By Mark BaratelliEditor
This week IKEA invited me on a private guided tour of their new 2011 products and put in my hands their brand new 2011 catalogue available to the public August 3. Looks like Apartment Therapy got the same invite in NYC and found some different items here. Below is a sampling of what they showed me.
You can get the new catalogue starting August 3rd in the store...
...and online.
The three PR reps told me storage was one of the company's main focuses this year, with people staying in more and not wanting to look at all their clutter. Here's an ottoman with hidden storage.
A couch with a hollow arm rest is perfect for storing sheets and pillows for overnight guests.
A bookcase in the living room now storing an entire liquor cabinet.
Storage opportunities could be found for every room in the house.
These black leather couches are brand new and lovely. The head rests are removable, like in a car.
The Never Ending List is a commitment made by IKEA to continue to be environmentally and socially aware in every aspect of their business.
Another focus was lowering prices on several items.
This gigantic table was $500 last year. Its now $400 this year. Don't ask me how they do this. Magic?
More lower prices, this time on shelving.
This desk has a secret....
Hidden storage!
This is the first year this bed is available in this color, with added storage drawers.
A brand new line of kids furniture is available.
These recycle bins snap apart to reveal handles you can then tote to the recycle bin.
Handles!
A bigger bin for the garage.
They gave me a goody bag with cookies, coffee, a Swedish flag, the new 2011 catalogue and this hardcover coffee table book called "America At Home: A Close-Up Look at How We Live." All the photos in the book were taken by amateurs across the country.