September 1, 2020, 12:52 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Meatballs, ball pits, and tea lights are nowhere to be found in the new Ikea Planning Studio in Berlin-Pankow. Instead, visitors can expect consultation services for a new kitchen or the Pax bedroom wardrobe. myHOMEBOOK attended the studio’s opening, took a look around, and spoke with a manager about the innovative concept.
The turnout was large at the opening of Germany’s first Ikea Planning Studio in the Berlin district of Pankow on September 1, 2020. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, there were restrictions at the door, but the usual friendly Ikea atmosphere was still present. However, the new studio fundamentally differs from the typical shopping experience at the furniture giant. On just 450 square meters, the focus is entirely on kitchens and bedrooms. In addition to a manageable exhibition area, there are many opportunities for personal consultation, which is clearly the main focus here.
Update from January 7, 2021: Ikea announced in a press release that the third Planning Studio will open in summer 2021, in Berlin Reinickendorf. This location will focus on kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. Visitors will be able to receive advice on various Ikea furnishing options, such as kitchens or bedroom wardrobes.
New Ikea Planning Studio in Berlin-Pankow–What’s Behind It?
“With the Planning Studio, we are taking entirely new paths,” says Ikea manager Inga Smith in an interview with myHOMEBOOK. In addition to the large stores, smaller studios are now intended to meet customer needs. However, there is nothing to take away.
“The idea here is that the customer has the opportunity to receive advice, see certain assortments, and order everything to be delivered home.” This is especially aimed at reaching customers in big cities who do not have a car. There is a particular need for consultation when it comes to kitchens and wardrobes. Very few people plan their new kitchen on their own, Smith notes.
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The concept of Ikea Planning Studios already exists in other European cities. Short distances and the possibility of spontaneous inspiration at the “Ikea around the corner” play a significant role. “It is mainly intended to appeal to people who have not yet been to Ikea,” the manager says.
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Sustainability Is a Focus
Additionally, sustainability plays a significant role in the assortment. An exemplary exhibition kitchen for a young family is therefore equipped with environmentally conscious solutions. There are few waste bins but many storage containers to avoid packaging.
Of course, “urban gardening” with the cultivation of cuttings for a small herb and vegetable garden in the kitchen is not missing. And the example family’s child, called “Matti,” even uses the paper waste for crafting.
Ikea Planning Studios as a Complement to the Stores
“The stores should continue to exist,” says Smith. While they offer the full range of Ikea products over 35,000 square meters and the typical shopping experience including a restaurant, the Ikea Planning Studio is aimed at customers with specific questions. However, Smith recommends making an appointment in advance for kitchen planning. Otherwise, you can also drop by spontaneously and get information.
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The next Ikea Planning Studio is set to open in Potsdam at the end of October, with significantly more space. It will also offer furnishing solutions for living rooms and bathrooms, as well as a mattress studio. The new studio in Pankow is open from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.