What do you get when you combine IKEA's obsession with flat boxes, a pinch of Scandinavian design magic and... an Allen key? No, it's not another cabinet that's going to get on your nerves. You get ÖDLEBLAD - a dramatic, aesthetic and conceptual light that dares to place a long-neglected piece of metal at the very center of the ambiance. And without a single screw. Finally, something from IKEA that doesn't require meditation before assembly.
ÖDLEBLAD is more than just an interesting lamp – it is an artifact of contemporary design that reminds us that big ideas can be found in everyday objects. Designed as a three-dimensional ode to the humble Allen key, this birch veneer lamp combines clever construction, durability and playfulness. In a world where we usually think of light as something we simply turn on, IKEA offers a lamp that we first fold, then admire – and only then turn on.
A design manifesto with a pinch of irony
ÖDLEBLAD is made up of 60 identical pieces, each shaped like a stylized interpretation of the classic Allen key. No screws, no glue, no tears – just perfect geometry that snaps together like origami for adults. And when we say “assembled”, we don’t mean that famous IKEA marathon of lost screws and screams at 11:47 p.m. The pieces come pre-assembled into five modules, which you then simply – click – into the perfect light sphere.
But why an Allen key? Well, that's the genius of the idea. The Allen key is the most IKEA thing there is – inevitable, cheap, and responsible for more relationship crises than forgotten anniversaries. Now that same key becomes a central decorative element. IKEA is subtly poking fun at itself while simultaneously elevating an everyday object into an aesthetic object. Brilliant and fun.
Material? No compromises. The real birch veneer gives the lamp a warm, almost organic feel – as if it were crafted from Scandinavian wood and Scandinavian philosophy. When the light is switched on, the sphere glows with a gentle glow that gently shimmers through the natural material. The result is a light that softens the space without aggressively screaming at you with the LED power of a futuristic office.
More than a lamp – a design statement
ÖDLEBLAD is not just a beautiful object. It is a reflection on the design of the future: smart design that reduces waste, respects materials and at the same time tells a story. No unnecessary connectors, no metal accessories, no plastic – just precisely shaped pieces that fold into a luminous symbol of design economy.
Designer David Wahl is known for translating functionality into aesthetics – his previous products, such as the STARKVIND air purifier, prove that he knows how to reconcile form and purpose. With ÖDLEBLAD, he goes one step further: he presents us with a lamp that thinks about its own existence. It is a lamp that is not a silent companion in a space, but a confident conversationalist.
A light you'll want to show (and explain)
ÖDLEBLAD is not a lamp you buy and forget about. It's the kind of thing you show your guests when they first come to visit: "See that lamp? I put it together. And yes, it's made of Allen keys." So IKEA isn't just selling you a lamp - it's selling you a story, an experience, an aesthetic, and maybe even some therapeutic patience.
It will be available from October in selected stores IKEA and online. And if you're tempted by something different, something with a soul, something that shines and speaks – then you simply have to treat yourself to this light. Without an Allen key, this time for real.
