How to get it
- Machine washable
Leftover cotton fabric from our textile production has been transformed into unique, handmade TÅNUM rugs. The colours vary from rug to rug, so come to the store and pick the one you like the most.
Product details
This versatile rug fits just about anywhere thanks to the shape, size and mix of colours.
Cotton is a soft and easy-care natural material that you can machine wash.
A perfect companion for all types of flooring, even those with underfloor heating.
Erik Bertell
Measurements
- Length: 90 cm
- Width: 60 cm
- Thickness: 4 mm
- Area: 0.54 m²
- Surface density: 1350 g/m²
SustainabilityPeople and planet
People and communities
Handmade with a purpose
Each TÅNUM rug starts out as fabric scraps from our bed linen production. The scraps are repurposed by skilled craftspeople who weave the bits and pieces into unique rugs. By choosing a TÅNUM rug, you are bringing a one-of-a-kind piece into your home, crafted with nature’s resources in mind.
A rug that makes a difference
TÅNUM rug is a good example of how we bring together two of our passions – sustainability and creating a better everyday life. It’s made of leftover fabric from our bedlinen production and each rug is handwoven by skilled craftspeople at responsibly organised weaving centers. No two rugs are alike so TÅNUM adds a unique touch to any home, but more importantly, it’s a rug that can mean a brighter future for those who weave it.
The inspiration for these rugs comes from traditional Swedish handicraft, where leftover fabric scraps are woven into rag rugs – a smart and responsible use of resources. The idea for TÅNUM originated from a young design student named Erik Bertell. He reimagined the rag rug in a modern way and showed that you could create contemporary and unique rugs using only reused textiles.
A stable income for women
As we were developing the rug, the passionate manager of one of our supply factories came up with an idea – that women in the village of Karupannya, in Northern Bangladesh, should weave the rugs. He wanted to make everyday life for people in the village better by giving women jobs and a stable income. And since this region in Bangladesh is known for good textile craftsmanship, it was a perfect match.
Not the easy way, but the right way
The easiest way to produce the rugs would have been to make new fabrics instead of shipping leftover pieces to the weavers – but that wouldn’t be the IKEA way. “We like to keep things simple, but also to make products in a more sustainable way. The supplier and the rug team at the IKEA office in New Delhi worked together to make it happen,” says Rasmus Jönsson, who works with TÅNUM.
Better conditions for more people
Having people in Karupannya weave the rugs became a part of our initiative called Made by People: Handmade rugs. It’s a long-term IKEA project that establishes weaving centres close to villages. By bringing weavers together, the production process and the working environment can be monitored and improved. This creates better conditions for the weavers, their families and ultimately the rug industry throughout the region. We’re also helping to develop a new loom that enables weavers to have a more ergonomic working position and requires less muscle power to operate. “The best part is that we can offer functional and beautiful rugs for thousands of homes by using leftover materials, and at the same time create jobs for women in Bangladesh. It's good for both people and the planet," says Rasmus.
Material
What is cotton?
Cotton is one of the world's most appreciated and used natural fibres. Textiles in cotton are soft, hardwearing and can be washed at high temperatures. They are also good at breathing and absorbing moisture – making them pleasant to wear close to the body. Today at IKEA we use more and more recycled cotton and strive to make sure that all the new cotton we use has been grown and produced with less and less amounts of pesticides, fertilisers and water.