Ikea Finds: Sculptural Lights by a Dutch/Kiwi Designer, All Under $100

Every once in a while, IKEA drops a collection that makes design lovers collectively gasp and then frantically check their bank account balances. The sculptural lights created with Dutch/Kiwi designer Sabine Marcelis are exactly that kind of moment: dreamy, gallery-worthy objects that you can actually afford without selling a kidney or your mid-century coffee table.

These pieces, part of IKEA’s VARMBLIXT collection, blur the line between lighting and art. They are soft loops of glowing glass, sleek circular wall halos, and minimalist forms that look as good switched off as they do glowing at night. Even better, most of them sit comfortably under the $100 mark, making “museum lighting” a realistic upgrade for small apartments, first homes, and anyone on a real-world budget.

In this deep dive, we will explore who this Dutch/New Zealand designer is, why sculptural lighting is having a serious moment, and how these IKEA finds can transform your home’s mood without overwhelming your space or your wallet.

Meet the Dutch/Kiwi Designer Behind the Glow

Sabine Marcelis is a designer whose work is all about light, color, and clean geometry. Born in New Zealand and based in the Netherlands, she has worked with high-end fashion and luxury brands, creating pieces that lean more toward “installation art” than simple decor. Her signature look often features translucent materials, saturated color, and precise, almost architectural forms that interact beautifully with light.

Before teaming up with IKEA, her work appeared in galleries, design fairs, and collaborations with big-name brands, which meant her pieces were not exactly impulse buys for most of us. The collaboration with IKEA changed that. The idea was to bring her poetic, light-driven design language into everyday homes at accessible price points, with an emphasis on well-being and the emotional effects of light in daily life.

For this line, Marcelis focused on sculptural shapes that feel bold but not loud: rings, loops, and softened rectangles that make a statement without visually cluttering a room. They are the kind of objects that quietly glow in the corner and make people say, “Wait, where did you get that?”

The VARMBLIXT Collection: Sculptural Lights for Real Budgets

The VARMBLIXT collection includes a range of sculptural lights, some of which Remodelista and other design outlets immediately flagged as must-have pieces for small spaces and design-conscious homes. While the exact product line-up can shift over time, several key designs capture the spirit of the collaboration and stay comfortably under the $100 threshold.

The Donut-Shaped LED Wall/Table Lamp

One of the instant icons of the collection is the donut-shaped LED lamp, designed to work as both a wall light and a table object. It is a curved ring of glowing glass that looks like a neon sculpture, but with a softer, more diffused glow. Place it standing on a sideboard, or mount it to the wall as a luminous portal. Either way, it functions as both art piece and ambient light source.

Priced in the neighborhood of other mid-range IKEA lamps but with far more drama, this lamp is an easy entry point into sculptural lighting. It is ideal for renters, style experimenters, and anyone who wants to try a bold form without committing to complex wiring or high-end designer prices.

The Circular Wall Lamp: A Minimalist Eclipse

Another standout is the circular wall lamp that resembles an eclipse captured mid-moment. The design layers a glowing disc and a circular plate, creating that magical “halo” when switched on. Even turned off, it reads as a simple yet sculptural wall piece with quiet presence.

This lamp is particularly good for hallways, bedrooms, or any space that benefits from soft, indirect light. Where harsh overhead fixtures can feel clinical, the circular wall lamp gives a gentle glow that feels more like candlelight than a spotlight, helping create a calmer atmosphere at night.

Mirrors, Wall Lamps, and Warm Accent Pieces

The collection also includes lamps that double as mirrors, pieces with dark red metal accents, and designs that emphasize backlighting rather than exposed bulbs. These details tap into a broader trend: lighting that washes walls with indirect glow rather than blasting everything with direct light.

That backlit effect is a favorite among interior designers because it instantly makes a room feel more sophisticated and more relaxed. Instead of seeing the source of light, you see what the light does to surfaces: glowing edges, soft gradients on walls, and reflections that subtly animate the space.

