Ikea and Xbox Debut Yxstaby Collection to Blend Gaming Gear With Home Decor
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The nine-piece furniture range moves away from traditional 'gamer' aesthetics toward a design ethos that integrates gaming hardware into the living room.
Ikea has partnered with Microsoft to launch Yxstaby, a nine-piece collection of gaming-inspired furniture and accessories designed to integrate seamlessly into home environments. Revealed at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, the range marks a departure from the sharp edges, black color palettes, and RGB lighting typical of gaming gear.
According to reporting from Wired, the collaboration began during Milan Design Week in 2024. Philip Dilé, an Ikea product design developer, met with the Xbox design team—including Carl Ledbetter, head of Xbox devices design—to explore how to design specifically for gamers. Dilé told Wired that the goal was to create furniture people actually want in their homes rather than items they merely accept because they are necessary for gaming.
The Yxstaby collection focuses on functionality and the ability to "tuck everything away" after play, as noted by The Verge. The range includes:
* **A thumbstick stool:** Designed by Ikea's David Wahl using original 3D design files from Xbox, this piece mimics a controller's thumbstick and tilts as the user moves. It was inspired by the Nilserik, a classic Ikea office stool. * **A TV stand:** An easel-style stand available in black and white with castors for mobility and split-level shelving for consoles. * **A side table:** A wheeled table featuring sliding doors to hide and charge controllers. * **A lounge chair:** A seat featuring a mesh pocket underneath for storing controllers. * **A multi-functional toolbox:** A wooden unit for storing hardware that doubles as a laptop stand. * **Decor items:** A D-pad controller platter (originally conceived as a stool by Ikea head of design Johan Ejdemo), a green D-pad cushion, and mirrored display boxes for controllers.
While much of the collection utilizes neutral Scandi-themes, Ikea has incorporated "Xbox-coded" elements, such as flashes of iconic green and rubber rings on the thumbstick stool that mirror those found on Elite controller thumbsticks. David Wahl also included "Easter eggs" for observant customers; while Xbox consoles often feature a "Hello from Seattle" message, the Yxstaby stool includes a "Hej from Älmhult" message, referencing the town of Ikea's headquarters.
The collection is scheduled to arrive in stores and online this fall, though The Verge reports that specific launch dates and pricing will vary by market.