IKEA Just Launched a Foldable Chair-Bed That Not Only Gives You Space to Sleep an Extra Guest, but Feels Like a Real Design Moment for Your Home
Smaller than your average sofa bed, this versatile chair is the new must-have for anyone who struggles to host in their small space
There are a few fundamental ideas central to the concept behind IKEA'S iconic PS Collection: accessibility, innovation, and exploration, to name a few. But equally important is the commitment to small space living. Finding smart, creative solutions to the issues that arise when working with limited space is a leading motivation for the designers at IKEA, and in this year's collection, Matilda Lindstam Nilsson hit the jackpot with this foldable SKIFTEBO chair-bed.
Acting as both a stylish chair and a cozy bed for your guests to sleep on, this design is a must-have for anyone who loves to host but can't always find the space to do so. "For this collection, we really wanted to make everything accessible for people, no matter how big their homes would be, so we have tried to make everything as feasible as possible for a small-space living home," explains Maria O’Brian, creative leader of IKEA’s 2026 PS Collection.
This had to mean something more creative than simply shrinking designs to make them more appropriate for smaller spaces; it was about finding actual solutions that make living in a smaller space easier and more seamless, which is exactly what this chair-bed design does so well.
Matilda Lindstam Nilsson's Chair-Bed
Before the design had even been conceptualized, Matilda was already sure of her desired function for this project. Both a bed and a chair, this design was intended to offer owners of small homes a feasible way to host loved ones without having to invest in a full sofa bed.
Perched atop a metal frame, the layered cushion unfolds to transform into a bed, stretching flat across the floor, supported by the frame beneath. Simply undo the two buttons stitched onto the side, and you can unfurl the layers, leaving you with a flat, supportive surface to sleep on.
Available in a light gray-beige option, as well as this bright, poppy-orange, offering some sense of variety was also a core focus for Matilda. "We wanted to have one neutral choice and one more statement piece of furniture, so we have two tracks to offer," says Matilda. The cover is also completely removable, so you can easily chuck it in the wash once it gets dirty.
"First of all, it was small-space living that was my inspiration from the beginning," Matilda tells me, with studio apartments, student homes, and urban environments in mind as she designed. This product was created to help quell the issue she noticed occurring all too regularly for those in these homes.
For the majority of us, a guest bedroom is nothing more than a home fantasy, but this doesn't mean we've all written off the possibility of hosting, either — it just means we do it slightly more creatively. In this design, Matilda was determined to show just that: "Even if you don't have an extra guest room, you should be able to have some guests over." And, this chair, which is small enough to fit in either your living room or your bedroom, certainly proves her right.
However, not just practical, it had to look good, too. "It was very important that it would be a nice armchair and a nice bed, at the same time," says Matilda. So whether you choose to have it folded up as a chair or laid out like a bed, it will look just as stylish either way.
A slightly sturdier, more structural take on the single chair-bed, this streamlined design from Dusk would be a great addition to your home office. A low-slung, comfortable lounge chair by day, simply pull on the fabric handle to turn it into a single bed by night, no complicated setup needed.
With four different connective joins, this cozy, corduroy design can be used as a chair, a recliner, a chaise, and a flat mattress. All it takes is a simple shift of the back support to move between these different functions.
In rich colors like olive green, burnt umber, and a deep navy, this design has a luxurious feel. Much like the IKEA design, this model transforms from chair to bed in seconds, with practically no effort needed, and the velvet finish makes it feel that little bit more elevated, too.
Perfect for cozy living rooms, this luxurious, velvet armchair promises comfort to rival a designer double bed. With a traditional sofa bed fold-out mechanism, this bed benefits from a deep-spring mattress within, so you won't even feel as though you're sleeping on a sofa bed.
An elevated take on the foldable design, literally, this product takes the concept of the IKEA chair-bed and gives it legs, so that you can sleep above ground level. The 'click-clack' mechanism makes for an easy setup process, and the neat single-bed design takes up minimal space, so it's perfect for narrow living rooms.
There's something classically elegant about a white boucle sofa, and the fact that this one doubles up as a bed is just an added win. The wooden feet add a boost of elevation to offer a more comfortable sleeping experience, and there's plenty of space for two to sleep on this design.
Decorating a small space is all about making the most of what you've got, and chair-beds are one of the easiest ways to add a little extra functionality to your home — IKEA's TORNSBORG Armchair Bed is another great option for compact footprints, too.
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