ikea – Jellybeans in the City

Why you should design your bedroom with a Scandi aesthetic

The Scandinavian aesthetic – which originated from Nordic countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland – has stayed in prominence among design styles preferred by home owners for quite some time.

Characterized by clean lines, light spaces and the absence of clutter – hallmarks of Nordic minimalism – this design theme has the surprising ability to imbue the look and feel of warmth and welcome into a space, as well as having a strong visual appeal.

Basic Principles

Scandinavian design is guided by the principles of balance and harmony with one’s environment using well-crafted and high-quality items while remaining unencumbered by excess clutter.

This design philosophy uses a minimalist and well-considered approach which seeks to combine beauty and functionality, resulting in a sleek and modern decor that still feels warm and inviting.

Scandinavian design principles for the bedroom

It’s not surprising then that Scandi themes translate quite well in bedrooms.

The bedroom is space within the home dedicated to resting and restoring oneself – where one shakes off the concerns from the outside world at the end of the day, and then prepares for the challenges of a new day.

Within this space, one should be able to take a restful slumber, do relaxing activities like reading or meditation, or just enjoy one’s solitude.

The bedroom should definitely be a welcoming place, somewhere to let loose and relax. Applying Scandi design principles to one’s bedroom helps to bring about these desired effects.

Here are rules of thumb that will help you design a tasteful Scandi bedroom:

Keep it simple.

Prioritize simplicity and functionality by keeping the bedroom free of clutter and unessential elements. Use sleek, clean-lined modern furniture, while implementing proper arrangement and storage of the room’s elements. Doing so will help to declutter your mind, resulting into a more relaxing space.

Use muted colors.

Scandi design uses quite a lot whites, grays and tans, and complements this neutral and nature-based palette with accents of blue and other bright colors. These contribute to less unwanted visual stimulation and gives the room a more soothing atmosphere.

Maximize natural light.

Artificial sources of illumination may increase risks for migraines and eye strain so it follows that making the most of natural light will help in minimizing these risks, and has the bonus benefit of improving one’s sleep cycle.

Painting the walls white as well as making minimal use of window treatments help to optimize the natural light the enters the bedroom.

Bring the outside in.

Nature plays a big role in Scandi design, attributable to the natural beauty of Scandinavian countries, as well as their long winter season which led to the desire to incorporate natural elements into interior spaces.

This can be achieved through the use of plants and flowers that add pops of color to the minimalist design, as well as through the use of light woods such as beech, ash and pine which inject warmth into the space.

Design for hygge.

Scandinavian design embraces the concept of hygge – the quality of coziness and comfort that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being – which would definitely suit the bedroom.

Adding elements that add joy or the feeling of living well such as cool and silky bed sheets, a comfy comforter, or tasteful artwork will not only personalize your bedroom but also create a space you would look forward to escaping to.

Thinking of applying a Scandi aesthetic to your bedroom? It might be time to hie yourself over to IKEA for great ideas and exciting finds.

About IKEA

In 1951, the IKEA began operating as a mail-order catalogue business based in Almhult, a small, forested village in the Swedish countryside. Its founder, Ingvar Kamprad decided to sell good-quality furniture at low prices.

Since 2008, IKEA has been recognized as the largest furniture retailer in the world, with presence in Europe, Middle East, North Africa, East Asia, India, Southeast Asia, Oceania and North America.

In 2021, opened its largest store in the world right in our home turf, a 65,000 square meter outlet located in the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City which houses over 8,000 items.

You can visit IKEA Pasay at the MOA Square, Marina Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Barangay 76 Zone 10, CBP-IA, 1300 Pasay City, open daily from 10am to 10pm.

You may also order online through its website.

To stay updated on its promos and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Header Image by Freepik | Other photos taken during store visit to IKEA Pasay.

Check out my previous posts about IKEA:

Answers to some questions you may have about IKEA PH (but haven’t gotten around to asking)

A taste of Scandinavia at IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant

Have you heard of the recent trending topic called #SwedenGate? It sprang from several anecdotes shared on Reddit which recall childhood experiences of house guests not being invited to dine while at a Swedish household.

While there are myriad cultural contexts behind this custom, and recent reports do share that this practice has been dying out, it does bring to the spotlight a cuisine heretofore unknown to most Filipinos: Scandinavian food.

Recently, this cuisine became a lot more accessible to us, thanks to IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant at IKEA Pasay. Given the time and energy that shoppers expend while browsing through its displays, it’s a good thing that IKEA opened a self-service cafeteria inside the store. It has proven to be quite popular: during my family’s recent visit, we had to wait in line for thirty minutes to an hour before we were able to enter.

Since it employs a cafeteria-style self-service type of operations, we had to line up at the food counters to choose and collect our food in trays and carry them towards the cashiers. This process is greatly helped by the trollies that IKEA provided, which proved to be a great convenience due to the sheer amount of food we ended up buying.

