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Ikea has teamed up with Microsoft to launch a new assortment of gaming-inspired furniture and home accessories, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the first Xbox console. The nine-piece Yxstaby collection (good luck pronouncing that) includes a TV stand, laptop stand, side table, lounge chair, and multi-functional toolbox, with standout products like a stool, cushion, decorative platter, and mirrored display box being specifically designed around recognizable Xbox controller motifs.
The Yxstaby range makes it easier to “bring play into a room and tuck everything away afterwards,” according to Ikea’s press release, with each piece created as a collaboration between Xbox and Ikea designers to naturally co-exist alongside the furniture you already own. It makes use of familiar Scandi-themes like neutral colors and shapes, paired with flashes of Xbox’s iconic green that draw attention to the pockets and compartments designed to hold gaming gear.
“How people play at home has shifted, and it is as much about relaxing and connecting with others as it is about performing, which changes what the space has to do,” said Ikea product design developer, Philip Dilé. “Together, we set out to make furniture people really want in their home, not furniture they accept because it is what you need to game.”
The thumbstick-inspired stool tilts like the real thing. It comes in green… …or black, for a more classic look. Here you can see the X-shaped cushion resting on the new gaming lounge chair. The only pop of green on the chair itself is the lining of this under-seat pocket.
The green X-shaped scatter cushion and thumbstick-inspired stool are among the most Xbox-coded pieces in the Yxstaby collection. Ikea says the stool was developed using original 3D design files for the Xbox controller, with the grippy textured surface now serving to prevent your butt from slipping around instead of sweaty thumbs. The lounge chair comes with a mesh pocket on the underside that’s designed to store your game controllers, but it also looks roomy enough for wider items like magazines and large books.
Here you can see the TV stand in black… …and white, with this shot showing the rear storage options. The side table appears to have some side panels, so you can turn it around to hide whatever gadgets it’s storing. There’s also a monitor stand in the collection.
The TV stand is an easel-style design that’s available in white or black (presumably as a nod to the Xbox console color schemes), and features shelves and hooks for holding your various gadgets and gaming accessories. It also comes with castors so it can be wheeled around the home, as does the side table, which includes a green tray for additional storage.
The mirrored display cases are the ideal size for Xbox controllers, but you can use them to show off other trinkets too. Here’s what the D-pad dish platter looks like. The toolbox is seemingly designed more for storing gadgets than actual tools. You can also rest your laptop on the toolbox if your table isn’t good enough.
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