# Creative Ideation Hubs The IKEA Creative Hub in Malmo Offers Employees a Free Space for Thought By Joey Haar | Published 2017-10-02 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-creative-hub References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2017/10/01/ikea-creative-hub-offices-malmo-sweden-nanna-lagerman/) The [IKEA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creative-home) [Creative Hub](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modern-living) in Malmo, Sweden, is a freeing space wherein many of consumers' most beloved designs from the Swedish furniture giant have found their beginnings. The space serves as the center of ideation for the international company, with features explicitly designed to encourage creativity and brainstorming as much as possible. One of the most notable aspects of the IKEA Creative Hub is the lack of whiteboards. This isn't to say that IKEA discourages writing on boards during thought sessions, though. Quite the opposite: in the Creative Hub, employees are encouraged to write wherever they see fit, with one of the rooms covered entirely in a whiteboard-like material. The space also has several different rooms for meetings of various sizes and a library where more introspective individuals can take a moment to read and reflect. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 76% | Activity: 70% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Collaborative Workspaces:** Opportunity to create innovative workspaces that stimulate creativity and collaboration. - **Flexible Brainstorming Tools:** Disruption potential in developing alternative brainstorming tools that encourage free thinking. - **Introspective Work Environments:** Potential for creating spaces that facilitate focused thinking and reflection. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Furniture Design:** Opportunity for furniture companies to create innovative designs specifically targeting collaborative workspaces. - **Office Equipment:** Potential for companies to develop new brainstorming tools and equipment that promote flexible thinking. - **Office Design:** Disruption potential for architects and interior designers to create work environments that foster creativity and introspection. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sustainable Vibrant Work Environments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovation-campus.md) - [Creative Home Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creative-home.md) - [AI Room Designers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-canada-2.md) - [Japanese Creative Innovation Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/karimoku-research.md) - [Community-Centric Headquarters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/communitycentric-design.md) - [Idea Collaboration Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/idearify.md) - [AR-Powered Furniture Visualizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-kreativ.md) - [Factory-Adjacent Dynamic Offices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovation-campus-1.md) - [Experiential Play Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-open-house-miami.md)