IKEA and Xbox’s YXSTABY gaming furniture is functional without being in your face

IKEA’s collaboration with Xbox is now live, offering nine new gaming-inspired furniture pieces and accessories. Called the YXSTABY collection, an IKEA spokesperson told Mashable the collaboration was named after a small locality in Sweden, which was chosen because it includes the four letters on the Xbox controller’s buttons: X, Y, B, and A.

The YXSTABY collection was previously unveiled at Gamescom in August, showing off nine pieces co-designed by the teams at IKEA and Xbox. These range from an innocuous TV stand on castor wheels to a stool designed to look like a giant thumbstick from an Xbox controller. As such, there’s a mix of products depending on how obvious you want the gaming references in your interior design choices to be. 

One of the most attractive pieces is the YXSTABY Gaming D-pad controller platter, which is subtle enough that it doesn’t immediately register as gaming-related. While intended to hold remote controls and gaming controllers, the platter could also be used for other items that need a dedicated tabletop space, such as fruit. The reflective stainless steel material does pick up fingerprints incredibly easily though, so it’s best used for purposes that don’t require too much handling.

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Credit: IKEA

Another surprising item in the YXSTABY collection is the X-shaped green Gaming D-pad cushion. While its shape and colour may make it difficult to style in your home, Mashable’s first impressions are that it’s unexpectedly useful. The X configuration not only makes it comfortable and convenient to hug, but can also provide an excellent resting place for your arms. This offers great utility whether you’re gaming, relaxing, or even if you have arm pain. (A family member with arm pain who tried out the Gaming D-pad cushion found it very helpful, and quickly expressed interest in getting one.)

The collection also includes the YXSTABY Gaming lounge chair, which bears design similarities to IKEA’s popular POÄNG armchair. However, rather than wood veneer, the Xbox collaboration uses galvanised steel rods for its structure, features Xbox green stitching, and has a mesh pocket under the seat for stashing controllers. Mashable’s brief testing during an IKEA event found that yes, if you pay attention you can feel stored items through the polyester padding when sitting on the chair, though fortunately it wasn’t uncomfortable.

While IKEA will carry most of the YXSTABY collection for a while, and has plans to expand its gaming-related offerings further, not all the products will be available for long. IKEA’s spokesperson told Mashable that the YXSTABY Gaming thumb stick stool will only be available for a year, so it’s a good idea to pick it up soon if you’re interested.

IKEA and Xbox’s YXSTABY collection is available from Oct. 1 in store at IKEA, and will be available online in the U.S. from Nov. 30. Availability varies by region, with Australians able to pick up the collection both in store and online now.

Amanda Yeo is an Assistant Editor at Mashable, covering entertainment, culture, tech, science, and social good. Based in Australia, she writes about everything from video games and K-pop to movies and gadgets.