The ‘donut’ lamp is one in every of IKEA’s best-selling and hottest homeware merchandise. This yr, it is had a glow-up, including additional performance that the model hopes will make it much more user-friendly and versatile. I fell immediately in love with the new-look VARMBLIXT donut lamp after I had an opportunity to test it out at CES.
I needed to seek out out extra, so I caught up with David Granath, Vary Supervisor for Lighting and Residence Electronics at IKEA of Sweden, for a deep-dive into the brand new options. This is a run-down of the upgrades, with behind-the-scenes insights…
1. It modifications shade
Essentially the most instantly noticeable change is that the brand new donut lamp can change shade. For this side, IKEA labored with Dutch artist and designer Sabine Marcelis, and there is a huge vary of shade choices to select from.
“We needed to construct on Sabine’s robust sense of shade and ambiance and embody her concepts on how the lamp might step by step change between colours in a method that feels easy,” feedback David.
2. It is dimmable
“Some of the widespread notes of suggestions we now have had since launching VARMBLIXT has been the power to dim it and alter the tone of the sunshine,” shares David. The up to date model is able to emitting a spread of various white mild temperatures (in addition to all these colourful choices), and it is also dimmable.
“Updating the donut lamp takes us nearer to what the unique intent was, to not solely create a fantastic lamp but additionally actually let the sunshine set the temper of your house,” he provides.
3. It is matte
The 2026 VARMBLIXT retains the identical form as the unique, and like that model it could possibly sit flat on a desk or be mounted to a wall. Nonetheless, the end has been switched up.
“The most important change between the designs is that the brand new model has a matte, white floor as a substitute of a shiny, coloured one,” says David. “This makes the sunshine inside glow in a extra comfortable and subtle method.”
It is smart that IKEA has saved the recognizable, curvy form of the primary model. I requested David why he felt that design struck such a twine with the general public, and lots of it’s to do with the shape.
“I believe it’s a great instance of the place distinctive design is mixed with an inexpensive worth. It is a very robust design piece, and so easy in its kind,” he says. “You’ll be able to put it in any room and it really works. And it doesn’t rely upon a selected inside fashion, which I believe makes it simple for individuals to attach with it.”
4. It is sensible
To allow clients to profit from all the brand new management choices, the brand new VARMBLIXT is wise. It is constructed on the Matter normal, which implies you’ll combine it into your present Sensible Residence setup.
Hook it as much as the IKEA Residence Sensible app to unlock the complete spectrum of shade choices – there are greater than 40 completely different shades, and you’ll change the sunshine depth and brightness right here too.
For David, the sensible half is a logical subsequent step for the lamp: “VARMBLIXT is one in every of our most cherished and best-selling lighting merchandise, so it felt like a very good place to indicate how sensible options can genuinely enhance on a regular basis life.”
5. … however you do not have to make use of the app
One among my favorites of the brand new options is that IKEA has offered a option to entry the extra options with out having to make use of the app. “We determined to incorporate a pre-paired distant within the field, to offer clients instantaneous entry to the additional performance, even earlier than selecting so as to add the product to an app,” says David.
Utilizing the distant, you may launch a sequence of 12 preset colours, curated by Sabine. It begins with white mild, transitions into heat amber, purple, and pink, then to a cool-toned lilac and turquoise, yellow, after which again to white. All of the transitions have been meticulously fine-tuned and shift easily, with out being jarring.
“Most individuals will not purchase this up to date VARMBLIXT as a result of they need a wise machine however as a result of it’s a fantastic lamp, the place you may change the ambiance of a room with a click on of a button,” David concludes.
The up to date VARMBLIXT is because of go on sale from April 2026. The unique model will stay in the stores.
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