're crafted to prioritize comfort and style, which also happen to stand up to the elements.

In its third year, IKEA's NÄMMARÖ series nails this time and again, and the Naemarroe Outdoor Lounge Chair is no exception. Effortlessly elegant, practical, and wonderfully affordable at under £100, the sleek wood frame with textured beige cushions ensures it will work in any space, adding warmth, depth, and quiet elegance.

And the refined simplicity of this IKEA outdoor sofa makes it a dream to style, too, whether you have a patio or a larger outdoor space. It's one of those garden furniture pieces that looks far more expensive than it actually is, and with the rate that the NÄMMARÖ series is flying off the shelves, this style is sure to sell out soon, too.

The latest outdoor furniture trends show a continued blurring of interior and exterior spaces, pieces designed to look just as good styled indoors as out, with comfort a key priority — and IKEA's NÄMMARÖ Outdoor Lounge Chair does exactly that.

Here's what some of its 5-star rating customers have to say about it:

- "Big comfy chair! This is even better than expected! Super big seat where you can curl up and chill out. Good quality, heavy chair!"

- "I absolutely love this chair. It’s sturdy and comfortable and looks great."

- "Stylish and smart. We have the set and love it. It's well made (we glued plus screws) and looks much more expensive than it actually was. Very impressed."

For under £100, it's an absolute steal, in my opinion.

Stylish Alternatives

If you're designing your outdoor space from scratch and looking for clever ways to zone your seating area or add some extra privacy, IKEA's 3-in-1 NÄMMARÖ privacy screen will do just that — and it will pair beautifully with the outdoor lounge chair, too.

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Okay, truth time: painting IKEA furniture isn't as simple as just painting IKEA furniture. There's a trick to getting a smooth and lasting finish. But scrolling through the sea of social videos of people transforming the famed flat-pack furniture can instil you with a false sense of security — "I can definitely do that" are infamous last words. But the good news is that I've asked expert DIYers how to get a professional-looking paint job when painting IKEA furniture.

To yield the best results from an IKEA hack, especially one that involves paint, it's always best to start with proper research, planning, and prep. This is where I can personally help. There are plenty of things I wish I knew before painting my IKEA BILLY bookcase, but luckily, you can learn from my mistakes. And while it's not necessarily hard, it definitely isn't as easy as grabbing a brush and going.

Knowing how to paint IKEA furniture so that it looks custom and not DIY means everything from knowing how to properly prime to the specific type of paint you use. Below, the experts share the tips they've learned along the way.

Never considered painting your IKEA furniture? "It makes the pieces so versatile and at a much lower cost option than building something from scratch," professional DIYer Valeria Jacobs tells me. "In our kitchen, I couldn't find anything that fit the smaller wall space we had. The IKEA HAVSTA cabinet was perfect in terms of size, but it needed a little something to feel more like us." But a fresh paint color and a bit of customization brought it to life.

But it does depend on the IKEA product you're working with. "I love the IKEA HAVSTA cabinet because it's made of solid wood, which makes it much easier to work with, just like any other furniture piece," says Valeria. "A good primer followed by your paint of choice usually does the trick," she adds.

But the amount of prep required really depends on the piece. "In my experience, pieces like the IKEA PAX wardrobe system or the IKEA BILLY bookcase are a little more intensive. Prep is everything," Valeria adds. You'll also need to lightly sand the surface and use a high-quality bonding primer (like Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3, available on Amazon) before painting. "It takes more work and patience, but it's worth it in the end," says Valeria.

Technically speaking, the trickiest part, especially with pieces like PAX or BILLY, is the prep. Taking the time to properly sand and prime makes all the difference in how the final result looks and holds up over time.

As far as budget-friendly DIYs go, painting your IKEA furniture is one of the simplest. "It gives so much flexibility with its internal design; a bespoke wardrobe of a similar size would cost at least double for materials alone," says home renovation and decorating expert Sophia Hardy.

For Sophia, laying down the paint is the most crucial step to making IKEA DIYs look custom. "For our IKEA PAX wardrobe DIY, we used Zinsser BIN Primer to prep the areas we wanted to paint, followed by Little Green Intelligent Eggshell," she says of the unit pictured above.

"I highly recommend three coats of paint with ample time for the paint to cure between coats for the best results," Sophia adds. This coverage will help your piece look smoother, thicker, and hide any imperfections. Plus, "I found using a microfiber roller from ProDec the best, and I use these in all my DIYs," she adds.

Creator and DIYer Luke Arthur Wells has also painted his fair share of IKEA furniture in his time, and recommends another, final step to help protect your painted surfaces. "If you do all the precautionary prep, you shouldn't have too much of a problem with your paint job chipping, but when you're painting melamine, in particular, it will find any reason not to adhere. I'd always, now, finish with a clear, matte varnish to help it endure daily life, and this Polyvine Decorators' one from Amazon is one I've tried, trusted, and recommended to hundreds of people over the years."

But while a fresh new color is fun, "What really makes the biggest difference is going beyond just paint," says Valeria. "Adding molding (peel-and-stick molding is a great DIY option), swapping out the hardware for something like unlacquered brass, wallpapering or painting an accent color inside, and thinking about the overall details can completely change the look." All of these upgrades help to personalize and make a piece feel more custom.

"We added some coving details from the Wickes Kitchen department, along with a base trim from Skirting4U," adds Sophia. Coat these details in paint as well, and you'll have an IKEA furniture piece that looks totally designer.

Basically, it just takes a little bit of patience and prep to ensure a stylish outcome. Or, if you want an even easier IKEA DIY, you could try my new favorite find: the IKEA magazine rack DIY.

