IKEA’s Newest Collection Celebrates Light in Ways You’ve Never Seen Before

If you think of lighting as “that one floor lamp you bought in college and never replaced,”
IKEA is here to gently but firmly upgrade your entire mindset. With its newest light-obsessed
collection – headlined by the VARMBLIXT line – the Swedish giant isn’t just selling lamps.
It’s asking a bigger question: what if light was the main character in your home, not just a
supporting extra?

This collection takes everything IKEA already does well – smart technology, sustainable LED
bulbs, democratic design, and wallet-friendly price points – and turns the dial up to “wow.”
Sculptural fixtures blur the line between art and function, warm glows bounce off curves and
glass, and everyday rooms suddenly feel like carefully lit galleries.

Meet VARMBLIXT: When Light Becomes the Star

The heart of IKEA’s newest lighting story is VARMBLIXT, a roughly 20-piece collection created
with Rotterdam-based designer Sabine Marcelis. It’s packed with sculptural lighting, coffee
tables, and glassware, all designed around one big idea: light isn’t just something you turn on;
it’s something you feel.

Marcelis is known for bold shapes, high-gloss surfaces, and a love of glowing gradients. For
IKEA, she translated that language into pieces that radiate warmth even when they’re not lit:
think looping pendant lights, halo-like wall mirrors, and an iconic donut-shaped lamp that
looks like it came straight from a sci-fi bakery. These pieces are meant to pull focus in the
room – they’re conversation starters as much as they are light sources.

The Designer Behind the Glow: Sabine Marcelis

Marcelis has built a global reputation by experimenting with materials like glass, resin, and
reflective surfaces, often using light as her “secret ingredient.” For this collaboration, she
leaned into that expertise, creating objects that change character as soon as you flip the
switch. Frosted glass tubes soften harsh brightness into a gentle glow, while curved forms
create shadows and gradients that make walls feel alive.

One recurring motif is her “infinite donut” – a circular shape used in both serveware and a
signature lamp. The lamp can work as a table piece or elevate to wall art, casting a cozy,
amber-toned halo that instantly warms up a corner. It’s the kind of design that looks like a
sculpture by day, then becomes this quiet, cinematic light source at night.

What Makes This IKEA Lighting Collection So Different?

IKEA releases a lot of collections, but this one stands out because it treats light like a
material, not just a utility. Instead of adding bulbs to existing furniture, VARMBLIXT and the
latest light-forward pieces are built to interact with light from every angle – through
reflection, color, and form.

Sculptural Fixtures That Double as Art

Many of the new pieces sit comfortably in the “is that a lamp or an installation?” category.
The VARMBLIXT LED pendant lamp is made of curved glass tubes that form a looping shape over
your dining table or living room. Even when switched off, the milky glass and bold silhouette
act like an art object. Turn it on, and those same curves trace glowing lines in the air.

The matching LED wall mirror takes the same idea to the vertical plane: a semi-transparent
glass panel with integrated lighting creates a soft halo around the mirror, so your reflection
is framed in a cinematic glow instead of harsh overhead brightness. It’s practical, but it
also feels like stepping into your own editorial photoshoot every morning.

Light That Plays With Color and Mood

IKEA has been flirting with bold color for a while, and you can see that same energy in recent
collections like TESAMMANS, its collaboration with Dutch design duo Raw Color. That line
features furniture, textiles, and lighting in unexpected color combinations designed to show
how shades interact with one another in a room.

Layer a warm amber VARMBLIXT lamp near colorful textiles or glassware, and you start to see
what IKEA is doing: using light to amplify color, not just illuminate it. Transparent and
translucent surfaces catch the glow, liquids in clear drinking glasses shift hue, and your
everyday evening drink suddenly looks like a design decision.

Designed for Real Homes, Not Just Showrooms

The fun part? This is all designed for normal people with normal homes, not just magazine-ready
lofts. Many of the lamps are compact, wall-mountable, or easy to move around. Pieces sit
comfortably on a console, nightstand, or shelf, making them ideal for renters and small-space
dwellers who can’t rewire the ceiling on a whim.

And because IKEA’s entire lighting range has shifted to energy-saving LED, you’re getting
bulbs that can last up to around 20 years of typical use and use up to 85% less energy than
old-school incandescent bulbs – meaning you can enjoy your sculpture-lamps without dreading
the power bill.

