I love absolutely everything about spring – flowers, more sunlight, being able to eat on terraces again – but for me it all comes at the cost of terribly itchy eyes and a runny nose. Growing up, I lived in a desert climate that changed minimally, so imagine my horror when I was exposed to real spring in all its pollen splendor.
Cut to 2020, a time when I was still living with roommates and wanted to avoid anything from them. Since many people were investing in air purifiers at the time, I decided to go for one myself – and lo and behold, my pollen allergy and even my roommate’s cat drastically reduced. Now I live alone and still love my air purifier, but one problem remains – how do I fit it into my decor? Some people like the sleek look of certain purifiers, but I was wondering if there was a way to better integrate that. And to no one’s surprise, IKEA has a solution.
IKEA’s air purifying table is a stroke of genius
No, this is not a hack, just one simple, amazing product — STARKVIND. Of all IKEA’s air purifiers, this one is my favorite – a table in warm stained wood that integrates an air purifier under the top. It’s a double piece that literally helps you breathe easier at home.
STARKVIND comes in two colors — light oak with a white filter and darker oak with a black filter. The wood helps it blend in seamlessly with the background, and if one doesn’t know what it is, the holes in the scrubber just come off as a design choice. There’s an unobtrusive dial on the side to control the settings, and the top comes off so you can easily change the filter every six months.
Its single cord can be hidden inside a table leg or scrubber and cleans spaces up to 215 feet. As a bonus, you can connect it to the DIRIGERA hub and control it directly from your phone using the IKEA Home app. It is the perfect combination of functionality and style.
IKEA dropped the price to $199.99 last year, and even then it can seem expensive for a side table. However, keep in mind that you’re getting the air purifier as well as the table, which could cost as much separately.
Plus, the benefits go beyond springtime allergies – STARKVIND can help if you have kids and pets, can reduce the amount of illness people get, and can help clean the air during wildfire season. If you still need a side table, consider opting for this one for added convenience — and maybe pick up a few items from IKEA’s Nyfäskarskad collection while you’re at it.