IKEA and XBOX are launching a nine-piece furniture collection designed for gaming in shared living spaces, with the products set to arrive in IKEA stores across Canada and online Oct. 1.
The YXSTABY collection is intended for homes where gaming takes place alongside other activities rather than in a dedicated gaming room. The pieces include furniture and storage designed to accommodate gaming equipment while allowing rooms to return to their regular uses.
The collection was developed jointly by IKEA and XBOX, with one designer from each company working on every piece. The companies said the design process included visits to homes where gaming is part of everyday life, with consideration given to both players and other people sharing the space.
“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. XBOX knows what players need from their gaming setup, and we know how to solve the small problems that come with adapting that to everyday life at home. 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,” said Philip Dilé, Product Design Developer at IKEA of Sweden.
Among the products is a TV stand that can be rolled between rooms and includes storage for gaming equipment. The collection also includes a toolbox designed to keep controllers, cables and hardware together. Its lid can be used as a laptop stand, allowing a dining table to function as a gaming space before returning to its usual purpose.
A rolling side table provides a place for controllers and includes charging space behind sliding doors. A monitor stand can accommodate one or two screens and includes storage underneath, along with holders for a phone, headphones and controller.
The furniture is designed to coordinate with existing home furnishings. The collection uses straight lines and softer shapes in white, black and beige, while green details identify storage areas for gaming equipment.
“At XBOX, we think a lot about what helps players feel immersed in a game. The hardware is an important part of that, but so is the world you create around it. Working with IKEA gave us the opportunity to design for the entire gaming experience at home, from the screen to the space around it,” said Carl Ledbetter, Head of Design at XBOX.
IKEA Canada said the collection reflects the role gaming plays in Canadian households and is intended to provide space-conscious options for consumers who do not have a dedicated gaming area.
“Gaming has become an important part of life at home for many Canadians, whether it’s a way to unwind, connect with friends or spend time with family,” said Ciran Gill, Director of Commercial Activations, IKEA Canada. “We’re thrilled to introduce the YXSTABY collection and excited to see how it resonates with Canadians, offering smart, space-conscious solutions that make it easier to welcome play into everyday life while staying true to the way people live at home.”
YXSTABY will be unveiled at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, in August and will be available through IKEA stores across Canada and online beginning Oct. 1.
IKEA Canada is part of Ingka Group, which operates 574 IKEA stores in 31 countries. In Canada, the company operates 15 stores and 13 Plan and order points.
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