The ‘donut’ lamp is considered one of IKEA’s best-selling and hottest homeware merchandise. This 12 months, it is had a glow-up, including further performance that the model hopes will make it much more user-friendly and versatile. I fell immediately in love with the new-look VARMBLIXT donut lamp once I had an opportunity to test it out at CES.
I wished to search out out extra, so I caught up with David Granath, Vary Supervisor for Lighting and Dwelling Electronics at IKEA of Sweden, for a deep-dive into the brand new options. Here is a run-down of the upgrades, with behind-the-scenes insights…
1. It adjustments coloration
Essentially the most instantly noticeable change is that the brand new donut lamp can change coloration. For this side, IKEA labored with Dutch artist and designer Sabine Marcelis, and there is a large vary of coloration choices to select from.
“We wished to construct on Sabine’s sturdy sense of coloration and environment and embrace her concepts on how the lamp may regularly change between colours in a means that feels clean,” feedback David.
2. It is dimmable
“Probably the most frequent notes of suggestions now we have had since launching VARMBLIXT has been the flexibility to dim it and alter the tone of the sunshine,” shares David. The up to date model is able to emitting a spread of various white gentle temperatures (in addition to all these colourful choices), and it is also dimmable.
“Updating the donut lamp takes us nearer to what the unique intent was, to not solely create a phenomenal lamp but additionally actually let the sunshine set the temper of your property,” he provides.
3. It is matte
The 2026 VARMBLIXT retains the identical form as the unique, and like that model it could actually sit flat on a desk or be mounted to a wall. Nevertheless, the end has been switched up.
“The largest change between the designs is that the brand new model has a matte, white floor as a substitute of a shiny, coloured one,” says David. “This makes the sunshine inside glow in a extra smooth and subtle means.”
It is smart that IKEA has stored the recognizable, curvy form of the primary model. I requested David why he felt that design struck such a twine with the general public, and a whole lot of it’s to do with the shape.
“I feel it’s a very good instance of the place distinctive design is mixed with an inexpensive worth. It is a very sturdy design piece, and so easy in its type,” he says. “You may put it in any room and it really works. And it doesn’t rely on a selected inside model, which I feel makes it straightforward for folks to attach with it.”
4. It is good
To allow clients to benefit from all the brand new management choices, the brand new VARMBLIXT is wise. It is constructed on the Matter customary, which implies you can combine it into your current Good Dwelling setup.
Hook it as much as the IKEA Dwelling Good app to unlock the complete spectrum of coloration choices – there are greater than 40 completely different shades, and you’ll change the sunshine depth and brightness right here too.
For David, the good half is a logical subsequent step for the lamp: “VARMBLIXT is considered one of our most beloved and best-selling lighting merchandise, so it felt like a very good place to point out how good options can genuinely enhance on a regular basis life.”
5. … however you do not have to make use of the app
Certainly one of my favorites of the brand new options is that IKEA has offered a technique to entry the extra options with out having to make use of the app. “We determined to incorporate a pre-paired distant within the field, to provide clients prompt entry to the additional performance, even earlier than selecting so as to add the product to an app,” says David.
Utilizing the distant, you possibly can launch a sequence of 12 preset colours, curated by Sabine. It begins with white gentle, transitions into heat amber, crimson, and pink, then to a cool-toned lilac and turquoise, yellow, after which again to white. All of the transitions have been meticulously fine-tuned and shift easily, with out being jarring.
“Most individuals will not purchase this up to date VARMBLIXT as a result of they need a sensible system however as a result of it’s a phenomenal lamp, the place you possibly can change the environment of a room with a click on of a button,” David concludes.
The up to date VARMBLIXT is because of go on sale from April 2026. The unique model will stay in the stores.
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