IKEA's Democratic Design Days 2025, held on June 4-5, 2025 in Älmhult, Sweden, brought the global design community together in a celebration of the brand's core mission to create affordable, functional, sustainable and well-designed products for all. Marking its return since 2019, this flagship event unfolded at the newly crafted IKEA Village, a sustainable venue at the IKEA Hotell. The event, which spotlighted the MÄVINN and OMMJÄNGE collections alongside ground-breaking material innovations, reaffirmed IKEA's unwavering commitment to its Democratic Design philosophy and ambitious sustainability goals.

IKEA's Democratic Design philosophy hinges on five pillars—form, function, quality, sustainability, and low price—ensuring that every product, from a simple shelf to a handcrafted textile, meets real-life needs while remaining accessible. Originating in the 1970s, IKEA's vision, as emphasized by Fredrika Inger, Global Chief Product and Commercial Officer, drives innovation through curiosity and collaboration.

At IKEA of Sweden in Älmhult, the creative epicenter where 25,000 products across 63 markets are born, this philosophy comes alive through exhibitions like the Prototype Shop (est. 1956), which turns sketches into tangible models, and the Test Lab, conducting over 1 million annual tests with robotics to mimic real-world wear. The lab's surface and textile tests, alongside child safety tests, ensure durability and trust, embodying IKEA's customer-focused approach. Sustainability drives IKEA's mission, with over half of its climate footprint linked to materials.

The Factory exhibition, led by Product Design Engineer Minna Karlsson Alm, highlighted efforts to decouple business growth from virgin, non-renewable resources. Innovations include the LISABO table, which uses lightweight wood construction to minimize material use without sacrificing strength, while the ZEBRASÄV lamp, made with 50% recycled plastic, balancing affordability and durability.

IKEA's shift to bio-based glues in particleboard production aims to cut glue-related emissions by 30% by 2030, while the SOLFIBBLA duvet utilizes recycled cotton, reflecting a growing focus on circular materials. The TAGGHAJ frying pan, crafted from recycled aluminium, and the SILVERSIDA tableware, made with 65-70% factory waste, further highlight IKEA's goal to reach 90% recycled aluminium use by 2030 and minimize waste. Investments in seaweed-based materials underscore IKEA's innovative approach to renewables.

Now in its third year, the MÄVINN collection reflects IKEA's commitment to social entrepreneurship. Featuring 18 handcrafted items by artisans from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Jordan, and Thailand, it preserves traditional skills while creating meaningful jobs in vulnerable communities. Magnus Nord, Social Entrepreneurship Implementation Leader, emphasized co-creation with artisans and nature, ensuring each piece tells a story of resilience and heritage. Displayed at IKEA Village, MÄVINN blends cultural storytelling with practical functionality, aligning with IKEA's Democratic Design principles.

The OMMJÄNGE collection, crafted by designers Maria Vinka and Matilda Hunyadi, draws on 19th-century Swedish folklore, its name evoking togetherness in the Småland dialect. Displayed in a reimagined Scandinavian cabin, the vibrant collection combines bold colors and versatile designs to address small-space living, showcasing how historical wisdom can solve modern challenges. Its poetic aesthetic supports IKEA's goal of creating emotionally resonant homes, as seen in the Loshult village visit, where designers Friso Wiersma, Lukas Bazle, and James Dart revealed how everyday life inspires their work.

Beyond collections, IKEA also unveiled a collaboration with designers Gustaf Westman and Evelina Kroon to redefine modern celebrations with personal, innovative expressions. Meanwhile, the inclusive BÄSINGEN bathroom series by Sarah Fager, launched in April 2025, prioritizes safety and accessibility for all. The IKEA Museum's "Trailblazers - Design Her Way" exhibition, curated by Anna Sandberg Falk, honored female designers, underscoring IKEA's commitment to diversity. Discover these collections and more at IKEA, where innovative design and sustainability converge to inspire better living for all.

For Hong Kong and Macau, MÄVINN and OMMJÄNGE are available at IKEA stores and online at https://www.ikea.com.hk/zh.