It’s surprising that Ikea and Marimekko’s new collection of sauna-inspired home goods and accessories hasn’t happened sooner. The Swedish furniture brand has been on a self-care kick for the past few years, and “sauna culture” — where going to a sauna is an everyday habit rather than a special occasion — is a major part of health, spirituality, and socializing in Nordic countries. Both companies have referenced that culture in previous launches as well: Marimekko prototyped a prefab sauna in the 1960s, and Ikea sold sauna-inspired bathroom furniture in the 1970s. Now the brands want to bring the “pleasure and joy” of this ritual to the rest of the world with their Bastua line, which is named after a type of sauna in southern Sweden. Teased at the Milan Furniture Fair last year, the 26-piece collection includes scented candles, robes, trays, towels, tables, a wood bench, floor cushions, tote bags, glassware, and water bottles. All that’s missing is moon juice and the sauna itself.
Marimekko and Ikea have collaborated before, but the Bastua collection is the first time the Finnish textile company has made custom prints for Ikea. The prints are vibrant and bold as usual: One with giant rhubarb leaves (the plant often grows around sauna huts); another that references chopped firewood stacked around saunas with a ripply motif; a graphic pattern inspired by slats in sauna benches; and blobby florals that are a nod to the amorphous puffs of steam created when water is thrown on sauna stoves (there’s a Finnish word for this specific phenomenon: löyly). The collection will be available at Ikea stores in March.
The Bastua sauna towel ($4.99) and cushion ($6.99) feature a pattern based on stacks of firewood that are found outside of sauna huts.
The giant rhubarb leaves on this melamine tray ($15.99) and robe ($34.99) are a nod to the plants that often grow around saunas.
Bastua mirror ($89.99).
Portable LED lantern ($24.99) and birch bench ($85).
The graphic pattern on this robe ($34.99) is a nod to the slatted wood found in sauna interiors.
Nordic landscapes were another reference for Ikea and Marimekko’s collection. The faceted glassware was inspired by the surface of lakes.
A birch side table ($64.99).
A tray ($12.99) and floor cushion ($59.99).
A water bottle ($12.99) printed with an amorphous pattern that references steam clouds.
A shopping bag ($4.99).
The Bastua sauna towel ($4.99) and cushion ($6.99) feature a pattern based on stacks of firewood that are found outside of sauna huts.
The giant rhubarb leaves on this melamine tray ($15.99) and robe ($34.99) are a nod to the plants that often grow around saunas.
Bastua mirror ($89.99).
Portable LED lantern ($24.99) and birch bench ($85).
The graphic pattern on this robe ($34.99) is a nod to the slatted wood found in sauna interiors.
Nordic landscapes were another reference for Ikea and Marimekko’s collection. The faceted glassware was inspired by the surface of lakes.
A birch side table ($64.99).
A tray ($12.99) and floor cushion ($59.99).
A water bottle ($12.99) printed with an amorphous pattern that references steam clouds.
A shopping bag ($4.99).
