Explore Designer portraits

Monika Mulder

Designer

Born: 1972, Netherlands

Education: Design Academy Eindhoven, Netherlands

Home base: Gothenburg, Sweden

Started at IKEA: 1998

From crafting with paper and clay in the northern Netherlands to shaping some of the most beloved designs of IKEA, Monika Mulder has stayed true to her roots while still pushing boundaries. That hands-on, resourceful approach guides her work today, inspiring others to trust their instincts, embrace what’s right in front of them, and dare to be different.

19
95

Monika was born and raised in the northern Netherlands. Creativity came
naturally to her, and as a child she loved exploring and working with different materials like paper, glue and blue clay.

Monika later studied at Design Academy Eindhoven. When it came time for an internship, she was eager to explore opportunities in Sweden. She was drawn to the country’s easy-going, non-hierarchical way of doing business and found an opening at the IKEA design hub in Älmhult. Here, she would often walk around the store and look for what solutions were missing – then start sketching. Among the products she designed as an intern were the FIBBE waste basket and a wooden box for CDs. She was also involved in one of the first IKEA PS collections that bolstered the IKEA concept of Democratic Design.

20
02

The 2002 pendant lamp MELODI was one of Monika’s first bestsellers at IKEA. It was originally created to solve a problem with the lamps used in all IKEA restaurants around the world at the time. Patrons would sometimes bump their heads on the glass shades, causing hairline cracks in them.

MELODI had a timeless shape and soft light that made it popular in restaurants as well as homes and workplaces. Moulded from stackable polystyrene, it prevented both cracking and head injuries while cutting transport costs. Ingvar Kamprad wrote a personal note on the lamp’s product protocol – “Very good design!” – high praise from the famously restrained IKEA founder.

2002

Cover of IKEA catalogue with rattan recliner IKEA PS SÄVÖ.

IKEA PS SÄVÖ rattan recliner had an organic and stackable shape designed to blend into nature. Its low design allowed the grass to serve as a side table.

2002

Chair with grey plastic seat and back and a red metal frame, IKEA PS HÄSSLÖ.

IKEA PS HÄSSLÖ easy chair had a metal structure with a plastic seat that made the chair very comfortable.

2002

Green watering can with clean lines, IKEA PS VÅLLÖ.

IKEA PS VÅLLÖ watering can had a shape inspired by flowing water, making it both stackable and easier to transport. It won Excellent Swedish Design in 2002.

2003

Smiling child sitting in red swivel chair with an orange hood, IKEA PS LÖMSK.

IKEA PS LÖMSK swivel armchair can help children process sensory impressions.

2005

Three black wall hooks shaped like a dog’s tail.

BÄSTIS hook, shaped like a pet’s tail, was perfect for a dog’s leash – or anything else that needed hanging.

2006

White metal bowl with an elegant, leaf-inspired see-through pattern.

STOCKHOLM bowl featured an elegant, leaf-inspired see-through pattern that also inspired similarly shaped candlesticks.

2013

Blue bedside table with a cut-out handle in its drawer, SELJE.

SELJE bedside table had a clever cut-out handle and could be assembled easily – without a single screw.

2016

Blond wood bed with sturdy frame, made up with white bedding, GJÖRA.

GJÖRA bed had a frame that could be used as a headboard, wardrobe and room divider.

2018

Green table lamp, shade looking like a character with pointy ears and black eyes, KRUX.

KRUX table lamp for children had just enough character – leaving room for a child’s imagination to take over.

2018

Pink ergonomic office chair with white metal frame, HATTEFJÄLL.

HATTEFJÄLL ergonomic office chair offered features to keep you comfy and focused, while its soft styling integrated well into home interiors.

2022

Round pendant lamp crafted from curved natural wood, SÖDÅKRA.

SÖDÅKRA pendant lamp was crafted from curved natural wood to create a warm glow while optimising material use for circularity.

2024

Silver coloured candlestick with an organic shape, SILVERPÄRON.

SILVERPÄRON candlestick symbolised friendship and kindness for Monika, with the holders supporting one another like flowers in a patch.

20
03

Monika learned early on to recycle and repurpose from her mother, who mended her clothes rather than buying new. She likes to create great things from limited resources while avoiding costly materials and techniques. At the same time, she always admired IKEA for taking risks and making long-term investments in advanced production methods. This allowed her to push boundaries – like when she used tailor-made manufacturing technology to design the quirky children’s tableware MUMSA.

20
07

In 2007, Monika started her own design studio in Gothenburg, Sweden. She continues to design for IKEA and other brands. Her design process remains the same: starting with sketching, she moves on to building models and using 3D computer software, whether she’s creating the candlestick SILVERPÄRON or the office chair HATTEFJÄLL.

She lectures regularly at design schools like Parsons in New York City, advising young designers to stay close to their roots. “Be open, and don’t underestimate what’s right in front of you,” she says. “Your experiences and instincts are just as valuable as anyone else’s. And dare to be different!”