Everyone Will Be Fighting Over These Archived 1985 Shelves That IKEA is Re-releasing Next Month — Mark My Words
Vintage chairs, oak accents, and colorful shelving — the sixth edition of IKEA's Nytillverkad collection is promising some seriously sell-out styles


By now, the secret is well and truly out: IKEA is re-releasing a collection of furniture from their archives, spanning from the 1960s to the 1990s. Brace yourselves — this is the best of the best, done better.
Avid fans of the Swedish furniture company may already know that this is not the first time the brand has reimagined looks of the past. In fact, their Nytillverkad collection is dedicated to bringing back fawned-after favorites. And the sixth edition, available in store and online in February, includes soon-to-be collectible pieces you won't want to miss — namely, the colorful BYAKORRE shelf unit (formerly named GUIDE), designed by Niels Gammelgaard back in 1985, which I'm predicting will be one of the first items to sell out.
"We have pulled inspiration from four decades, reimagining the pieces to feel fresh and new," says Karin Gustavsson, creative lead behind the Nytillverkad collection. "You will find a palette of bold colors, as well as softer, curvier accent pieces, and playful prints to make every day that little bit more joyful.”
Modern retro décor is certainly the mood of the moment in interior design, and there is no better inspiration than looking to furniture favorites of the past. Here's what you need to know come February 1st.
With colorful trim, IKEA's iconic BYAKORRE shelves are coming back.
Explaining the original design of the shelves, Karin says, "Designer Niels Gammelgaard was assigned to complement his popular MOMENT steel mesh sofa with a matching bookshelf. He started by creating metal ladders similar to the legs of the MOMENT sofa. And when producing the shelves, he discovered he could get them in different colors without any extra costs. The result is this characteristic shelving unit in six colors, now called BYAKORRE."
The reversible shelves are white on one side and anthracite gray on the other, with the shelf edges coming in different colors (blue, green, yellow, and red) or plain white. So if you are prone to switching your interior moods, this piece allows you to customize your look with either a bold pop of color or something more subtle.
And anyone looking to score a new reading chair is in luck, the release also features a large collection of iconic designs, including four new stand alone styles — the perfect styling complement to your new shelves, if you ask me.
IKEA's sixth Nytillverkad collection includes a range of stylish, reimagined chairs.
Although the iconic shelves are already an undeniable favorite amongst vintage furniture collectors, there is plenty of other pieces in the collection to look out for. My favorite? It is a draw between the plush, bright orange accent chairs (shown below) and the incredible denim fold-out sofa seat, first introduced to the IKEA catalog in 1978 as COX — I caught our interiors editor Emma Breislin hyperventilating over this one.
While denim may not be what you had in mind when it comes to couch materials, I think it will no doubt be softer than expected, and it's customizable modular form (it even transforms into a sleeper sofa) is hard to argue with. (You can see it at the back in the image below).
No matter how many interior design trends bring styles of the past back into the spotlight, nothing is better than getting to shop revamped achieves. And considering this is their sixth collection, it's worth taking a look back to the fifth Nytillverkad collection release to get an idea of what to expect.
Join me as we all say, "Thank you, IKEA."
The denim modular sofa seat is our interiors editor's favorite from the collection.
Can't Make it to IKEA? Shop Similar Styles
Price: £148.75, Was: £192.79
This curved wall shelf may be a bit more organically shaped than the IKEA model, but it totally brings the retro aesthetic. Plus, it stands as an art piece in itself. The fun of a unique piece like this is you have the room to decorate the piece with larger vases and lamps because of the size of the gaps. Your living room shelf styling can be both fun and practical!
Price: £72
This two-toned vase from Anthropologie combines the look of the orange and yellow bubble vases in the IKEA collection. The shape is organic, while the colors are in a primary palette that borders neon — a great piece for trying the strategic neon trend. I like to think of it as a touch of playful retro that still feels super stylish.
Price: £128, Was: £160
Though this woven cord chair is technically categorized as a garden chair, I can easily imagine it in any cool living room. The best accent chairs are always the ones that add a little visual spice. The woven cord material will make the seat more comfortable than a completely metal chair would — through a throw pillow on and you'll wonder why you didn't have this in your home sooner.
A photo posted by on
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletters are your inside source for what’s shaping interiors now - and what’s next. Discover trend forecasts, smart style ideas, and curated shopping inspiration that brings design to life. Subscribe today and stay ahead of the curve.

Olivia Wolfe is a Design Writer at Livingetc. She recently graduated from University of the Arts London, London College of Communication with a Masters Degree in Arts and Lifestyle Journalism. In her previous experience, she has worked with multiple multimedia publications in both London and the United States covering a range of culture-related topics, with an expertise in art and design. At the weekends she can be found working on her oil paintings, reading, or antique shopping at one of London's many vintage markets.
-
The 'New British' Style? This Victorian London Home Embraces Its Owners' Global Background
Warm timber details, confident color pops, and an uninterrupted connection to the garden are the hallmarks of this relaxed yet design-forward family home
By Emma J Page
-
Muji Living Room Ideas — 5 Ways to Harness The Calming Qualities of This Japanese Design Style
Inspired by Japanese "zen" principles, Muji living rooms are all about cultivating a calming, tranquil space that nourishes the soul
By Lilith Hudson
-
NYC's New Rules Forced Me to Find a Chic Compost Bin — Here's 7 Options Significantly Cheaper Than the $300 Fine
Composting is now mandatory in NYC. Here’s how to do it stylishly
By Julia Demer
-
Jeremiah Brent Captures the Grit and Glamour of NYC in His New Loloi Collaboration
The TV-famous interior designer looked out of his own window — and hit the pavement — for a collection that turns city spirit into tactile design
By Julia Demer
-
Pleated Lampshades Are the Silhouette of the Season — I've Found 9 For Well Under $100 (You'll Never Guess Where)
Leave it to Walmart to bless us with a collection of stunning pleated lampshades — proving this old-fashioned feature can look fresh and modern
By Devin Toolen
-
I Found the "Healthiest” Bedding for Earth Month — Why Ettitude Is the Sustainable Sleep Label to Know
Softer than silk and smarter than cotton, Ettitude’s innovative take on bedding delivers luxury with a conscience
By Julia Demer
-
This Bistro-Style Detail Is the Most Charming Way to Elevate Your Dining Table, and Hosting Game, This Season
Get your dinner party plans ready, embroidered tablecloths are bringing personality back to your tablescape, and here's where to shop the look
By Olivia Wolfe
-
These Are the Flower Crowns I’m Wearing This Spring (Spoiler: They’re Actually for My Door)
Coachella confirmed the comeback of flower crowns. At home, they just go by another name: the spring wreath
By Julia Demer
-
Turns Out, Sustainable Design Can Be Chic, and Net-a-Porter's 'Net Sustain' Curation Is Proof — Here's What I'm Shopping
From the Net Sustain collection, Mud Australia's homeware is not only design-oriented, but eco-focused, too
By Devin Toolen
-
Iridescence Is Chrome’s More Playful, Hard-to-Define Cousin — And You're About to See It Everywhere
This kinetic finish signals a broader shift toward surfaces that move, shimmer, and surprise. Here's where to find it now
By Julia Demer