IKEA Revives Inflatable Furniture with the PS 2026 Easy Chair

IKEA will add a $200 inflatable armchair, the “PS 2026 Easy Chair,” to its upcoming PS collection on May 13. The product is intended to combine flat-pack convenience with a cushion that mimics foam rather than a beach ball.

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In the mid-1990s, designer Jan Dranger proposed an inflatable line called “a.i.r” to reduce shipping volume by up to 90 percent. Launched in the 2000 catalogue, the chairs and sofas were criticized for resembling “swollen hippos.” Customers often used hot air from hair dryers, causing deflation as the air cooled, and leaking valves produced a “farting noise.” IKEA discontinued the line by 2013.

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Mikael Axelsson, an IKEA product designer, first built a foam-and-wire mock-up of an inflatable chair in 2014. Johan Ejdemo, IKEA’s global design manager, oversaw the redesign that led to the PS 2026 Easy Chair.

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• Mid-1990s: Jan Dranger proposes a.i.r inflatable line.

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• 2000: a.i.r collection released.

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• 2013: a.i.r line discontinued.

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• 2014: Axelsson creates a Barbie-size prototype.

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• 2023: IKEA task-forces designers for the PS collection; Axelsson revisits his concept.

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• May 13: Planned launch of the PS 2026 Easy Chair.

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Initial prototypes suffered from excessive “beach-ball” bounce and insufficient firmness. Axelsson hand-welded 20 chrome-tubed prototypes and experimented with tractor-tire inner tubes. The final design employs a dual-chamber system: an outer air section surrounds a central air section, allowing users to adjust comfort by varying the pressure in each chamber.

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Target retail price: $200. Shipping volume reduction claimed for original a.i.r line: up to 90 %. IKEA releases roughly 2,000 new products annually. Axelsson produced 20 hand-welded prototypes before finalizing the design. The chair is constructed from durable, recyclable polyolefin plastic.

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IKEA’s global design manager Johan Ejdemo explained that the dual-chamber architecture lets consumers personalize firmness without external tools. He noted that the new chair reflects lessons learned from the a.i.r experience, particularly regarding valve reliability and material durability. IKEA confirmed the May 13 release as part of its PS collection.

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Store staff who observed the original a.i.r pieces described them as “swollen hippos,” highlighting aesthetic concerns. Early user feedback from the a.i.r era reported valve leaks that generated a “farting noise,” underscoring functional issues that the new design seeks to resolve.

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• “I remember when Mikael met with this guy who repairs tractor tires, and he came with the inner tube of a tractor,” — Johan Ejdemo, IKEA global design manager

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• “It's one outer air section, and then one central air section,” — Johan Ejdemo, IKEA global design manager

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• “swollen hippos” — Store staff, IKEA (2000 catalogue launch)

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The PS 2026 Easy Chair is scheduled for release on May 13 as part of IKEA’s PS collection.

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