Reforming IKEA: Do-it-Yourself Projects and Everyday Objects in Disposable Culture

This project aims to gain an understanding of the relationships people have with everyday, domestic objects inside their urban living spaces using Do-it-Yourself (DIY) furniture making projects. Throughout the project, new knowledge is generated using hands-on making activities as a form of Research through Design (RtD). The primary objectives of this research are to open up and encourage these kinds of Do-it-Yourself, experiential learning activities as resources for people to draw on in their everyday lives. By innovating design interventions related to personal well-being and satisfaction with our objects, this project has led to the development of concrete design research exemplars demonstrating how DIY projects can operate as creative resources for everyday design. Through the design, implementation, and study of the artifacts created for DIY home customization, this research aims to support people in experiencing increased levels of self-satisfaction, well-being, and sense of value with their belongings. This investigation focuses on aspects of a domestic object’s importance, becoming an ‘Everyday Designer,’ customization, personalization and their respective relationships to consumption and material culture. As a result of this research, multiple DIY furniture projects and instructional booklets have been created to provide opportunities for everyone from non-designers to experienced makers to conduct a personal material exploration. Together with this creative act of hands-on making, everyday design practices allow people to reflect on the objects they own and why, while also achieving an increased sense of well-being and agency towards their domestic objects.