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When I first saw this colorful home cinema, it wasn't the cleverly concealed screen or massive mint-blue sofa that caught my attention (though both are feasts for the eyes). No — it was the soft wall of pale pink sheer curtains covering the brick wall behind the sofa. What an interesting design choice, I thought.

Speaking with the designers, I discovered that the decision to decorate with sheer curtains was about preserving the heritage-listed brick wall while transforming the room's atmosphere. "The pink tone was carefully chosen as part of a color palette in response to the client’s admiration for Wes Anderson, whose distinctive style often balances nostalgia with playfulness," interior designer Sophie van Winden, co-founder of Owl Design, adds.

And, even better, I've found a way to get the look in your home for as little as £15. IKEA's STENFRÖ Sheer Curtains come in a very similar soft pink (as well as six other colors, including green, turquoise, and dark blue), and while most would think to style them on your windows, as this space proves, there are so many more possibilities.

This home cinema room is located in a listed mid-century property, which became the starting point of Owl Design co-founders Sophie van Winden and Simone Gordon's plans. "Preserving the integrity and visibility of the original brickwork felt important," Sophie explains. "Rather than concealing it, the curtain was introduced as a soft, permeable layer that allows the texture and history of the bricks to remain visible beneath."

The pink hue wasn't a whim, either. "It was adds a subtle theatricality — again echoing the influence of Wes Anderson — while the translucency maintains a dialogue with the brick behind, creating depth and a layered, almost cinematic backdrop." The result, she says, lets "the space honour its architectural past while introducing a contemporary, expressive element that feels intentional rather than purely decorative."

And it does more than look the part. "The curtain transforms the room both visually and functionally," she adds. "Acoustically, the fabric helps soften sound, making it far more suitable for film viewing without compromising the character of the space. Visually, it brings warmth and cohesion, shifting the room from a daytime playroom into a more immersive, atmospheric cinema setting."

It's clear that decoratively, drapes can do so much more than just cover your windows. They can be used to subtly divide spaces in open-plan layouts and even replace doors, while adding curtains behind your bed introduces the sort of softness you want in a sleep space.

And if you're not using them to block out light, sheer curtains add an ethereal feel, while ensuring sightlines aren't completely blocked, which means less visual weight and unwanted bulk or heaviness in your space.

Plus, IKEA's style is so affordable, and if a pretty pink isn't right for your space, there are three other colors (see below), as well as more neutral shades, including beige, white, and gray.

Now that you've thought about switching up the way you decorate your walls, why not consider other interesting things to hang on your walls instead of art? The options are endless.

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I really love plants. I love how they can completely transform a space, adding visual depth, texture, and a delightful dose of greenery. But after having just finished watering my 38 live plants, I also know full well that they are not exactly low-maintenance — particularly as we move into the warmer months and watering frequency increases.

Not to mention the plants I've lost over the years from trying to house them in spots where the conditions just weren’t suitable — too dark; too near a draft or heat source — and so while, for the most part, I would suggest sticking with the real thing, I can entirely appreciate the merits of artificial options, too; which is why I also have some faux varieties at home as well. The key is that they have to look good. And with that in mind, it stands to reason why I was completely taken by IKEA's new FEJKA Weeping Fig Artificial Potted Plant.

This plant already has three 5-star reviews. all of which herald it as "very realistic". Part of the reason faux plants can get a bit of a bad rep is down to those overtly plastic and 'fake' looking options that can absolutely bring down the vibe of a space. But this weeping fig plant is not one of those. The well-crafted, life-like plant is easy to shape, looks way more expensive than its price tag, and would make a stylish addition to any space, from an urban garden to a modern living room corner — no plant parenting required.

If you've never considered artificial foliage before, it really can be the answer to many an issue. Take interiors editor Emma Breislin's home as an example.

"I'd typically tell anyone who'd listen to avoid artificial foliage at all costs, but in doing so, I'd be a hypocrite. That's right — I currently have a faux tree in the corner of my living room. Do I love it? No, but my living room has no natural light and very tall ceilings, so I needed something with a bit of height to balance it. A real tree wouldn't have survived, and well, faux plants are better than no plants."

I equally have some artificial plants in specific areas of my home where I know (or have since found out!) real plants will not survive, and, so long as you choose wisely, faux plants can make for a chic addition to your space.

And to substantiate the merits of this specific faux plant, these are what customers have to say about it:

• “I needed a really big plant for a dark and dingy corner of the lounge — this was such a good price, I wasn't sure what to expect, but if it didn't look realistic, I would just cover it in fairy lights. I was blown away by the quality of it! So easy to assemble and fluff the branches to the shape you want. It looks very realistic and is a fantastic addition to the lounge. I'm really tempted to buy another!”
• “Easy to assemble and looks amazing in my living room, very realistic. Nice, big size; fills a bare corner of my living room, and I have lit it up with a plug-in uplighter, which really shows it off.”
• “The Fejka tree has totally transformed my sitting room — wish I could leave a picture here! Really happy and looks very realistic.”

If you're dealing with tricky conditions for real plants to thrive in, have a busy lifestyle, or are just not quite as green-thumbed as you'd like to be, IKEA's FEJKA Weeping Fig Artificial Potted Plant is a practical, affordable, and durable option for bringing year-round greenery into a space, without the fuss of a real plant — all while looking just like one.

Worthy Alternatives

If you like the idea of an artificial plant, but want to explore other options, here are a few more of my favorites.

Plant Pots to Style

Sometimes, a faux plant can look spot on, but its pot gives it away — often too small for a real plant — and even in the case of IKEA's weeping fig, I would recommend styling in a larger pot for an even more realistic display. Here are some great options to elevate your space.

