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IKEA Unveils Reimagined KLIPPAN and POÄNG at Milan Design Week
April 15,
2024 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry 
As one of the highlights of Milan Design Week 2024, IKEA unveils the reimagined designs of its iconic bestsellers – the KLIPPAN sofa and POÄNG armchair. These are the latest additions to the Nytillverkad collection, which blends classic designs with contemporary twists.
The updated KLIPPAN sofa and POÄNG armchair celebrate timeless elegance and functionality, drawing inspiration from the bold aesthetics of the 1980s and incorporating new features to stay relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. Crafted by the visionary IKEA designer Noboru Nakamura shortly before his passing in 2023, these pieces serve as a testament to his enduring legacy.
The softly shaped sofa KLIPPAN, embodying simplicity and functionality, has become a true IKEA classic. The sofa has made an annual comeback in hundreds of different covers since it was first presented in the 1980 IKEA catalogue. With its washable covers and timeless elegance, the KLIPPAN sofa has remained relevant for nearly half a century. This year, we are re-introducing the puffy covers from the 1984 edition in bright primary red, blue and yellow colours.
The POÄNG armchair, initially introduced as POEM in 1977, has transformed over the years, adapting to changing lifestyles, customer needs and design trends. For the Nytillverkad collection, IKEA presents a sleek, low-back version of POÄNG, perfect for lively conversations. The headrest was removed to create a new compact and modern look, while the seating angle was changed to ensure a more active posture welcoming social interactions.
Both products were initially designed by the renowned Japanese designer Noboru Nakamura and updated by him for the Nytillverkad collection shortly before the designer passed away. Noboru Nakamura’s creative vision and philosophy have influenced generations of designers.
Nakamura’s ability to simplify and focus on the essence through design was among the best. His timeless designs like POÄNG and KLIPPAN have stayed relevant over many decades and will continue to inspire us in the future.
"Both KLIPPAN and POÄNG represent more than just furniture; they symbolize our commitment to creating long-lasting designs that truly improve people’s lives and homes over the years. At the core of every IKEA design is a principle called Democratic Design," says Johan Ejdemo, global design manager at IKEA of Sweden.
"KLIPPAN and POÄNG exemplify the essence of it, seamlessly combining form, function, quality, sustainability, and affordability. By adapting existing production lines and making thoughtful adjustments, we can offer customers new designs, like the POÄNG low-back armchair, at an accessible price point without compromising quality."