Ikea has launched a four-product lighting collection made from bamboo, using the fast-regrowing grass as an alternative to conventional materials in a range of contemporary decorative luminaires.
The Varptross series comprises table, floor, wall and pendant lamps. Developed by Ikea designers Andreas Fredriksson and Akanksha Deo with product developer Chiara Ripalti, the collection combines bamboo slats with traditional handcrafting techniques to create a distinctive architectural aesthetic.
Bamboo was selected for its rapid regrowth and versatility. Unlike timber, which comes from trees, bamboo is a grass that can regenerate from its existing root system after harvesting. However, its environmental credentials depend on factors including cultivation, processing, transport and the durability of the finished product.
The collection was developed in collaboration with Ikea suppliers and skilled craftspeople in Vietnam, where the bamboo is processed and the lamps assembled. The designers worked on prototypes at the factory, experimenting with different weaving techniques, slat widths and spacing to achieve the desired interaction between material and light.
The resulting design uses two layers of bamboo slats arranged in an alternating pattern. The slats are cut, bent and assembled by hand into softly rounded forms, allowing light to escape through the gaps while helping to shield the light source and reduce glare. Some manufacturing stages use machinery to ensure consistency, while weaving, tying and assembly rely on the skills of local craftspeople.
Ikea says the collection was developed to combine traditional craftsmanship with industrial precision and contemporary design. The company’s IWAY supplier code sets requirements covering environmental, social and working conditions across its supply chain.
The four products offer different applications for the material. The table lamp stands 26cm tall, while the floor lamp measures 118cm. The wall-mounted version is designed to provide light upwards and downwards, while the 79cm-long pendant is intended for use above dining tables and kitchen islands.
The pendant uses two replaceable light bulbs, sold separately, rather than an integrated LED light source. This allows users to change the lamps when necessary, although the product’s long-term repairability and end-of-life recovery will also influence its overall environmental performance.
The products combine bamboo shades with other materials, including steel, stainless steel and plastic. Ikea specifies that the polypropylene plastic cup contains at least 50 per cent recycled material on the UK pendant model.
The collection is available through Ikea, with UK prices ranging from £19 for the wall lamp to £59 for the pendant.
While bamboo offers a renewable alternative to some conventional materials, the use of a natural material alone does not establish the environmental superiority of a luminaire. The collection nevertheless illustrates how a rapidly renewable resource and established craft techniques can be incorporated into contemporary lighting design.
• Diary date: Circular Lighting Live 2027 takes place on Thursday 7 October 2027 in the City of London. It’s Recolight’s flagship event, comprising a two-track conference, exhibition and awards celebrating innovations in sustainable lighting.
