Soft curves, rich blue upholstery and a low-to-the-ground profile are quietly making their way back into living rooms this season - with a recognisable throwback.
As the weather cools and nights draw in, many households are leaning towards rooms that feel easy-going, spacious and simple to adapt. In that context, IKEA has gone back through its archives and revived a 1970s piece that design lovers have kept an eye on for years. The outcome is a confident relaunch that lands right in the middle of today’s enthusiasm for modular, nostalgia-led furniture.
IKEA’s 70s comeback: why the VÅRKUMLA chair-bed matters now
The current headline act is VÅRKUMLA: a squat, block-like chair-bed first created in 1973 by Gillis Lundgren, when it was sold as TAJT. It’s back as part of IKEA’s Nytillverkad collection - a limited capsule that reintroduces archive designs using up-to-date materials, colours and comfort expectations.
"VÅRKUMLA sits at the crossroads of three big trends: compact living, modular layouts and a renewed appetite for 70s design."
Across social media and design communities, it has already prompted reactions from collectors and younger renters alike - particularly those after something with more personality than a typical sofa bed. VÅRKUMLA offers a blended proposition: a lounging chair, an occasional bed and a visual statement rolled into one.
A denim-clad nod to the 1970s
What you notice first is the cover: Vansta, a deep blue fabric with a denim-like character. It nods to the era when jeans shifted from practical workwear to an everyday staple - and that laid-back sensibility is now turning up in the sitting room.
Visually, the shade reads almost like a neutral navy, yet it brings more character than grey. It sits particularly well alongside:
- warm timbers such as oak, walnut or teak
- terracotta or rust-coloured cushions
- cream rugs and off-white walls
- metallic touches in brass or black steel
Thanks to its blend of dense cotton and recycled polyester, the fabric feels soft but slightly structured - nearer to a good pair of jeans than a delicate slipcover. That tactility is part of the wider 70s appeal people are chasing: textured, relaxed and a little unpolished.
Why vintage fans care about this reissue
For design-minded buyers, this isn’t simply another product drop. IKEA’s archive releases trace the story of democratic design - from early flat-pack experimentation to smarter answers for smaller homes. TAJT, the original VÅRKUMLA, captured that approach through straightforward cushions, a steel structure and genuinely flexible use.
"Having VÅRKUMLA back in stores gives access to a piece of IKEA design history without the hunt for a worn second-hand model."
Collectors regularly trawl resale sites for comparable 1970s modules, often facing inconsistent pricing and foam that’s past its best. With Nytillverkad, IKEA effectively makes the retro look easier to buy new, while updating it with modern foams, recycled inputs and a long guarantee. For many, that turns it from a risky whim into a more deliberate purchase - still nostalgic, but far more predictable.
More than a sofa: modular comfort for real-world homes
VÅRKUMLA’s real strength is how naturally it takes on multiple jobs in compact interiors. Rather than a bulky sofa that anchors the entire room, it’s a light, low element you can shift around as needs change.
From chair to bed: how the mechanism works
The build centres on two large cushions that fold out to create a single sleeping surface measuring roughly 220 cm long. As a seat, it occupies about 91 × 90 cm; laid out as a bed, it extends to about 220 × 91 cm.
| Configuration | Dimensions (approx.) | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | 91 × 90 cm | Lounge chair, reading corner |
| Bed | 220 × 91 cm | Single guest bed |
Switching between the two takes only a handful of simple motions. There’s no concealed metal contraption and no hefty backrest to haul into place. For students and renters who rework their rooms regularly, that ease can be just as important as the look.
Ideal scenarios for VÅRKUMLA
The format is aimed at homes that need seating with the option of occasional sleeping. Typical uses include:
- a studio flat where one item serves as daytime seating and a guest bed
- a teenager’s bedroom that needs an extra place for friends to stay over
- a home office that can also function as a spare room
- a TV corner where low-level lounging feels more relaxed than a stiff sofa
"VÅRKUMLA suits people who want freedom to reconfigure a room without investing in oversized furniture."
