IKEA PS 2026 collection previews inflatable chair rocking bench and rotating lamp
IKEA presents IKEA PS 2026 collection furniture design preview, a product design series revealed ahead of its tenth edition, introducing three key pieces developed in Älmhult and previewed internationally as part of the brand’s ongoing Democratic Design agenda. The IKEA PS 2026 collection furniture design preview marks a return to one of IKEA’s most experimental platforms, originally launched in 1995 to make progressive Scandinavian design accessible through industrial production and considered pricing. This early presentation focuses on an inflatable easy chair, a rocking bench, and a three-directional floor lamp, each reflecting a balance between function and playful interaction.
The IKEA PS 2026 collection builds on a legacy of nine previous editions, positioning itself as a testing ground for new ideas in product design and domestic use. Under the direction of Maria O’Brian, Creative Leader at IKEA of Sweden, the tenth edition centers on clarity of purpose combined with subtle gestures that encourage physical engagement. The concept of playful functionality defines the approach: objects maintain a direct, understandable use, while incorporating elements that shift perception through movement, touch, or transformation. This aligns with the broader trajectory of Scandinavian design, where simplicity is reinforced through material logic and structural precision.
The inflatable easy chair, developed by Mikael Axelsson, revisits a long-standing ambition within IKEA to develop air-filled furniture that can meet the comfort and durability standards of conventional seating. After decades of internal experimentation, the final solution introduces two adjustable air chambers contained within a tubular chrome frame. This structure stabilizes the form while maintaining a compact profile, allowing the chair to be delivered flat-packed with a manual foot pump. The material system prioritizes adaptability, enabling users to adjust firmness while maintaining structural integrity tested against IKEA’s durability benchmarks.
A second piece, the rocking bench designed by Marta Krupińska, operates through a simple yet effective structural gesture. Constructed from solid pine, the bench integrates curved runners that allow lateral rocking while preserving its function as a static seating element. The form relies on the inherent strength and flexibility of timber, with the geometry distributing weight evenly during movement. The result is a dual-function object that introduces motion into everyday use without mechanical complexity, reinforcing the relationship between user and object through intuitive interaction.
The three-directional floor lamp by Rotterdam-based designer Lex Pott introduces a spatial dimension to the IKEA PS 2026 collection furniture design preview. Formed by cutting and rotating a steel cylinder at a 45-degree angle, the lamp produces three distinct lighting conditions: spotlight, reading light, and uplight. The transformation is achieved through rotation alone, without additional components, allowing the geometry to define function. A trumpet-shaped shade, slender stem, and wide conical base complete the structure, offered in saturated finishes that emphasize its sculptural presence within interior environments.
The IKEA PS 2026 collection will be fully revealed on 13 May during Democratic Design Days in Älmhult, Sweden, where the pieces were developed. As a temporary preview, this selection highlights the collection’s direction: product design rooted in clarity, material experimentation, and user interaction. By maintaining accessibility while testing new typologies, the IKEA PS platform continues to extend the role of industrial design within everyday domestic space.
All images credit: IKEA