Overall, there's absolutely a time and a place for artificial foliage — and whether it's down to the conditions of your space, busy schedule, or your plant-parenting abilities, faux plants are an excellent way to add a decorative touch to your scheme, without the maintenance, just as long as you choose your plants wisely.

And if you're concerned whether fake plants are bad feng shui, I can confirm that they're not — what matters, though, is their placement.

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The pandemic and subsequent era of WFH may have been six years ago, now, but I still don't think I've properly worked out how to squeeze a desk inside my tiny apartment. I should have guessed the solution would come from IKEA. Recently, I found myself enamored with a bookcase that, in seconds, extends into a desk or table. Then, when no longer needed, the leaf just as easily folds back up into the frame, no mess and no fuss.

It was Dana Been, owner of a 135-square-foot studio apartment in Amsterdam, who set me onto it. She turned IKEA's cult BILLY bookcase into perhaps the most luxe-looking convertible table you’ve ever seen, complete with a new paint job, colorful Dutch-inspired decor, and a funky table lamp to match.

As a freelance design writer, I am particularly interested in these handy solutions, especially the rare option that presents new and exciting ways to improve both my remote work experience and interiors in one fell swoop. Eager to know more, I got to speak to Dana myself, asking her for all the ins and outs of this clever IKEA hack and whether she'd recommend the small-space-savvy furniture piece.

Unsurprisingly, Dana's overall review of the bookcase-table-crossover was quite positive. "What I love the most about IKEA's BILLY is that it’s multifunctional and a good solution for people who live in small homes or people who work from home and who easily want to hide their workstation," she told me. "For students, this would also be a great solution to add to a student dorm/room."

I was particularly interested in whether setup and "breakdown," for lack of a better term, were as simple as Dana made it out to be online: when extended, does this piece really fold up that quickly and easily?

She insisted that yes, the convertible portion is genuinely as easy to maneuver as her videos make it seem, thanks to the handy wheels on the bottom of the piece. It really does take mere seconds to both arrange and take down.

Of course, there are downsides here too, the biggest being that the BILLY is not adjustable, which means it might not work for everyone. If you find yourself needing some hyper-specific accommodations at your work desk, maybe steer clear.

"It is not an ergonomic desk, and IKEA also does not claim it is one," Dana adds. "Luckily, for my height, the desk works."

The second drawback is the lack of desk storage. For me, for instance, my work desk doubles as a place to keep tax papers, stray charging cables, and the odd bit of post after the holidays have come and gone. That wouldn't be the case if the BILLY were your primary workstation — especially as it folds away at the end of the day.

But, if that bothers you, though, "an easy fix for that is to add the IKEA FJÄDERHARV drawers, [which is] where I put my electronics, workpapers, pencils, notebooks, etc.," Dana offered.

On styling, Dana suggests making the BILLY your own, just as she did. For lighting, "adding a bold statement lamp on top is not only practical, but also gives a nice dynamic touch," Dana suggested. For the shelves, "I used sculptures, cups, and candles to make it visually interesting."

Dressing up the area around the bookcase can also elevate the piece itself. Dana, for instance, opted to add the BLODLÖNN reflective tiles from IKEA on the wall above to make the corner of her room look bigger (mirrors are one of the living room styling tricks).

You can also paint your bookcase, just like Dana did, but "preparation is everything!" she insists. (Livingetc's design writer, Olivia Wolfe, has also previously shared her lessons from painting IKEA's BILLY Bookshelves.)

"Make sure you use high-quality furniture paint and clean/degrease the BILLY thoroughly," Dana adds. "Sanding it before painting is often recommended, but I personally skipped that step."

Above all, be patient. "Apply thin layers and let them dry properly in between sessions," Dana said. "This way, you get an even, silky finish without weird streaks. You can add a topcoat on the spots that get a lot of wear and tear, like the top and side of the desk, where the paint can get chipped off."

It's a bit of effort, sure — but once you're done, you'll have a fully personalized and optimized piece at a fraction of the price.

Shop Stylish Alternatives

Perhaps the convertible BILLY isn't available in your region, or maybe it's just not right for your space — no matter. Consider instead one of the equally stylish and functional alternatives I've sourced below.

Is all this talk about small spaces activating your inner Marie Kondo? Never fear; Livingetc has got plenty of advice on the art of decluttering and minimalism, and it's yours for the taking. Just in time for spring cleaning!

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Ribbed, slatted, fluted, or waved — however you describe it, there's no denying the fact that this textured finish has become one of the most popular design trends out there. From islands to sideboards and cabinets, there's no avoiding it, and honestly, why would you want to? This is one of those trends that's popular for a reason, and we've just found one of the most affordable ways to bring it into your home.

TERRSJÖ textured kitchen door fronts, launched this month by IKEA, offer a simple, cost-effective way to bring this increasingly popular finish to your space. The range of fronts covers every storage solution your space could need, designed to fit IKEA's METOD kitchen series, and all with the same warm terracotta-toned, textured waves.

While before, this trend had been reserved for luxurious, custom-designed kitchens, this IKEA collection opens it up to the masses, letting us all get in on the look, and I predict the IKEA TERRSJO Door is going to be a big new style for the brand.

More Textured Finish Options for Your Kitchen

Alternative Styles for Anywhere in the Home

The textured finish of IKEA's TERRSJÖ doors is one of the many kitchen cabinet trends we're seeing dominate modern spaces this year — and we're absolutely here for it. And for more design inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter, and all the latest will be delivered directly to your inbox.

IKEA's PS collection represents the brand at its best. First revealed back in 1995 at the Milan furniture fair, it's back again in 2026 — now in its tenth iteration. And while the full collection won't be revealed until May 13 (when it hits online and in stores), we've been teased about what's to come with the IKEA PS 2026 Easy Chair, the IKEA PS 2026 Floor Uplighter, and the IKEA PS 2026 Bench, and what's to come looks good.

