Today we are quickly interested in BYGGLEK storage boxes resulting from the collaboration between LEGO and IKEA, products that the two brands present more as decorative elements than as accessories for tidying up and storing stuff. Creativity first, functionality second.

On the occasion of the launch of this mini-range of boxes, LEGO has also called on some fans to provide creations, published on social networks, which feature the various boxes "diverted" from this assumed to be their primary use. IKEA does the same in all of its communication around these products, but the fact remains that they are mostly storage boxes, with a little space inside and a lid.

Unfortunately, we cannot say that LEGO and IKEA are revolutionizing the concept of the box here. Despite a two-year creative brainstorming, the final product struggles to convince me because it lacks some of the essential attributes of a good storage box.

The lid covered with tenons marked with the LEGO mention does not clip onto the body of the product, the various boxes are stackable but do not fit together, the edges of the product are very thick to leave room for the notch of "customization" present on two sides and the storage space available inside is reduced accordingly. The different lids could eventually serve as overpriced base plates, but if you buy these boxes just for that, I can't do anything for you. For a range of products which in principle should be used to store things and then move them and take them out on occasion, this is a bit low.

At IKEA, the ritual of assembly is essential to the experience. At LEGO too. As these are products resulting from the collaboration between the two brands, there is therefore no escaping an assembly phase for the two largest boxes in the range. The bottom is therefore clipped onto the uprights which are themselves connected to each other by a large gutter. IKEA might as well have delivered these boxes already assembled or molded in a single block, it would not have changed much.

This is also the case for the three small models that are delivered ready to use but you can always disassemble and reassemble the bottom to enjoy the experience. Several boxes of the same size can also form only one by removing the bottom of those which are superimposed but it is impossible to clip the outlines between them. Pity.

The side notches allow in theory to integrate what to identify the contents of the boxes by sliding for example a few parts or a label behind a LEGO window. The idea is not bad, although a transparent insert would have produced the same effect. Or a transparent cover. Or a totally transparent box.

Since these storage boxes are not really, either because they offer little space inside, or because their cover does not hold in place, we will be satisfied with the possibility of turning them around to do something else with it. MOCs that use these boxes as a building base already abound but I still have a little trouble shouting genius when it comes to replacing real stacked bricks with a derivative product which above all saves time. The mountains are yours in your winter dioramas or the interior filling of your reliefs without having to call on a slew of DUPLO bricks.

In the same department of your favorite IKEA store, you will also find a small set of 201 pieces with the reference 40357 BYGGLEK. Nothing crazy in the box, there is something to vaguely dress the boxes and two generic minifigs. The rest of the inventory is barely the level of a small set of the LEGO Classic range, without relatively rare or original parts. This is the typical product the customer picks up before checking out with a few Nordic-scented SAPUBOKOÜ candles or a copy of the VIÄNDAR frying pan once used by trappers to cook their bear steaks.

In short, these products do not add much to the world of storage and we could hope for a little more creativity and functionality from LEGO and IKEA in this file. Still, it's LEGO by IKEA, so it will sell. The two brands have fan bases totally committed to the cause and the merger of the two allows, as often, to sell just about anything and everything without forcing.

All the communication campaigns that present these boxes as decorative elements rather than as storage accessories confirm the main vocation of these products and those who want to stick to the basic principle will be spoiled for choice: the smaller models will end up in the sewing box or serve as a butter dish, the larger ones can be used to store bananas in the fridge or bolts in the garage.

The entire BYGGLEK range is available in store and online:

Note: The bundle of products presented here, supplied by IKEA, is as usual involved. Deadline set at 26th October, 2020 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

As indicated during the official announcement of the products concerned, the BYGGLEK range resulting from the collaboration between LEGO and IKEA is now available online on the furniture merchant's store, on which we therefore find the three storage boxes and the small set from 201 pieces:

These products are obviously available in store but can also be ordered online by adding € 6.90 delivery costs.

Always with a train of delay, LEGO "formalizes" today the fruit of its two-year collaboration with IKEA. This long-term collaboration has, as we have already known for several weeks, given birth to a few storage boxes equipped with lids with studs. I imagined original furniture with removable bins or a clever table with a top that opens onto a storage bin, but for now we will have to be content with these few white bins which are the result of creative, disruptive brainstorming. and innovative that was announced to us when the partnership was signed.

Concretely, four products will be marketed including three storage boxes and a set: a small box of 26x18x12 cm for 12.99 €, a slightly larger box of 35x26x12 cm for 14.99 € and a pack with three small stacked boxes (one in 17x6 cm and two in 13x6 cm) sold for € 9.99.

IKEA will also sell a small set of 40357 LEGO pieces under the reference 201 for € 14.99. The contents of this small set, which could have been offered for the purchase of one or more storage boxes but which will be sold because we are at IKEA and that it will sell without forcing, can be used by all those who buy storage boxes but who are not necessarily interested in the LEGO to decorate their new acquisitions before storing it in the bathroom or in the kitchen.

These different products are not yet referenced on IKEA online store and are expected in October.

Better late than never, we now know what LEGO and IKEA had been preparing for two years under the name BYYGLEK: it is a range of three storage bins with stud cover whose mission is to "transform the house to make it a more functional and fun place" in "finding a solution to encourage creativity while offering parents the opportunity to share play time with their children".

Three sizes are already available in Germany: a small model of 26x18x12 cm for 12.99 €, a slightly larger model of 35x26x12 cm for 14.99 € and a model with three small stacked boxes (1 in 17x6 cm and 2 in 13x6 cm) sold € 9.99. IKEA also sells a fourth storage box delivered with 201 LEGO pieces at a price of 14.99 € under the reference 40357.

These different products are not yet referenced on IKEA online store.

Like every year, Ikea has just announced a few partnerships that will lead to new products in the coming months. In the long list of planned collaborations, this year we find in particular Adidas, Sonos and ... LEGO.

Nothing specific has yet been announced concerning the fruit of this partnership between the Swedish furniture giant and the Danish manufacturer. It is just for the two giants of "transform the house to make it a more functional and fun place" in "finding a solution to encourage creativity while offering parents the opportunity to share play time with their children".

We can assume that it will soon be possible to afford at least a few LEGO-stamped storage furniture or play tables. And maybe more.