IKEA Uses AI To Imagine What Life Could Look Like In The Year 2030

Images courtesy of IKEA

They say home is where the heart is, so what might that mean in 2030 and beyond, when the causes we care deeply about become even more cemented in our daily lives? IKEA, known for its ready-to-assemble furniture, is continuing to keep customers prepared by painting a picture of what living spaces might resemble in the not-so-distant future.

Using AI-generated art, the Swedish giant introduces innovative concepts we could one day integrate into our humble abodes. Hold on to your Allen wrenches, folks, because it’s time for a glimpse into a home décor remix—IKEA predicts a future where homes are powered by algae and furniture springs from 3D printers using environmentally-friendly materials like mushroom compounds.

These visions are all part of the company’s 10th annual Life at Home Report, in which it dives headfirst to discover the secrets of happy homes around the world.

Not just sightings from a crystal ball, the futuristic scenarios are grounded in what IKEA has determined to be the eight essential needs for a better life at home—control, comfort, security, nurturing, belonging, enjoyment, accomplishment, and aspirations—identified through extensive global research with over 250,000 participants from the past decade.

And to make these revolutionary insights feel more, well, at home, IKEA envisages 2030 with three personas residing around the world.

Home #1

Images courtesy of IKEA

Firstly, there’s ‘Jin’, whose home in Seoul adapts to climate change with temperature-regulating living pods.

Images courtesy of IKEA

Jin has an office setup in his living space, and he spends part of the day interacting with colleagues via holographic conferences.

Images courtesy of IKEA

Home #2

Then, there’s ‘Angela’, who is pictured to be living in a resilient, women-only community in the US. Angela, who lives with her girlfriend, is surrounded by algae wallpaper that’s not only beautiful but also functions as a powerhouse of electricity generation.

Images courtesy of IKEA

Images courtesy of IKEA

Home #3

Finally, meet ‘Jamie’ from Sweden. They’re non-binary and residing in an inclusive living space with two partners and children.

Images courtesy of IKEA

Jamie’s home is adorned with 3D-printed mushroom furniture they’ve crafted themself.

Images courtesy of IKEA

In the present day, it’s comforting to know that 47% of customers surveyed feel positive about their future. But the real harmony, as per the report, comes when all eight emotional needs are fulfilled at home, with a whopping 65% of those individuals harboring a bright outlook.

The research also offers insights into current home happiness factors. For instance, pets appear to be significant boosters, and a tidy, organized home contributes significantly to mental well-being. Sustainability is another key factor; those who keep up with eco-conscious habits tend to feel more positive about their home life.

“We are obsessed with making life at home better, so it’s been incredible to take a look at the last decade of research we’ve undertaken to really understand what millions of people around the world need and dream at home” expresses Belén Frau, global communication manager at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group). “Now we have the formula for creating a better life at home, we want to help as many people as possible ease the big tensions that get in the way—whether it’s finding enough privacy or making more sustainable choices—and put home at the heart of living well.” You can read the full report here.

[via IKEA, images courtesy]