A First Look At IKEA’s New Collection—Plus Our Favourite Pieces

Scandinavian design may be all about clean lines and natural materials, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a little cheeky—and affordable to all. That was the premise behind the launch of IKEA’s PS collection back in 1995. Now in its tenth iteration, the line spans furniture, lighting, textiles and accessories, all designed around the theme of “playful functionality.” 

For this collection, the brief from IKEA’s creative leader, Maria O’Brian, to her design team was simple: “Less but more, simple but not a bore.” This meant that everything—from an item’s purpose to its materials to its proportions—had to be questioned every step of the way in order to strip away excess while preserving the cheerful energy the Swedish retailer is known for. The result? Pieces that are unique, functional and fun, each one a labour of love that speaks to its creator’s passions. “With this collection, we got to do something that reflects us individually, or leans into our specific interests,” says designer Ellen Hallström, who is behind four of the collection’s pieces, including a sleek coat rack and minimalist plywood chairs that can be hung on the wall to double as Cubist paintings. “It’s like a playground for us.”

Doing more with less is in IKEA’s DNA, says Hallström. “If you really go back to the roots, Scandinavian design comes from having to be very resourceful. Sweden was a very poor country, and the simplicity wasn't an aesthetic choice—it was a necessity,” she explains. “Over time, we have come to love the directness of it.” But the pared-back essence of the collection doesn’t stand in the way of its playful side: each designer has their interpretation of what that might mean, whether it’s bold colours or craftsmanship. There’s a bright green inflatable chair, a low-tech adjustable birch stool that looks like a piece of art and a multi-directional floor lamp that comes in three colours. When designing her plywood easy chair—one of the few pieces in the collection that doesn’t pop with colour—Hallström knew it was meant to stay bare. “It’s like a love letter to plywood, I wanted the material to be the first thing you read,” she says. “The shape is very simplistic, but with a lot of character and very striking in its silhouette.”

Three signature pieces—a rocking bench, the floor lamp and the instantly viral inflatable easy chair—debuted at Milan Design Week in late April. Starting on May 14, the entire 35-plus piece line up will be available to shop in-stores and online. Here are 10 of our favourite pieces.

Easy Inflatable Chair, $299

Inflatable cushions housed in a sturdy metal frame put a chic spin on a nostalgic ’90s favourite.

Floor Uplighter, $60

A favourite since its reveal at Milan Design Week, this lamp can be twisted in three directions to suit any reading nook. 

Trolley, $80

This four-tier storage trolley was inspired by a wedding cake. It's a must-have for bathrooms, craft rooms and offices.

Stool, $100

This low-tech stool has a ratchet-tooth mechanism that allows for easy height adjustments while adding visual interest. 

Folding Chair, $80

Hung on the wall, this folding chair doubles as Cubist art. 

Mirror, $17

Hallström had originally designed this mirror to be made from wood, but a mix-up with the supplier resulted in this happy accident instead: a piece made from bold metal with pops of red and blue. “I like being in a setting where you can be open to that kind of mistake—it can take you in a different direction than you anticipated, but in a good way.”

Vase, from $25

Made from handblown glass, each one of these whimsical vases is one-of-a-kind.

Easy Plywood Chair, $90

This plywood chair lets the material and silhouette speak for themselves.

LED Portable Lamp, $50

Available in three colour combos, this striking rechargeable lamp can be carried with you from room to room.

Cabinet, $499

Crafted using woodworking techniques designer Friso Wiersma learned as a boatbuilder, this cabinet is made from pieces of untreated pine that are woven to create texture.