It's all about creating an inspiring space that is as individual as you are. The visual identity of your home starts with three simple steps. First, find a style you will love. Then, decide on the colour palette of your furniture and accessories. Finally, choose the lighting solutions that will put your interior in best light.
Find a style of your own
There are many ways to express your own style and create a pleasant atmosphere. The essential rule is: do what makes you happy! Do you prefer a harmonious décor with neutral colours that blend together? Or would you rather choose bold patterns and colourful contrasts?Whatever the choice, you will always find something for you at IKEA, since our wide home furnishing range is developed within four style dimensions: traditional, modern, Scandinavian, and international.
Scandinavian traditional offers characteristic Swedish home furnishings from the 19th century, but with a contemporary interpretation. It’s functional, simple, crafted and folkloristic.
Basic colours: yellow, beige, black, deep blue, grey.
Basic materials: pine, coloured stain, wool, natural fibres, metal.
Basic colours: yellow, beige, black, deep blue, grey.
Basic materials: pine, coloured stain, wool, natural fibres, metal.
Scandinavian modern is defined by the light, blond and graphic expressions. It’s simple, functional, innovative, bold, graphic and playful.
Basic colours: white, red, yellow, navy, black.
Basic materials: linen, birch, ash, leather, stainless steel.
Basic colours: white, red, yellow, navy, black.
Basic materials: linen, birch, ash, leather, stainless steel.
International traditional is inspired by traditional home furnishings from the 18th and 19th century. It’s nostalgic, generous, crafted, decorative and elegant.
Basic colours: white, beige, deep red, deep green, black.
Basic materials: velvet, laquer, linen, white enamel, dark stains.
Basic colours: white, beige, deep red, deep green, black.
Basic materials: velvet, laquer, linen, white enamel, dark stains.
International modern is a global and contemporary style. It’s modernistic, elegant, experimental and generous.
Basic colours: beige, green, grey, brown, white.
Basic materials: cotton, white-stained oak, natural fibres, leather, glass.
Basic colours: beige, green, grey, brown, white.
Basic materials: cotton, white-stained oak, natural fibres, leather, glass.
Effects of colours
When furnishing your home, consider what colours would bring the effect you want. Bright colours make small rooms look bigger, yet the darker ones add cosiness. Warm shades ranging from yellow to red are more vital, while cold shades such as turquoise and blue make a room feel more relaxing and soften the light. And did you know that colours can also affect your awareness of time? Time seems to pass more quickly in greenish light than in reddish one!
Let the light do its job
Light helps us to distinguish colours, shapes and sizes, and to see details where we need to. By playing with a mixture of direct, indirect, natural and artificial light sources, you can add life and character to any room.- Direct lighting is functional. It lights up the area where you're reading or working. Choose spotlights, swivelling table lamps and hanging lights with a wide shade.
- Indirect light is atmospheric and cosy. Get the effect with semi-transparent lampshades made of rattan, rice paper, frosted glass or fabric.
- Natural light is motivating! Move your favourite chair closer to the window to make the most of the sunlight. Good to know: sheer, light-coloured curtains help filter and diffuse strong sunlight, creating a gentle transition between the windows and the walls; dark curtains and walls, on the other hand, tend to absorb the sunlight and create sharp contrasts.
- Artificial light can do almost anything. It can support all your activities at home and create the atmosphere for different occasions or moods. It’s simply a matter of finding the right combination of light sources.
White light
The light temperature depends on what you are doing. When working or reading, the eyes focus more easily on light with a cold white colour temperature. When you want to relax and wind down, a warm white is needed.