A favourite haunt of families, couples and kids, IKEA is the place for getting some serious style inspiration - on a budget.
From the brand’s catalogue to its gorgeous room settings – there’s something about IKEA’s easygoing, Scandinavian aesthetic that appeals to all of us. But how do you actually pull it off? Here, we reveal 7 easy steps to help you achieve that iconic, ‘IKEA room setting’ look – without a stylist or designer.
1. Add a Pinch of Wood Accents
Interior designer: Meter Square Design
Scandinavian styles are big on timbered elements. Always have, always will be. Wood adds a natural element and work as a timeless neutral backdrop to highlight more colourful features. No surprise here that many of IKEA’s furniture offerings revolve around this material. Be it dark, lacquered woods or light-coloured grains, pick wooden furniture that feature minimal detailing and come in simple boxy shapes to nab that clean, unfussy look.
2. Go Bright and Airy with Sheer Curtains
Interior designer: The Local INN.terior
Airy, billowing curtains are a staple in many of IKEA’s catalogue setups and rooms. Why? Because they help to soften a room’s look, set up a cosy atmosphere and naturally brighten up a space by letting light filter through. Instant mood lifter hack!
3. Organise and Store
Interior designer: Meter Square Design
The key to getting that creative ‘IKEA’ aesthetic is to treat your things as a work of art on display. Pair your storage solutions with clever organisers or add-ons to bring order to your space. It could be wire baskets or hanging attachments; these accessories don’t just satisfy the OCDs in all of us, they also help maximise whatever available storage space you have.
4. Infuse Pops of Colour, Big or Small
Scandinavian-styled interiors may emphasise on neutrals, but colours are equally important as well! In fact, bright, striking hues often dominate IKEA’s catalogues and furniture pieces.
Interior designer: Jubilee Interior
What you can do to re-create a cheery, colourful look is to strike a balance. You can either go with a shade (or two) on bigger pieces like your sofa or walls, and mellow things out with surrounding neutrals. Or, keep your space predominantly neutral, adding small colourful pieces along the way.
5. Pile Up On Soft Furnishings
Interior designer: Design Collective
Before we had trends like ‘Hygge’ and ‘Lagom’ advocating cosy living, we had IKEA. Case in point? The dim warm lights they often use for their displays, divine bed spreads piled with countless cushions, blankets and mattress pads, and living rooms – complete with throws, sheepskin rugs and an ottoman cushion to beat.
Interior designer: Icon Interior Design
It’s all about creating a space that’s homely and comfortable. Work on adding a number of soft furnishings – like fabrics, rugs, cushions and throws – besides focusing on the usual ‘hard’ ones like your cabinets and shelves.
6. Have A Little Fun
Everything up to this point sounds a tad serious, so it’s time to loosen up! With the furniture brand constantly producing some of the most oddball (yet surprisingly practical) objects, fun and creativity has always been part of the ‘IKEA’ equation.
Play around with your space a little and push yourself slightly out of the comfort zone. It could be choosing a quirky piece of art or sculpture, incorporating some unique lamps or simply adding uncommon furniture pieces; they all bring a twist to your otherwise cookie-cutter look.
7. Most Of All… Make It Yours
Let you (and your family’s) personality shine through personal knick-knacks or mementos. Ultimately, this is your home. They don’t have to be huge – family photos set onto photo frames, souvenirs from your travels or your favourite paintings could be put up for a heart-warming atmosphere.
Get The Look
Visit IKEA.sg to see more.
Tip!
Exclusively for UOB Cardmembers, stand to win an IKEA living room makeover worth S$10,000! Every $50 spent from 1 Sep to 31 Oct 2017 on your UOB Card gives you one chance to win. Terms and conditions apply. Visit here for full details.
This article is done in collaboration with UOB and IKEA.
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