Lego for grown-ups

July 8th, 2008 Posted in Day to Day

Every time I move I end up going to Ikea. There is always some little thing I get. This time I got a few start-up items like a cheese grater, bath mat, some dry goods jars, etc. My favourite thing to get though is the stuff I I get to put together myself. This time I got a cabinet for on top of my fridge.

While assembling the cabinet I was struck by the similarities between Ikea and Lego. I don’t know why I never noticed it before… I decided Ikea is Lego, but slightly more utilitarian and for grown-ups.  From the visual instructions, to the exact count of pieces so that if you lose one you’re kind of screwed. The pieces don’t click together like Lego, but, to compensate, I got to use my grown-up tools, so I didn’t mind.

It’s a perfect generational fit too.  It’s the people who grew up with the original Lego block are now building their own houses and families. What better thing to give our generation than DIY furniture?

Next step? Comfortable Ikea blocks that we can put together into our own configurations.

Guests coming over? Make the bed into a couch. Poker game? Make the couch into a  table with chairs. Tired? Revert the table and chairs into  a bed.  Not the most practical furniture, but oh so much fun…