Header: IKEA
Swedish furniture brand IKEA and XBOX created a furniture collection designed for gaming at home. A nine-piece collection includes a gaming chair, a TV stand, and an array of XBOX controller-inspired pieces.
A collection that goes beyond gaming
Gaming has become a global cultural phenomenon, with more than 3 billion people worldwide engaging in video games. When gaming at home, every part of the house can turn into a gaming room: the kitchen table, the sofa, the bed, etc. Designed for the way people play, YXSTABY provides everything you need to elevate your gaming experience while remaining useful when the game is over.
One designer from IKEA and XBOX worked together on every piece. Both companies provided valuable insight into the design process. XBOX brought 25 years of gaming experience to the table, while IKEA offered its home furnishing expertise. Considering both gamers and their housemates, the duo designed items that look at home when not playing. For instance, the TV stand can be rolled wherever the gaming action takes place, while built-in storage at the back keeps essentials neatly tucked away. The toolbox keeps controllers, cables, and hardware together, doubling as a laptop stand after the lid closes.
“How people play at home has shifted, and it is as much about relaxing and connecting with others as it is about performing, which changes what the space has to do. XBOX knows what players need from their gaming setup, and we know how to solve the small problems that come with adapting that to everyday life at home. Together, we set out to make furniture people really want in their home, not furniture they accept because it is what you need to game.”
Philip Dilé, Product Design Developer at IKEA of Sweden
Furniture inspired by the XBOX controllers
Influence of XBOX controllers can be seen both in the appearance and the functionality of the pieces. The familiar XBOX forms appear throughout the collection. The D-pad informed the design of both a decorative platter and a comfortable cushion, while a mirrored display box presents the controller from all angles. A thumbstick tool used to move characters in the game has been reimagined as a stool. Based on the controller’s original 3D design files, the stool even features a similar grip texture, helping keep a person in place.
“I queued all night 25 years ago to get my hands on the first XBOX console, so those shapes are nostalgic to me. The challenge was making it work as a stool, with the right seating curve and stability, while still feeling like a thumbstick. It even moves the way a thumbstick does, so it tilts with you while you play.”
David Wahl, Designer at IKEA of Sweden.
YXSTABY’s soft shapes and straight lines are complemented with a colour palette dominated by muted white, black and beige with a touch of green. The collection made in collaboration between IKEA and XBOX was officially unveiled at Gamescom in August. Starting October 1, the collection is available in IKEA stores and online, although availability may vary by market.
