A stylish dining room featuring a light wood table with beige chairs, elegant decor, and a patterned rug, illuminated by a modern chandelier.

STOCKHOLM 2025 Collection Reaffirms IKEA's Dedication to Affordable Craftsmanship

Words by Yatzer

IKEA’s STOCKHOLM collection has always been a beacon of quality within the brand’s expansive catalogue—a rarefied line where craftsmanship meets affordability without any compromise. STOCKHOLM 2025, debuting today at Milan Design Week, is no exception. Comprising of 96 meticulously designed pieces, ranging from statement sofas, dining sets, and consoles to handwoven wool rugs, mouth-blown glass vases, and ceramic tableware, the collection is the largest to date, championing contemporary Scandinavian design through the creative lens of four talented designers. While each item stands on its own, together, they create an effortlessly sophisticated environment, challenging the notion that high-end aesthetics and flat-pack assembly must exist at odds with one another.

A modern wooden cabinet displays a vinyl record player, amber vase with greenery, and glassware, alongside a round dining table and red chair.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A modern dining room features a wooden table set with elegant glassware, a red chair, and a stylish pendant light above.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

Rooted in the essence of Stockholm itself, this edition captures the interplay between urban life and nature, an intimate relationship deeply embedded in the city’s culture. One only needs to glance at a map to understand the relationship between the two—nestled amid the Stockholm Archipelagos, the city is surrounded by forested island and water—or indeed look into the Swedish tradition of "friluftsliv" (outdoor life). The collection’s colour palette reflects this duality, with rich earth tones juxtaposed against the airy lightness of pine wood, punctuated by vibrant accents inspired by the shifting of Scandinavia’s seasons. Textiles designer Paulin Machado best encapsulates this philosophy: “Nature is the best designer—every colour matches beautifully in the natural world.”

Launched in 1985, IKEA’s STOCKHOLM collection has consistently served as a testing ground for the brand’s Democratic Design principles which strike a balance between form, function, quality, sustainability, and affordability. The 2025 edition refines this ethos even further, incorporating updated manufacturing techniques and smarter material choices. "Our goal was to create ‘forever furniture’—pieces that age beautifully and remain relevant for years to come," explains Creative Leader Karin Gustavsson, emphasizing the collection’s commitment to longevity and sustainable design. Innovations from this collection are likely to influence future IKEA ranges, reinforcing its role as a crucible for design evolution.

A wooden tray holds a potted plant, gold stationery items, a stone, scissors, and a notepad, set on a striped rug.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A wooden display cabinet holds glassware and a blue bowl, complemented by a potted green plant against a textured wall.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

Cozy living room featuring yellow sofas, a modern art piece, potted plants, and a stylish coffee table with decor and drinks.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A colorful patterned pillow rests on a dark brown couch, alongside a neatly folded green blanket and a small table with a gold bowl.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A stylish, patterned lamp sits atop a vibrant green cabinet, surrounded by lush foliage and textured stone walls.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A vibrant blue sofa with patterned cushions sits in a modern bright room, alongside a green cabinet, coffee table, and decorative elements.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

Two distinct sofas anchor the collection, each reflecting the design ethos of its creator. Ola Wihlborg, a longtime IKEA collaborator, drew inspiration from his own frustrations with a past STOCKHOLM collection sofa: “I designed the sofa after noticing how some sofas often lose their shape with everyday use, making you constantly need to fluff the cushions.” Determined to solve this problem, Wihlborg and his team went through 30 prototypes, testing different armrest shapes, backrest heights, and cushion structures. The result? A sofa with a soft silhouette, supportive pocket springs, and high-resilience foam that retains its shape, in other words, comfortable without demanding constant upkeep. The collection also introduces the STOCKHOLM SUNDHAMN sofa, which eschews synthetic foam in favour of natural latex, cotton weave, and coconut fibre, reinforcing IKEA’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Modern living room with a light sofa, colorful pillows, stylish chairs, and a patterned rug, accented by natural light and greenery.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A bright living room featuring a teal sofa with patterned pillows, a wooden coffee table, and a green cabinet against white walls.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

