As many people refresh their outdoor spaces, replace tired furniture and look for a new focal point, IKEA is introducing a parasol designed to do more than provide shade. It is intended as a statement piece for patios, balconies and gardens.
A parasol perfectly suited to this spring
As winter recedes, chairs come back out of storage and sun protection returns to many people's checklists. Rather than offering the usual slightly uninspiring parasols, IKEA gives its new HÖGÖN model an emotional appeal: colour, retro character and a suggestion of a holiday just outside the front door.
The HÖGÖN parasol is aimed at anyone who wants their outdoor area to be more than practical, turning it into a compact summer living room. IKEA no longer treats the balcony as somewhere to store things, but as an extra living space for breakfast, work or entertaining guests.
“With HÖGÖN, IKEA wants to turn the outdoor area into a fully fledged extra room – with a style factor, not merely practical shade.”
Design matters particularly on compact urban balconies. One item can transform the whole atmosphere from “so-so” into something worthy of a postcard. The new parasol is intended to take on exactly that role.
HÖGÖN: the parasol with vintage appeal and practical purpose
The HÖGÖN parasol stands out not only for its appearance, but also for its dimensions and considered construction. At approximately 270 cm in diameter, it can comfortably cover a standard balcony or patio table along with its chairs.
Its pole is made from aluminium, making it lighter than steel and resistant to rust. Anyone who moves or stores the parasol regularly will notice the difference in handling straight away. It opens using a straightforward mechanism that can be operated in one movement – useful when coffee, children and sun cream are already competing for attention.
UV protection and easy everyday care
HÖGÖN’s canopy is designed to provide protection from UV radiation. This reduces direct exposure to the skin, helping to prevent a springtime coffee from ending with sunburn and an early retreat indoors.
Another benefit is that the fabric canopy can be removed and machine-washed. Pollen, bird droppings, dust and grease marks from the barbecue inevitably build up during the season. Instead of requiring laborious scrubbing, the canopy simply goes into the wash – a genuinely important advantage for people with hay fever.
“The machine-washable canopy and UV protection make HÖGÖN an everyday product that not only looks good in photographs, but also lasts.”
Colours that turn any balcony into a stage
For HÖGÖN, IKEA has chosen bold, fresh shades. The most striking version combines vibrant yellow with off-white stripes, creating a look strongly reminiscent of traditional seaside resorts. Put it up and it brings a visual hint of the Mediterranean to the concrete floor of a rented flat.
Alongside the yellow-and-white striped design, further options include bright orange, dark blue and neutral grey. The range therefore caters both for confident colour lovers and for more restrained minimalists.
- Yellow/off-white striped: ideal for a retro, beach-inspired look
- Orange: works with warm timber tones and colourful seat cushions
- Dark blue: complements white façades and metal furniture
- Grey: blends into clean, modern balcony schemes
At around €59.99, HÖGÖN sits in the middle of the market: it costs more than many anonymous DIY-store models, yet is considerably cheaper than designer parasols. That makes it suitable for a first balcony of one's own as well as an upgrade when an older parasol looks stylistically dated.
How HÖGÖN changes the feel of an outdoor space
A parasol has a surprisingly strong influence on how an outdoor area is perceived. HÖGÖN acts as a focal point that establishes a style for the rest of the space to follow. Choosing the yellow striped version naturally leads towards warm accessories: cushions in curry or terracotta shades, plants in terracotta pots and perhaps a warm-white string of lights.
The blue option creates more of a maritime mood. Paired with white-painted chairs and a grass-green plant, a balcony can suddenly resemble a small harbour promenade. The grey version leaves plenty of scope for Scandinavian-minimalist arrangements using pale wood and only a few carefully selected details.
Technical details at a glance
| Feature | HÖGÖN parasol |
|---|---|
| Diameter | approx. 270 cm |
| Pole material | Aluminium, rust-resistant |
| Canopy | Removable, machine-washable |
| Function | UV protection, easy to open |
| Price | approx. €59.99 |
| Colours | Yellow/off-white striped, orange, dark blue, grey |
How to style the HÖGÖN parasol
Anyone looking to get the most from HÖGÖN should view the parasol not in isolation, but as part of a small overall scheme. This is where IKEA plays to one of its strengths: numerous outdoor ranges repeat colours and forms across their pieces.
Bold metal chairs, simple timber tables, planters and outdoor textiles can all be coordinated so that the parasol visually ties everything together. Where space is limited, it is better to choose fewer but more distinctive elements: a small round table, two chairs, one tall plant and the parasol are often all that is needed.
“A cohesive colour scheme can make even five square metres of balcony shine – with HÖGÖN acting as the anchor point.”
Common parasol mistakes and how HÖGÖN avoids them
Many inexpensive parasols begin to show weaknesses after one season: faded colours, unsteady poles and mechanisms that are difficult to operate. HÖGÖN’s aluminium pole substantially reduces the risk of rust, which is particularly relevant in damp areas or on exposed roof terraces.
The washable canopy may sound unremarkable, but it solves an everyday issue. Fine dust settles especially readily in towns and cities, quickly making the fabric look grey. A short wash not only revives the colour, but also extends its lifespan because fewer dirt particles rub against the weave.
What UV protection in a parasol actually means
UV protection is often understood merely as a general claim when it comes to parasols. However, it provides a specific benefit: the fabric filters out a substantial proportion of the harsh UV rays that damage skin cells. This lowers the risk of sunburn while also reducing strain on the eyes.
A parasol is not a replacement for sun cream, but it extends the time people can comfortably spend outdoors. Children and older people in particular benefit from a reliable shaded area for lunch or play. Those who work from home can move their laptop outside with HÖGÖN without the screen immediately becoming difficult to see because of glare.
What does a typical day with HÖGÖN look like?
One possible routine is to open the parasol briefly in the morning, keeping the breakfast table in partial shade. It can then remain closed until the afternoon sun reaches the balcony. With one movement, a shaded spot is available again for children to draw in or adults to work at a laptop.
In the evening, the parasol serves more as a visual frame. Combined with a string of lights, a few candles and a simple wooden table, it creates a setting reminiscent of a small beach bar. It may even stay open on lightly overcast days, as its strong colour makes the outdoor area appear warmer.
Who benefits most from the new IKEA parasol?
For people with a very small balcony, HÖGÖN is suitable provided its 270 cm diameter fits within the available depth or width and a sufficiently heavy base is used. Those who entertain guests regularly will appreciate the generous coverage, which can also shade two sun loungers or a compact lounge area.
Homeowners with gardens can use HÖGÖN flexibly: beside a children's paddling pool one day, next to the dining table the next, then at the edge of the lawn. Its lightweight pole makes changing location easier, without requiring a great deal of physical effort each time.
Anyone who already uses IKEA outdoor furniture will find HÖGÖN especially easy to integrate visually, as its colours and materials are coordinated. Yet the parasol does not look out of place alongside other brands either: its retro design can be paired with many styles, from boho to Scandinavian minimalism.
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