To All You IKEA Hackers Out There - IKEA Wants to Help
“What if you could browse a site and see hacks for all the available products?” This question was posed by an IKEA designer at their second annual Democratic Design Day, and the answer could be the future of customized “big box” design.
As a website that specializes in all things DIY, we are no strangers to the “IKEA Hack.” The idea of tweaking and improving this design superstore’s products has become a widespread phenomenon.
Countless sites across the internet have been set up in the last few years giving users the low-down on how to customize everything IKEA, from furniture pieces to shelves and spatulas.
The Swedish design store actually tried to shut down one such website, IKEAHackers.net, last year. IKEA seemingly felt this trend of hacking its products was detrimental to its sales and brand.
A widespread backlash from consumers across the globe caused the store to relent, and allowed the website to live on. Most interestingly, perhaps, is that this was a turning point for IKEA, and the moment that age-old saying “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” rang truer than ever.
At this year’s Democratic Design Day, IKEA announced its plan to offer its consumers everything they need to hack its own products. The company seems to have come around to the virtues of hacking, and to actually offer customers the tools, materials, and instructions needed to modify at least the products IKEA deems ‘hackable.’ These particular products will be marked with a sign indicating their “hack-ability,” and a “hack kit” will be sold separately.
In a word -- genius.
IKEA seems to be covering all its bases -- not only will you be able to buy your furniture there, you’ll also be able to buy all the things you need to turn it into what you want or need it to be.
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The store also plans to launch its own website featuring their approved hacks, so consumers will be able to draw inspiration online before heading into stores.
And in case IKEA is taking suggestions, here are a few of our favorite product hacks!
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