Header: Courtesy of IKEA
Life at home is constantly evolving, and our needs in our living spaces can shift quickly. In response, IKEA has developed BÄSINGEN, a product series designed to provide accessible support in the bathroom and other areas of the home. The series includes six items: two types of step stools with a rail, a shower stool, a toilet roll holder, a towel rail, and a shower shelf.
BÄSINGEN is intended for anyone who experiences temporary or ongoing challenges at home, whether due to age, physical condition, or changing circumstances. The design is based on the idea that small functional interventions can help maintain independence in everyday routines.
“There are many people who experience impactful and common circumstantial changes that can make something as simple as taking a shower challenging. Yet, we see that the home environment is often not equipped for change. The starting point for BÄSINGEN was a clear need for specific product functions. Then, we widened our scope through design to ensure the products are for the many, as BÄSINGEN is created to support anyone in their daily life,” says Wâtte Zijlstra, Product Design Developer at IKEA of Sweden AB.
The products are designed to be sturdy, with non-slip feet and drainage holes that make them suitable for wet environments. The tubes’ soft edges and thickness allow for a secure and comfortable grip. The dark anthracite colour was chosen for its neutral appearance and to improve visibility in various settings.
“BÄSINGEN is designed to help customers create a comfortable experience. The products were created to bring great functionality together with a beautiful design, as they have a minimalistic expression that is rooted in our Scandinavian design tradition. BÄSINGEN should blend in regardless of your style and shouldn’t be something you need to put away or hide,” says Sarah Fager, Senior Designer at IKEA of Sweden AB.
Fager adds: “I started this project by wanting to learn more about the needs and wishes of people with physical limitations. It was one of my most challenging design projects because it was about meeting needs that were new to me. But this also made it one of my most enlightening projects. I hope people will enjoy BÄSINGEN products throughout different stages of life. Maybe they will use the products a bit less during certain periods, but they are always close at hand, ready to provide support.”
