Natural Materials For Hosting: The Affordable Ikea Products That Are On Trend

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

When you're entertaining guests, you want to create a space that welcomes and wows them. Whether you're setting up for a memorable dinner party or throwing a fun-filled game night, using the right supplies can make or break the vibe. Natural materials, like wood, rattan, and jute inject character and make your hosting setup feel more curated and intentional. They strike a balance between being warm and functional, which is why they're on trend with event planners and designers alike.

However, you don't have to spend high-end prices to stock up on hosting essentials that feature these natural materials. IKEA, known for creating budget-friendly lines, has products that can be both budget-friendly and useful when throwing an event. Ranging from tiered trays to textiles, these items allow you to add touches of nature to your upcoming gatherings.

The NÅLBLECKA Countertop Organizer is a $20 tiered shelf made from powder-coated steel and lacquered bamboo. It's designed with a natural look that's also sturdy and functional. This makes it a versatile option for both everyday use and special events. The retailer has rounded out the line with a smaller $10 shelf and a larger $25 corner shelf. The items can be mixed and matched to create a custom configuration that best fits your hosting space.

These shelves can be used to maximize countertop space for your holiday buffet or the outdoor table that you have for setting up your spread. One can be loaded with salt and pepper shakers and other common condiments for easy dinner party guest access. The shelf also has enough room for syrup bottles and carafes of juice to create a brunch-time mimosa station. If you're planning to host a sundae bar, the bottom shelf can house syrups and whip cream while the top one holds sprinkles and small bowls of toppings.

Table linens can be annoying to store, so choosing ones that serve double duty can be helpful. IKEA's $5 NISSÖGA Place Mat features a reversible design that allows party throwers to tailor the vibe. Made of jute, one side features blue polka dots and a light background that highlights the texture of the material. The other side is a solid inky blue that has a more toned-down look.

This double-sided design means that these placemats can work for a wide variety of events. The polka dot pattern is fitting for stylish, kid-friendly get togethers like birthday parties or neighborhood cookouts. For more formal fetes, the solid side can be used to create a wide range of looks. Layered with one of the retailer's jute tablecloths, it can create layers of softness. For more glam events, metallic textiles and tableware can complement the bold color while providing a shiny juxtaposition to the earthy jute material.

IKEA's FRUKTSKAL Tray is a best seller, with many reviewers singing its praises for hosting duties. From barbecues to serving drinks to guests, buyers note that the tray makes setting up and managing a party easier. The bamboo finish provides an earthy look, but the design gets top marks from buyers for its functionality. It comes in two sizes: a 14-by-9-inch one that's $20 and a 20-by-12-inch one that's $25.

The smaller tray can give hosts a unique way to present food and drinks to guests. If you're hosting a wine tasting, each guest can be presented with their own tray holding a glass and charcuterie snacks. Or, use it as a polished way to serve cups for a small number of tea-time guests. The larger tray can hold more items and would be helpful for transporting condiments at a barbecue or housing toppings for a taco bar.

The LOSHULT Utility Cart is a $70 pine piece designed to add natural warmth to the room while also providing functional storage. The wood surfaces are lacquered for durability, and it comes with lockable casters so it can be moved from room to room. It has a footprint of 15-by-15 inches, but can hold 40 pounds, making it both space-saving and functional.

The versatile piece could serve multiple hosting roles. Its compact size can help make the most of a small guest room, and it can be a less-expensive alternative to a nightstand. A solution like this allows overnight visitors to organize their things without feeling like they are invading closets or dressers. For a party, it can be used to pre-prep crafts or games to be wheeled out during an event. It could also house boxes of candy, blankets, and drinks for a movie night. One reviewer noted that she planned to fill it with treats to use it as a hot chocolate bar.

Folding chairs are often made from plastic or metal. However, IKEA designed the $35 FRÖSVI chair in solid beech wood in a natural hue and painted black or white. They are only rated for indoor use, but they can be treated with sealants like oil or wax for extra durability. The chairs also come fully assembled, a rarity at the Swedish retailer. Many reviewers note that the chairs are super sturdy and very helpful for hosting gatherings.

The lightweight design can serve as flexible seating that can be pulled out as guests arrive. The back of the chair features a circular cutout that allows users to hang it from the wall. However, for a themed event, hosts can use the hole to tie decorative ribbon or other decor onto the chair. IKEA also sells seating accessories, like the KUDDARNA Chair Pad, that can make sitting in the wooden chairs more comfortable for guests at longer events.

lKEA's BLANDA MATT Serving Bowl is one of the retailer's most iconic products. The best seller has amassed over 1,900 reviews, with many praising the bamboo construction and wooden texture. The bowl comes in three sizes, from 5 to 11 inches, ranging in cost from $9 to $25. The bowls just need to be hand-washed, and metal utensils should be avoided due to the material.

The sizes the bowl is offered in mean that each version has a different set of uses. The smallest size can be used to house dips like hummus in a charcuterie board or for garnishes at a self-serve drink station. The medium-size one gives hosts an elevated way to present dishes like pre-portioned salads or to set up ingredients for a trail mix bar. The larger one can be used to serve shared dishes, like pasta salad or coleslaw, family style. Or to create a centerpiece, turn the IKEA serving bowl into unique floral decor by filling it with real or artificial stems.

The PÅVEFINK Tealight Holder is designed to hold a single, small candle. However, it has a $7 price point and is an ideal size for clustering. The bamboo is hand-plaited to give the holder texture and character. And the glass internal holder means that it can house real candles in addition to battery-operated ones.