Following turbulence in the 80s, this collection was (and still is) about the brand returning to its roots (specifically, that iconic blonde pine), and is made up of furniture that's true to a minimalist, Scandinavian style at a low price. It was originally presented under the theme of 'Democratic Design', an ideology that IKEA still holds close: that good design should be accessible to all.

While we don't know everything yet, we're told that the full fresh line-up promises to bring both "function and fun," catering to the way we live today. As I mentioned, an inflatable chair, a trumpet-shaped lamp that bends, and a recyclable bench that rocks have all been revealed at Milan Design Week this week, so let's take a closer look.

IKEA PS 2026 Easy Chair

When it comes to democratizing design, IKEA designer Mikael Axellson thought you couldn't do much better than working with air; "It’s free, and everyone has access to it," he says. His 'Easy Chair' is a reimagining of the 1990s inflatable furniture trend, though you'd never believe it just by looking at it.

Featuring a sturdy carbon steel frame and a stunning emerald-green textile cover, assembly requires a foot pump and a fair bit of enthusiasm. "An electric pump would’ve made assembly slightly faster and easier," he admits, "but it would have pushed the price higher and, once the chair is ready to use, you’d be left with electronic waste." (That sustainable mindset is a big part of the IKEA PS collection.)

IKEA PS 2026 Floor Uplighter

The brainchild of Dutch designer Lex Pott, the 'Floor Uplighter' or 'lamp that bends' scratches that design itch that only a 45-degree cut can. Swivel along two almost-invisible seams, and you can transform the lamp from uplighter to floor lamp to spotlight.

"When you rotate the lamp, it doesn't just change the light, but the atmosphere of the space," the designer explains. "We reduced the design to its clearest possible form, and the function doesn't reveal itself at first glance — but that's where the joy and playfulness live. There are layers that reveal themselves slowly, and an emotional bond that grows the more you live with it."

It will be available in a chartreuse, deep burgundy, and cobalt blue (safe to say someone has been paying attention to the latest color trends).

IKEA PS 2026 Bench

The aim of IKEA designer Marta Krupińska when dreaming up 'the bench that rocks' was to create something both playful and sustainable. And sometimes, the answer is simple: when constructing the bench, the wood grain is reversed, making it strong enough without metal reinforcement. That, coupled with its natural solid pine finish, means this bench isn't just good-looking, it's also fully recyclable.

But what about fun? "That instinctive childlike impulse to just play is something we rarely express as adults, but it’s so important to have objects that invite that side to come out," says Marta. So, she made the bench rock. "From the first prototype, I noticed people couldn't help themselves," she shares. "They'd sit down, start rocking, then call someone over to try it."

It's hard to pick a favorite so far (and we only know about three pieces from the full collection), but I must admit the inflatable 'Easy Chair' has me in somewhat of a chokehold. Perhaps it's the fact that I grew up in the early 2000s and still vividly remember the coolest girl in school who had an inflatable chair in her room... and this is way cooler.

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It can be a stressful process trying to find the right furniture for your outdoor space — there are so many different styles, materials, and colors to consider — but it can be even more stressful when the space you're working with is limited. Pieces need to work harder; they need to be multifunctional and work with your space, not against it. And one of the designs that nails this is the NÄMMARÖ Bar Table and Stools Set from IKEA set.

I have to say, I am particularly fond of IKEA's NÄMMARÖ series — minimalist chic, the range of pared-back pieces is all clean-cut woods and calming creams that are effortlessly functional, but don't compromise on style and comfort. And this bar table and stools set is exactly that — the table's stylish, slim frame makes it suitable for even the smallest of spaces, and the design allows for the stools to be neatly stored underneath it, giving you more room when it's not in use.

Whether you're looking for a space-saving garden bar table to enjoy a morning coffee or a sunset glass of wine on your balcony, or a practical addition to a larger outdoor space, this set is as versatile as it is stylish — and given its quality, functionality and good looks, it has a reasonable price tag, too.

This compact garden bar table and stools set is a great outdoor furniture idea for a small space, adding both style and versatility to a narrow balcony or small patio — it can even be used as a way to zone a space, adding intention and that 'room' like quality that we're seeing more and more in all the latest garden trends and outdoor furniture trends, too.

Our outdoor spaces are increasingly designed as seamless extensions of the home, with furniture pieces as intentionally curated as they would be in our interiors, promoting comfort, flow, and that ‘lived-in’ feel.

And it’s stylish and flexible furniture pieces that will ensure you enjoy your urban garden from morning till night. With a near 5-star rating, the NAMARRO Bar Set has plenty of reviews that confirm it does just that, and here are just a small selection of them:

• "Easy to assemble, and even sturdier than the floor model in the store. The stools tuck away underneath nicely as well. Probably my favourite IKEA purchase so far!"
• "The solid wood chairs and table are not only high-quality and beautiful, but also very comfortable."
• "We already have several pieces of furniture from the NÄMMARÖ range; I was missing something for the barbecue that wasn't a typical table. I enjoy some wine with friends while the meat cooks. Little pleasures."
• "Absolutely brilliant observation equipment for the balcony. Nice to sip wine in the sunshine and watch people on the street."
• "Beautiful. Lovely wood. Good quality. Great addition to our outside kitchen."

You could even style the IKEA's NÄMMARÖ Bar Table and Stools Set set indoors, as part of your home bar setup or as a modern kitchen accessory, like some customers have done. Wherever you choose to style it, the Scandinavian design will be sure to elevate your space.

