Tag Archives: ikea

IKEA’s $10 Donut Charger is the Quirkiest Tech Accessory You Need

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IKEA has always understood that good design is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about making everyday life just a little bit smarter and a whole lot more delightful. From the iconic, ubiquitous flat-pack furniture phenomenon that has furnished college dorms and first apartments worldwide, to their surprisingly savvy and rapidly expanding smart home gear, the Swedish powerhouse consistently sneaks into our lives with functional, well-priced objects. They have a unique talent for translating high-level function into accessible, everyday items, democratizing design in a way few other companies can match.

But their latest accessory, the VÄSTMÄRKE wireless charger, feels like they stopped designing furniture for a minute and started making tech that belongs on a designer’s desk or maybe even a breakfast tray. And truth be told, I’m all for this kind of quirky but also highly functional kind of device, especially for someone who always needs to charge one gadget or another and appreciates a bit of personality in their tech landscape.

Designer: IKEA

Forget the sleek metal pucks and boring black slabs that define the typical wireless charger landscape. The VÄSTMÄRKE arrives in a striking, happy red color which is a shade that manages to be both playful and aggressive. It is wrapped in soft, tactile silicone, and is shaped unmistakably like a bright, circular donut. Yes, a donut. This accessory is a masterclass in playful industrial design, immediately standing out in a crowded market where everything is trying desperately to be minimal and invisible, striving for that elusive “zero design” aesthetic. The VÄSTMÄRKE loudly rebels against that. At around ten dollars, it’s an absolute steal and an impulsive buy designed to bring a little pop culture fun and necessary color into your daily tech routine. It’s an instant dopamine hit for your desk.

But don’t let the adorable, pastry-like exterior fool you into thinking this is merely a cute paperweight that’s all style and no substance. Underneath that cheerful, friendly silicone exterior is a genuinely modern piece of charging tech that proves IKEA is serious about functionality. The VÄSTMÄRKE supports the new Qi2 standard, which is the current industry gold standard for magnetic wireless charging. This means it offers fast 15-watt charging speeds which is on par with high-end, premium alternatives, and, crucially for modern phone users, it includes precise magnetic alignment. This makes it instantly compatible with systems like Apple’s MagSafe or Google’s emerging PixelSnap standard, ensuring your phone snaps perfectly into place every single time. That magnetic click maximizes charging efficiency and eliminates the frustrating hunt for the sweet spot, a common annoyance with older, non-magnetic wireless pads.

Where the VÄSTMÄRKE truly shines, however, is in its secret identity, offering two hidden functions that transform it from a simple charger into a genuine utility tool, a Swiss Army knife of power. The whole device is built around a clever fold-out core. You can flip the top half up and invert the ring, effectively turning the charger into an impromptu, stable, PopSocket-style grip for your phone. Imagine charging on the go, then seamlessly using the attached charger, which is still magnetically clamped to your device, to secure your grip while scrolling through social media, watching a video, or taking a complicated selfie. It’s a brilliant crossover of charging and ergonomic convenience that no one specifically asked for, but everyone who uses it will immediately wonder how they lived without it.

The second genius trick tackles the bane of all tech lovers: the cable tangle. That circular cutout, which doubles as the grip, is also a clever storage solution. The VÄSTMÄRKE includes an integrated USB-C cord, which is another nod to modernity and universal compatibility. When you’re done charging or ready to travel, you can simply wrap the cable neatly and snugly around the center gap and snap the silicone top back down. The cord disappears completely into the design, keeping your bag or pocket blissfully knot-free and preventing the charger itself from becoming a tangle magnet. It’s a supremely thoughtful nod to portability, making this the ideal budget travel companion for anyone constantly on the move.