How This Collection Fits Into IKEA’s Bigger Light Story

VARMBLIXT and its siblings aren’t arriving in a vacuum. IKEA has spent years turning lighting
into a core part of its sustainability and smart-home strategy. The company committed to
selling only energy-efficient LED options, and newer lines like SOLHETTA push efficiency even
further, with bulbs that are roughly 35% more energy efficient than previous IKEA LEDs and last
up to 25,000 hours.

That means the dramatic, sculptural glow in your living room is powered by surprisingly nerdy
engineering under the hood. You’re not just buying something pretty; you’re buying into a
long-term shift toward smarter, more responsible lighting.

Smart Lighting That Stays (Surprisingly) Simple

On the tech side, IKEA’s smart lighting ecosystem has been evolving from its TRÅDFRI range to
the DIRIGERA hub, which connects bulbs, remotes, sensors, and plugs so you can control your
lights via the IKEA Home smart app.

The latest reboot of IKEA’s smart home strategy leans into the Matter standard, a new
interoperability system that makes it easier to connect devices from different brands. New
bulbs, sensors, and remotes are designed to be more affordable and user-friendly, while the
updated hub acts as a bridge to keep older devices working.

Practically speaking, that means your sculptural lamps and cozy accent lights can be grouped,
dimmed, and scheduled – all without turning your living room into a science project.

Democratic Design: Form, Function, Sustainability, Low Price

At the philosophy level, this collection is pure “democratic design” – IKEA’s term for balancing
form, function, quality, sustainability, and low cost. By using long-lasting LEDs, pushing
energy efficiency, and keeping prices accessible, IKEA is making expressive lighting something
more people can experiment with, not just design insiders.

When you combine that approach with a designer like Sabine Marcelis, who’s used to working on
high-end installations and gallery pieces, you get a rare thing: lighting that feels exclusive,
but is actually designed for the many.

Styling Ideas: How to Use IKEA’s Light-First Pieces at Home

Turn Your Entryway Into a “First-Impression” Moment

Place a donut-shaped lamp or glowing glass piece on a console near the front door, and you’ve
instantly created a warm welcome zone. Pair it with a mirror above and a small tray for keys,
and you’ve quietly solved both an organizational problem and a mood problem: guests walk into
soft light instead of harsh overhead glare.

You can layer in seasonal decor here too. IKEA’s limited-edition and holiday collections often
feature textiles, candles, and small accessories designed to pair with its core lighting range,
making it easy to swap in new accents while your main lamp does the heavy lifting.

Make the Living Room Feel Like a Lounge

In the living room, a sculptural pendant like the VARMBLIXT LED lamp can serve as the centerpiece
over your coffee table, while a wall mirror or side lamp creates layers of glow around the room.
The trick is to think in zones: one pool of light for conversation, one for reading, one for
watching TV, and one purely for mood.

Add a soft rug and a few color-rich cushions from collections like TESAMMANS, and you’ve
basically built your own boutique hotel lobby – minus the resort fee.

Bring Spa Energy Into the Bedroom

In the bedroom, the warm, indirect light of these fixtures is perfect for winding down. Instead
of a single bright ceiling lamp, use table or wall lights at “eye-level comfort” height. The
curved forms soften shadows, making the room feel calmer and more intimate.

If you use smart bulbs, set an evening scene that slowly dims and warms over 30 minutes before
your planned bedtime. Your future, better-rested self will be extremely grateful.

Is IKEA’s Light-Loving New Collection Right for You?

This collection is ideal for you if:

• You love the idea of statement lighting but don’t want gallery-level prices.
• You live in a rental or smaller space and need pieces that look intentional, not temporary.
• You’re trying to cut energy use and upgrade to LED without sacrificing style.
• You’re bored with basic lamps and want lighting that actually makes you feel something.

Between the sculptural shapes, the emotional warmth of the glow, and the sustainable,
smart-ready technology behind the scenes, IKEA’s newest light-focused collection really does
celebrate light in ways most of us haven’t tried at home before.

Conclusion: A New Era of Everyday Light

IKEA has spent years quietly evolving its lighting – going all-in on LEDs, building smart-home
ecosystems, and collaborating with boundary-pushing designers. Collections like VARMBLIXT are
the moment where all of that work becomes visible. They prove that “everyday” light can be
emotional, sculptural, efficient, and accessible at the same time.

If you’re ready to retire that old floor lamp and give your home a fresh, glowing personality,
this is the perfect collection to start with. It’s not just about seeing better – it’s about
feeling better every time you flip the switch.

