IKEA Moves The Sun To The Table With Lamps Aimed To Excite You About Solar Power

Gloomy days at home can soon be brightened up with a ray of sunshine with these artful lamps designed by IKEA and Little Sun, a social business whose mission is to provide electricity, via solar energy, to out-of-reach regions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

While solar power isn’t a new concept, its illuminating qualities aren’t as celebrated as they should be. IKEA and Little Sun got talking to find ways to get households curious and excited about the sun’s goodness, which led to the design of SAMMANLÄNKAD—two solar-powered LED lamps harnessing the hot star both energetically and aesthetically. 

IKEA decided to make the solar object tangible, carrying it into the home so everyone can have a slice of the sun, whether as a table lamp or a portable light source.

Drawn from the sun and the earth’s angle and movements, the LED table lamp features a half-sphere as its light source, which is further highlighted through the reflection of its surrounding mirror.

The lamp’s metal frame is adjustable, allowing users to turn it into pendant lighting too. The bulb part can even be detached to serve as a flashlight, IKEA says.

The desk lamp includes USB-A and USB-C ports as spare charging options, and the Swedish furniture giant says you could even use them to power up your phone thanks to its built-in battery.

Meanwhile, the smaller SAMMANLÄNKAD, which has a yellow strap, is made for the outdoors, and can be attached to a window or backpack to be charged when it isn’t in use.

“If we are to transition to a world powered by renewable energy in the next decade, we need everyone to recognize the opportunity of solar energy. Sunlight is seemingly invisible, but solar energy allows us to make the invisible visible,” shares Olafur Eliasson, artist, and co-founder of Little Sun, in a statement. “The collaboration with IKEA supports our mission to raise awareness for energy access and reminds us that we have the potential to co-shape our world.”

James Futcher, Creative Leader at IKEA of Sweden, chimes in: “We wanted to spark a conversation around solar energy and put the power of the sun in the hands of the many people. Our shared belief is that the possibilities of thoughtful design lie in its ability to create awareness and make a difference.”

The solar-powered duo will reach select IKEA markets in April 2023.

[via IKEA]