The VÄSTMÄRKE is the perfect embodiment of IKEA’s approach to the smart home and personal tech. It’s cheap, utterly practical, uses high-level Qi2 technology typically reserved for more expensive gear, and comes wrapped in a delightful design that is guaranteed to spark conversation and smiles. It’s a testament to the idea that functional tech doesn’t have to be visually dull or take itself too seriously. Sometimes, the best design is the one that looks like it belongs on the menu rather than on the motherboard. If you’re looking for a dash of color, a clever set of features, and next-gen magnetic charging without emptying your wallet, this little red donut is an unexpected, delightful, and highly functional winner.

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IKEA and Teklan Turn Tech Into Eye Candy

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You know that weird thing we do with tech products? We buy them, we use them every day, but then we kind of hide them. Tuck the speaker behind the plant. Stash the lamp in the corner. As if apologizing for needing functional things in our homes. IKEA’s new collaboration with Swedish designer Tekla Evelina Severin (known as Teklan) is here to flip that script entirely.

The Teklan collection, which launches globally this December, is all about making your speakers and lamps the main character instead of background extras. We’re talking bold patterns, nostalgic color combos, and shapes that look like they wandered out of a really cool vintage store and somehow learned to play your Spotify playlist.

Designer: Teklan for IKEA

At the heart of the collection is the SOLSKYDD family, a trio of round Bluetooth speakers that refuse to be boring. The smallest is an 8-inch portable speaker in orange with a pattern that practically demands attention. The medium version comes in green with brown and beige diagonal stripes that feel very 70s but in the best possible way. And the largest? An 18-inch wall-mounted beast in textured orange that can even connect to a screen. These aren’t speakers that blend in. They’re conversation starters that happen to have excellent acoustics, designed by Ola Wihlborg to balance form with serious sound quality.

Then there’s the KULGLASS lamp speakers, which might be my favorite thing about this entire launch. Teklan designed them to look like soft-serve ice cream, because why shouldn’t your tech look like dessert? They come in mint green and a red-brown with pink combo, and they work as both lamps and Bluetooth speakers. The built-in volume knob is a nice tactile touch in a world where everything is controlled by tapping a screen.

What makes this collaboration feel special isn’t just the aesthetic, though the colors are definitely doing the heavy lifting. It’s the intention behind it. Teklan literally went to her grandparents’ house to match the exact shade of mint green to an old bar of soap from her childhood memories. That level of personal storytelling in product design is rare, especially for mass-market furniture retailers.

“We wanted to bring that softness and friendliness into technology, to help people see home electronics differently and invite more colour into their everyday spaces,” Teklan explained. And honestly, mission accomplished. These products feel warm and approachable in a way that most tech doesn’t. While the insides are packed with all the technical complexity you’d want from quality speakers, the outsides feel almost playful.

The collection also includes a refresh of IKEA’s cult-favorite VAPPEBY speaker, now decked out in Teklan’s signature colors, plus a whole range of braided charging cables called SITTBRUNN, RUNDHULT, and LILLHULT that are inspired by climbing ropes. Even your charging cables get to have personality now.

All the speakers can connect to each other and other compatible IKEA Bluetooth speakers for multi-speaker mode, and they support Spotify Tap, so you can seamlessly continue whatever you were listening to. The SOLSKYDD also comes in a plain white version if you’re not quite ready to commit to orange geometric patterns (though I’d argue that’s missing the point). Price-wise, we’re still solidly in IKEA territory. The portable SOLSKYDD starts at $80, the medium at $100, and the largest at $140. The KULGLASS lamp speakers are $130. Not cheap for IKEA, but reasonable when you consider you’re getting both form and function wrapped in genuinely unique design.

This collaboration represents something bigger than just pretty speakers. It’s part of a shift in how we think about the stuff that makes our homes work. After years of minimalism telling us to hide everything, make it all white, keep it neutral, there’s this growing appetite for objects with personality. Things that reflect who we are, what we love, the colors that make us happy.