SEO Snapshot

meta_title: IKEA’s Newest Collection Celebrates Light

meta_description: Discover how IKEA’s newest lighting collection, led by the
VARMBLIXT line, turns sculptural lamps and smart LEDs into an emotional, light-filled home.

sapo: IKEA’s newest collection doesn’t treat lighting as an afterthought. From
the sculptural VARMBLIXT lamps by designer Sabine Marcelis to energy-saving smart LEDs, this
light-first lineup transforms ordinary rooms into warm, glowing spaces. Learn how the
collection plays with color, curves, and reflections; how it fits into IKEA’s bigger
sustainability and smart-home strategy; and how you can style these pieces in real-life rooms,
from tiny rentals to open-plan living spaces. If you’ve ever wanted lighting that feels like
art, mood, and clever technology all at once, this is your invitation to see IKEA in a whole
new light.

keywords: IKEA lighting collection, VARMBLIXT, Sabine Marcelis, sculptural
lighting, smart LED lights, sustainable home lighting, IKEA smart lighting

Real-Life Experiences With IKEA’s Light-First Design

Reading about a lighting collection is one thing. Living with it is where the magic happens.
Below are some lived-in, day-to-day scenarios that show how this kind of expressive lighting
actually changes the feel of a home – beyond the glossy photos.

Morning Coffee With a Glowing Donut Lamp

Picture this: it’s early, the sun isn’t quite up, and you’re padding into the kitchen in fuzzy
socks. Instead of flipping on a cold ceiling light, you tap on a donut-shaped lamp on the
counter. The amber glow is soft but bright enough to see your mug and the coffee machine. The
light pools on the countertop, reflecting off the stainless steel kettle and the glass jar of
coffee beans, turning a sleepy routine into a small ritual.

That’s one of the biggest differences with sculptural lamps – they change not just how a room
looks, but how specific moments feel. A warm, low light in the morning is kinder to your eyes,
but it’s also kinder to your mood. You’re not jolted awake; you’re eased into the day.

Movie Night Without the Cave Vibes

Now fast-forward to evening. You’re about to start a movie, but nobody wants the room either
fully dark or lit like a dentist’s office. A pendant from the collection on a low dimming
setting sends a halo of light onto the ceiling, while a wall lamp glows quietly in a corner.
Because the fixtures are designed to diffuse light rather than beam it in one direction, you
get that cozy, enveloping feel without glare on the TV screen.

If you’re using IKEA’s smart bulbs, you can make this even smoother by saving a “movie night”
scene in the app. Tap once, and your sculptural main light dims, side lamps settle into warm
tones, and the whole room flips into cinema mode – popcorn optional, but heavily encouraged.

Small-Space Hack: Turning Dead Corners Into Destinations

Every home has at least one “dead corner” – that awkward spot by the couch, the empty stretch
of hallway, or the bit of wall near the dining table that never quite came together. A
sculptural lamp is one of the fastest ways to turn that space into an intentional moment.

For example, a corner with just a plant and nothing else can feel a bit unfinished. Add a
donut lamp on a low shelf or a glowing ring on the wall above the plant, and suddenly it looks
curated. The light grazes the leaves, throws soft shadows on the wall, and gives the impression
that you meant to make a “mini indoor garden,” not just “somewhere the plant happened to fit.”

Entertaining That Feels Effortless (Even If It Isn’t)

When friends come over, good light quietly does half the hosting for you. A sculptural pendant
over the dining table makes every meal feel more like an event, even if you’re serving frozen
pizza and a salad in a bag. Candles or smaller lamps on a sideboard add a second layer of glow,
so people can move comfortably around the room without feeling like they’ve stepped out of the
action.

One underrated benefit of this collection is how photogenic it is. Guests will inevitably
snap photos of their drinks, the table, the glowing lamp in the background – and the warm color
of the light makes everything look a little better. If you’ve ever wondered why restaurant
lighting always seems flattering and home lighting doesn’t, this is your chance to close that
gap.

Why These Experiences Matter

Lighting has a huge influence on how we experience time at home: how awake we feel in the
morning, how relaxed we feel at night, and how welcome other people feel in our space. IKEA’s
newest collection, especially lines like VARMBLIXT, is designed to make those experiences
richer without demanding a huge budget or a full renovation.

In short, the collection isn’t just about aesthetics or technology. It’s about quietly
upgrading the everyday – your coffee, your evenings, your random Tuesday hallway walk – with
light that’s softer, smarter, and a lot more beautiful than whatever came in the apartment
when you moved in. Once you’ve lived with that kind of glow, it’s very hard to go back.