The $23 IKEA Gem a Luxury Consultant Swears By for Hosting (They Look So Expensive!)

If there is anything I love, it’s entertaining friends and family at my home. There are two cardinal rules I always follow. The first is to always make sure my guests feel comfortable. The second is to curate an experience they would otherwise enjoy at a higher-end restaurant or lounge. But let me be clear — the latter doesn’t require you to break the bank. It simply calls for a touch of imagination.

I worked in the luxury lifestyle sector, and as such have long attended events at some of the trendiest and most luxurious destinations. While in those spaces, I always pay close attention to my surroundings, making sure I study the subtle, special details that most partygoers don’t notice. Then I take those typically overlooked touches and figure out how to affordably incorporate them into my personal life at a later date. 

A simple way to integrate the aforementioned “curated experience” into life at home is through the use of stunning glassware. It’s a small element that can elevate and transform an otherwise ordinary night of having friends over into something so sophisticated. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love my crystal glasses. Sipping an exquisite Champagne out of an elegant crystal flute or coupe is one of my many pleasures in life. But who wants to spend all night worrying that a guest is going to accidentally break some of that carefully thrifted vintage glassware or those delicate crystal family heirlooms? I surely do not. My solution: The SÄLLSKAPLIG Champagne coupes from IKEA, which are my absolute favorite affordable glassware find. The best part is the price — four glasses in one pack for $23.

I bought them several months ago and have put them to the test, using them as vessels for a myriad of different cocktails. Moreover, I put them through about a dozen or so dishwasher cycles without a single issue regarding their clarity, shine, or even chipping. Believe me when I say the devil works hard, but these SÄLLSKAPLIG coupes work so much harder. They are strong and durable, yet they look notably refined and delicate for the price point. 

To date, I have never served a cocktail in these glasses without receiving compliments and being asked where to buy them. It’s such a joy to tell them that they’re from IKEA and clock in at less than $6 per glass. 

Now that the holiday season is here, I will definitely be using my SÄLLSKAPLIG coupes at my upcoming Christmas party for Champagne, cava, and prosecco. I also devised an entire drink menu around this glassware specifically to invoke an upscale feel and highlight its beauty, one of which is a sexy and seductive gin cocktail with a frothy egg white foam featuring raspberries and rose essence. Another is a savory and elegant spiced Cosmopolitan made (and garnished) with fresh cranberries.

The term luxury has become so overused. Many connotate the concept with bold, branded names or a high monetary value, which may be true to a point. Ultimately, Merriam-Webster defines luxury as the state of great comfort and extravagant living. It is my belief that you shouldn’t need to spend beyond your means to have an experience that feels extravagant and special. All you truly need are quality-made products and a bit of inspiration — and these $23 IKEA coupes deliver on exactly that.