Once we‘re done getting our food, we settled down to eat at the well-appointed dining area which is furnished with Scandinavian-style tables and chairs. Depending on the number of people in your party, you may opt for the small tables for a party of two or a get the bigger tables that can seat up to eight people.

The menu and operations of IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant are guided by its seven food principles:

Lagom – Servings that are not too hearty nor lacking, with responsible portions just right to sate one’s hunger.
Sustainable – Food items should be good for both people and the planet by sourcing ingredients from farms and fisheries that strive to protect the environment, public health, people and communities.
Plant-based – Food items that celebrate seasonal and diverse ingredients as well as make healthier and sustainable living easy.
Animal welfare – Fewer animals are used in its menu and all are sourced sustainably from farms that practice humane treatment of livestock.
Natural – Simple and wholesome dishes that reduce the use of additives while still safeguarding food safety.
Food is precious – Food waste is a no-no from farm to consumption.
Food is pleasure – Food is meant to be enjoyed with others, celebrating different cultures that come together.

The fam did take our cue from the greeting “Smaklig maltid!” (“Enjoy your meal!”) as we shared and feasted on our Scandinavian food orders:

We also enjoyed free-flowing Nordic drinks (Php50/person) to go with our food. These are sparkling or still beverages sweetened only with half the usual amount of sugar featuring flavors such as elderberry, lemon, pear, raspberry, lingonberry, and cola distributed on tap at the drink stations.

When we finished our meal, we quickly cleared our table (to do our share in helping IKEA keep its food costs low) and left so that our table can be readily used by the next batch of diners.

I’m glad that my fam was able to experience this foray into Scandinavian cuisine. #SwedenGate may son be a thing of the past, but this family’s love affair with Swedish food is just beginning.

The Swedish Restaurant is located at the 4th Level of IKEA Pasay City and is open daily, from 9:30 am to 9 pm.

To stay updated on news and updates about IKEA PH, visit its website or follow it on Facebook or Instagram.

Answers to some questions you may have about IKEA PH (but haven’t gotten around to asking)

Here’s your definitive guide to shopping at IKEA’s PH store.

One of the buzz-worthy news items to come out in the midst of the pandemic is the opening of IKEA’s first branch in the MOA Complex in November 2021, just in time to cater to the metro’s for the Christmas rush.

While many home improvement buffs and shopaholics are set all abuzz with excitement at the news, other consumers may be saying, “IKEA who?”

For folks who may not have yet heard of IKEA, or may be unfamiliar with its unique shopping concept, here answers to questions you may have about it but haven’t gotten around to asking.

What is IKEA?

Back in 1943, Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA in Smaland, a historic village whose stony and rugged terrain honed its inhabitants to be thrifty, innovative and possessing of a “no nonsense” approach to solving everyday problems, qualities which may explain IKEA’s way of doing business and its subsequent success.

In 1951, the IKEA began operating as a mail-order catalogue business based in Almhult, a small, forested village in the Swedish countryside. It was at this time that Kamprad decided to sell good-quality furniture at low prices.

Since 2008, IKEA has been recognized as the largest furniture retailer in the world, with presence in Europe, Middle East, North Africa, East Asia, India, Southeast Asia, Oceania and North America.

In 2021, opened its largest store in the world right in our home turf, a 65,000 square meter outlet located in the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City which houses over 8,000 items.

Why is it named IKEA?

IKEA is an acronym composed of the founder’s initials – “IK” for Ingmar Kamprad), and for places that hold special meaning such as “E” for Emtaryd, the farm he grew up in, and “A” for Agunnaryd, his hometown in Smaland, Sweden.

What makes the IKEA experience so unique?

Shopping at IKEA is sure to be a singular experience, with several factors coming together, such as:

A distinctive Scandinavian design.

IKEA’s furniture and housewares adhere to the Scandinavian design aesthetic which leans towards muted colors, decluttered spaces, use of natural lighting, wood accents, greenery and sleek, modern furniture.

A one-way store layout.

Inside the store, customers are led through a counter-clockwise path that IKEA calls “the long natural way.” This path is designed to encourage customers to see the store (as well as its extensive product inventory) in its entirety, in contrast to the layout of traditional retail stores which allows customers to go straight to the section that contains their desired products. However, there are shortcuts to other sections along this path where more experienced shoppers can skip some areas and proceed directly to where they want to go.

The path starts by going through several showrooms where customers can look at or touch the furniture, taking note of product details indicated in the tags of those that catch their fancy. The customer then gets a cart and proceeds to then open-shelf market hall to pick out smaller items on display. Afterwards, they go on to the self-service furniture warehouse to collect the items they took a note of earlier in flat pack form (more on that later). Before they finally pay at one of the checkout counters, they will pass by the Circular Hub which is aimed at reducing wastage by offering previous display items or discontinued product lines at discounted prices.