Chic Alternatives to Shop

Like the sound of an outdoor bar table set but want to explore your options? I see a lot of outdoor furniture on a daily basis, but these six outdoor bar sets, that suit a variety of aesthetics, are my favorite on the market right now.

If you're looking for more pieces for your outdoor space, IKEA is having a rare sale on outdoor furniture right now — though it's ending very soon, so I recommend you don't hang about.

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The upside is that IKEA's prices are always relatively low, but the downside is that that means the furniture brand very rarely goes on sale. When it comes to larger purchases — like, say, outdoor furniture — it's still an investment, and not one I'd typically encourage you to make on an impulse. That is, except, of course, for today, because select pieces from IKEA's outdoor furniture range are currently on sale for IKEA Family members (hint: it's free to sign up).

Now, full disclosure, Livingetc has readers in both the UK and the US, so when scouring the sale, I had to check both regions. And, well, there's good news and bad news, depending on where you're based. In the UK, the JUTHOLMEN collection (arguably one of the best-looking outdoor sofas) is up to 20% off, and you can save £39 on the sleek SEGERÖN Sun Lounger. In the US, there is a lot more on sale.

So, below, I've done the hard work for you, finding the best IKEA garden furniture currently on sale, wherever you're based. (But if that's the UK, I'd recommend scrolling quickly past the next section.) P.S. These prices are valid until April 19 in the US and May 31 in the UK, so don't wait.

US IKEA Furniture Sale

UK IKEA Outdoor Furniture Sale

If you're still on the hunt for stylish outdoor furniture ahead of the season, you need to check out Habitat's Scoop Metal Garden Bistro Set. It's a sell-out style, so word of warning, though: don't wait for it to go on sale. It simply doesn't stay in stock for long enough.

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Did you know that music is imperative to reducing stress? It can change how your home feels in a way that a nice rug or new console never could. Plus, skip to a new artist, genre, or playlist, and everything changes again in an instant. Well, IKEA's KULGLASS Bluetooth Speaker Lamp conceals all those capabilities in a stylish table lamp — it's cool, colorful, and costs just £80.

With a speaker that spans 10 meters, you can quickly connect to your Spotify account, while a clever 'multi-speaker mode' even lets you connect to various speakers with the same capability for a real surround sound experience. And to really set the mood, switch on the lamp functionality, where the colored glass shade provides a decorative, diffused glow.

It's available in two colorways — a two-tone green and a red-brown/pink — and is part of IKEA's collaboration with Swedish designer Tekla Evelina Severin (Teklan), which officially launched earlier this year. This is tech done designer.

As far as speaker-lamps go, this one is one of the best-looking I've found. To compare (or if you're looking for something a little less colorful), I've found some other stylish Bluetooth speaker-lamps to shop right now.

The days of tech being all about specs and not about style are well and truly over, and the greatest design and tech collaborations of all time prove that.

If you're interested in design-forward devices for your home, Livingetc's interiors editor tested Epson's Lifestudio Flex projector (which can also be used as a speaker and a table lamp) and ended up ditching her TV for it. Alternatively, these outdoor speaker-light combinations will set up your garden in style.

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It's become my rule that I won't personally recommend a sofa to a reader before I've sat on it myself — they're too much of an investment, no matter what your budget is to play the guessing game. So, with that in mind, I set out to IKEA on a fact-finding mission, looking to try out some new sofas.

Because IKEA recently launched some new designs, including the UPPÅKRA, which is available in the UK and US, and the LILLESÄTER, which doesn't appear to be available in the US quite yet. However, as I was visiting a smaller store, these new designs hadn't made it to the floor quite yet. Instead, however, I spotted the JÄTTEBO range in a new eye-catching color that made me look at it in a different light. It's not a new sofa range — it's been around a few years — but I don't think I appreciated it has a little secret. A hidden storage compartment.

But, is it comfortable? Durable? Capacious enough to actually be useful? I put it through its paces, and combed through the reviews to see how it stacks up against the best IKEA sofas.

Let's start with the positives. The storage is a good size, and the mechanism assists you with lifting the seat, making it easy to access what you've stored underneath (though I had a little more trouble closing than I did opening it). The style of the Samsala fabric on the model I saw is objectively cool, too. It's modern, a little young feeling, but I can definitely envisage it in a trendy apartment.

Now, let's talk about comfort. It's definitely a soft sofa, which I was surprised at, because boxy styles like this, let alone ones that incorporate storage, tend to be quite firm. I think, instantly, it feels comfortable when you test it out, but I know I'm a firm sofa lover at heart, so I'd question how comfortable you'd be sitting on this for a long time.

As someone who is on the taller side of the spectrum, the seat was deep enough, but the back is quite low, meaning it can be difficult to fully relax into it. However, you can buy additional headrest pillows from IKEA that give a little more support.

Looking at the reviews, some buyers have concerns over the softness of the materials used, and the durability of the foam for a sofa that gets regular use in a busy family space, suggesting it might be fine for something like a teenager's room instead.

If you're not so keen on the corduroy style Samsala fabric, there is one other option available from IKEA (and you can buy replacements for the removable covers if you want to change things up).

But, there's another option for making this sofa a little more design-forward, if you've got some extra budget. IKEA-hacking brand Bemz, which offers premium covers for the brand's sofas, has a range for this sofa that takes the design into a more elegant realm. Just check out some of the options below.

If you're looking for a couch that also doubles up as somewhere for guests to stay, why not check out our guide to the best IKEA sleeper sofas, or sign up to the Livingetc newsletter for more inspiration on what to buy, and where from, when it comes to your home's most important investments.

