IKEA's New Affordable Smart Speaker Is So Stylish - Is It Right For Your Home?

There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing the right Bluetooth speaker for your home, whether it's the Brane X Portable Speaker that outperformed all others at CES 2024 or one with an unbeatable sound quality that you've stuck with for years. But the problem with these functional pieces is that they often look exactly like what they are — tech. Chunky, angular, and usually black, they stand out in all the wrong ways, clashing with your curated coffee table vignette or throwing off the calm vibe that you've created in your bedroom. That's where IKEA's new NATTBAD Bluetooth speaker steps in, offering a functional element to your space that doesn't sacrifice your decor in the process. While the main concern may be functionality, this new speaker thrives as an accent piece.

At just under $50, the NATTBAD is as approachable as it is design-forward. It's available in two softer shades, yellow and pink, as well as an all-black variant. These color options are what makes this piece so versatile, providing muted pops of color that blend into the surrounding decor, rather than making it look like a stand out piece. Its compact, rounded silhouette feels more like a modern accent rather than a piece of tech. The size is perfect for nightstands, side tables, and even custom shelving systems. Plus, it's large enough to fill a space with sound without feeling clunky. You're also able to move the speaker around depending on how you choose to listen to music. And if you're looking to integrate speakers seamlessly into your home decor, you can connect multiple ones to the same device to fill your home with your favorite tunes.

Finding the right spot for your NATTBAD Bluetooth speaker is about as simple as using it, but placement is important. Depending on how and where you prefer to listen to music, this speaker can easily be integrated among existing decorative pieces. In a bohemian-inspired space, it can add additional elements of texture and a subtle pop of pastel color, whether you go with the pink or yellow variant. When using the speaker in a kitchen, it can fit perfectly on a small windowsill or sit beside a cookbook stand, offering background music while you prepare the evening meal. In a home office, place it on a shelf above your desk or beside your monitor so it can become part of your workday routine. Near an entryway, it can add ambiance to early mornings and relaxing evenings — try styling it on a narrow console table for a design moment that's both functional and atmospheric. In a bedroom, it tucks naturally onto a nightstand for soothing soundscapes or music before bed.

To make the speaker feel like part of your decor, pair it with IKEA pieces that compliment your space's tone. A wall-mounted LACK Shelf provides just enough room to display your speaker amongst various decorative elements like stacked books and a choice vase. Use a GRAMORT bamboo tray to help corral clutter in your entry way, using the speaker as a visual focal point among car keys, wallets, and mail. Try leaning a framed piece of artwork behind the speaker or placing it next to a sculpted candle that's accessorized with the TRADSTAM tealight holder to add dimension, height, and a fun summery flair.