Ikea’s tenth PS collection has arrived, and with it, the return of the inflatable chair — a design once dismissed as kitsch, now reimagined as a flagship of sustainable, democratic design.
Unveiled ahead of its May 15 global release, the new PS 2026 line debuted in preview at Milan Design Week, featuring three standout pieces: an inflatable lounge chair by Mikael Axelsson, a rocking wooden bench by Marta Krupińska, and a tri-directional steel lamp by Lex Pott. The chair, upholstered in deep emerald green fabric and supported by a chromed steel tube structure with two independently adjustable air chambers, represents over a decade of silent experimentation. Axelsson, who first pursued the idea in the 1990s, worked alone after colleagues doubted the feasibility, hand-welding 20 prototypes — including one made from a tractor tire — before arriving at the final solution.
The result is a piece that defies expectations: an air-filled seat that delivers unexpected comfort and stability, having passed Ikea’s rigorous durability tests. Unlike its 1990s plastic predecessors, this version avoids creaking and slipping thanks to a fitted textile cover, while retaining the lightness and material efficiency that made inflatable furniture appealing in the first place. For Axelsson, the choice of air as a primary material is both philosophical and practical — free, universally accessible, and aligned with Ikea’s mission to democratize design.
Sustainability shaped every decision. Rejecting an electric pump in favor of a manual foot pedal, Ikea avoided adding cost and future electronic waste. The textile covering reduces material use compared to all-plastic models, and the chair ships flat, minimizing transport emissions. This approach extends to the other pieces: Pott’s lamp, formed by cutting and rotating a steel cylinder at 45 degrees, and Krupińska’s bench, designed for lateral tipping, both emphasize adaptability and tactile engagement.
The PS collection, launched in 1995, has long served as Ikea’s experimental arm — a biennial burst of daring, limited-edition design that often sparks frenzied demand. Past editions have become collector’s items, resold at premium prices years later. As Maria O’Brien, Ikea’s creative lead, explained, the essence of PS lies in embracing simplicity while finding excitement in the details — objects with clear functions, elevated by playful, expressive touches that invite interaction.
Yet beneath the whimsy lies a sharper intent. The 2026 edition frames itself as a response to contemporary pressures: ecological awareness, resource scarcity, and the need for adaptable, low-impact objects in modern living. By reviving the inflatable chair — once a symbol of disposable novelty — Ikea positions it not as a regression, but as a refined statement: that affordability, innovation, and responsibility need not be at odds.
The launch timing — just weeks before the full reveal on May 13 and retail availability on the 15th — suggests Ikea is counting on the PS line’s cult appeal to drive early buzz. Social media reaction to the emerald chair’s rounded, brutalist form has already been strong, echoing the pattern where PS pieces transition from showroom curiosities to coveted secondhand treasures.
What distinguishes this edition is its explicit tether to ecological values without sacrificing the collection’s core identity. The PS line has always been about democratizing experimental design; now, it does so with a heightened awareness of material consequences. The inflatable chair, in particular, embodies this shift — transforming a once-mocked novelty into a test case for how air, fabric, and steel can combine to create something both responsible and desirable.
Why did Ikea choose a manual foot pump instead of an electric one for the inflatable chair?
Ikea opted for a manual foot pump to avoid increasing the product’s cost and to prevent the creation of electronic waste once the chair is no longer in use.
How does the new inflatable chair differ from Ikea’s 1990s versions?
The 2026 model uses a steel frame, adjustable air chambers, and a fitted textile cover to improve stability, comfort, and durability, while eliminating the creaking, slipping, and environmental drawbacks of earlier all-plastic designs.
What makes the PS collection significant in Ikea’s design strategy?
Since 1995, the PS line has served as Ikea’s platform for releasing experimental, limited-edition designs that make bold ideas accessible, often becoming collector’s items due to their innovation and scarcity.