Close-up of modern chandelier with clear glass tubes.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A gloved hand adjusts a modern chandelier adorned with clear glass tubes, set against a vibrant green background.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A hallmark of the STOCKHOLM collection is its meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that even the most functional elements are imbued with elegance. Take, for instance, the wedge dowel system—a patented wooden peg mechanism that allows chairs and tables to be assembled without metal fittings or tools, resulting in a cleaner aesthetic. The dining table’s hollow tabletop construction not only reduces material use but also enables an elongated design without the need for additional support legs, while the new wooden shelf, free of back panels and braces, achieves stability through precisely angled hidden fittings—both exemplifying IKEA’s mastery of engineering as much as design. Even the chandelier in this collection receives the white-glove treatment—literally—by including special gloves in the packaging to ensure a smudge-free assembly experience.

A wooden tabletop with a cylindrical leg piece and a cut-out for assembly, showcasing natural wood grain and craftsmanship details.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A modern wooden sideboard with cane doors, a yellow lamp, a potted plant, and a patterned round stool on a herringbone wood floor.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

Despite IKEA’s reputation for mass manufacturing, the STOCKHOLM 2025 collection reaffirms the company’s reverence for artisanal techniques. Meticulously crafted by master weavers in India, the flatwoven wool rugs draw inspiration from traditional Swedish röllakan carpets, the collection’s mouth-blown glass vases, each slightly unique due to the human touch involved in their creation, have revived the glassmaking tradition of IKEA’s home region Småland, while the Bent Wood Chair, available in both striking red and black, employs an age-old wood-bending technique that enhances both its strength and fluid form. A star of the STOCKHOLM 2017 lineup, rattan takes centre stage once again this year through a new range of cabinets and chairs by Nike Karlsson hand-crafted by Indonesian artisans, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to celebrating time-honoured crafts within a global framework.

A stylish wooden serving cart features two tiers with glassware, beakers, and a book, enhancing the elegant interior ambiance.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

A glass display cabinet featuring an elegant turquoise bowl, stacked magazines, and several glassware pieces, complemented by greenery.

STOCKHOLM 2025 collection © IKEA

The STOCKHOLM 2025 collection is a reminder that good design need not be exclusive. With its refined materials, innovative production techniques, and timeless aesthetic, the latest edition bridges the gap between affordability and luxury. Unveiled at Tenoha Milano (Tortona Rocks), during Milan Design Week (April 7 - 13, 2025), the 2025 edition is complemented by a curated showcase of vintage STOCKHOLM products from the IKEA Museum and “Do something. Change everything.”, an exhibition highlighting how quality and sustainability are beacons for change. Marking 30 years since the brand first participated in Milan Design Week, the presentation also attests to IKEA’s continued ability to evolve, proving that even after 40 years, the brand remains at the cutting edge of what is possible in mass-market design. Whether furnishing a compact urban apartment or a sprawling countryside home, this edition ensures that high-quality Scandinavian craftsmanship is, as always, for the many, not just the few.

  • A stately, stylish lounge featuring a blue sofa, vintage paintings, modern furniture, and a floral centerpiece on a striped rug.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.

  • A cozy boat scene features wooden benches and warm lighting, where a passenger relaxes with their legs stretched out.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.

  • A stately living room featuring a dark sofa, a warm orange blanket, stylish lamps, and vases of vibrant flowers near large windows.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.

  • A man in a striped shirt sits on a blue sofa, while a woman in a gray sweater holds a drink, surrounded by an ornate mural.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.

  • Stately living space featuring wooden paneling, upholstered chairs, a striped rug, and a decorative ceramic stove, creating a warm ambiance.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.

  • A stylish gathering in a lavishly decorated room, featuring guests holding drinks and engaging in conversation around elegant tables.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.

  • A glimpse through an doorway reveals a cozy seating area with woven chairs, a patterned rug, and vibrant floral curtains.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.

  • A silhouetted figure looks at a phone inside a boat, with a snowy landscape visible through a window. Two coffee mugs are nearby.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.

  • A cozy corner featuring a light chair with patterned cushions, a sleek black side table, and large windows allowing natural light.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.

  • View from a boat window, showcasing people inside while an old yellow house stands amidst modern buildings and snowy trees outside.

    Exclusive preview of the STOCKHOLM 2025 collections, Stockholm, February 2025.