IKEA’s New OMMJÄNGE Collection Is an Unexpectedly Playful Take on Swedish Tradition – and It's Exactly the Boost Your Home Needs in January
Not your grandma’s folklore. IKEA’s unexpectedly playful, color-punched take on Swedish tradition feels surprisingly right this winter
It’s January, and the winter design scaries have officially sunk in. Too early for spring decor, too committed to the cold to stomach another jewel-toned pillow or faux-fur throw. What we’re really after is a hit of serotonin. And this month, it’s coming from what's new in IKEA.
The brand’s latest collection, OMMJÄNGE, reimagines Swedish folklore through a brighter, more whimsical lens – an interesting turn for the minimalist giant. Maybe it’s the ripple effect of recent, color-forward collaborations with designers like Gustaf Westman, but in any case, IKEA tapped perennially playful designers Maria Vinka and Matilda Hunyadi to shape a 20-piece lineup that includes drop-leaf tables, mouth-blown glass jugs, and cheeky cupboards that hide pattern in the details.
An angular red-stained wooden stool that doubles as a bedside table – or simply a much-needed color prop this winter.
Its bones stay traditional, as promised. Solid wood and wool are rendered using time-honored techniques, keeping the dopamine decor collection grounded in craft rather than more obvious (and easier to execute) novelty.
But color does the talking. ‘The colors were super important to us in this collection,’ Matilda says. ‘We wanted to show the vibrance of folk art and at the same time use shades and combinations that feel contemporary.’
This OMMJÄNGE cabinet is so playful that it doesn’t appear to serve any practical purpose. Fortunately, it does.
Basically, it’s not your grandma’s folklore. OMMJÄNGE feels familiar – with a kick – and is exactly the kind of jolt January begs for.
Shop the limited-edition collection while you can.
Finally, a place for sweaters and throw blankets that isn’t sacrificing an accent chair. This storage bench pulls double duty: stash everything underneath, then sit right on top when you’re done pretending to be organized.
Why should hooks look like hooks? This flower motif hardware set turns the most utilitarian task – hanging coats, bags, scarves, even jewelry – into something so much sweeter.
Rectangles are feeling a little tired. Enter the triangle. This side table works as an unexpected companion to an armchair or bedside, offering a small shape shift that amps up the energy of a room.
Pendant lighting, true to its name, should feel like jewelry for the home. This punchy yellow shade does exactly that, making whatever you’ve curated beneath it more of a moment.
Pink and orange remain the power couple to watch. In this scalloped wall storage cabinet, the graphic contrast reads like contemporary wall art first, storage second – though yes, it does actually hold things.
Your rattan baskets could use a wake-up call. This saturated sky-blue-bordered version wakes up a familiar form, outlining its scalloped shape in a way that feels fresh while still doing the necessary work of corralling odds and ends.
Small spaces demand smart design, and this drop-leaf table is a genius. The mix of natural wood, clean-lined silhouettes, and an unexpected hit of blue makes it exactly the kind of eat-in kitchen surface you didn’t realize you were missing.
When in doubt, change the cushion cover. It’s the lowest-effort way to refresh a room, and this pink-and-beige version does it with more joie de vivre than most.
Trinket trays are usually too small to be useful. This semi-circular duo actually holds your essentials, such as jewelry, sunglasses, wallets, and keys – or pivots easily into drink-and-snack duty when you’re feeling peckish.
Inspired by a 1700s Swedish bridal dress, this candlestick comes with real lore. But you don’t need the full history lesson to appreciate it. All you need to know is that it's a very, very chic and cheerful addition to your winter (or spring, or summer, or fall...) tables.
This mouth-blown glass pitcher looks like an artisanal find you carried home carefully in your arms, which is fitting, considering it was actually made by artisans –just with IKEA pricing.
Don’t be fooled by those sled-like legs. This chair isn’t just for winter. The blue-stained wood brings more than enough joy to keep a dining setup interesting year-round. Add a cushion for comfort, and better yet, treat it as another surface for pattern play.
We weren’t expecting this famously minimalist brand to deliver such a mood-lifting collection, but we’re glad it did. And OMMJÄNGE isn’t the only pleasant surprise from IKEA lately – these nine pieces look a whole lot more expensive than they actually are.
