IKEA and XBOX have created YXSTABY, a nine-piece collection inspired by the XBOX world, for homes where gaming is part of everyday life. Consoles move into living rooms, laptops occupy dining tables and controllers remain on sofas after a session ends. The collection responds to the way play now overlaps with relaxation and time spent with friends and family.
One room with several uses
An evening can begin with a film, move into a few rounds of a favourite game and end in conversation with friends. That does not require a separate room or an elaborate gaming station, but a space that can adapt. The YXSTABY gaming armchair can be moved closer to the screen for play, then set aside when the living room becomes a place to socialise again. Its shaped backrest provides comfort during longer sessions, while a concealed pocket keeps a controller within reach.
A table on castors allows similar changes to the layout. It can be wheeled towards the gaming area or moved elsewhere in the home. Shelves hold accessories, while cable-management features help keep the living room looking tidy.
‘This collection expands the conventional idea of what a gaming space is. When you finish playing, you don’t have to put anything away. Instead, each object, on its own or together with the others, simply contributes to the atmosphere of the room,’ says Philip Dilé, product developer at IKEA of Sweden.
The same approach extends to the desk. A TV stand on castors provides extra space below the screen and hooks for headphones and controllers, making a more comfortable setup for work or play. A laptop stand is useful wherever a computer sometimes needs to make way for other activities. It positions the device comfortably for gaming, after which the computer can be put away quickly to clear the surface.
Forms borrowed from the controller
Alongside these practical features, the collection has a decorative side. The designers used recognisable parts of the XBOX controller as starting points for objects intended to work just as well when the console is off. A stool modelled on a thumbstick turns a familiar detail into a comfortable seat for gaming or extra seating in the living room. An X-shaped cushion takes its cue from the controller’s characteristic green directional button. A motif from the digital world becomes a soft domestic object suited to ordinary time on the sofa.
‘At XBOX, we talk a lot about how much people want to immerse themselves in a game, and the right equipment helps them do that. But for that deep immersion to become fully real, the entire setting matters. That is something we could only achieve together with IKEA,’ says Carl Ledbetter, head of design at XBOX.
Smaller objects also carry gaming references. A steel tray inspired by the D-pad can sit on a coffee table or hold favourite small belongings. A display case with mirrored elements presents controllers and collectables from a different perspective. It can be hung on a wall or placed on a desk to create a personal display.
YXSTABY allows gaming furniture and accessories to remain part of the room after play ends. They can stay where the rest of daily life takes place, rather than being put away when the console is switched off. The collection is available in IKEA stores from 6 October and online from 3 November.
A living room used for gaming, work and socialising benefits from careful planning of furniture, equipment and storage. Find architects, interior designers and interior photographers in the PLNDesign directory.
See also:
- IKEA adds hot-dog ornaments and geometric patterns to Christmas 2026
- IKEA takes inspiration from Himalayan wildlife for ALPTALL