IKEA has been experimenting with this more expressive approach since ending its partnership with Sonos earlier this year. The Teklan collection feels like a confident step into that space, proving that affordable design doesn’t have to mean boring design. The collection starts rolling out in December, with specific dates varying by market, so check with your local IKEA for availability. And maybe start thinking about where you want to display, not hide, your next speaker.

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Raspberry Pi E-Ink To-Do Display Disguises as Framed Desk Art

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Most productivity tools are designed to grab your attention constantly with pop-up reminders, blinking notifications, and endless browser tabs competing for focus throughout the day. But sometimes, the best way to stay focused is to keep your most important information quietly in view, not fighting for your eyes or demanding immediate action every few minutes. Finding that balance between visibility and distraction remains surprisingly difficult in modern productivity software.

The InkyPi E-Paper Productivity Display is a DIY project that addresses this challenge directly and elegantly with minimal hardware. Built with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and a crisp E-Ink screen, it turns your to-dos, deadlines, and progress into a calm, always-on dashboard that helps you stay organized without the noise. The project is open-source, customizable, and refreshingly simple in its approach to keeping you on track without overwhelming you.

Designer: AKZ Dev

InkyPi’s minimalist design starts with a 7.3-inch or 7.8-inch E-Ink panel from Pimoroni or Waveshare, framed in a simple IKEA picture frame that looks more like a piece of art than a gadget on your desk. The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W sits discreetly behind the display, keeping the whole setup slim, silent, and consuming minimal power throughout the day. The paper-like display is easy on the eyes and never glows or flickers.

The framed display can be wall-mounted above your desk for easy glances throughout the day or set on a stand for desktop reference during intensive work sessions. The E-Ink screen shows information with the clarity of printed paper, making text and graphics readable from across the room without squinting. The lack of a backlight means it works well in any ambient lighting without causing eye strain during long days.

The open-source InkyPi dashboard runs a growing library of 20 plugins, all managed through a web-based user interface that’s accessible from any device on your network. You can schedule automatic refreshes, rotate through different plugins throughout the day, and customize layouts for your specific workflow. Recent plugin additions include a to-do list, day countdown, GitHub commit graph, year progress bar, and RSS feed reader for staying informed.

Each plugin is designed to give you just enough information to stay on track without overwhelming you with excessive detail or constant updates that break concentration. The to-do list shows three customizable lists with clean formatting, the year progress bar visualizes how much of the year remains for goal planning, and the GitHub graph motivates coding consistency through visual streak tracking. Everything updates automatically on your chosen schedule without requiring manual intervention.

The E-Ink display’s slow refresh rate and lack of backlight mean it’s only updated when necessary, keeping your focus on the task at hand rather than the screen itself pulling attention. The dashboard is intentionally passive, meant for glancing rather than interacting, so you’re never tempted to click, scroll, or dive into rabbit holes when you should be working. The analog feel makes it more like checking a wall calendar or notepad.

All hardware and software files are open-source on GitHub, with active community support and ongoing plugin development from contributors worldwide who continue adding features. For anyone tired of digital noise and constant notifications interrupting deep work, the InkyPi E-Paper Productivity Display offers a reminder that sometimes less screen time is exactly what you need to accomplish more meaningful work throughout your day without burning out.

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IKEA unveils Anchor and Unlock safety mechanism in two new collections

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Every once in a while, I’ll come across a horror story on my feed about accidents involving furniture toppling over and badly hurting someone. As a regularly clumsy person, it is not outside the realm of possibility that I may be a victim of this someday. The STURDY Act (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth) is a welcome development for kids and grown-ups alike. IKEA has now become the first to apply this into their new furniture line.

Designer: IKEA

The Storklinta and Gullaberg collection from IKEA come with their patented Anchor and Unlock mechanism which took into consideration the aforementioned STURDY Act’s guidelines. This way, they have made sure that their furniture are safe especially for young kids but still have the design and style associated with the Swedish brand. When properly installed, this mechanism lets you use the items as they’re meant to be used without the risk of it tipping over, even when multiple drawers are opened.

