I have a tiny home, but I'm making space for IKEA's genius new stool set – its dual purpose and stylish design mean it deserves every square inch in my flat
Small-space-friendly designs that look good? Yes please!
As someone who lives where space comes at a premium, I rarely spot a new home collection that will actually work with the contours of my home. But IKEA’s new KOMPISHÄNG collection features designs that will actually work with small homes and rentals.
IKEA is great at tailoring the latest home decor trends for smaller, urban homes. In true Scandi style, they offer simple, stylish and effective storage solutions that don’t break the bank and make your home look good.
And the one piece I’ll be rushing out to buy is the KOMPISHÄNG set of two stools (£40), which also double up as a shelving unit.
This isn’t the first IKEA collection that merges both style and practicality with ease. Back in May, I previewed IKEA’s PS Collection at their Swedish headquarters and left mightily impressed with their dedication to making small homes look good.
The KOMPISHÄNG has a similar vibe. Landing in stores and online from 1 August, this collection was designed with moving in mind. The designs are simple, crafted from pine, and are easily portable - perfect for busy city life.
‘Even if you move often, you don’t want your home to feel temporary. We saw how carefully people chose the things they carried with them from place to place, and that insight shaped the collection. We wanted the collection to be portable but still have a permanent look; people should feel settled and considered,’ Dora Ding, Product Developer at IKEA of Sweden.
I want to make a further point. This portability makes the collection an equally solid small living room, bedroom, kitchen or home idea. As someone who has a small, one-bed flat, I’m already opting for foldable furniture that easily tucks away when not in use.
The legs slot together to form a shelf.
I have a mid-century folding dining table (mine's thrifted, but it looks somewhat similar to Wayfair’s £118.99 Solid Wood Dining Table). I also use folding wooden dining chairs (£21, Habitat), which tuck away when not in use. One thing I lack is extra storage space when guests visit, hence my interest in the KOMPISHÄNG stools.
The KOMPISHÄNG stools are currently the talk of the Ideal Home office, with two team members (besides myself) already stating they will be heading out to snap them up once they drop.
The stools offer a double function, allowing for seating space and then shelving space when not in use. IKEA describes the stools as slotting together to make a ‘sculptural tower’, designed for shelving.
The legs slot together like puzzle pieces, locking to form a strong unit. The green painted seats become your shelf, and are the ideal shape for adding plant pots, photo frames and other trinkets.
It won’t take up much space and easily disconnects to form extra seating when you need it. As someone who doesn’t have extra space for chairs for guests, these stools would be a game-changer for hosting small groups. I also think you can play into their portability, taking them camping, for example.
Small space dwelling can be stylish; you just have to be smart about it. Here are a few more brilliantly stylish space-saving products I recommend for small homes.
It may sound boring, but a footstool with storage space is genuinely brilliant for small living rooms. Offering summer to store blankets and soft furnishings, this rusty red colourway is perfect for adding a pop of colour to your space.
This clever side table stores not one, but four stools! If you frequently run out of seating, but lack space for multiple chairs, this side table is an excellent idea.
I'm a big fan of this coat rack as the pegs click back flat when not in use, taking up even less space than a standard rail.
The KOMPISHÄNG is packed with a stylish yet practical design. If you have a small home or a family member heading off to university this autumn, it’s one you won’t want to miss.
