IKEA that has already presented its 2012 U.S. catalog and launched a new Twitter handle continues to communicate with consumers in a more social way. A few days ago, IKEA announced the official launch of a new community photo-sharing website called ‘Share Space’. It is a social platform for users that can upload photos of their living spaces to easily find and share design inspiration with one another.

The platform contains a new blog, ‘Design by IKEA’, where IKEA design experts share tips, trends and design ideas on such topics as home and life improvement.

“Design inspiration can come from anywhere, and we wanted to facilitate and encourage an ongoing dialogue on design, with the ultimate goal of helping consumers make the most of their own personal space,” says Leontyne Green, Marketing Manager, IKEA U.S.

Except sharing their photos, users can browse and comment on others’ interior designs and save photos of the rooms they like best. Tagging IKEA products is cleverly provided by the company as a part of its marketing strategy. The tagged products can be saved in a personalized ‘wish list,’ and click on links to the IKEA homepage for further product information.

IKEA design experts led by Janice Simonsen, IKEA design spokesperson will select the most creatively designed room each week as the ‘Pick of the Week’. The winning room will be displayed on the Share Space homepage, mentioned by an IKEA design expert on the blog and the user will receive a ‘Pick of the Week’ badge. To motivate users IKEA uses a variety of ‘Kudos’, e.g. Space Sharer: a user who upload 3 or more distinct rooms; IKEA Fan: a user who tags 5 IKEA products their photo collection; IKEA Super Fan: a user who tags 25 IKEA products in their photo collection.

On August 18, IKEA launched another interior design initiative, the exhibitIKEA in Toronto.