Ikea’s innovative new Kompishäng furniture is designed for people who move house a lot
As the lifestyles of city dwellers evolve, so has their need for mobility – and the Swedish company has picked up on the the change with its new homeware collection.
When consumer research showed that Ikea was under-serving young city dwellers who move frequently because of regular job changes and short tenancy contracts, it decided to visit their homes to find out more. “The demographic is limiting their belongings but still want furniture worth keeping,” says Ikea product developer Dora Ding. The result is Kompishäng, a line of household pieces that a single person can transport without needing a van.
Designing the collection, which includes a folding desk and other items adapted for portability, was more than a matter of figuring out how to make things lighter. The desk, for example, has a solid pine top and sturdy steel legs but had to be easy to carry and affordable; its handle was tested in various shapes before an ergonomic steel version was selected. One of the team’s key discoveries was that renters grow emotionally attached to plants but find moving big ones to be a hassle. This resulted in the jute plant pot, which has “a warm, natural material that gives it a homely feeling”, says designer Wiebke Braasch. “It has a protective sleeve that pulls up to protect the leaves in transit.”
Kompishäng reflects the reality that though frequent movers tend to own less, many still want objects that last. Ikea, which pioneered modern flat-packing, is now proposing a next step: furniture designed with its second, fifth or 10th home in mind.
ikea.com
Comment
Ikea has long paid attention to case studies and data from market research. Developments in urbanism, new technologies and changing consumer habits all inform the Swedish company’s design process. It’s a reminder of the importance of real-world knowledge. Ensuring that consumers feel part of the production process can also help to make your wares feel personalised.
Further reading:
Objects to soothe your space: The best interior-design pieces that bring nature into your home
Ten iconic European design pieces to cosy up your living space this winter
Around the world in 40 designs: The best furniture, country by country