As a single-bed solution, it’s best viewed as occasional rather than everyday. The length is adult-friendly, but the width is closer to a roomy single than a small double. If overnight guests are frequent, some people may prefer two modules placed side by side.
Materials, durability and the 10-year bet
Under the casual denim-style exterior, the construction reflects IKEA’s more recent focus on sturdier, clearly specified materials. The frame is steel, while the high-density foam contains a substantial proportion of recycled content. At key wear points, full-grain cow leather components are used, which tend to age more attractively than synthetic substitutes.
Care is straightforward: vacuum routinely and wipe now and then with a damp cloth. The cover isn’t machine-washable, which could be a drawback for households with pets or small children. In day-to-day use, many owners will probably add a light throw or protective blanket.
A 10-year guarantee underlines the intention for long service. At a price of around 279 euros in continental Europe, that timescale suggests a move away from throwaway purchases and towards slower, more considered buying.
Who this retro chair-bed really targets
The re-release is broad in appeal, though it fits certain types of buyer especially well:
- city renters who move frequently and steer clear of bulky corner sofas
- young professionals furnishing their first “grown-up” living room on a sensible budget
- vintage lovers who want 70s atmosphere without restoring a delicate original
- hosts who need an extra bed a few times a year rather than every week
In larger homes, VÅRKUMLA may be treated as an additional perch - ideal for a window-side reading nook, a games room, or a casual spot outside bedrooms. In smaller properties, it can become the main seating block around a low table.
Strengths and limits: what to weigh before buying
The advantages are fairly clear:
- a distinctive 70s-led shape that feels contemporary rather than fancy-dress
- a comparatively approachable price for a branded, archive-derived design
- quick, uncomplicated changeover from seat to single bed
- a low height that helps keep small rooms visually open
- an aesthetic that can work with both minimalist and maximalist schemes
There are also limitations worth noting:
- sleeping space for one person only, so better for guests than daily use by a couple
- a fixed cover that can’t be removed or put in the washing machine, encouraging careful everyday use
- a strong denim-blue tone that may not suit very formal or ultra-minimal spaces
70s style, 2020s needs: how to work it into your home
VÅRKUMLA sits comfortably within the wider 70s revival - alongside corduroy, rounded lamps and low coffee tables. To prevent the room feeling like a set, stylists typically offset bold retro cues with calmer, modern elements.
Simple pairings include:
- setting the blue denim seat against a neutral wool rug and a clean-lined oak shelving unit
- adding one or two patterned cushions in mustard, burnt orange or chocolate brown
- choosing a plain rice-paper lamp or a mushroom-shaped light to soften the area
- keeping tech understated, with a small speaker rather than an oversized sound system
"The goal is a relaxed, layered room where the retro note feels natural, not theatrical."
In very small rooms, the low silhouette also changes how the space reads: your eyeline travels over the furniture, helping the room feel less packed. That visual openness can be as valuable as storage or seating numbers when you’re planning the layout of a 25 m² flat.
Beyond VÅRKUMLA: what this says about furniture trends
The return of this chair-bed points to a broader change in mainstream furniture: big retailers are reusing their own back catalogues, much like fashion brands resurrect archive trainers or classic bags. For shoppers, that has two practical knock-on effects.
First, the design language becomes easier to live with. Forms that once felt niche - like low modules or single-piece cushion blocks - are now commonplace on the high street. As a result, mixing second-hand finds with new buys is less likely to clash.
Second, modular living is moving from specialist retailers into the everyday market. Furniture that can act as a seat, lounger and bed speaks directly to less stable living arrangements: flat-shares, regular moves and rooms that need to do double duty. Instead of purchasing separate armchairs, guest beds and daybeds, people opt for one piece that adapts as their life changes.
For anyone considering a refresh of a small living room, VÅRKUMLA works as a useful reference point. You can draft a plan using a couple of modules, a low table and a slim shelving unit, then compare it with a more traditional sofa-and-armchair layout. Beyond appearance, that comparison often reveals different ways of using the room: more floor lounging, more informal get-togethers, and easier reconfiguration for yoga, gaming or working from home.
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