The Gullaberg collection is classic IKEA with its framed sides, tapered legs, and white and gray finishes. There are several dressers, chests, wardrobes, nightstands, and combinations available in the collection. The Storklinta has a more sleek and contemporary design and also comes with chests, drawers, bedside tables, and wardrobe combinations with the PAX system. These furniture come with clean, integrated handles.

Both collections are already available in the IKEA US stores and online but there are still some items that have limited stocks. They will also be launching more safety-enhanced designs later this year. As always, these are items that are self-assembled so you still need to be able to follow instructions on these Anchor and Unlock mechanisms for the furniture to be truly safe.

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IKEA brings makeshift pillow bag to sleep-deprived Singaporeans

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Sleep has become a luxury for a lot of people because of the fast-paced work lifestyle and also the distraction of our gadgets. Singapore is apparently the third most sleep-deprived country in the world and people taking naps in public is a common sight in this Southeast Asian country. IKEA Singapore has come up with a new product for those who may need to take a quick nap while commuting or at other public spaces.

Designer: Secret Little Agency for IKEA Singapore

The RESTEN bag looks like the iconic blue FRAKTA bag of IKEA, but this one also doubles as a huggable bag or pillow for those who need a quick nap. The padded design of the bag resembles that of a pillow but keeping the blue color and design of the IKEA reusable bag. It was made with ultra comfortable fabrics and stuffing with enough space to put your daily essentials.

The main appeal of this bag though is that when you’re commuting on a bus or train or studying at the library, it will double as a pillow when you need a quick nap. It also has a strap that has the words “Leave the rest to IKEA” so you can also remember to take a quick break every once in a while.

The RESTEN bag is a limited edition item that will be available at IKEA Singapore branches from September 6-8, 2024 as part of their RestFest event. It would be nice if they can also make this available in other sleep-deprived countries like mine.

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IKEA adds a fleet of drones to its inventory-management centers all across Europe

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Unlike your average drones used for cinematic shots or racing gigs, these IKEA drones can scan massive warehouses, tracking the influx and outflow of inventory.

IKEA’s recent move to scale its fleet of inventory drones marks a pivotal moment in the integration of cutting-edge tech within retail logistics. The company is looking to advanced drone tech to take charge of the decor giant’s warehouses across Europe. IKEA’s collaboration with Verity, a startup known for its specialized drones, now spans 16 locations across Europe. The project initially began in 2021 and has grown steadily, positioning IKEA at the forefront of innovative supply chain management. The 100 drones currently in use represent a practical solution to a logistical challenge: monitoring vast warehouse spaces packed with towering shelves that are difficult for human workers or traditional robots to navigate.

Designer: Verity for IKEA

These drones come equipped with sensors and high-resolution cameras that allow them to scan inventory with accuracy and speed, providing a constant stream of data that updates in real time. This capability is especially vital for IKEA, whose warehouses handle everything from bulky furniture to smaller, more complex products. The drones can cover areas that would be impossible or highly inefficient for human workers to manage, enabling continuous operations that reduce errors and ensure stock levels are maintained effectively. This kind of precise monitoring cuts down on the time and labor traditionally required for manual stock-taking, while also minimizing the risk of overstocking or stockouts—issues that can disrupt the supply chain.

Beyond hardware, Verity’s role in this development involves customizing a solution that aligns with IKEA’s needs. The drones operate independently, requiring minimal intervention, which allows IKEA to focus more on strategic planning and less on routine logistical tasks. By maintaining 24/7 operations, these drones are able to deliver inventory data that’s constantly updated, offering insights that traditional systems simply cannot match. Their integration is smooth, even down to the branding—with each drone featuring IKEA’s colors and logo, they fit seamlessly into the company’s broader identity.