Items not stocked inside the store may be collected in a separate customer service or warehouse section.

After checkout, shoppers may opt bring home their purchases by loading them to their vehicles, or make arrangements to have them delivered by IKEA’s delivery service.

Just in case buyer’s remorse rears its ugly head, shoppers have the next 365 days to return their purchases.

Experiential shopping through its showrooms.

The first IKEA showroom came about because of poor sales from the first mail catalogue, owing to the skepticism of the market regarding the quality of its products. Kamprad then decided to convert an old workshop in Almhult into a showroom. Here, customers can look at products, see how they can be tastefully arranged together and try them out prior to ordering.

Today, showrooms comprise a significant portion of IKEA stores; these serve as experiential displays where customers may engage or interact with the products (even take pictures!) or find inspiration for their own home decor.

No to shopping while hungry.

Given its layout and the sheer number of items on display, shoppers can expect to spend a significant portion of their day at the IKEA store (some visits last as long as four hours!). Probably realizing the difficulty of dealing with hungry (or hangry!) customers, IKEA opened in-store self-service cafeterias serving a simple and affordable yet tasty menu of light Swedish fare, the most famous of which are the Swedish meatballs.

Customers can dine in these restaurants prior to entering the showrooms or after checkout, or may choose to take out the food to enjoy at home.

How is IKEA able to sell affordably priced furniture?

While many of us Pinoys aspire to have a well-appointed and tastefully furnished home, we may not have the budget to achieve it. Over the years of its operations, IKEA has made a name for itself as the place for high-quality, yet low-priced furniture through the following practices:

Designing that way.

According to a Business Insider article, IKEA determines what it wants to sell a product for, then designers work with suppliers to make that possible. Thus, IKEA products are of good quality but are priced affordably because they are designed that way. IKEA’s items are also manufactured in bulk, allowing the company to negotiate discounts in production and pass the savings on to customers.

Flat-packing.

Back during the days when it was a mail-order business, distributing or delivering bulky furniture was not just expensive, but also very difficult, oftentimes resulting in damaged products. In 1956, IKEA got the idea to remove the legs of its LOVET table, allowing the company to pack and ship the product in flat boxes. Doing so cost a lot less to store and transport, bringing about the practice of flat-packing.

Some assembly required.

Flat-packing then led to the practice of self-assembly by customers. With the furniture packed with its parts disassembled, buyers are left to put these together themselves. While some people may not relish the thought of having to assemble their furniture, the handy-men (and -women!) would appreciate the opportunity to tinker around with their tools while producing something beautiful for their homes, as well as the savings this arrangement brings to them.

Think self-assembly is not for you? You may opt to avail of IKEA’s Assembly Service if you’re willing to part with a few more bucks.

The all-important tag.

In IKEA, you won’t find a lot of store associates following you around to answer questions you may have about the store’s wares. Instead, all important information, aside from the price, are provided in the product tags such as the product’s size, color, material, measurements, features, whether you would need to be assisted by a store staff to purchase the item and most importantly, its location in the warehouse, allowing you to locate and collect the item before checkout.

The tag empowers a lot of the self-service among customers while in the store, allowing the company to hire fewer people and, again, pass the savings on to customers.

Can I shop for IKEA items online?

If the idea of braving the metro’s traffic and the crowds while shopping does not appeal to you, fear not: you have the option to shop online.

At its website, shoppers can select the items they wish to purchase according to room, category, series or collection; add these to their cart for checkout or, if out stock or available only in-store, save them to a shopping list to serve as their guide when they visit the physical store.

Online shoppers may also opt to Click and Collect, wherein they can buy online and pick up their purchases at nearby designated locations, saving them the long commute, the trek through the various store displays and the effort of locating their purchases in the self-serve warehouse.

Customers may also download the IKEA Mobile App for more convenient online shopping using their mobile devices.

Where is its Philippine store located?

Shopping at IKEA’s brick and mortar store is an experience not to be missed, as its various showrooms and displays welcome customers to try, touch and feel its products.

You can visit IKEA Pasay at the MOA Square, Marina Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Barangay 76 Zone 10, CBP-IA, 1300 Pasay City, open daily from 10am to 10pm.

In accordance to COVID-19 safety guidelines, all customers are encouraged to practice physical distancing and wear face masks while inside store premises. As only vaccinated individuals are allowed inside, proof of vaccination status is required upon entry.

With this guide to shopping at IKEA, I hope you’re all set for your visit to its Philippine store. Let me know how it goes!

To stay updated on news and updates about IKEA PH, visit its website or follow it on Facebook or Instagram.