IKEA Introduces New Furniture For Retro Collectors & Gamers—Plus A Past Failure
Images courtesy of IKEA
IKEA is gracing Milan Design Week in dramatic fashion, and there’s seriously a lot to unpack here. The Swedish furniture giant has unveiled two distinctly curious collections, one being a continuation of its 80th-anniversary series that breathes new life into iconic archival designs, and an innovative collection for the gaming community. The latter brings a modern twist on an old, infamous design—the inflatable chair that “fell flat.”
Sitting right into the themes of Salone del Mobile Milano are the star pieces from the latest rollout of IKEA’s 80th-anniversary collection Nytillverkad: the redefined KLIPPAN sofa and the POÄNG armchair. These pieces, debuting in August, were conceptualized by the original designer, Noboru Nakamura, who passed on shortly after his reworkings.
Image courtesy of IKEA
Image courtesy of IKEA
This year, the staples return with a nod to the vibrant 1980s, with bright primary hues of red, blue, and yellow and plush covers that pay homage to their first iterations. The updated POÄNG now sports a lower back for a more open, conversational posture, aligning with modern living dynamics.
Image courtesy of IKEA
Image courtesy of IKEA
Image courtesy of IKEA
“At the core of every IKEA design is a principle called Democratic Design,” shares Johan Ejdemo, global design manager at IKEA of Sweden. “KLIPPAN and POÄNG exemplify the essence of it, seamlessly combining form, function, quality, sustainability, and affordability. By adapting existing production lines and making thoughtful adjustments, we can offer customers new designs, like the POÄNG low-back armchair, at an accessible price point without compromising quality.”
Image courtesy of IKEA
Image courtesy of IKEA
Image courtesy of IKEA
The past intertwines with the future with BRÄNNBOLL, IKEA’s latest play into the gaming sector and the evolving needs of its diverse user base. This line, launching in September, includes 20 versatile items from ergonomic chairs tailored for various gaming postures to storage solutions that cleverly transform from gaming stations to discreet furniture. Each piece is designed to fluidly integrate gaming into the home setting, proving that functional can also be stylish.
Image courtesy of IKEA
BRÄNNBOLL ditches the typical dark and moody aesthetics often associated with gaming furniture. Instead, it embraces vibrant colors and elements inspired by street sports and athleisure, creating a fun and energetic space.
Image courtesy of IKEA
Image courtesy of IKEA
Image courtesy of IKEA
Proving that it’s game for experimentation, IKEA has created an inflatable chair for this array, despite the flop of a similar design in the 1990s. The earlier pieces, envisioned to be simple and fun, suffered practical hitches. Created to be easily assembled by blowing from a hair dryer, the sofas deflated when hot air was used instead of cold.
“With BRÄNNBOLL, we are embracing the idea that gaming is for everyone and belongs everywhere in the home,” notes Philip Dilé, product design developer at IKEA of Sweden. “It’s about making it simple for people to create spaces that adapt to gaming, living, and everything in between. We hope this collection will encourage friends and families to engage together, bringing joy and connection through shared gaming experiences.”
Image courtesy of IKEA
Image courtesy of IKEA
Image courtesy of IKEA
The dual collections remind us that the path of design isn’t linear, and that innovation isn’t just about new creations but also about reimagining the familiar to be relevant for today and beyond.
[via IKEA, images courtesy]
