When is a toilet brush not a toilet brush? Going behind IKEA furniture names

The Swedish tourist office (Visit Sweden) revealed all in a campaign showcasing 21 destinations that have lent their names to items in the IKEA catalogue. Photo: AFP

Have you ever wondered how IKEA comes up with its quirky and often unpronounceable furniture names? The Swedish tourist board has launched a campaign that humorously reveals the source of their origin, which might come as a surprise.

Bodviken, Skärhamn, Kallax. These unpronounceable names are now familiar to many of us thanks to the IKEA catalogue. And when it comes to naming its products, it seems that the Swedish furniture brand, established in 1943, was inspired by its country of origin, Sweden.