IKEA’s New Sustainable Collection Will Help Create the Indoor Garden of Your Dreams

Gone are the days when “garden” only pertains to the outdoors. Now more than ever, we’re seeing indoor jungles pop up in house tours and design trends—and it looks like IKEA has caught wind with their new handmade collection that aims to bring nature into the more. 

Officially named of BOTANISK, which translates to “botanical,” the new IKEA line is filled with baskets, pots, and pillows that are created by six artisans from around the world. Not only are the handmade items created out of sustainable materials, but they also work toward creating more jobs in communities that need them. 

The cushion cover with hand-embroidered green leaves, for example, was designed by Indian and Syrian seamstresses. The hanging storage made of banana fibers was created by a basket weaver in India, and the ceramic glazed plant pot was done by the hands of a ceramist in Thailand. All of the social entrepreneurs behind the handmade collection are women, too, and work toward empowering other artisans to express their creativity. 

“The entire collection is made with people in mind. We’ve constantly had to consider that these products are made by people and not machines—and therefore think about how to make it fun and rewarding for the artisans to produce the designs we are after,“ Maria O’Brian, Creative Leader IKEA, said in the press kit. “From start to finish the process has been all about the collaboration, developing the items together.”

In addition to cushion covers, hanging storage, and planters, some of the other handmade items are throws, flat woven rugs, aprons, and a variety of woven baskets.

“There is such a clear purpose for these items. They are produced to create jobs for people in areas where they really need them, and it makes it much easier for me to justify making things,” O’Brain said. “Obviously, with the sustainability aspect in the back of our heads, we have to constantly question ourselves and why we produce and consume.”