IKEA Idea Catalogue 2008

IKEA’s catalogue for 2008 is out — save a tree and read it online if you haven’t already got it in the mail — full of all those home furnishing items that are so unmistakeably IKEA…

My only quibble with IKEA is just that, actually — that it always looks like IKEA. Haven’t we all walked into a room, somewhere, and immediately known that someone had been shopping the Swedish superstore?

It doesn’t do to be a full-blown IKEA snob, however, because a quick look at the catalogue will show a lot of good ideas for small living spaces. And you can always take a hint from IKEA Hacker — take the best of the basic units and give it your own individual spin.

Meanwhile, from the new catalogue, here are a few sharp items to make the most of a space-starved apartment…

1. The PAX FEVIK wardrobe combination with three doors in oak effect and tempered glass — frames, doors, handles and hinges included. The translucent cupboard doors will help to hide the clutter, but don’t have the same solid space-hogging effect as a solid closet door would do.
    
2. For a home office, or to organize your hobby and craft supplies, there’s no end of containers and storage units to mix and match.

   Here, the distinctive “IKEA look” plays in your favour — a collection of boxes and bins will always look more tidy than a mish-mash of dollar-store finds in different styles and shapes. Tuck them all in a fitted cabinet, and you’ve got instant organization — yet the stored stuff is readily at hand when you need it.
    

3. Drop-leaf tables are showing up in a lot of stores again, I’ve noticed. And no wonder — it’s always been a practical solution for small spaces.

   The MUDDUS drop-leaf table in foil finish and powder-coated steel caught my eye for the shot of bright green it brings to a crisp white kitchen. “Blend it in with wall shelves at the same height for one long wall of storage,” IKEA suggests, when the table is not in use for dining.