IKEA and Xbox unveiled the Yxstaby gaming collection, featuring a thumbstick-shaped stool and D-pad cushion, priced from £12 to £115, available in the UK from October 1st.
The project, unveiled at Gamescom 2026, includes a stool shaped like an Xbox controller’s thumbstick, a D-pad cushion, and a mirrored display box inspired by gaming hardware. The collaboration aims to make gaming spaces feel more integrated into everyday life, blending functionality with nostalgia.
The Yxstaby Collection: Gaming Meets Scandinavian Design
The Yxstaby range features a gaming lounge chair, TV stand, side table, and a toolbox that doubles as a laptop stand, all designed to accommodate gaming gear while fitting seamlessly into home environments. The most iconic pieces include the thumbstick stool, which uses 3D files from the original Xbox controller to replicate its shape and texture, and the D-pad cushion, modeled after the Xbox Elite Controller’s control pad. How people play at home has shifted, and it is as much about relaxing and connecting with others as it is about performing,
said Ikea product design developer, Philip Dilé. 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.
The collection’s pricing emphasizes accessibility, with most items priced below £100. This all also ties in with Xbox’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Working with IKEA gave us the opportunity to design for the entire gaming experience at home, from the screen to the space around it.
Designing for Nostalgia and Functionality
Ikea designer David Wahl, who worked on the thumbstick stool, described the challenge of balancing nostalgia with practicality. I queued all night 25 years ago to get my hands on the first Xbox console, so those shapes are nostalgic to me,
he said. The challenge was making it work as a stool, with the right seating curve and stability, while still feeling like a thumbstick.
The stool’s design includes rubber rings for grip, mirroring those on Elite controller thumbsticks, and a hidden message for enthusiasts: Hej from Älmhult,
a nod to IKEA’s Swedish headquarters.
The D-pad cushion, at £12, is designed to be both comfortable and discreet, avoiding overt gaming branding. It’s shiny and metallic and fits the bill of you wouldn't know this was an Xbox collab without if you weren't told
. The range’s emphasis on subtlety reflects IKEA’s approach to blending gaming elements into mainstream home decor.
A Strategic Move for Both Brands
The collaboration aligns with Xbox’s 25th-anniversary celebrations and IKEA’s growing focus on gaming furniture. Since 2021, IKEA has expanded its gaming offerings, including the BRÄNNBOLL collection, which featured functional pieces like foldable tables and pull-out desks. This partnership marks IKEA’s third gaming collaboration in five years, underscoring its commitment to the space. We’re not just making furniture for gamers—we’re making furniture for the people and spaces they share.
The collaboration leverages IKEA’s global reach and design expertise to create products that appeal to both gaming enthusiasts and casual users. The Yxstaby collection aims to lighten the mood, offering a playful yet practical take on gaming furniture.
The Yxstaby collection will be available online and in IKEA stores in the UK starting October 1st, with no word on other regions yet. I can’t tell you how many people are like, ‘I gotta have that thumbstick stool.’ It’s just a delighter.
