Ikea’s Design Chief Reveals the 12 Products He Personally Owns

Johan Ejdemo, Ikea's design manager with nearly 30 years at the company, reveals his personal favorite Ikea products. He leads a team of 20 and shapes 1,500–2,000 new products annually.

Among his picks are the Silversida recycled ceramic bowls and plates with blue dots, designed by Henrik Preutz. Ejdemo especially loves a bowl where the painter missed a dot—he appreciates the imperfection. He also uses Koncis metal roasting pans in various sizes.

His kitchen features a customized Faktum system installed over 20 years ago. Being a carpenter, he built the kitchen island himself using Ikea cabinets and hand-painted all doors. He notes only one hinge is starting to loosen; otherwise, everything works perfectly.

Other items include a Norbo folding table used for extra space during holidays and a Bekväm step stool covered in paint spots that show its age. His absolute favorite is the PS metal cabinet from 1999, still in the collection; he owns several throughout his home.

Ejdemo found an original PS clock from 1995 at a vintage sale. He also has a PS Svarva floor lamp from 2009, developed with design group Front. The lamp was produced in Hungary, with wooden beads from a neighboring factory—a serendipitous collaboration.

He owns a PS Sinka cabinet with small drawers and a hidden compartment for keys. PS Jonsberg vases by Hella Jongerius hold toilet paper in his bathroom; one terracotta vase broke. He has Pax wardrobes that he repainted himself and Spraka pepper mills that have chipped over 20 years—imperfections he cherishes.

Ejdemo admits he currently doesn't own a Billy bookcase but has owned Kallax, which he finds perfect for vinyl records.