Why Sculptural Lighting Works So Well in Small Spaces

If you live in a compact apartment or a house where every square inch has to earn its keep, sculptural lighting is a secret weapon. These Sabine Marcelis pieces, in particular, deliver multiple functions at once: they are art, atmosphere, and illumination.

A typical small space problem goes like this: you want it to look styled and intentional, but adding art, furniture, lamps, and accessories quickly makes the room feel crowded. Sculptural lamps solve that by combining several visual roles into one object. A single glowing donut on the wall can replace a framed print, a side table lamp, and a decorative object in one go.

Their minimalist shapes also work well with a range of styles. Whether your place leans Scandinavian, industrial, eclectic, or very “I just moved in with mismatched furniture,” a simple circular lamp or glowing loop can act as a unifying focal point. The light becomes the common language that ties everything together.

Design Principles Behind the Collection

The VARMBLIXT collaboration focuses on how light affects mood. Instead of treating lamps as purely functional, Marcelis and IKEA highlight the emotional side of illumination: warmth, calm, energy, and a sense of wonder. That is why the collection emphasizes indirect, diffused, or softly glowing forms rather than harsh bulbs.

Several principles show up repeatedly in the designs:

• Soft geometry: Rings, loops, circles, and rounded rectangles keep the objects approachable rather than severe.
• Play with translucency: Frosted glass and diffusing materials glow from within, making the lamps feel alive rather than simply “on.”
• On-off beauty: Each piece is designed to look like a sculpture even when it is not illuminated, so it never feels like a dead object during the day.
• Warm color temperature: The lighting leans warm, reinforcing that feeling of comfort and coziness instead of clinical brightness.

Put simply, these are not just lamps you flick on to read a bill. They are pieces you use to set a mood, mark a corner of the room as special, and make coming home at night feel a bit more like entering a thoughtfully designed boutique hotel.

How to Style Sculptural IKEA Lights at Home

You do not need a penthouse or a design degree to make these lights look fantastic. A few strategic choices can make them shineliterally and figuratively.

Anchor a Small Living Room

In a compact living room, mount the circular wall lamp above a low-profile sofa or sideboard. Let it act as the “art” over the furniture. Pair it with neutral textiles and a limited color palette so the lamp’s glow becomes the star. A simple rug, a couple of throw pillows, and a coffee table are all you needno gallery wall required.

Turn a Bedroom Corner into a Sanctuary

If you have a blank, awkward corner in the bedroom, place the donut-shaped lamp on a small pedestal table, nightstand, or wall shelf. Keep the rest of the corner clean: maybe one plant, a stack of books, and that is it. The lamp’s curved form and warm light will turn the space into a little night-time retreat, perfect for winding down with a podcast or journaling.

Upgrade a Hallway or Entryway

Hallways often get the least design attention, but they have huge mood-setting potential. Install a sculptural wall lamp along a corridor or just inside the front door. Suddenly, the area feels intentional and welcoming instead of “just a passage.” Add a slim console table or wall hooks beneath it, and you have a functional, stylish entry that still fits in tight quarters.

Why Designers Love These Under-$100 Pieces

Design professionals are drawn to these lights because they punch above their price point. Sculptural shapes, thoughtful use of indirect light, and an art-first approach to design are features usually associated with expensive boutique brands. Seeing similar qualities at IKEA prices is a rare treat.

Another reason these pieces are popular is their flexibility. They work in rentals and forever homes alike, and they can migrate as your life changesfrom a studio apartment to a larger home, from bedroom to hallway, from main living room to a future office. That portability makes them a smart long-term investment, even if the dollar amount is modest.

Finally, they capture a broader lighting trend: instead of one big central ceiling fixture, people are layering multiple smaller light sources at different heights and intensities. These sculptural lights fit perfectly into that layered approach, adding both atmosphere and visual interest.

Shopping Tips: Getting the Most from Your IKEA Lighting Upgrade

Before you rush to the store or load up your online cart, a little planning will help you choose the right sculptural light for your space.

