So Ikea and Xbox just dropped the 9-piece YXSTABY collection at Gamescom, and I’ll be real — it might just be the smartest gaming furniture we’ve seen in years.
Normally, “gaming furniture” means angular plastic monstrosities, aggressive neon accents and enough RGB lighting to signal passing aircraft. But Ikea tied up with Xbox to take a completely different direction — focusing on muted tones and light wood finishes, and simple functionality.
All of it tucks subtle splashes of Xbox green away, and it’s all designed to let you transform a living space into a gaming setup, while cleaning and hiding it all away.
The star of the show: The thumbstick stool
Xbox and Ikea actually used the original 3D design files for the Xbox controller’s analog stick to get the proportions and seating curve just right for the $50 thumb stick stool. But the most fascinating part to a fidgety person like me is that it actually moves.
The base is curved so it tilts in all directions while you sit on it — perfectly mimicking the movement of a real thumbstick. That being said, there is a legitimate benefit to this in being the ideal chair to lean into the on-screen action when you’re locking in.
And that textured grip around the edge of the joystick actually helps stop you from falling off. I’d be nervous if Xbox had gone for convex joystick heads at this moment!
Lounging around: The lounge chair and the d-pad cushion
If you’ve ever tried to fit a massive, racing-style gaming chair into a dorm room or shared apartment, you know it instantly takes over the entire space. Instead, Ikea has focused on low-profile comfort and stealthy utility.
The lounge chair ($120) uses a cantilevered bouncy frame that’s designed to flex with you — just the right angle to lean back during comfy gaming sessions, while not leaning you back too much so you can lean forward and lock-in to that high-stakes multiplayer match.
On top of that, there’s a hidden storage pocket right underneath the seat to stash your controllers, and the fabric cover is completely removable and machine washable.
Then there’s the D-pad cushion completing the setup ($18). This plush throw is molded directly after the faceted Xbox directional buttons, and the perfect companion piece to the lounge chair… But not for the way you think.
You see, it’s definitely sneaking a subtle “if you know, you know” piece of gaming iconography into your decor, but the X shape is pretty ideal for resting on your lap for an ergonomic elbow stand for playing on a controller.
Stealth storage and clever upgrades
And for anyone dealing with a cramped space, the stealthy storage options here are brilliant.
Whether it’s the rolling TV stand mounted on casters to moving your gear around ($150), the sleek wooden $35 toolbox that neatly stores all controllers and cables (but doubles as a laptop stand too), or the $18 D-pad platter — a stainless steel serving tray molded perfectly into the sunken cross shape of the directional buttons — you’ve got all you need to make the most of any space.
But in particular, shout-out to the neat coffee table organizer that is also on wheels, but has a nice homely feel to it to hide away your gaming peripherals.
Verdict & availability
But the best part about this drop (as you’ve probably seen throughout my piece) is that the pricing remains remarkably down to earth. The YXSTABY collection hits Ikea stores and online starting October 1.
If you’re tired of sacrificing your living room to an RGB gaming den, this is the exact compromise you’ve been waiting for.
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