Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
IKEA Goes ‘Miniature’ To Show How Affordable Changes Can Make Homes Better
September 3,
2026 by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry 
A series of handcrafted miniature homes appear in Melbourne, Chengdu and Beijing, marking the launch of IKEA open house, an in-store experience designed to show how small, affordable changes at home can help people make more room for what they love.
At a time when homes are expected to do more than ever, IKEA chose to go “tiny” to show that making everyday life at home easier does not require a big budget, just a few smart changes that make better use of the space people have.
For many people, home now serves as a workplace, creative studio, classroom and sanctuary, often all at once. When space is limited, clutter and disorganization can create stress and everyday friction. The challenge is not only knowing what to change, but finding small, smart solutions that are genuinely affordable to put into practice.
Through home visits and conversations with people around the world, IKEA knows that many people are looking for solutions that help them use their space better, but affordability is often the deciding factor in whether those ideas become reality.
"People usually don't aim for the perfect home, but the one that feels easier to live in. We’re putting even greater focus on creating a better everyday life at home and making sure the solutions we offer are accessible and affordable. By helping people keep what matters, put away the things they don’t need every day, and make space for what brings them joy, we want to make home feel easier,” says Javier Quiñones, global commercial manager, Ingka Group (IKEA)
To bring this idea to life, IKEA has partnered with Stockholm-based miniature artist Christopher Robin Nordström (@TokyoBuild) to create a series of handcrafted miniature homes in public locations across Melbourne, Chengdu and Beijing.
Each home is built entirely by hand at a 1:12 scale and reflects the rhythms of daily life in the city where it appears. In Melbourne, a BILLY bookcase holds tiny novels, art prints and subtle nods to the city’s strong sporting culture, while the homes in Chengdu and Beijing center around METOD kitchens, illustrating how homes around the world are shaped by different cultures, routines and priorities, with every detail reflecting the people who live there.
"When you build in miniature, you can't include everything. Every object has to earn its place. You quickly realize that a home isn't defined by how much it contains, but by the things people choose to make room for." – Christopher Nordström.