As retail continues to evolve with increasing emphasis on automation, IKEA’s strategy serves as a model for how large-scale companies can use technology to disrupt operations by radically improving efficiency. The expansion of these drones into multiple European markets signals that this is not just an experiment but a calculated investment in the future of inventory management. It also allows IKEA to focus its literal man-power in other places, rather than having them manage massive warehouses which can be unsafe. For IKEA, the future is not just about selling furniture; it’s about rethinking how logistics can be optimized to support a global business in a fast-changing world.

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IKEA reveals gaming furniture collection that blends perfectly with modern interiors

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There’s something about gamers that reflects in their overall persona and living space. You can walk into a home and instantly tell it’s a gamer’s den. IKEA wants to condition this perception by making a gamer’s living space more accommodating and comfortable for their non-gaming family members or close pals. Taking a detour from the usual dark-themed setups, the BRÄNNBOLL collection of gaming furniture fuses the best of both worlds.

This subtle collection of 20 versatile items makes even more sense as gaming-themed interiors or furniture items are draped in dark-colored hues. Even IKEA’s previous gaming-themed ROG collection was following the norm. This time around the Swedish multinational wants to concentrate more on the simplistic color schemes that are relevant even when you are not gaming, or when other members of the family are around. According to IKEA, the colors used in this collection are inspired by athleisure and street sports. They’ve balanced these hues with neutral and bright colors, so that they easily mix with the modern home interior design.

Designer: IKEA

According to Ikea product design developer Philip Dilé, the collection is about “making it simple for people to create spaces that adapt to gaming, living, and everything in between.” Coming on to the new collection, there is a desk, chairs, storage solutions and accessories that’ll not only appeal to gamers, but also normal users. A deeper insight into the collection reveals a focus on seating. There’s a fold-out armchair that converts into a lounge for playing intense Battle Royale titles, a rocking-style chair for relaxed gaming in utmost comfort, and an inflatable donut chair having a footstool for casual arcade games.

The most luring item in this collection for me is the gaming station that folds away to resemble a contemporary cupboard. It’s like a hidden portal to your gaming island, only revealed when you are in the mood for some serious gaming on your PC or gaming console. The unit includes a foldable tabletop, cable management system, cleverly incorporated PC tower storage, side table that doubles as a storage box and shelves. IKEA has included textile accessories including a mousepad, a throw and a rug to make your PC gaming a satisfying experience every time you open the cabinet doors.

The collection comes with a rollable side table with pegboard customizations to keep your handheld device, gadgets controllers, headphones and of course popcorn basket. Other than this, BRÄNNBOLL collection has the option to pick up wall-mounted display shelves to show off your collectibles and merchandise. There’s no word about the pricing or availability of the collection, but it is expected to be slated to be released in September this year. We should have more information coming in the months leading up to the release, and we are already excited.

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IKEA JETSTRÖM smart LED wall light panel embodies the brand’s minimalist spirit

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It’s almost too easy to get into the smart lighting scene, especially if you consider bulbs you can simply screw on, string lights you just need to hang, or panels you can stick to walls or other flat surfaces. That said, the theory might be simple, but the design and features of these smart lights can sometimes be complex and confusing, requiring owners to spend time, effort, and energy on setting up the “perfect” installation. Ever the masters of minimalism, IKEA is fighting against the flow with its newest smart light design, basically just a simple, nondescript square panel that does one thing but does it to beautiful perfection.

Designer: Andreas Fredriksson (IKEA)

IKEA can probably be credited for popularizing two things: flat-packed furniture, and Scandinavian minimalism. Granted, some of its designs straddle the fine line separating design trends, and it has also become infamous for simple yet overpriced products. The new IKEA JETSTRÖM, however, seems to go back to the roots of the brand’s design language, championing elegant minimalism that can fit any interior motif over complex shapes and features.

Like the ceiling lamp of the same name, the new JETSTRÖM is a single-piece lighting panel, this time just a 30cm x 30cm (11.8in x 11.8in) square. It’s not a plain square though, as it has rounded corners and curved edges, softening some of the harshness that usually comes from straight edges and inorganic forms. There’s only one color available for the diffuser cover, and you can’t really go wrong with white in order to blend well with different wall colors and decors.

