sneak peek: ikea’s 2012 catalog

Last week, I got a sneak peek at Ikea‘s 2012 catalog. Seriously, this time of year is like Christmas for design nerds! The 374 pages are chock-full of great design inspiration via Ikea’s tried-and-true products, and new innovations.

As usual, Ikea focuses on smart, sustainable design, but in 2012 pay special attention to:

• Space savers: Norberg wall-mounted table
• Mobile products: Odda bedside table; Alex drawers
• High performers: Billy bookcase
• Room dividers: Expedit bookcase
• Built-in storage: Malm 3-piece headboard/bed shelf; Ektorp Bromma storage ottoman
• Double taskers: Boholmen sink accessories
• Using unused space: Grundtal towel holder

From the preview, here are some of my favorite finds for the new year … first up, the Lillangen sink cabinet, which  is super slim but has a ton of hidden storage:

Lillangen Sink Cabinet with One Door, $174

Love these useful and adorable indoor/outdoor Lantiv plantstands:

Lantiv plantstands and plant movers, $7.99 and up

The vintage-y look of the Kvarnvik series is unexpected from Ikea, but I’m a big fan:

Kvarnvik boxes and magazine files, $7.99 and up

Same with Isala — it’s a welcome romantic, curvy look, rather than Ikea’s standard midcentury pieces:

Isala cabinet, $169

Isala side table, $179

And the toys! I can’t get enough of the Torva stuffed vegetables — they’re designed to encourage environmental thinking in kiddos:

Torva stuffed toys, $1.99 and up

Torva stuffed toys, $1.99 and up

What are your favorite Ikea pieces, either new or existing?

Don’t forget to follow @designbyikea on Twitter! (And us, too, while you’re at it: @freshhomeideas.)