If one thing has dominated decor trends over the last few years, it's anything and everything stainless steel and chrome. There's just something so expensive-looking about the shiny metallic finish — it adds a certain polish (there's a pun in there, somewhere) to your tabletop and kitchen styling. But the frustrating thing is, it's not just expensive-looking; it typically is quite expensive. That's until IKEA decided to enter the chat, of course.

Indeed, I almost fell off my chair when I first saw images of IKEA's new AFTONHAJ collection. At first, I honestly thought it was an ad for Georg Jensen, but the prices — which start at a measly £8 — were a dead giveaway. My only complaint is that there are only four pieces in the collection (unless you count the two different sizes of the jar with a lid).

Stainless steel serving dishes have a nostalgic 20th-century sleekness that's so hot right now. Plus, it's a super durable finish when it comes to the kitchen and dining table. The shiny finish will draw the eye on almost any table setting, whether paired alongside neutral dinnerware and simple glasses, or scattered amongst colorful, kitschy designs. Here's what IKEA has on offer.

Stylish Alternatives to Shop

Want to really lean into the trend? Livingetc has predicted that 'Sanded Steel' kitchens will be everywhere soon, and asked designers how to make it feel timeless.

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Okay, sound the alarms. IKEA has quietly released what just might be its biggest collaboration of the year. The flat-pack giant teamed up with award-winning Italian architect and designer Raffaella Mangiarotti on two floor lamps with "strong material-driven expression." Made from the likes of solid oak, blow-moulded glass, and Italian white Carrara marble, the dual-shaded statement designs — TRÅDNATE and MOSSPLYM — somehow, miraculously, wonderfully, cost just £50 and £70 respectively.

Who's Raffaella Mangiarotti? From palazzos in Milan to stylish Smeg toasters, the designer has accrued more than 40 international design awards over the years. She even has products exhibited in museums like MoMA. So, she's a big deal in the world of design.

Of the two new IKEA products, Raffaella says, “The new lamps combine an uplight and a reading light — a dual function that often results in two elements that feel artificially joined. It was important for me to bring something beautiful into a residential space, combining two functions rooted in Nordic design principles without compromising aesthetics."

"I've always had a passion for lighting, and it's a dream to be able to combine different functions and typologies of light — with the kind of global reach only accessible to IKEA,” Raffaella says of the collaboration.

But, turns out, it's not the first time the duo has teamed up. Raffaella Mangiarotti's first lighting collaboration with IKEA, BÄCKNATE — which we previously dubbed a 'future icon' — included three sculptural table, floor, and ceiling lamps made from folded paper. It was even nominated for the Compasso d'Oro, Italy's most prestigious design award, and yes, it's still available to shop, and yes, it's just as affordable.

The even better news is that this launch signifies Raffaela Mangiarotti's new long-term collaboration with IKEA, with additional lighting features already supposedly in development.

And there's more where that came from. If you love the idea of designer-designed lamps at an IKEA price point, make sure you check out Sabine Marcelis' updated VARMBLIXT 'donut' lamp — it went viral for a reason.

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Sofa covers are a stylist's biggest secret — slip one over your existing sofa, and you can completely transform its look and feel in seconds. For that, Bemz is one of the best in the business, specializing in bespoke sofa covers for IKEA models. And just recently, the brand released a new collaboration with designer Francesca Grace (who calls Sabrina Carpenter a client).

The Reverie Collection features five different textiles made from four different fabrics, including luxurious mohair, printed velvets, jacquard chenilles, and peached linen, with patterns evoking European romanticism through vintage florals and earthy colors. Though the range has always made IKEA sofas look more expensive, this is perhaps the most luxurious yet.

Francesca describes how the designs were inspired by times spent "drifting through the stalls at La Puce market," discovering "layers of timeworn textiles, rich tapestries, and beautifully faded fabrics that told their own stories." If you're a fan of the verdure print trend that's taken over seating lately, you're going to want to see this.

The collection "carries a distinctly European sensibility but with a softness that feels lived-in rather than formal," Francesca explains. "That tension between luxury and comfort, shadow and warmth, gives the pieces their freshness."

And you can really make your IKEA sofa feel custom with this, mixing and matching the fabrics. Francesca suggests pairing the vintage chenille moss jacquard with the mohair velvet; "The contrast in texture creates depth, while the harmony in color keeps everything cohesive and elevated."

Bemz has covers that slip over all kinds of IKEA furniture, including its sofas, armchairs, bed frames, office chairs, and pillows. You can also select from different fits, whether that's minimalist, maximalist, 'megamalist', loose, or regular, which only gives you more ways to customize your piece. My advice would be to mix a more contemporary sofa silhouette with one of these more vintage-inspired covers, to ensure it still looks design-forward and not too traditional. Here are some options that would work.

So now you know how to transform your IKEA sofa from conventional to an elegant statement piece — why not try it with other flatpack pieces? For instance, one of Livingetc's contributors recently hacked his IKEA FÖRHÖJA kitchen cart into a custom-looking kitchen island.

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IKEA’s FADO Table Lamp is a classic for a reason. From its simple yet striking globe silhouette to the soft, diffused light it provides, it’s a design that can slip seamlessly into any home. And if that wasn't already enough to love, it's just had an eye-catching, colorful cosmetic update.

Giving the original design a fresh twist, the new pink IKEA FADO Table Lamp has a handcrafted quality, thanks to the mouth-blown glass and unique swirls of color, which also make it look much more expensive than its £19 price tag. It should come as no surprise, then, that it's already gone viral across social media and is well on its way to becoming one of IKEA's best products.

Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, co-founder of Dowsing & Reynolds, explains that orb and globe table lamps have long been a classic in interior design. "The rounded shape helps offset sharper lines in a room, which is why they work so well across both modern and more classic interiors," she adds. "But what makes them especially appealing is how they diffuse light. The opal or opaque glass creates a soft, even glow, which feels much more relaxed than harsher, directional lighting."

