This Is the “Cute,” Under-the-Radar Gem Your Small Space Needs from IKEA
My first apartment was a tiny studio that measured less than 350 square feet, and my second, although a one-bedroom, wasn’t much bigger. Living small for nearly a decade in these two spaces has taught me to be strategic about my furniture choices. Of all the lessons I learned, there’s one that stuck with me even as my homes got (relatively) larger. Double-duty furniture isn’t just smart — it’s essential for apartment living.
That’s exactly why I’m excited about my latest discovery, which pulls double-duty and then some: IKEA’s FÖRLUNDA pouf. The FÖRLUNDA is a footstool, a seat, and a sneaky storage compartment. It can also be used as a table by placing a tray on its top. That’s a lot of functionality for just under $60.
It’s no secret that IKEA has a knack for creating multipurpose pieces at budget-friendly prices, but occasionally the brand throws in even more functionality than expected. The FÖRLUNDA is one such example: Despite being a fairly large upholstered pouf with rounded, almost Popsicle-stick-looking wooden legs and a cushy round seat, it’s also stackable.
The stackability makes it even more practical for tight quarters if you want to buy multiples, say, for when you’re entertaining friends. You don’t have to worry about how much space they’ll take up in your home, as all you have to do is put one on top of the other, and so on.
The FÖRLUNDA pouf currently comes in three colors, cleverly chosen to cater to a range of decor tastes. The bright red is ideal for those who like a bolder look, while the neutral gray and light beige versions will fit into practically any style of interior. The light beige is also $10 cheaper than the other two colorways, so it might be the best value to really stock up on.
Although not large, the storage compartment is a built-in, under-the-seat area that’s perfect for stashing small items like remotes, chargers, and tablets that otherwise create visual clutter in small living spaces. With such a hard-working piece that looks good, too, it won’t come as any surprise that shoppers are rating the FÖRLUNDA highly. “I bought two of these and am so happy with how they turned out and that they can stack on top of each other. They fit perfectly in our tiny home and are super comfortable to sit on,” said one reviewer. Another shopper summed it up best by writing the following: “It’s practical, strong, cute, [and the] perfect size for [a] small apartment.”