IKEA has surprised shoppers with a new 12-piece homeware collection, dreamed up in collaboration with Swedish designer Gustaf Westman.

Think bold, playful colours, sculptural shapes, wavy silhouettes and that signature Scandinavian charm – with a twist. This whimsical range is anything but ordinary.

From porcelain plates and cups to candleholders and lighting, the statement pieces will be part of IKEA’s annual Christmas line-up called VINTERFINT.

The 12-piece collection was unveiled in Seoul, South Korea on September 9, and is expected to arrive on Australian shores by the end of the month.

The range will be the talk of the party – from the bouncy vase, made from a single metal spiral that twists into an hourglass spring silhouette, holding a separate glass vessel, to the porcelain dining plates, designed to fit together like pieces of a mosaic.

But one standout piece is sure to turn heads around the table – the meatball plate, a playful nod to the iconic IKEA meatball turning 40.

Perfect for those who love seasonal style but want something a little different, the collection is already being hailed as an interior collector’s dream.

Gustaf – a household name in the interior design world, best known for his iconic Curvy Mirror – has reimagined the traditional red and green palette by incorporating playful shades of bubble gum pink and baby blue.

‘For me, this was an opportunity to take traditional holiday decor aesthetics and turn it on its head, instead, introducing a sense of playfulness and boldness,’ Gustaf said.

‘This is my interpretation of the holidays; it’s a new design for a new generation.’

The collection’s focus on celebrating food and togetherness shines through in standout pieces – like the dedicated meatball plate, which gives the beloved Swedish staple a place of honour, arranging meatballs in a neat, celebratory row.

‘For so many in Sweden, there’s no Christmas without meatballs,’ Gustaf said.

‘This plate is my interpretation of that tradition. It’s a simple, fun idea designed to honour the meatball, but it works perfectly for so many other things, too.’

A porcelain cup and saucer set, designed for traditional ‘glögg’ (mulled wine), features an intentionally oversized saucer – a key detail, inspired by Gustaf’s childhood memories of his grandmother’s generous holiday baking.

The extra space provides ample room for biscuits, making it easy to carry the classic Swedish ‘fika’ pairing together.

The candlesticks come in two colours, paired with porcelain candle holders that echo the same square-and-round shapes as the dining plates.

There’s also a portable, rechargeable lantern with a layered round body that twists open into a larger, orbital shape.

One of the most festive pieces is a modern take on the traditional Swedish window lamp – a candelabra-style design that nods to classic holiday decor.

The collection ends on a sculptural note with the spiral vase – a striking piece made for flowers to weave through its pastel pink coils.

‘A rounded form has no clear ending, which I think gives an object more life. This vase is a good example – it has a continuous shape, and it also brings an element of humour with its bounciness,’ Gustaf said.

‘The two parts don’t really look like they need each other, but they do, like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. It’s that feeling of being a bit unnecessary, but in a fun way.’

The collection marks Gustaf’s first-ever product design collaboration with another company and it fits seamlessly into IKEA’s festive VINTERFINT collection.

The partnership was born from a shared vision to reimagine seasonal celebrations in a way that feels more modern, joyful and inclusive – without forgetting the spirit of tradition.

‘Celebration often comes with established traditions, and we were curious to explore a more fun and inclusive take,’ Maria O’Brian, IKEA Range Identity Leader, said.

‘Teaming up with Gustaf Westman felt like a natural match to help us reimagine the holidays with a twist. His approach to colour and form feels very true to IKEA, but he challenges conventions in a bold, expressive way.

‘We are thrilled to make the work of such an exciting designer accessible to a wider audience.’

With only limited stock available, shoppers will need to move fast before the 12-piece collection disappears from shelves.

The range will be available for purchase in Australia from September 29.

Cindy Tran travelled to Seoul, South Korea as a guest of IKEA.