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Ikea's 12-Year Journey to the Perfect Inflatable Chair
26 Apr
Summary
- Designer Mikael Axelsson developed the inflatable chair concept over 12 years.
- Ikea's previous inflatable furniture collection faced significant customer issues.
- A dual-chamber seat design allows users to regulate comfort by adjusting air pressure.
Ikea is re-entering the inflatable furniture market with its PS 2026 collection, featuring a new $200 armchair designed by Mikael Axelsson. This marks a second attempt after a failed collection in the mid-1990s, which was plagued by deflation issues and an unfortunate "farting" sound due to leaky valves. The original "a.i.r" collection, launched in the early 2000s, was ultimately discontinued by 2013.
Axelsson began developing his concept 12 years ago, creating a Barbie-sized mock-up in 2014. Initial challenges included making the inflatable cushion feel more substantial and Ikea's hesitation to revisit the previous failure. The design was revived in 2023 for a new PS collection.
After numerous prototypes, including one using a tractor tire inner tube, the team settled on a dual-chamber seat. This innovative design allows users to regulate comfort by adjusting the air pressure in the outer and central chambers, addressing the beach ball-like feel of earlier attempts.
