In January of 2024, Furniture Bank opened its second location in Toronto’s east end at 7 Labatt Avenue. This was a monumental step in providing comfort to thousands of additional individuals in 2024. However, as we are providing furnishings to our clients, we wanted to provide the same comfort to our employees and volunteers. Furniture Bank’s new space was not a home yet—it was missing furniture!
Enter our brilliant partner, IKEA Canada. Fuelled by our shared visions and uplifted by our thriving partnership, IKEA swooped in like the homing heroes they are, ready to turn our second location into a warm and welcoming hub for the Furniture Bank family.
Learn more about the impact corporate partnerships have on Furniture bank’s operations here.
The Project
On February 15-16, the IKEA squad put their hearts and souls into sprucing up our east-end location. The reception, office, and kitchen areas now sport practical, stylish furniture and decor that make our space feel even more inviting.
"A workspace should inspire creativity and comfort. We hope these donations from IKEA can help Furniture Bank's coworkers feel energized and clients feel at ease."
But this wouldn’t have been possible without some major team efforts. We had cross-functional helpers from IKEA Toronto Downtown and IKEA Scarborough Town Centre stepping in to lend a hand. From securing and ordering products to building the furniture, every task was accomplished with a spirit of cooperation.
The space
Our new east end Furniture Bank is an 8,000 square-foot space that is so much more than just a warehouse. In collaboration with TAS, a Toronto-based impact real estate company, we’ve been granted the chance to temporarily evolve under-utilized commercial real estate into a ‘meanwhile space’, a symbol of community, support, and sustainability.
This isn’t merely about having more space, but about broadening our impact. With this new location, we’re projected to touch the lives of an additional 1000 families each year. It means a thousand more households filled with joy, a thousand more families bonding around meals, and more children snuggling into their beds each evening. With the ambition to establish even more outposts in Toronto, our goal is to amplify this impact far beyond these numbers. Learn more about Furniture Bank’s east end expansion.
The remodel
The IKEA design squad didn’t just hit the ground running—they hit it sprinting! With a bunch of rooms to revamp, the crew started off by hatching digital design plans with the help of Kiana Yu, Business Planner at IKEA Burlington, later transforming these new spaces from concept to reality. The IKEA team, led by the dynamic Ruby Rasaei, Local Marketing Specialist for IKEA Toronto Downtown, cracked open those boxes and jumped right into assembling their furniture for the spaces.
"Furniture Bank's mission of providing furnishings to those in need aligns perfectly with IKEA's vision of affordable, functional design for everyone. We were proud to support their new chapter."
It’s times like these when you really see the magic of teamwork. Working in unison, they built furniture faster than you could say flat-pack. Once each piece was finished, they moved on to arranging the furniture. Following the design plans closely, they adjusted on the fly. Now that’s some real IKEA wizardry for you!
The waiting room
The moment you step through our doors at 7 Labatt Ave. you are greeted by our welcoming waiting room. IKEA spiced it up with elements of style and comfort, striking a perfect balance between functionality and cozy vibes. The space was refreshed with comfortable, stylish furniture and a rug, which added warmth to the room. They also adorned our walls with boards—think of it as our information hub. Now our pamphlets have a space to call home!
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Office & reception
Cue the drumroll for the epic office space makeover! IKEA’s savvy design squad cooked up a smart and stylish workspace. They cleverly carved out dedicated spots for both work and play, including desks, chairs, and cabinets. Even that tricky black concrete block in the corner became a creative statement instead of an eyesore.
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"We were happy to donate some functional pieces to help Furniture Bank create a warm, welcoming space. A home shouldn't be without furniture, and this new office will feel more like a home for their clients and coworkers."
But the cherry on top? A vibrant kids’ corner, filled to the brim with toys, train sets and a touch screen bursting with fun, interactive games. Now, parents can browse in peace knowing the little ones are having fun. Talk about an elevated Furniture Bank experience!
Break room
At last, the break room designed especially for our hardworking employees and dedicated volunteers, was transformed into a snug lounge and dining combo. IKEA added a touch of comfort to the room with a sofa, chairs, a coffee table, and two bistro-style tables for dining.
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Thank you IKEA Canada!
On behalf of everyone at Furniture Bank, we extend our deepest gratitude to IKEA Canada for not just the donations, but also for sharing their expertise and labor to bring this project to fruition. IKEA’s dedication, creativity, and heart have helped transform our warehouse into a space we can truly call home. Their continued support is a testament to the wonderful partnership we share and the shared vision of making home a reality for everyone. Thank you, IKEA Canada!
"Partnering with organizations in our local community is important to us. This was a fun project where we could see the direct impact of our contribution."
Incase you missed it, be sure to check out IKEA’s last build-a-thon at our Etobicoke Furniture Bank! Learn more about IKEA’s social impact goals here.
