Malaysians love to simpan — keeping things because they are useful, meaningful or simply too good to throw away. IKEA Malaysia believes there is nothing wrong with that. After all, the things we keep tell our stories. Sometimes, they just need a proper place.
This belief inspires IKEA Malaysia’s message for the year ahead, “A place for everything and everyone”, which encourages Malaysians to make room for what matters without needing a bigger home.
This October, IKEA brings the idea to life through Sorted Lah!, an initiative that helps Malaysians make better use of the spaces they already have.
The initiative follows the release of IKEA Malaysia’s first IKEA Home Organisation Index, a nationwide survey of 506 Malaysians. The findings show that only one in 10 respondents genuinely need more space.
Instead, many need better ways to organise their belongings.
The everyday struggles are familiar: losing precious minutes searching for keys and chargers, hiding clutter before guests arrive, or keeping cherished belongings tucked away in cupboards.
“Home means something different to every Malaysian family, but what we heard is clear: people want their homes to work better for everyone in them, and many simply need a little support to get there,” said Takeshi Murai, Country Retail Director of IKEA Malaysia.
He added that good storage is not about the size of a home, but how its space is used. IKEA offers storage solutions for homes of all sizes and more than 1,000 products permanently priced under RM10.
The goal is to help people get organised one drawer, corner and room at a time, without giving up the things they love.
Making Space for Meaningful Belongings
For many Malaysians, the hardest items to organise are often the most sentimental.
According to the survey, 40% of respondents identified keepsakes and sentimental belongings, such as old photographs, children’s artwork and family heirlooms, as the most difficult items to organise.
IKEA believes these items should not be discarded. Instead, they deserve a place where they can be displayed and enjoyed rather than forgotten at the back of a cupboard.
A Home That Works for Everyone
Organising a home can be challenging when family members have different routines and needs. The survey found that one in three Malaysians struggle to stay organised because of these differences.
IKEA encourages households to adopt storage systems that work for everyone, from children to older family members.
Simple adjustments, such as installing hooks at a child’s height, placing shelves within a grandparent’s reach and creating a designated spot for keys near the entrance, can make daily routines easier and help share the responsibility of keeping the home tidy.
Storage Solutions for Every Room
IKEA’s approach is guided by Democratic Design, which combines attractive appearance, functionality, quality, sustainability and affordability. In the year ahead, this philosophy will be reflected in practical storage ideas for everyday living.
- Kitchen: Keep ingredients visible and cooking tools within reach to make meal preparation, cooking and cleaning easier.
- Bedroom: Use wardrobe systems, drawer organisers and under-bed storage to keep belongings organised while giving everyone space for personal items.
- Living room: Shelves, cabinets and display storage help keep clutter out of sight while showcasing meaningful belongings.
- Storage across the home: Make better use of entrances, laundry corners and other overlooked spaces with boxes and shelving for seasonal and festive items.
Get Sorted Lah! at IKEA Stores This October
To help Malaysians get started, IKEA Damansara, Cheras, Tebrau and Batu Kawan will host the Sorted Lah! Open House every weekend from 10 October to 1 November 2026.
Visitors can take part in The Sorting Escape, a hands-on storage challenge for families and friends. Teams can book their slots through a dedicated microsite, with scores displayed on a live scoreboard. The top teams will return on the final weekend to compete for the title of King of Storage.
The Open House will also feature several activities for visitors to enjoy. These include The Listening Lounge, where visitors can pick a record; The Design Table, offering ideas for challenging spaces at home; The Great Book Club; and family-friendly activities such as Say Hej! and Little Designers.
With practical storage ideas and activities for all ages, IKEA hopes to show Malaysians that a better home does not necessarily mean a bigger one.
Visit any IKEA store in Malaysia from 10 October to 1 November 2026 for inspiration, storage solutions and a fun weekend experience. Bookings for The Sorting Escape open on 8 October 2026 at https://sorting-escape-prod.web.app.
For more information, visit IKEA.my or follow IKEA Malaysia on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates.
Ultimately, when everything has a place, there is more room for everyone.