The brand which popularised Swedish design across the world is set to enter the Indian market. Before the first store opens its doors in Hyderabad next year, Mia Lundström, Creative Director for IKEA India, lists IKEA pieces she thinks every Indian home should make room for.
Klippan sofa
Born in the 1980s, this comfortable sofa is one of the retailer’s most popular furniture products. It’s a sofa that the whole world can put to use. Available in a standard two-seat size, it offers a world of possibilities with a range of removable and changeable fabric covers.
The word ‘Klippan’ means “the cliff” in Swedish and this “cliff” has seen plenty of functional changes over the last 30 years. The initial model had a solid wood frame; this has now been replaced by a less expensive lightweight frame of particleboard, fiberboard and polyurethane foam.
The contemporary sofa can be flat-packed and put together at home — a dream come true for DIYers.
Dinnerware series
There’s a reason Scandinavian table settings look so appealing — it’s as much to do with the tableware as it is to do with the food. The classic design of this dinnerware is inspired by modern Scandinavian and traditional English dishes.
Ideal for every kind of occasion and food, these dishes — bowls, plates, deep bowls/plates, serving plates and mugs — can multi-task their way from a working lunch to a TV dinner or an evening with friends.
The stackable pieces optimize storage and are long lasting. The simplicity ensures that the style is timeless.
Stuva storage system
Specially designed for the “most important little people in the world”, this storage system appeals to most children as they can see eye to eye with it.
The right height ensures that children of all ages can put away their toys after play, get their favourite dress out or stack away shoes by themselves. Options for colours, size and style are aplenty, so it’s easy to find the perfect fit for your child’s room. Choose from the many combinations, frames and interior organisers, and watch them grow with your child.
If there’s one thing no living room can do without, it’s a side table. There are plenty of choices these days, but nothing works better than that old IKEA favourite: the Lack Side Table. A part of the range since 1979, this piece of furniture continues to be one of the top sellers. And why not? It’s easy to assemble, carry and move around the home. Available in birch effect, black, black-brown, white, yellow, the range has now grown to include coffee tables and wall shelves.
Trones storage
With most Indian homes short of storage, this shallow storage cabinet comes as a boon. Available in various colours and sizes, this piece takes up very little space and can be combined into various configurations. Designed for shoe storage, this cabinet — ideally wall-mounted — lends itself to many other uses as well.
S old in boxes of three, put them to work to squeeze out a little extra storage in hallways, entryways, kitchens, play rooms and verandahs. You can tuck away all those little somethings that seem to take over your home by night fall every day.
Tempted to pick one of these babies up? Wait a while. Navi Mumbai will be home to an IKEA store soon, and the Swedish giant plans to open 25 stores across the country by 2025.
