IKEA's new iPhone app can rip and replace your old furniture

IKEA's new iPhone app can rip and replace your old furniture

Swedish furniture brand IKEA has a new iPhone app in the US that uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to let you replace your current furniture with something new from its catalog.

Previewing furniture using augmented reality isn't new to the brand, but instead of just dropping new items into the space, IKEA Kreativ lets you take your old furniture out of the picture. Plus, you can set up multiple items at once, allowing you to see what your home would look like with a complete makeover.

The effect is reminiscent of the Google Pixel 6 magic eraser.

Using the LiDAR scanners found in the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and iPad Pro 11 (2021), the IKEA app can scan your piece to create an accurate digital replica. IKEA Kreativ can also be used with non-LiDAR-enabled devices, but you'll need to take some photos of your room first (and they may not be as accurate).

Once you've taken your photos, the app will process them to create a wide-angle view where you can place and remove furniture as you see fit, just like playing The Sims with your own house.

If you have LiDAR, the app can give you a good idea of ​​whether the sofa will fit in your space (less so if you use photos of the room). Still, it's worth removing the old tape measure to check that everything will fit perfectly.

Either way, the app lets you know if the items fit your current style. Plus, even if you don't buy the item at IKEA, then you'll know if a similar piece of furniture from a cheaper place would fit well in your home.

IKEA Kreativ is currently exclusive to the United States, but IKEA plans to launch it in other regions in the future.

The new Symfonisk table lamp speaker using a glass shade next to one using a fabric shade and two Symfonisk picture frames

IKEA has a range of tech furniture hybrids (Image credit: IKEA/Sonos)

This app is just the latest from IKEA as it constantly expands its technology-based offerings. There's its surprisingly good furniture-speaker hybrids, like its Picture Frame and Lamp speakers, as well as its recently unveiled smart home hub (which will be compatible with Matter).

Recently, IKEA even joined a new collective of companies, including Meta, that wants to promote metaverse standards. This should help early developers collaborate better and could be an indication that IKEA wants its furniture to fill our virtual homes one day.