Where?
The annual furniture fair in Milan is a chance for designers to share the ideas they think will shape our future life at home. This year, among the pastel colours and retro shapes, we spotted lots of ideas focusing on wellbeing at home.

What’s the idea?
The new approach to wellbeing is holistic, taking in what we see, smell and eat. It makes positive use of technology, with the aim being to ensure that design is empathetic – using environmental and psychological factors to create products that have a positive impact on users. Two examples in Milan were the IKEA/Space10 Growroom – a flatpack garden for city-based communities to grow their own food – and D/Dock Design Studio’s Healing Hub – a project on wellbeing at work, with ideas that benefit all living spaces.

How can I use it at home?
Decorate with the senses in mind and put the objects you love centre stage. Look for technology that enhances life, not just exciting gadgets that disrupt it. The smart new IKEA FLOALT bulbs bring mood-boosting daylight indoors, and VR (virtual reality) can help you take time out.

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by

Photographer: Jamie Baker
Art Director: Jules Rogers
Writer: Helen Bazuaye
Main image is of healing garden made as part of the
Healing Hub project by artist Claudia Bonollo