Ikea’s approach is a little different. The castors on the Gaming Lounge Chair are designed to allow you to drag the chair closer to the TV when you want to get more into the action, and further back when it’s time to relax. And many of the pieces in the new collection have a similar design philosophy.
The side table caught my eye the most. On the bottom, it has two typical legs, and two on castors. Again, the table is designed to be moved around the space, so it’s easy to get into the game, but also easy to move to a more convenient place when the game is done.
However, global design manager for Ikea Johan Ejdemo highlights how designing furniture that can be moved around the space presents new challenges—and new opportunities for solutions. “The team has done some quite clever and unique things as well… [such as] the holder stand for the popcorn bowl, so it wouldn’t tip over.”
He’s referring to the metal rim on the side table, elevated slightly above the surface. It not only keeps everything from sliding off when moving the table around, but it can also help prevent players from knocking over drinks when flailing around after that Dark Souls boss drops them for the fiftieth time.
For PC gamers, the Gaming Station takes a different approach. Inside, there’s space for a monitor, a keyboard tray, a spot to mount a desktop tower, and even space to tuck away a chair. It’s an entire gaming station that can disappear as soon as you close the doors. And when they’re open, they even provide a bit of privacy.
The Gaming Room
When I first moved into my current apartment, the floor plan on the site didn’t have typical labels like living room, bedroom, or kitchen. Instead, it was labeled based on activities like live, rest, and… um… nourish. It felt a little silly, but it also reflected a more task-focused approach to thinking about the rooms in my home.
Ikea’s approach to gaming furniture feels more thoughtful about how a room is actually used than I’ve seen in a while. I’m still not totally sure all of it will catch on. Ikea may not be employing the Gamer Aesthetic™, but the company still has its own distinct style that you might love or hate, but you can’t ignore.
The idea of gaming furniture that’s designed to accommodate long gaming sessions, that anticipates messes before they happen, and that’s flexible enough to morph into “normal” furniture when it’s not needed? Those are design principles that could stick around. At the very least, I know the version of me back in college would’ve loved that side table with a guardrail.
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