IKEA is coming to India. It’s official. Last week we flew to Sweden to experience IKEA Democratic Design days where IKEA unveiled their latest designs for FY18 and can I tell you that I am floored. More so, because we will be able to grab them right here in India. Oh happy days!
There was a lot of hubbub regarding this though as to whether or not the Swedish furniture giant will first open its store in Mumbai. But looks like Mumbai will have to wait for a while as its first store is going to be in Hyderabad. Yes, I know. It’s not Mumbai. Haha, what a tease, isn’t it? But Mumbai is definitely on cards and it should be functional by mid next year. And if that looks all a bit too long, remember it’s not Australia or Sweden or begging at the old friend’s chicken feet anymore {though they wouldn’t mind, and you’ll only ask the closest}. Until IKEA is here, I can live with Hyderabad. Fly down, meet George, have hyderabadi biryani, buy Ikea, fly back. Not a bad deal at all!
Actually, wait up. IKEA is coming to India? Wuhoo. It’s finally seeping in and that alone is making up for a lot of happy news, bundled into one. Finally, we will get amazing furniture, pretty serveware, thoughtfully designed storage that does not look ugly and softest dream bedding sans the shipping. We will also get amazing bathroom and bedroom hardware, lighting options that makes you go mad, and gardening supplies which are not black plastic pots. Who is going loony here?
But then you’d be like so what’s new in IKEA? We get it even now
And I’ll be like, oh but all under one roof. And I’ll also be like, “God knows this stuff is good” and I challenge you to buy just one. We will finally have an outfit where I can close my eyes and shop without running the risk of buying 1 single thing weird. Simple, minimal Swedish design sensibilities etched in international forms ready for an India which is hungry for new. In short, our appetite for global lifestyle products will finally be whetted and will look a lot cheaper. And that’ll be amazing because a lot of people will have access to oodles of good looking stuff for less, making all of our homes look not just pretty, but functionally pretty. I am very, very excited.
Oh yeah! Perhaps bathtubs will be more common place and I’ll get a free standing one to soak away the blues. Seriously, this will be revolutionary. The hunt and hours of online research will finally come to an end. Buying something nice here in India means hours of internet time. Start searching from Amazon, try a number of keywords and hope that you land somewhere which keeps pretty things without slapping a grenade in your face. And pocket. There is a fight for finding classy, minimalist products and it will finally see truce. And, we will have choice in it too!
Look at these. I mean just look. The bowl was for 16 SEK which was some 300 bucks. Why wouldn’t you feel deprived that IKEA was not here. Absolutely loved each product in IKEA and they promise to get the same range here in India just as it is in Sweden or USA. And that’s amazing. Often, when we get products here in India we see a sacrifice owing to Indian market. IKEA will bring its global range here- no cuts there.
Many would question, however, as to whether or not this kind of minimal aesthetic will work in the Indian market. You know what I think? Firstly, IKEA is not just minimal, it’s got a wide range of products that’ll see use in both minimal and maximal homes. And secondly, it will work beautifully. It’s true that India is known for its colourful, detail laden, rich and plush decor and aesthetics but that’s only a section of it. A lot of us are infusing traditional Indian homes with global products and aesthetics and are opening up to minimal, whites and neutrals. We are doing away with clutter and chaos and embracing open areas. I think it’s a wonderful time for IKEA to come on over and complete the transformation for us. More than the brand adapting to Indian ethos, we are now ready to adapt global design sensibilities, and that’s a great thing.
So what ranges will we see here in India and globally for IKEA FY 18? Coming up on next blog are designs and designers who will lace the aisles of IKEA and we will be able to grab them in INR. For now, I am doing a happy dance because the Pokal glasses will be in store. I will not have to DIY them at home.
Oh, we’ve come a long way and IKEA was just what we needed here.