Despite its subtle coloring, there’s also nothing to stop you from using a colored light bulb (like this one from Amazon) to lean into a more maximalist look. I love how it looks with a pink bulb, in the video by @garancehomeco, linked above. Alternatively, you could swap out your usual LED bulb for a smart light bulb to truly customize your lighting choices.

According to designer Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, "we’re seeing a shift towards more expressive interiors, with lighting being used to introduce shape, texture and personality in a way that still feels considered." And that’s exactly what you get here.

Plus, it’s not the only orb-like table lamp that has caught the Livingetc team's eye recently, with the futuristic-looking Habitat Chrome Caliban Table Lamp also stopping us in our tracks. Another affordable, yet striking, addition to any bedside table, desk, or sideboard, safe to say this style isn't going anywhere soon, so here are some other options to shop.

If you’re anything like me and avoid switching on the big light at all costs and have been looking for some stylish overhead lighting alternatives, or simply want to inject a bit of interest and extra character into your home, let this be the thing.

Let’s hope that IKEA releases a few more shades, too. I'd love to see it in one of the 2026 colors of the year or even a monochromatic, almost dalmatian-style spotted motif. Just saying!

Well, if this isn't the cleverest thing I've seen in a long time. I'm all about making the things around my home 'double as art', and the latest? Professional DIY-er, Dalia Emad Aly, has gone viral for her super simple hack — that uses an IKEA magnetic knife-rack, no less — to transform her prayer mat into a work of art on the wall, while still making it easy to pull off and use during prayer time.

Inspired by the resurgence of 15th-century tapestries in modern interiors, it makes a feature of your beautiful, often handcrafted prayer mat, and what's not to love about that? Plus, even if not for artistic reasons, it also solves any struggles with space and organization. I usually hang my prayer mat over a chair, but when I need to use the chair, it goes on the bed, and once it’s time to pray, it’s back on the floor. Not ideal.

To find out a little bit more about how she came up with the idea for this ingenious IKEA hack, as well as her step-by-step guide to recreating it in your own space, I spoke to Dalia, and here's what she shared.

“I’ve always felt like we have such beautiful prayer rugs that we only take out to pray and then put away, and at the same time we decorate with non-functional tapestries, so I’ve been thinking about hanging up my praying rug as a tapestry for the longest time,” Dalia tells me. “At the same time, I want to attach and detach in a way that wouldn’t feel difficult for me to do five times a day, and that’s when I came up with the magnet idea.”

In the end, it was quite simple, though Dalia admits it took a few trials and errors to make it work both on and off the floor using IKEA's KUNGSFORS Magnetic Knife Rack. This is step-by-step how she did it:

1. Buy IKEA's KUNGSFORS Magnetic Knife Rack or similar (see below).
2. Attach it to your wall using Command Strips (available on Amazon). (Dalia did mention that it might not stay up forever, but this way is more renter-friendly. For something more secure, consider drilling the rack into your wall.)
3. Attach four flat steel brackets (available on Amazon) along the top of the rug using a rivet gun (also available on Amazon). This ensures the rug can still lie flat. "I fastened four of the brackets to the rug, just to make sure that the magnet could really hold the weight of the rug," adds Dalia.

And, if you didn't already know, this isn't the first IKEA trick Dalia has up her sleeve. She regularly wows the world with her clever, cost-effective ideas — just take this IKEA flower box she transformed into a coffee table, for example.

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I took a notion to sort out a very unorganized cupboard in my kitchen a couple of weekends ago, concluding that one of the main reasons it keeps getting out of control is that, despite the space within the cupboard, nothing is orderly — items are haphazardly stored on top of the other, so I forget what I have, and every time I try and take something out an awful mess ensues. Sound familiar?

We've all been there. The key to an organized kitchen comes down to clever storage, and it was clear I wasn't making use of the vertical space in my cupboards to maximize storage and organizational prowess. So I ordered some cupboard shelf organizers, but was a little underwhelmed when they arrived — they looked a faff to set up and just 'alright' quality. It was only after they had been delivered that I came across the new IKEA NÅLBLECKA Kitchen Countertop Organizer.

What I particularly love about this design is the lip around the shelf's edge, which ensures stored items can't easily slide off and allows for sturdy stacking — not to mention that it only costs £5, which is half what I paid for my original organizer. Needless to say, this was the design I should have ordered.

Taking advantage of otherwise wasted space is the ultimate way to make your kitchen cabinets more functional — and your countertops, too, particularly if cabinet space is limited. Plus, it's a whole lot better when it looks good.

And you can rely on the Scandinavian design brand for practical, design-forward pieces at an affordable price point. The NÅLBLECKA Countertop Organizer is also compatible with other products in IKEA's NÅLBLECKA range, plus its usage is not limited to the kitchen — it's ideal for any space in the home where you want to keep smaller items neatly stored and organized.

And because of the lip design, you can move or lift the organizer filled with items without fear that everything will fall off, as each shelf is like an individual tray.

As a new product, it only has two reviews to date, but combined, they amount to a 4.5-star rating. One reviewer shared, "Nice little addition to the kitchen to store the mugs." While another added, "Smaller than I was looking for, but still helps with keeping the worktop tidy."

It may be small, but it is effective, and for £5, I'm considering buying one for several of my cupboards — I may even use it to create my own mini coffee bar.

Alternative Kitchen Organizers

If you're inspired to organize your space but want to explore other options, I've got you covered — here are six more designs that offer extra storage, versatility, and style.