A row of these tealight holders can be used as a simple centerpiece to decorate a dining table. Or, because of their small size, one can be set up at each person's place setting for a unique table scape. To add a bit of welcoming accent lighting in other parts of the home, a PÅVEFINK holder could be combined with an LED candle, like Homemory's Battery-Operated Tealight, in a guest bedroom or a powder room while hosting.

The $20 STOLTHET Cutting Board has a unique design, as it's elevated a little over 3 inches off the counter. This can make chopping food, as well as sliding it into a bowl, easier for some people. This feature also makes it more versatile than a flat cutting board. The oiled bamboo material gives it an earthy look that makes it presentable in addition to just being functional.

It could be used as a small charcuterie board for a small group, and napkins can be slid under the board to save space. The size also makes it work as a dessert display for pint-sized items like mini cupcakes and macaroons. Aside from food, it can be used as a riser to house candles or slim vases to serve as a centerpiece. Or, to make a guest bathroom more welcoming, set it up to hold travel-sized toiletries and an extra washcloth near the shower.

IKEA's 365+ items are designed to combine value and rigorous use. The line's cork coasters are a crowd favorite thanks to the low price point, functionality, and the fact that they're made of natural materials. The 4-Inch Cork Coasters are $4 for a two-pack and are a best seller with over 2,500 reviews. If you can grab a few with each visit to the store, you can build up a stash so you're always ready for hosting (and protecting your furniture).

To make coasters work well for events, they have to be accessible. Grab a container that matches your home's aesthetic, whether that be a wicker basket or a steel bin. Store multiple sets of coasters in it so you're always ready for a crowd. If you're creative, DIY these basic coasters into on-theme statement pieces. They can be painted to match an event or whatever holiday you're hosting.

The $20 TYNGDLÖS Tray with 3 Bowls is a set that features an oiled bamboo base with cutouts to hold a trio of glazed stoneware bowls. The set was designed for hosting and has 4.9 stars from reviewers for its impressive presentation. One buyer even mentioned that the set was so useful for gatherings that every host in their family has purchased one. IKEA also touts it as a potential item to gift dinner party hosts.

At first, it may seem obvious that the bowls are designed for dips and spreads or nuts and olives. However, it could be used to elevate more casual offerings like the classic ketchup-mustard-relish combo at a cookout. Or, for a purely decorative vibe, the bowls could be removed and narrow LED candles could be added to the tray to create a small, polished centerpiece.

Hosting big holidays can be overwhelming, and a lot of the stress comes from finding places to store everyone's stuff. A dedicated rack to stash shoes is a helpful way to welcome guests, but they are often made of plastic or metal and aren't usually very aesthetic. IKEA's $17 VASSKÄR Shoe Rack is one option that's versatile but also made of a natural material. The bamboo unit is stackable, so users can configure an arrangement based on the number of guests.

An at-the-door shoe rack is helpful if you are a no-shoe home, especially for large gatherings. This signals that guests should remove their shoes. Plus, it keeps the entryway clean and organized while preventing extra footwear from becoming a tripping hazard. The shelf is lightweight, so it can be set up only for hosting and moved elsewhere otherwise. 

IKEA's SOARÉ Placemat is a sustainable option made from lacquered water hyacinth, which gives it a look similar to seagrass. The best-selling item runs $5, and many buyers love the texture and natural fibers. It's also a versatile item with many fans using it for other purposes than to ground place settings.

For dinner parties or holiday tablescapes, these can soften the look of glossy dishware and add texture. A few fans also noted that they used them as trivets for hot dishes, which can be helpful for big meals like Easter dinner. Their natural look also adds texture to decorative arrangements. If you are setting up several vases of flowers or an arrangement of candles for an event, a SOARÉ placement can be used as a foundation to create a polished, pulled-together look.

The SNUDDA Lazy Susan costs $25, and it has earned high marks from customers for its versatility and craftsmanship. The functional piece is made from lacquered rubberwood with steel fittings for durability. It's 15 inches wide and can hold just over 26 pounds, meaning that it can serve a wide range of roles while hosting.

This capacity means that it can hold all of the jars of garnishments for the bloody mary brunch bar. Or, try placing condiments on the rotating tray so guests can access the one they need amidst a crowded cookout buffet. It could also be used as a station for bowls of small snacks or jars of silverware and stacks of cups. If you're decorating a birthday cake, the rotating tray simplifies icing it. Then, the wood material serves as a display for the finished product, eliminating the need to transfer it to a platter. Some customers even note that they use the product for playing games, making it easier for others to grab cards when needed.

The $25 FULLSPÄCKAD Serving Tray is designed to make transporting and serving items while hosting easier. Its oiled bamboo surface and handle creates an earthy look while the powder-coated steel frame gives it a sturdy structure. To prep it and keep it in good shape, it should be treated with a food-safe conditioner like Kate Naturals Mineral Oil. Reviewers note that it's great for entertaining, especially since it can be folded flat and tucked away for storage when it's not in use.

Keep in mind that the tray's max capacity is 5.5 pounds, so it's best used for light items. Small desserts like mini cupcakes or petit fours can be displayed on the two tiers. Lightweight small snacks like slices of bread or rows of crackers can also be served on the tray. Just place heavier items like dips on the bottom for more stability. And even though it's food-safe, it can also be used to maximize the space you have to display other hosting essentials. For example, paper cups of plastic utensils and straws could sit on top while a stack of napkins could fill the bottom shelves.