12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
The hidden Gavin & Stacey room in Ikea Cardiff you've probably walked right past
The hidden Gavin & Stacey room in Ikea Cardiff you've probably walked right past
Shoppers at Ikea Cardiff may not realise they're walking past Barry Island royalty
Barry Island might be 14 miles away but Ikea Cardiff is hiding a little slice of the seaside among the flat-packs and meatballs – and fans of Gavin & Stacey are going to love it.
In a store known for its maze-like layout and endless Scandi-chic showrooms it takes a keen eye to spot the occasional Easter egg hidden in plain sight. But thanks to Welsh TikToker Dheanasaur – who boasts nearly 900,000 followers –fans of the cult comedy have now been let in on a secret.
Tucked away in section seven of the display rooms there's a bedroom completely dedicated to Nessa "Shanessa" Jenkins.
IKEA Cardiff Introduces Gavin And Stacey-themed Room
Leopard print walls? Check. A mirror scribbled with "What's occurin'?'" in red lipstick? Obviously. A black leather vest and knee-high boots hanging proudly like a shrine to Wales' most iconic bouncer? Absolutely.
It's the kind of bold and brash setup that screams "Nessa lives here" and according to Dheanasaur, who documented the discovery in a now-viral TikTok, the room is stuffed with subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods to the beloved Barry legend.
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The first clue - a black leather vest, hooked on a leopard print wall
(Image: Dheanasaur )
The famous phrase said by the Welsh legend herself
(Image: Dheanasaur )
Perched on top of the wardrobe fans will spot two playfully labelled storage boxes: one reading "Neil the baby old photos" and the other, "Smithy's sleepover stuff" – both references to key moments and relationships in the series.
There's even a pinned photo of Barry Island – presumably a reminder of where Nessa's heart lies, should she ever get lost in Ikea's unforgiving loop of kitchens and bathrooms.
The attention to detail doesn't stop there. Open the drawers and you'll find goalkeeping gloves (cheers Stace), Tic Tacs of every flavour, and Nessa's unmentionables stashed in the second drawer. The wardrobe itself? A masterclass in fierce fashion, from rhinestone-encrusted graphic tees to eclectically-patterned fits.
The hilarious homage to the Gavin & Stacey character can be found in Ikea's Welsh store
(Image: Dheanasaur )
Even the romantic Nessa gets a nod. A quote from the 2019 Christmas Special – the one where she finally bares her soul to Smithy – is printed on the wall, proving this room isn't just a gimmick but a love letter to the show.
A present from Stacey to Nessa was found in the drawers
(Image: Dheanasaur )
It's a totally unexpected homage that many shoppers likely walk straight past on their hunt for a Billy bookcase – but now you know there's no excuse.
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