Inspirations

Uppgradera {verb} swedish word - meaning: upgrade, improve, enhance, customize, update, reform

Ikea-hacking {phrase} meaning: Movement of modifying IKEA's products or using them in a unorthodox way.

Open-design {noun} meaning: Development of products through use of publicly shared design information

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Uppgradera is an Ikeahack collection which was inspired by the IKEA products that I have been using in the last couple of years. My ideas aspire to supplement the original designs and correct the slips I had experienced, with the help of 3D printing.

The collection includes the 3D printable manufacturing file of 6 accessories that the user of the given IKEA product facing similar problems can manufacture or have manufactured locally, anywhere in the world.

My aim was to design products which solve real problems and with a little bit of "uppgradera", make the user experience more pleasant and efficient.

Description of all the 6 hacks:

KL01 - KLIPSK

Problem: The KLIPSK bed tray lets you enjoy a brunch in your own bed. However, its material is extremely slippery, hence glasses slide and are upset easily.

Uppgradera: The KL01 is a glass holder that can be fitted onto the bed try and positioned alongside the groove at the back, as you wish.
You can use several ones all at once, if you feel like it.

--- CH01 - CHOSIGT

Problem: The CHOSIGT is one of the most popular cheese graters in Ikea, thanks to it smart storage solution that collects the grated cheese. However, significant amount of cheese falls outside the tool.

Uppgradera: The CH01 is a ring that can be placed onto the grater to prevent the grated cheese from falling down.
The leftover pieces can be easily swept off from the tool.

--- EN01 - ENUDDEN

Problem: The ENUDDEN soap dish is a low-end Ikea product. At the bottom of the moulded plastic tray, there is no aperture so the soaps soak in water all the time.

Uppgradera: The EN01 is a grid that can be placed on the soap dish so that it stores the soap at a sufficient height, while providing ventilation.
By doing so, it does not only increase the "lifetime" of soaps, but preserves their quality by storing them dry as well.

--- EK01 - EKOLN

Problem: At the bottom of the EKOLN toothbrush holder water trickling down from toothbrushes accumulates. Leftover toothpaste is the hotbed of bacteria and it also contributes to the sediment at the bottom of toothbrushes.

Uppgradera: The EK01 is a drying grid that can be placed in the toothbrush holder to keep the toothbrushes away from the bottom of the cup, while enabling constant ventilation and the evaporation of water.

--- NÄ01 - NÄVLINGE

Problem: The NÄVLINGE read lamp is fitted with a high-power LED, but it does not come with a shade. If used as a desk lamp, it keeps shining into one's eyes.

Uppgradera: The NÄ01 is a simple clip-on lamp shade which can be used for work, reading or mood lighting.

--- ST01 - STAJLIG

Problem: The advantage of the STAJLIG hanger is that it can be manufactured cheaply in large quantities, but clothes put on the thin drawn steel hanger get creased and worn out at around the shoulders as time passes.

Uppgradera: The ST01 contains a pair of shoulder pads attachable to the hanger. It can be attached easily, and due to its enduring design, it gets the weight off the clothes, as well as prevents creasing and wearing out before time.