From the ‘Stolpa’ wall clock to the ‘Brogrund’ bathroom range: The secret meanings behind popular IKEA products revealed
- IKEA Australia has revealed the meanings behind the name of the products
- The retailer looked at how the Scandinavian culture inspired the names of items
- The bathroom items are named after Swedish lakes and bodies of water
- The home décor products are named after Swedish places and slang
- Products found in kids’ aisle are named after mammals, birds and adjectives
They are famously known for selling furniture pieces with unique Swedish names that are seemingly impossible to pronounce.
And now IKEA Australia has revealed the secret meanings behind the names of the popular items – and how the retailer came up with the words.
In a new series of podcast episodes called ‘Did You Know…?’, Kent Eriksson, people and culture co-worker of IKEA Australia, looked at how the Scandinavian culture inspired the names throughout various departments.
The episodes draw on all areas of IKEA expertise, from the stores and range, to work towards climate action and equality that aims to help people create a ‘better everyday life’.
IKEA Australia has revealed the unique meanings behind the Swedish names of the products
Ever wondered how IKEA came up with the names of the towel rail, shower head, toilet roll holder or the washbasin? The bathroom products and accessories are named after Swedish lakes and bodies of water
BATHROOM
Ever wondered how IKEA came up with the names of the towel rail, shower head, toilet roll holder or the washbasin?
The bathroom products and accessories are named after Swedish lakes and bodies of water.
BROGRUND is a series of accessories with lots of useful items for the sink, the shower and the toilet. The range is named after a shoal in Sweden.
The naturally submerged ridge is located in Kalmar county, in the southern part of the country, about 170km south of Stockholm in the headline of the country.
The RINGSJÖN shower curtain ring set is perfect for hanging shower curtains in your bathroom.
BROGRUND is a series of accessories with lots of useful items for the bathroom. The range is named after a shoal in Sweden (left: IMMELN shower basket and right: BROGRUND towel rack)
The useful product also happens to share a name with a lake situated in the middle of Skåne County, Sweden. At 41 square kilometres, RINGSJÖN is the second largest lake in the county.
The IMMELN bathroom organisers series has suction cups that grip tightly to smooth surfaces like tiles or glass.
The series of bathroom organisers shares a name with lake Immeln, which is known for its clean water, good fishing and cheap fishing permits.
HOME DECOR
SVAJPA is a clock (pictured) without the tick-tock, thanks to its smart quartz movement. But did you know it shares its name with the Swedish slang term ‘to swipe’
The home décor products are named after Swedish places and slang.
SVAJPA is a clock without the tick-tock, thanks to its smart quartz movement. But did you know it shares its name with the Swedish slang term ‘to swipe’.
Want a clock without the tick-tock? The STOLPA wall clock is for you. This wall clock shares its name with the Swedish slang term STOLPA which means to walk in long paces or strides.
CHILDREN
The DUKTIG toy series includes a mini-kitchen and workbench with lots of realistic tools and accessories, making it easy and fun for ‘kids to copy what adults do’. Seems only fitting that duktig in Swedish means ‘skilled, capable, or hard-working’
Babies will have the best night’s sleep in the GONATT cot which means goodnight in Swedish
The products found in the children’s department are named after mammals, birds and adjectives.
The DUKTIG toy series includes a mini-kitchen and workbench with lots of realistic tools and accessories, making it easy and fun for ‘kids to copy what adults do’.
Seems only fitting that duktig in Swedish means ‘skilled, capable, or hard-working’. In phrases like Oj, vad duktig du är! (Wow, how skilled you are) it’s a compliment.
Babies will have the best night’s sleep in the GONATT cot which means goodnight in Swedish.