IKEA has introduced a new 12-piece collection designed with Swedish designer Gustaf Westman, known for his colourful, sculptural approach to furniture and objects. This collaboration forms part of IKEA’s annual winter offering, VINTERFINT, and brings together plates, cups, candleholders, lighting, and decorative pieces. The range carries the theme of celebration but encourages joy and connection beyond set holidays, with a focus on informal gatherings and personal rituals.
For Westman, this marks his first product collaboration with another company. The project took shape around the idea of reinterpreting traditions in a playful, inclusive way. Maria O’Brian, IKEA Range Identity Leader, explained that IKEA sought to rethink seasonal traditions by working with Westman’s unconventional perspective. She described his use of colour and form as closely aligned with the brand’s identity, while still challenging conventions with an expressive edge.
Westman’s design language defines the entire line. Curved silhouettes and sculptural shapes dominate the collection, giving it a distinctive energy. A mix of classic red and green nods to familiar holiday aesthetics, but the introduction of bubblegum pink and baby blue adds unexpected accents. Westman has described the project as his way of turning traditional holiday decor upside down, introducing humour and play into objects often associated with formality.
One of the most discussed items is the porcelain plate created specifically for IKEA’s famous meatballs, which turn 40 this year. The plate arranges the dish in a celebratory row, giving the Swedish staple an object of its own. Westman has said the plate honours the meatball as a national symbol while serving as a versatile design that works for other foods as well. The focus on food culture continues with a porcelain cup and saucer designed for drinking ‘glögg’, the mulled wine served during Swedish holidays. The oversized saucer leaves room for biscuits, an idea inspired by Westman’s childhood memories of his grandmother’s holiday baking and the tradition of fika.
Lighting plays a key role in the collection. Candlesticks in two colours and porcelain candle holders echo the square-and-round contrasts present in the plates. A rechargeable lantern stands out with a round, layered body that can twist into a more expanded orbital form. The line also includes a reimagined candelabra-style lamp, a modern version of the lamps commonly placed in Swedish windows during Christmas. These lighting pieces emphasise warmth and atmosphere, essential elements of gatherings during winter months.
The range concludes with a playful vase composed of two parts: a glass vessel and a spiral-shaped metal frame. The hourglass spring design creates a sense of movement, while the frame supports flowers in unexpected ways. Westman has noted that the vase reflects his fascination with rounded shapes and humour, describing the relationship between the glass and metal components as one of unlikely dependence, like two puzzle pieces that only function when together.
The IKEA x Gustaf Westman collection will be released as a limited edition in September 2025. Availability will vary by market, but the design direction remains consistent: a vibrant, playful invitation to celebrate in ways that feel personal, informal, and full of character.
