Ilaicha Vandeputte

9 Sep 2025
Life & Culture

IKEA x Gustaf Westman: Your Holiday Table Just Got an Upgrade

Back in August, we were invited to a cozy press lunch in Amsterdam, where IKEA teased its brand-new collab with Swedish design wonderboy Gustaf Westman. Between the meatballs (obviously) and the conversation, we got a first look at the entire 12-piece holiday collection.

The collection reimagines holiday tableware with a youthful twist: square plates in deep green and pink with rounded centers, festive candle holders you can even eat from, and cups inspired by Westman’s own childhood memories.

A holiday collection, but different

Known for his chunky mirrors, candy-colored vases, and playful interior objects, Westman has a talent for turning everyday items into statement pieces. With IKEA, he brings that aesthetic to a wider audience at an accessible price point.

Originally asked to design a Christmas collection, Westman admits he was hesitant. “I was a bit scared about how my pieces would fit into a Christmas environment,” he told us. Instead of clichés, he created something more universal: a collection that celebrates togetherness, no matter the season.

Grandma’s cookies & IKEA meatballs

Many of the pieces are inspired by his own memories. The mini cup, for example, is inspired by his grandmother. “She always baked tons of cookies, and we would drink espresso with them,” Westman says. “But the saucer underneath the cup was always too small to hold all the cookies. So I designed a cup with a bigger plate underneath.” It’s these playful yet personal touches that make the collection more than just tableware. 

One piece was teased earlier: the now-iconic meatball plate. And while it may sound niche, it’s actually a clever nod to IKEA’s most famous dish—over a billion meatballs are sold worldwide every year. The plate celebrates that tradition, but works just as well for plant-based, veggie, or chicken alternatives. “I love designing objects for very specific functions. It adds humor and originality,” Westman explains. “Although I designed this plate for meatballs, it works just as well for countless other dishes.”

That mix of playful functionality runs through the whole collection. During the press lunch, we even ate directly from a candle holder – because yes, it doubles as a serving dish. “It’s a candle holder you can eat from,” Westman laughed, proving that design is always versatile and never too serious.

Balancing boldness and budget

Working with a giant like IKEA meant balancing bold design ideas with the realities of large-scale production, a process Westman found surprisingly fascinating. Take the pink vase: the small hole in its design isn’t decorative, but a technical necessity to make spray-painting possible. Removing it would have complicated production, raised costs, and made the piece less accessible. Even plate thickness became part of the conversation. By making them slightly thinner, IKEA could fit 100 more onto a single pallet, cutting costs and lowering the environmental footprint.

“It was so interesting to see how small design tweaks could completely change production,” Westman reflects. “I learned a lot about balancing creativity with practical considerations, and how that affects affordability and sustainability.”

Colorful statements

Production challenges aside, color remained central to Westman’s vision. The palette blends classic Christmas red and green with his signature pinks and blues, creating a playful balance between tradition and whimsy. “It’s a new design for a new generation,” he says. “What stays the same in every holiday moment is being together with friends and family, however you define it.”

So whether you’re serving IKEA’s iconic meatballs or your grandma’s cookies, your holiday table just got an upgrade. The collection drops October 1 in IKEA stores and online, with prices ranging from €7,99 to €34,99, making it the most affordable (and chicest) way to bring a slice of Westman home.

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