This project explored how used IKEA furniture can be given a second life through design and upcycling. The starting point was the issue of “Fast Furniture”: inexpensive furniture that is often not designed for long term use and can quickly become difficult to resell or repair. Using IKEA’s KALLAX shelving system as a case study, we investigated how existing furniture could be transformed into new objects instead of ending up as bulky waste.
As part of the project, we collected used KALLAX shelves through private contacts, online classifieds and social media. Each participant developed an individual concept for a new use of the furniture. I wanted to move away from the original function of the KALLAX as a shelf and developed the idea of a compact multifunctional workspace.
My result, the Kvadratpraktisk, transforms a used 2 × 4 KALLAX shelf into a multifunctional work cube. Its square shape makes the furniture accessible from all sides and allows different functions to be integrated into a compact structure. It can be used as both a sitting and standing desk and includes storage space, a pull out table extension and an integrated power station for charging devices. One of the storage compartments is specifically designed to house a printer, with an opening in the door allowing documents to be printed without opening the compartment.
For the construction, I developed the dimensions and structure through planning sketches and technical drawings before building the prototype. The original KALLAX components were combined with leftover plywood sourced from a local timber supplier. I cut and adapted the individual components, constructed the table extension and storage elements, and assembled the final piece. The KALLAX components were painted in IKEA blue to make it visually clear which parts of the original shelf had been reused. The plywood was left visible to create a warmer and more contemporary appearance.
The project was my first experience designing and physically constructing a piece of furniture from concept to prototype. It allowed me to combine design development with practical problem solving and material experimentation. At the same time, the project demonstrated how existing products can become a starting point for completely new uses rather than simply being discarded.
The final prototype is accompanied by an illustrated documentation of the different furniture concepts developed during the project. An Instagram page was also created to document the construction process, featuring reels showing the making of all the furniture pieces developed throughout the project.
https://www.instagram.com/kallaxdesign?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsi=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
