IKEA and Xbox have unveiled a 9-piece gaming furniture collection called YXSTABY, featuring items like a thumbstick-shaped stool and D-pad cushion, launching in October. The collaboration blends Xbox controller designs with functional home furniture.
The YXSTABY collection, a partnership between IKEA and Xbox, transforms iconic Xbox controller elements into home furniture, blending gaming culture with practical design. The project, described as an era where gaming furniture is moving out of teen bedrooms and man caves and into the mainstream living room,
marks IKEA’s third major gaming collaboration in five years.
Product Highlights and Design Details
The standout pieces include a thumbstick stool, designed using original Xbox controller 3D files to mimic the controller’s shape and motion. It even tilts as you lean, echoing the thumbstick’s motion,
according to IKEA. The stool’s textured surface prevents slipping, and its design was refined through prototypes involving cork, wood, and 3D printing. Another highlight is the green D-pad cushion, inspired by the Xbox Elite controller’s concave metal D-pad, which looks impressively comfortable and useful,
per IGN.
The collection also features a gaming TV stand on castors, a side table for accessories, and a mirrored display box for controller decor. The gaming lounge chair
includes a mesh pocket for controllers, while the gaming D-pad platter
mimics the tactile feel of a controller’s directional pad. Prices for the range, listed in multiple sources, range from £12 for a D-pad platter to £115 for a side table.
Collaboration Origins and Developer Insights
The collaboration emerged from a partnership between IKEA and Xbox designers, with each team working side-by-side on every piece. How people play at home has shifted,
said IKEA product design developer, Philip Dilé, emphasizing the need for furniture that naturally co-exist alongside the furniture you already own.
Xbox Head of Design, Carl Ledbetter, called the thumbstick stool “a delighter,” noting its comfort and nostalgic appeal.
IKEA’s design team hidden “Easter eggs” in the collection, such as a Hej from Älmhult
message on the stool, referencing the company’s Swedish roots. The collaboration also includes a wooden toolbox that doubles as a laptop stand, blending functionality with gaming aesthetics. We hid a similar message that you only see once when you assemble a stool,
Wahl said, highlighting the team’s playful approach to design.
Launch Details and Market Strategy
The YXSTABY collection will be available online and in-store in the UK from October 1st, with no word on other regions yet. IKEA emphasized the collection’s Scandi-themes and flashes of Xbox’s iconic green,
aiming to make gaming furniture feel at home, without taking over the home.
Ledbetter isn’t ruling out future collections, hinting at leftover ideas still strong enough to make the grade for a second range.
Industry Context and Consumer Reception
The collaboration reflects broader trends in gaming culture, where furniture is increasingly seen as an extension of the gaming experience. Gaming furniture is moving out of teen bedrooms and man caves and into the mainstream living room,
according to IKEA’s press release. The YXSTABY range aims to cater to both casual and dedicated gamers, offering pieces that transition effortlessly between gaming and everyday life.
Consumer reactions, as seen in social media comments, highlight enthusiasm for the collection’s novelty. Do we have to assemble it?
fans asked, to which IKEA responded with a shrug emoji. The collaboration also aligns with IKEA’s broader brand presence.
The YXSTABY collection underscores the growing intersection of gaming and home design, with IKEA leveraging Xbox’s brand identity to attract a wider audience. As the launch approaches, the collaboration’s success will depend on whether these gaming-themed pieces resonate beyond novelty, offering real value to gamers and non-gamers alike.
