A new survey finds that sentimental keepsakes and different family routines are among the biggest challenges Malaysians face when organising their homes.
Malaysian families may not need a bigger home as much as they need smarter ways to use the space they already have, according to IKEA Malaysia’s first Home Organisation Index.
The online survey, conducted among 506 Malaysian adults, found that only one in 10 respondents felt they genuinely needed more space. For many households, the bigger challenge was finding a suitable place for everything; from keys and chargers used daily to treasured belongings kept out of sight.
Sentimental possessions proved especially difficult to organise. Some 40% of respondents named items such as old photographs, children’s artwork and family heirlooms as the hardest things to find a place for.
Rather than encouraging families to part with meaningful belongings, IKEA Malaysia suggests making them more visible and accessible through practical storage and display solutions.
“The hardest things to find a place for are usually the ones we love most,” said IKEA Malaysia Country Retail Director Takeshi Murai. “Nobody should feel they have to let those go. They just deserve a better spot than the back of a cupboard, somewhere you can actually see them and enjoy them.”
Storage That Works for the Whole Family
Organisation can become more complicated in multigenerational households, where family members have different routines, habits and physical needs. One in three Malaysians surveyed said these differences made it harder to keep their homes organised.
Simple adjustments may help everyone take part. These could include placing hooks at a child’s height, keeping frequently used items on shelves that older family members can reach safely, or creating a designated spot near the entrance for keys, bags and shoes.
A system that everyone can use also helps prevent the responsibility for tidying up from falling on one person.
Families can begin with small areas instead of trying to reorganise the entire home at once. Kitchen tools can be kept close to where they are used, while drawer organisers and under-bed containers can free up space in bedrooms. Shelving and cabinets can keep everyday clutter under control while giving photographs and keepsakes a place to be displayed.
A Family-Friendly Sorting Challenge
As part of its new “A place for everything and everyone” campaign, IKEA Malaysia will hold the Sorted Lah! Open House at its Damansara, Cheras, Tebrau and Batu Kawan stores every weekend from 10 October to 1 November 2026.
Families and friends can take part in The Sorting Escape, a hands-on storage challenge in which teams compete for a place on a live scoreboard. The highest-scoring teams will be invited back during the final weekend to compete for the title of “King of Storage”.
Other activities include The Listening Lounge, The Design Table and The Great Book Club, as well as Say Hej! and Little Designers for younger visitors.
The Sorting Escape can be booked from 8 October at sorting-escape-prod.web.app. Further information is available at IKEA Malaysia.
