GAWAI and Kaamatan are celebrations of community, endless hospitality, togetherness, and gratitude. Whether you’re preparing to host guests at home, gathering with loved ones in your rumah panjang (longhouse), or having a barbeque, these moments call for warm, welcoming, and crowd-ready spaces.
Good news is, with a little planning and the right functional home essentials, preparing for the festive season becomes a breeze.
NÄMMARÖ Outdoor Bench – The chill spot champion:
The best part about festive seasons and celebrations with family and friends is the lepak (hang out) sessions that take place outside on the patio, and during Gawai, it’s the ruai – the communal veranda. This year, let the ruai vibes spill outdoors with this solid acacia wood bench that is perfect for long evening chats.
VITTSJÖ Coffee Table – Kuih Central:
What’s a festival without a proper snack corner? Big enough for snacks and small enough not to get in the way of a crowded living room, the VITTSJÖ coffee table is where kuih (traditional cakes) and drinks are served. Sip (and spill) hot tea and snack on yummy kek lapis, sarang semut, and penganan iri.
GLADOM Tray Table – For the Wandering Snack Pak Cik:
Every family has one – the typical relative or Pak Cik who floats from room to room and along the ruai with a plate full of tapai (fermented glutinous rice), kek lapis, and a drink in hand. This effortless tray table is perfect to move around with him, who refuses to stay put but still wants somewhere to set down his glass mid-anecdote or during a round of karaoke.
GLOSTAD 2-Seater Sofa – For Cousin Catch-Ups:
Compact yet comfy, GLOSTAD is the sofa equivalent of that cousin who shows up, kicks off their shoes, and stays the night. It is perfect for those spontaneous moments that happen during Gawai or Kaamatan – late-night catch-ups, midday naps between open houses, snack-sharing, and photo sessions.
LERBERG Shelf – For Your Bunga Kantan and Festive Flex:
Gawai and Kaamatan decorations are never complete without a nod to nature – lush greens and, of course, the elegant bunga kantan (torch ginger) standing tall in full bloom. The LERBERG shelf unit is minimal, modern and ready to be transformed into your festive display corner at home. Arrange potted bunga kantan, woven crafts, framed family photos, and that one gifted pineapple-shaped kuih jar all in one place.
From festive essentials to home makeover must-haves, IKEA Malaysia has everything you need to elevate the celebration. Shopping for home essentials is now easier than ever with the dedicated IKEA online store for East Malaysia, giving customers in Sabah and Sarawak convenient access to festive must-haves at the same affordable prices as Peninsular Malaysia. Your harvest-ready home is just a click away – visit IKEA.my/EMstore.
