IKEA VARMBLIXT smart lamps enter a new phase as IKEA and designer Sabine Marcelis unveil updated versions of the iconic collection, introducing colour-shifting and dimmable light while preserving the sculptural forms that made the designs instantly recognisable.
The launch marks the next chapter in the ongoing IKEA–Marcelis collaboration and sets the stage for a new collection planned for 2027, continuing their shared exploration of how light shapes emotion and atmosphere in the home.
Iconic Design, Now Smarter
First introduced just over three years ago, VARMBLIXT lamps quickly became some of IKEA’s most talked-about designs, admired as much for their visual presence as for the way they cast light. The new smart versions build on that legacy, allowing light and colour to move and change gradually, transforming a room without disrupting its mood.
Designer Sabine Marcelis explains that the update is a natural evolution of the original concept. While the first donut lamp reflected external light on a glossy surface, the new version uses a matte white glass finish that allows the light to glow softly from within.
Colour That Moves, Not Switches
The VARMBLIXT smart donut lamp introduces a curated spectrum of light controlled via the included BILRESA remote. Users can cycle through 12 preset colours, moving smoothly from different temperatures of white into amber, red, pink, lavender, turquoise, yellow and back again.
Rather than abrupt changes, each colour transition is designed to flow gently into the next, subtly shifting the atmosphere of a space over time.
When connected to the IKEA Home Smart app through DIRIGERA, users gain access to more than 40 colour shades, along with full control over brightness and dimming.
Smart White Light, Sculptural Form
Alongside the donut lamp, IKEA is also introducing the VARMBLIXT smart pendant, which focuses on the nuances of white light. It transitions seamlessly from cool daylight tones to warm, candle-like hues and can be controlled via remote or integrated into a wider smart-home setup.
Both lamps are built on the Matter standard, allowing compatibility across different smart-home systems and easy integration into existing environments.
A Continued Exploration of Light
According to IKEA of Sweden lighting developer Chiara Ripalti, VARMBLIXT has always been about the emotional experience of light. The smart updates expand that idea, giving users more freedom to move between cool and warm tones while maintaining the collection’s distinctive identity.
The updated VARMBLIXT lamps will be available from April, with store availability varying by market. IKEA and Sabine Marcelis will continue their collaboration, with a new design-led, technology-driven collection scheduled to launch in 2027.
