- Ikea has teamed up with Microsoft to launch a new assortment of gaming-inspired furniture and home accessories, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the first Xbox console.
- The Yxstaby range, revealed in Cologne, Germany, includes nine pieces such as a TV stand, laptop stand, side table, lounge chair, and a multi-functional toolbox, with standout products designed around recognizable Xbox controller motifs.
- The collection will be available online and in Ikea stores starting October 1st, although prices and launch dates will vary by market.
- The collaboration was sparked when Ikea and Xbox design teams met at Milan Design Week in 2024.
- Ikea designer David Wahl proposed the thumbstick stool concept, inspired by the Xbox controller.
- The thumbstick stool was developed using original 3D design files for the Xbox controller, featuring a grippy textured surface.
- The collection aims to bring play into a room while allowing for easy storage of gaming accessories.
- The lounge chair features a mesh pocket designed to store game controllers and other items.
- The TV stand has an easel-style design available in white or black, featuring shelves and hooks for gaming accessories.
Ikea and Xbox are set to unveil the Yxstaby gaming furniture collection on October 1st, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Xbox console. This nine-piece collection includes a thumbstick stool, designed using original 3D files from the Xbox controller, and aims to integrate gaming aesthetics into home decor.1236
The collection features a variety of items, including a TV stand, laptop stand, side table, and lounge chair. Each piece is crafted to blend seamlessly with existing furniture, as noted by Ikea's product design developer, Philip Dilé: “How people play at home has shifted, and it is as much about relaxing and connecting with others as it is about performing.”89
The standout thumbstick stool is designed to mimic the Xbox controller's functionality, with a grippy surface to enhance comfort. Ikea designer David Wahl emphasized the nostalgic connection to the Xbox, stating, “I queued all night 25 years ago to get my hands on the first Xbox console.”5
The collection was born from a collaboration that began at Milan Design Week in 2024, where the teams sought to create furniture that resonates with gamers. Carl Ledbetter, head of Xbox devices design, expressed excitement about the stool's comfort, saying, “Oh my, this is very comfortable. It feels good, and it can accommodate multiple playing postures.”4
With hidden surprises and Easter eggs throughout the collection, Ikea and Xbox are not ruling out future collaborations, hinting at more innovative designs to come.
“The nine-piece range, revealed in Cologne, includes a TV stand, lounge chair, and mirrored display box, with the stool developed from the controller's original 3D files. Ikea designer David Wahl, who queued all night 25 years ago for the first Xbox, hid a 'Hej from Älmhult' message inside the stool.”
