Reducing water use, a drop at a time
Ever thought about how much water you use each day? It’s probably more than you think. With fresh water becoming increasingly scarce, we’re exploring smart ways to use less at home – because every drop counts.
As part of the 50L Home Coalition pilot in Los Angeles, 32 homes, including this family, were equipped with devices to track and save daily water use.
50L Home Coalition project
We believe in creating solutions that empower and inspire people to live more water-efficient lives at home. That’s why we’re proud to be part of the 50L Home Coalition – a global platform bringing together companies, governments and innovators to rethink how we use water in everyday life.
To help bring this vision closer to reality, we teamed up with other coalition partners to see what’s possible in a real home. Together, we launched a pilot project to test how people could live well using just 50 litres of water a day - without compromising on comfort or convenience.
Seeing what holds water
The first 50L Home pilot launched in 2023 in Los Angeles – a city where water is in high demand and short supply, making it the perfect place to test what’s possible. In partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council California and other coalition sponsors, 32 homes were fitted with water meters at every point of use across the home.
We helped upgrade 15 of those homes with some of our best water-saving products, including the VIMMERN kitchen mixer tap, BROGRUND showerhead, as well as other low-flow solutions and water and energy-efficient appliances. The aim was to explore how simple changes throughout the home can reduce water use without changing the way people live.
The VIMMERN tap is designed to help lower water- and energy-use in the home.
"At IKEA, we are working to make sustainable living more affordable and accessible. By interacting with millions of people every year, we have a great opportunity to enable and inspire them to save water in their daily lives. This collaboration shows how simple solutions can support families to use water more efficiently without disrupting everyday life."
Making a splash
Has it made a difference? Absolutely. Early results from the pilot show that homes using water-saving products saw a 21% drop in water use compared to those without. On average, indoor water use fell to just 87 litres (23 gallons) per person per day – nearly half the typical usage in Los Angeles.
And it wasn’t just about saving water. Participants also reported a boost in day-to-day satisfaction, rating their quality of life at 4.0 out of 5. The best part? It was all achieved using products that are already available today. Proof that real change doesn’t have to mean giving up the comforts of everyday life.
The ‘Drop it’ project
With water scarcity becoming a growing issue worldwide, Sweden is no exception. Swedish households account for a significant share of the country’s water use, and with that comes a chance to make a real difference.
That’s why IKEA of Sweden is partnering with RISE – the Research Institutes of Sweden – in the Drop it project. Together, we're exploring ways to reduce household water use by testing a combination of water-saving products and innovative solutions in real homes. The goal? To find easier, smarter ways to use less water and energy – all while cutting down environmental impact and supporting everyday life at home.
Testing the waters
Why use a lab when you can use a living lab? At HSB Living Lab – part of Sweden’s largest cooperative housing federation – residents live in homes that double as real-time research environments. It’s where everyday life meets innovation, allowing us to test and learn from new solutions as they’re used.
Ensuring every drop counts
As part of Drop it, apartments in the HSB Living Lab have been fitted with IKEA low-flow taps, ÅBÄCKEN water-saving nozzles and greywater reuse systems.
Shower monitors have also been installed – showing how long showers last, how much water is used and at what temperature. Residents also receive insights on how each solution contributes to more efficient water use, along with practical tips and advice to help them feel motivated and supported in using less.
The ÅBÄCKEN water nozzle fits all IKEA taps and helps to reduce water usage at home by up to 95% when in mist mode.
"By participating in projects like this, we gain valuable knowledge on how we can contribute to reducing water use in homes in the future."
The ripple effect
The project is still in its early days, running as part of a five-year programme, but early feedback from residents has been positive. In interviews, residents shared that they’ve become more aware of how much water they use daily, from taking shorter showers to only running the dishwasher or laundry when it’s full.
One tool that’s proving to be a real force for change is the shower monitor, which is now part of the BERGVATTNET collection – a simple device helping residents rethink their routines. As resident Elena Malakhatka put it: “The shower monitor is really efficient – my showers got way shorter. Seeing the numbers is really impactful.”
What else are we doing to help turn the tide?
Find out more about how IKEA is taking action to reduce impact on freshwater.