An uncluttered kitchen is the calmer heart of the home — and any little way that you can bring a bit more calm to your space is a big win for me. For more steps toward a clutter-free kitchen, these are the things people with tidy kitchens always have in them — and they're just as simple as this organizer.

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The beauty of tiny spaces is that they call for creative design. As Design Lab by Livingetc stylist, Miaad Latoof, explains, "What makes the real difference isn’t square footage, but how the space is layered." In many projects I see, it's the smaller rooms or outdoor areas that are often the most impactful — the more compact the space, the harder it has to work, and with that comes the need to find versatile, multifunctional furniture.

Enter the IKEA DJUPÖN Folding Table. This is one of those special pieces that might just be the answer to your tiny patio or balcony styling woes. Offering you a table when you need it, and space back when you don't, it also has room to neatly store two foldable chairs, along with a shelf to display plants, lighting, a candle or two, or to rest drinks if the occasion calls for a bar-style situation.

So, whether you're looking for a versatile dining option, a prep station for your barbecue, a potting station for your plants, or a wonderful mixture of them all, this table is endlessly versatile — and it looks good, too.

Crafted from acacia wood, this folding table also taps into one of this year's biggest outdoor furniture trends — the ever-increasing shift toward natural materials. This is both from a sustainability perspective and for its grounding abilities. Particularly effective in outdoor spaces with a lot of stone or brickwork, the natural materials create contrast and texture, as well as an innate sense of calm.

And this sense of calm and comfort that is so important in our interiors should not be thought of any differently in our exterior spaces. A small outdoor space deserves the same thought and attention as creating a thoughtfully designed room in the home — and furniture pieces that offer style, practicality, and versatility are key to a considered, layered design that can be enjoyed from day to night.

One customer shared that IKEA's DJUPON Folding Table was perfect for their patio: "We bought this as a side area to stage food while cooking on the grill outside. It’s the perfect size; I’m able to set the food items I’m ready to cook right there, as well as when I pull food off the grill. We use it as a small serving buffet, so we don’t fill the table with serving dishes. I love that I can put potted plants on the very top shelf and underneath the shelf on the ground."

Another customer added: "Love it! It was easy to assemble. I hardly had to look at the instructions, and it's lightweight, perfect for a small gathering to set up a bar or buffet of nibbles..." An additional reviewer shared that they used it as a "handy outdoor work table, the perfect size for my gardening jobs. I have set mine up as a planting table. It is sturdy and looks good."

I feel it would also work really well as an outdoor desk, WiFi permitting, of course — meetings in the sunshine, anyone?

Alternative Outdoor Folding Tables

If you like the idea of an outdoor folding table but aren't convinced by this particular style for your space, I've found a selection of other options that are also stylish, versatile, and affordable, too.

Having any form of outdoor space is a luxury, so make the most of it with a considered design approach and hero pieces that do the hard work for you. And on that note, IKEA's 3-in-1 privacy screen is another small-space gem that gives you storage, seating, and privacy in your outdoor area, all in one stylish design.

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There are a million ways in which smartphones have revolutionized our daily lives, but the feature that I get the most consistent use out of? The flashlight. How many times would I have been defeated while trying to find something in too-dark cupboards, cabinets, and closets without a light easily to hand?

Of course, it's far from ideal — so a solution to the problem I've been keen to find. At the same time, I've been investing in some of IKEA's smart sensors recently, and I picked up IKEA's MYGGSPRAY wireless motion sensors to test out. I, particularly, wanted a solution for my understairs coat cupboard, which I often spend too long searching for a certain jacket, or pair of shoes.

My review? It does the job, but I wish this motion sensor was a little easier to set up, and a little clearer from the outset about what exactly you need to make it work. Some people may get this home and be disappointed.

But let's start with the positives. Once I'd gotten over the hurdle of the set-up, MYGGSPRAY certainly solved my dark cupboard problem. It fixes into a corner (either with screws or the included sticker pads), so it's well-positioned to cast a well-illuminating glow, and I found the sensor sensitive enough that it turned on when I opened the door to the under-stairs storage, but I didn't have problems with it flicking on and off when the door was ajar.

You can use this device indoors and outdoors (but only when under a cover such as a porch), and it's the sort of thing that makes total sense to use in a hallway at nighttime if you need a little boost of light to get to the bathroom and back, and this is where connecting it to your smart hub comes most in handy — for times when you want it on, and off.

Other than that, the smart capability of IKEA's MYGGSPRAY is more of a liability than a feature that stops it being one of IKEA's best products. Unfortunately, the device doesn't work until it's connected to your smart home's system (despite the fact that others in the IKEA smart sensor range do, and you can find plenty of sensor-activated lights like these from Amazon that don't require smart integration to work).

It's also not super clear, before you buy, that it requires a hub to work. This could be IKEA DIRIGERA if you're ready to commit to IKEA's smart products in full, but because it's compatible with Matter, this could also be a Google or Amazon device. However, not any device will do — for it to be compatible, you'll need one that works as a Thread Border Router to be able to connect. You can Google to find out if your hub has this capability, but this will then let you add the IKEA product to your system and control it via voice control through the likes of Alexa or Siri.

The benefits of its smart capabilities might depend on how you use it, however. As a way to light a dark hallway or inside a cupboard, it doesn't have much application. But, if you are using it as a sort of security light, you might be more inclined to want to get notifications when it's set off.

So, should you buy it? In truth, there aren't that many alternatives out there that don't require plugging into an electrical socket, so for versatility and a good price, it's a sound investment. However, if you're not particularly tech-y, you might find this device proves a bit of a frustration.

Why Not Try These Instead?

You might, ultimately, decide it's worth your time doing it properly from the get-go, in which case, we've got a guide to setting up a smart home to help.

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