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It’s time to quite literally level up your tablescape, and IKEA has the ultimate hack: the HELGEÖ decorating rod. It sounds (and quite honestly looks) basic but this genius holiday find will allow you to take your setup to new heights by letting you dangle, drape, and display decorations overhead.
I first came across the contraption on Instagram, and I have to admit that once I went to IKEA to test the rod for myself, I was intimidated by the length of the box. Then again, it basically comes fully assembled and can accommodate a table up to 92.5 inches long. Once you take the three key components out, simply clamp the two side poles onto your table and screw the center piece in place.
Overall, it’s sturdier than it appears, but make sure to tightly clamp the rod, especially if you opted to keep your tablecloth on like I did. The downsides: the product only comes in black powder coated steel and if you place the rod across your dining table, you’ll automatically lose two place settings. The pros? It’ll only cost you $50 and it can be dressed up in infinite ways. To guide you in the right direction, we asked a handful of creatives how they would style the rod this upcoming holiday season.
Pile on the Ribbons and Produce
…then tie it all together with trendy bows. “I love this concept, it adds a fun dimension to the tablescape, and for my table, I would layer this rod with ribbons and produce,” shares Madre Linen founder Shay Carrillo. Her grocery list would include a gorgeous stalk of Brussels sprouts, a large, bent candy roaster squash, plenty of citrus, and sliced-open pomegranates. “These things always make my table feel festive yet approachable and not fussy,” adds Carrillo.
Dive Into the Drama
Lean into how unique this rod is. “For me, the joy of entertaining comes down to two things: surprise and color,” Meghan Mcneer, the creative director and co-founder of L.A. Design Weekend, shares. “I love a moment that makes people pause—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s unexpected.” She treated the rod like a full-blown, 3D playground, cladding it with a curtain of ribbons and baubles that hang just above her guest’s heads. Bonus: friends can take an ornament home as a tiny souvenir of the night.
To get the look, wrap the rod in moiré fabric that’s the same hue as the ribbons and add oversized bows to hide the hardware on the ends. “It cleans up the base and ties the palette together,” McNeer points out. Her other hot tip: repetition in odd numbers (for example, five ornaments spaced every three bows) will create a nice visual rhythm that keeps the eye moving.
Go Wide
You can place the rod wherever you want—it doesn’t have to just go across the longest part of your dining table. “If you’re trying this yourself, think about proportions,” McNeer continues. “Do you want the rod to stretch the long way (a sweeping, cinematic look)? Or across the width (more of a theatrical curtain moment)?” The latter works especially well if you’re having fewer guests than your table seats.
Turn to Tinsel
Decor that naturally hangs, such as tinsel or string lights, is a no-brainer. “Tinsel and this rod are a match made in heaven,” McNeer points out. For bigger parties where the table’s been pushed against a wall, think of it as a backdrop. “Drape tinsel fringe curtain or some yardage of fabric to make it feel intentional, like a wink that says, ‘Yes, I know this table doesn’t usually live here against these windows, but tonight, it belongs,’” she says.
Bring the Inside Out
For those celebrating the holidays in warmer climates, bring the rod outside. “In Ojai, California, where evenings are mild and breezy, I’d drape it with string lights, garlands, and seasonal florals,” shares food stylist and recipe developer Diana Yen. “I also enjoy foraging for leaves and vines on walks or hikes to add local elements to the tablescape.”
At the same time, you can use natural elements inside if it’s colder where you live. “Don’t overthink it,” Yen advises. “Pick one thing to shine and build around it. Mix in textures like wood, linen, and greenery. Scatter a few candles and let the lighting do its magic.” Who knew IKEA’s simplest product is actually its most versatile.