Ikea’s new gaming furniture looks like furniture, not an energy drink

2024-04-15 15:25:17

A Scandinavian twist on the edgy gamer aesthetic.

Ikea is introducing a new range of gaming furniture that subverts the usual dark, edgy “gamer” aesthetic for designs that are more likely to blend in with your existing home decor.

The company’s Brännboll collection is a lineup of 20 items, including a desk, chairs, accessories, and various storage solutions. Following the mostly-black ROG collaboration Ikea released back in 2021, which was similarly free from overly aggressive “gamer” flourishes, the new Brännboll collection instead focuses on the kind of designs that Ikea does best — simple and recognizably Scandinavian.

Seating is the main focus. There’s an armchair that folds out into a lounging position, a rocking-style chair designed to swing with your body’s movement, and an inflatable donut-style chair with a matching footstool.

You can wheel this chair around to a better gaming location thanks the the castors...

You can wheel this chair around to a better gaming location thanks the the castors...

Image: Ikea

...or fold out the cushion into a lounging chair if you have the space.

...or fold out the cushion into a lounging chair if you have the space.

Image: Ikea

The inflatable donut chair comes with a footstool that slots neatly away into the chair itself.

The inflatable donut chair comes with a footstool that slots neatly away into the chair itself.

Image: Ikea

This rocking-style chair suspends the user on swinging ‘bungies’ that move with your body during intense gaming sessions.

This rocking-style chair suspends the user on swinging ‘bungies’ that move with your body during intense gaming sessions.

Image: Ikea

The Brännboll collection also includes a “gaming station” that folds away into something resembling a wardrobe, complete with a foldable tabletop, integrated PC tower storage, and cable management. There’s also a storage box that doubles as a side table, display shelving, and some textile accessories like a mousepad, rug, and a throw.

This entire desk setup can be closed away into a cupboard for when you don’t want it cluttering up your room.

This entire desk setup can be closed away into a cupboard for when you don’t want it cluttering up your room.

Image: Ikea

Ikea’s recognizable pegboard customizations are available in this rollable side table.

Ikea’s recognizable pegboard customizations are available in this rollable side table.

Image: Ikea

There’s also some wall-mounted display shelves to show off any collectable or gaming merch...

There’s also some wall-mounted display shelves to show off any collectable or gaming merch...

Image: Ikea

...and some textile accessories like this throw that adds some additional pops of color.

...and some textile accessories like this throw that adds some additional pops of color.

Image: Ikea

It’s a little difficult to pin down what qualifies any of this as “gaming” furniture, but I guess that’s kinda the point — anything designed to accommodate lengthy sessions of sitting down is suitable for gaming, and not everyone wants a section of their home to look like it was sponsored by an energy drink company. Ikea says the Brännboll collection is instead inspired by street sports and athleisure, with a mix of neutrals and bright colors that easily blend into modern homes.

It moves with you.

Image: Ikea

“With Brännboll, we are embracing the idea that gaming is for everyone and belongs everywhere in the home,” Ikea product design developer Philip Dilé said in the company’s press release. “It’s about making it simple for people to create spaces that adapt to gaming, living, and everything in between.”

While it’s mostly children in Ikea’s press images, Dilé confirmed to The Verge that the range is age-inclusive and suitable for adults. There’s no pricing available yet, but we should learn more about the Brännboll collection before its September launch.