• Measure the wall or surface first. Know the width and height of the area where your lamp will live. This prevents “I love it but it looks tiny/huge” regrets.
• Think about the role of the light. Is this your main light source, or a mood-setting accent? Sculptural pieces usually work best as secondary lighting layered with something more functional.
• Check how it mounts or stands. Some designs can be used on a table or wall; others are meant purely for mounting. Match the lamp to your skill level and willingness to drill.
• Plan the cord situation. Sculptural lights look chic; tangled cords do not. Consider cord covers, clips, or strategic furniture placement to keep things tidy.
• Stay warm with bulb color. When compatible, choose warm white light (around 2700K–3000K) to maintain the cozy, atmospheric vibe these designs are known for.

With just a bit of forethought, you can walk out of IKEA with one or two sculptural gems that completely transform how your rooms feel at nightwithout blowing past the $100 mark.

500-Word Experience: Living with Sculptural IKEA Lights

Imagine coming home after a long day, dropping your bag near the door, and instead of being greeted by a harsh ceiling light, you click on a glowing ring of light on the wall. The room does not blast into brightness; it slowly warms up, like the sun turning a cloud into a soft halo. That is the everyday experience these Dutch/Kiwi-designed lights aim to deliver.

One of the most surprising things people notice after installing a sculptural lamp is how it changes their nightly routine. Instead of treating “turning on the lights” as a basic task, it becomes a tiny ritual. You might switch off the brighter overhead fixtures earlier and rely more on the gentle, indirect glow while you watch a show, chat with friends, or scroll through your phone. The whole space feels calmer and more intentional, and you may even find yourself going to bed a bit more relaxed.

These lights also spark conversation. Guests tend to point at them and ask, “Is that from some fancy designer store?” When they hear it is from IKEA and under $100, there is usually a pause, followed by: “Okay, now I have to go to IKEA.” That is the power of a well-designed object at an accessible price: it feels like a personal style flex and a clever shopping hack at the same time.

Practically speaking, sculptural lights can help you rethink your layout. You might move furniture to better showcase the glow on a wall, or clear clutter from a corner just so the light can play off a clean surface. In that sense, the lamp does more than illuminate; it encourages a subtle declutter. When you have something beautiful drawing attention, you naturally want the surrounding area to look its best too.

Another everyday advantage is how these pieces handle multitasking life. If you work from home, for example, a sculptural lamp behind your monitor or off to the side can double as flattering light for video calls. It softens shadows on your face and makes your background look more curated, even if there is a laundry basket just out of frame. At night, that same light becomes a reading companion on the sofa or a warm backdrop for movie night.

Over time, you may realize that investing in a sculptural lamp under $100 has a bigger impact than buying yet another throw pillow or trendy vase. Lighting affects how you see every other object in the roomyour artwork, your furniture, even your own reflection in the mirror. When the light itself is both functional and beautiful, it quietly elevates everything you already own.

That is the charm of these IKEA finds: they are not just trendy decor items for a single season. Thanks to their simple forms and warm, emotional approach to light, they can evolve with your home and your style. Today, they might be the boldest thing in a small rental. Tomorrow, they could be the subtle, sculptural accents in a larger, more layered space. Either way, they prove that good design, especially from a Dutch/Kiwi mind obsessed with light, does not have to come with a luxury price tag.

Conclusion: High-Style Lighting, Low-Stress Budget

Sculptural lights by Sabine Marcelis for IKEA bring gallery-level design into everyday homes at prices that feel surprisingly manageable. With circular halos, glowing donuts, and sculptural wall pieces, these lamps are more than functionalthey are emotional tools that shape how your home feels at night.

Whether you live in a studio or a family home, adding one or two of these under-$100 designs can completely shift your perception of the space. You are not just buying another lamp; you are investing in atmosphere, in daily rituals, and in the quiet joy of flipping a switch and watching your walls softly come to life.