This smart IKEA storage solution can improve your indoor air quality and help you sleep deeper — here’s how

A clean sleep space is crucial for a goodnight's rest and no, it's not limited to washed linens and an uncluttered nightstand. It's also about the air you breathe during the night — which should be free of allergens and pollutants.

Thanks to modern technology, an air purifier can tackle the problem right at the root and lead to better sleep. However, it can look clunky, taking up space in your otherwise aesthetically pleasing sleep sanctuary.

This is where one of IKEA's bestselling smart home product makes a humble entrance. It appeals to your need of both clean air and a sleek sleep environment— the IKEA Starkvind Air Purifier.

Sleek style and smart functionality

The biggest advantage of the product is how it combines elegance and functionality. Crafted using stained oak veneer, it can be used as a regular side table anywhere in your home where it can improve the indoor air quality.

Just like the other IKEA air purifiers, the Starkvind too comes with a AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) certification.

This means that it has been vigorously tested to effectively get rid of pollutants and allergens like dust, smoke and pollen in the air.

Another commendable feature is that it can be set on auto mode — which allows it to automatically detect pollutants and adjust the fan speed accordingly.

Prefer to have full control instead? You can use the Dirigera IKEA Home Smart App to adjust the fan speed, check the air quality status, set timers and more.

This also lets you control the purifier while you're away from home so it can continue improving the air quality.

Worried about liquid spills on the table damaging the purifier? David Kahl, the designer behind Starkvind also considered such mishaps while creating the product, adding thin grooves under the table top.

"The liquid gathers in the grooves and drips on the floor instead of trickling down in the air purifier. It was an idea that proved so good that we have patented it," explains Kahl.

What is the link between clean air and sleep quality?

Even if you keep your bedroom clean and tidy, the same cannot be said about the air quality — which tends to change overnight, especially if you sleep with doors and windows closed.

Decreased ventilation during the night can mean that the air quality is compromised.

Research indicates that sleeping in an unventilated room can result in a rise in CO₂ levels. “When carbon dioxide levels increase, our sleep often becomes lighter and more fragmented,” explains Dr Lu, a Medical Director at digital sleep clinic Dreem Health.

For this reason, better air quality equals deeper sleep.

Increased CO₂ levels can also lead to mold and mildew growth. Combined with other VOCs (volatile organic compound gases) from furniture, bedding and cleaning residues, this could potentially trigger allergies, cause coughing and congestion and disrupt sleep quality over time.