Lighting is often the part of the home that we only notice when it's wrong. Too cold a light? The living room suddenly feels like a dentist's office. Too strong? Dinner loses its romance and becomes an interrogation. With the new VARPTROSS collection, IKEA aims for just the opposite: light that is soft, warm, calm and beautiful enough to add character even to a dimly lit space.
New collection of lamps IKEA VARPTROSS combines hand knitting, natural materials and a modern industrial approach. At its core is bamboo, a fast-growing natural grass that IKEA uses in this collection not as a rustic cliché, but as the basis for a more refined, almost architectural language. In short: less “Bali hut”, more “a neat interior in Copenhagen with a good espresso”.
Handmade, but without nostalgia
IKEA has a long history with hand-woven products. Natural fibers, woven baskets, furniture and lighting have been part of its design heritage for decades. But with the collection VARPTROSS It wasn't about repeating a familiar formula. The goal was to create lamps from natural materials that didn't look traditional or decorative in a predictable sense.
Product developer Chiara Ripalti explains that the development took into account different tastes around the world. Products made of bamboo and rattan are already very common in Asian markets, so the classic lantern shape was not interesting enough. IKEA wanted something more rational, elegant and modern - a collection that would present the natural material in a new, more global form.
Bamboo, double layers and glare-free light
The key design element of the VARPTROSS collection is double-layer bamboo slat construction. These are arranged in an alternating pattern that partially obscures the light source, reducing glare. The result is light that doesn't invade the space, but rather gently fills it. Which, let's face it, is quite civilized.
The bamboo slats are cut, bent and assembled by hand, with the designers paying close attention to proportions: the width of the slats, the spacing between them, the radius of the rounded shapes and the balance between light and shadow. It is this detail that separates a good lamp from one that we move to the corner after three months and pretend it was always “ambient”.
Collection for the whole home
VARPTROSS is not a single piece, but a family of lamps. The series includes floor, pendant, wall and table lamps, meaning it can be used in a variety of spaces and in a variety of ways. In the living room, it can act as a warm focal point, in the bedroom as a calming evening light, and in the hallway as a subtle design moment that lets guests know that someone is reading more than just assembly instructions.
The design process was led by IKEA designers Andreas Fredriksson and Akanksha Deo, each with their own approach. Fredriksson comes from the Scandinavian tradition of form, function and sustainability, while Deo comes from the world of textiles, materials and craftsmanship. It is the tension between structure and softness, between precision and intuitiveness, that gives the collection its character.
From factory floors to modern interiors
Much of the development took place directly in Vietnam, in collaboration with suppliers and experienced knitters. The designers tested prototypes on the factory floor, changing the spacing between the slats, checking the effect of light and looking for ways to create a more subdued, refined shape from the natural material.
Some processes, such as cutting bamboo slats, are supported by machines, as this ensures precision and repeatability. But the knitting, tying and assembly remain in the hands of skilled craftsmen. VARPTROSS thus beautifully captures what is increasingly appreciated in modern design: the human touch without losing functionality.
Responsible production and natural materials
IKEA emphasizes that the collection is developed according to its standard IWAY, which sets out requirements for responsible sourcing, working conditions, environmental practices and social responsibility in the supply chain. This is important for such products, as handmade cannot just be a nice marketing term, but must also have a clear framework for responsible production.
VARPTROSS is therefore more than just a new series of beautiful lamps. It is an attempt to combine traditional craftsmanship, natural materials, modern aesthetics and accessibility – four things that industrial design often finds difficult to bring together at the same table without a minor design diplomatic incident.
Why is VARPTROSS an interesting collection?
Because it doesn't play the first ball. Bamboo could easily become a decorative exotic, but IKEA translates it here into something more subdued, architectural and useful. The lamps are designed to age beautifully, filling the space with soft light and adding texture without taking over the main role.
IKEA VARPTROSS is coming July 1, 2026 and will be of interest especially to those looking for lighting made from natural materials, but who do not want the classic boho look. This is a collection for homes where light is part of the atmosphere, not just a technical solution for finding the remote.