That’s pretty much it in terms of visual design and aesthetics. There are no connecting mechanisms to worry about, as each JETSTRÖM is intended to be a self-sufficient and sometimes isolated unit. You can place several of these squares side by side if you want to, but there’s no requirement or expectation to do so, unlike wall-mounted smart lights like those from Nanoleaf. In a way, it’s a “what you see is what you get” kind of experience, and it’s a simple yet powerful one.

It might look simple, but the JETSTRÖM isn’t lacking in smart lighting features, at least when it comes to the essentials. The default cold white light can be made warmer to set the mood, or set to different colors to match a theme. All of these can be set from the IKEA Home mobile app, whether on its own or in concert with other IKEA smart lights via the DIRIGERA hub. To keep things even simpler, you can use a dedicated remote, though that’s a separate purchase. And contrary to expectations, the IKEA JETSTRÖM actually only costs around $44, which is pretty affordable for a large smart LED panel, especially one that comes from IKEA.

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IKEA pet accessories collection is the minimalist vibe for fur babies

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The past years we’ve seen the growth of “fur parents” so this means there’s also a significant spike in products that will appeal to this market. There are a lot of options out there when it comes to accessories for dogs, cats, and all other pets that may need different kinds of habitats, toys, etc. But when a big name brand puts a lot of effort into research and product development for our fur babies, then they immediately catch our attention.

Designer: IKEA

Swedish brand IKEA is getting into the pet world craze with their UTSÅDD collection that is meant to bring joy not just to the cats and dogs but to their “parents” as well. The brand came up with this 29-piece collection by consulting with veterinarians and pet product specialists and also testing it out on those who will actually be using the products, the cats and dogs themselves.

This means that the products are not just well-designed but also are dishwasher-safe, water-repellant, machine-washable, durable, and of course safe and gentle for the pets. The collection has some items for playtime like the soft toys for dogs and the play tunnel for cats but also has functional ones like pet bowls, beds, and houses. The habitats in particular, like the dog bed and the cat house can both be fun and useful.

The collection will be available globally starting this April. And like with a lot of IKEA products, there is a wide range when it comes to affordability with items ranging between USD $2-70. Also as with most items with the Swedish brand, expect a clean and minimalist vibe.

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Ikea repurposes old uniforms into new lifestyle collection

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Over the past years, we’ve “stanned” brands that not only uses sustainable materials but are also able to upcycle and recycle materials to create new products. We’ve become conscious about how we consume things (well, hopefully, we’ve actually become conscious of it) and how this consumption culture affects this planet we’re living in. Ikea is trying to capture our hearts by creating a new lifestyle line created from materials that they themselves had to discard.

Designer: Ikea

The Swedish brand will be launching their newest collection called VÄXELBRUK which is uniquely made from their recycled coworker uniforms that were discarded when they introduced new attire back in 2020. So instead of just throwing these old uniforms into the trash heaps, they came up with new products that were made from 300 tonnes of these “useless” IKEA uniforms. If you’re not a fan of yellow and blue though, you might want to look elsewhere, even though they managed to tone down the colors considerably without dyeing the textile, which can be more expensive and resource-intensive.

The collection features 16 textile-based items that use the aforementioned old uniforms. This includes things like throw pillows, bags, cushion covers, and even curtains. They are not entirely made from the uniform textile though as they are blended with other recycled materials like polyester from used PET bottles. They also even included some of the “faulty” new uniforms so they will also not go to waste. The inclusion of other materials also helped to alter the colors that are normally so bright.

If you didn’t know that they were made from discarded co-worker uniforms, you’ll just think they’re normal Ikea products that use the iconic colors of the brand. But knowing there they come from makes it even more interesting. The VÄXELBRUK (which means interchangeable use in the Swedish language) collection will be released in February 2024 across Europe stores.

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