IKEA VÅRKUMLA chair-bed: a 70s comeback for modern homes

Soft contours, rich blue upholstery and a close-to-the-floor profile are making a subtle return to living rooms this season, albeit with a recognisable new angle.

With colder weather arriving and nights becoming longer, people are increasingly looking for living areas that feel informal, spacious and simple to adapt. In response, IKEA has revisited its archives to bring back a 1970s design that furniture enthusiasts have been following for years. The resulting relaunch speaks directly to the current appetite for modular furniture with nostalgic appeal.

IKEA’s 70s return: why the VÅRKUMLA chair-bed matters today

At the centre of the trend is VÅRKUMLA, a low, chunky chair-bed first created in 1973 as TAJT by Gillis Lundgren. It has been reintroduced through IKEA’s Nytillverkad collection, a limited range that refreshes archival designs using contemporary materials, colours and comfort requirements.

VÅRKUMLA sits at the crossroads of three big trends: compact living, modular layouts and a renewed appetite for 70s design.

The model is already attracting attention from collectors and younger tenants across social media and design forums, particularly among those seeking more personality than a conventional sofa bed offers. VÅRKUMLA serves as a multi-purpose item: lounge chair, occasional bed and visual focal point in one.

A 1970s reference in denim-style upholstery

Its cover is the first feature to stand out: a dark blue Vansta fabric with the appearance of denim. It nods to the era in which jeans evolved from practical workwear into an everyday staple, transferring that laid-back quality into the home.

Visually, the shade functions much like a neutral navy, while bringing more character than grey. It works particularly well alongside:

• warm timber finishes including oak, walnut and teak
• terracotta or rust-coloured cushions
• cream rugs and off-white walls
• brass or black-steel metallic details

The tightly woven blend of cotton and recycled polyester feels soft yet lightly structured, more like a well-made pair of jeans than a delicate loose cover. Its texture reinforces the sought-after 1970s character: tactile, easy-going and slightly unrefined.

Why this reissue matters to vintage enthusiasts

For fans of design, this goes beyond another new product launch. IKEA’s archival designs document the development of democratic design, from early flat-pack ideas to practical solutions for smaller homes. TAJT, VÅRKUMLA’s original version, captured this approach through straightforward cushions, a steel structure and adaptable functionality.

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 search resale sites for comparable 1970s modules, often facing inconsistent prices and worn-out foam. Through Nytillverkad, IKEA effectively makes this retro aesthetic more accessible while incorporating modern foam, recycled materials and a lengthy guarantee. That makes it feel less like an uncertain impulse buy and more like a deliberate purchase with nostalgic value.

More than a sofa: modular comfort for everyday homes

VÅRKUMLA is particularly notable for its ability to perform several functions in compact interiors. Rather than filling a room with a large, weighty sofa, it provides a lightweight, low-level piece that can change position according to the occasion.

How it changes from chair to bed

The design is made up of two principal cushions, which open out into a single mattress measuring roughly 220 cm long. When used as a seat, it occupies approximately 91 × 90 cm; unfolded as a bed, it extends to 220 × 91 cm.

Configuration	Dimensions (approx.)	Main use
Seat	91 × 90 cm	Lounge chair, reading corner
Bed	220 × 91 cm	Single guest bed

Changing between the two formats takes only a handful of movements. There is no concealed metal mechanism and no cumbersome backrest to manoeuvre. For students and tenants who regularly alter their layouts, this practicality is as important as its appearance.

Suitable uses for VÅRKUMLA

The design is intended for homes needing adaptable seating as well as an occasional place to sleep. Typical uses include:

• a studio flat, where one piece functions as a daytime sofa and guest bed
• a teenager’s bedroom needing an extra sleeping place for friends
• a home office that occasionally becomes a spare room
• a television area where sitting close to the floor feels more relaxed than using a firm sofa

VÅRKUMLA suits people who want freedom to reconfigure a room without investing in oversized furniture.

Its single-bed format is best suited to occasional sleeping rather than use as a main bed. Although it offers enough length for adults, its width is nearer to that of a roomy single mattress than a small double. Buyers expecting frequent overnight guests may prefer to place two modules next to each other.

Materials, longevity and the 10-year commitment

Behind the informal denim-like exterior, the construction reflects IKEA’s more recent emphasis on hard-wearing, clearly specified materials. The frame is made from steel, and the high-density foam contains a substantial proportion of recycled content. Areas subject to key pressure points use full-grain cow leather, which develops more favourably over time than synthetic substitutes.

Care requirements are uncomplicated: vacuum it regularly and wipe it occasionally with a damp cloth. As the cover cannot be machine washed, this could be a drawback for households with pets or young children. In day-to-day use, many owners may choose to cover it with a light throw or protective blanket.

A 10-year guarantee underpins its long-term promise. At a price of around 279 euros in continental Europe, that period suggests a move away from throwaway furniture and towards slower, more considered buying decisions.

Who this retro chair-bed is aimed at

Although the reissue has broad appeal, it is especially well suited to several types of buyer.

• Urban tenants who move regularly and do not want large corner sofas
• Young professionals furnishing their first more grown-up living room within a carefully planned budget
• Vintage enthusiasts seeking a 70s look without having to restore a delicate original
• Hosts who require an additional bed a few times annually rather than every week

In larger properties, VÅRKUMLA may work better as an additional seat in a reading space by a window, a games room or a relaxed area outside bedrooms. In smaller homes, it can become the principal seating element around a low table.

Benefits and limitations to consider before buying

Its advantages are easy to identify:

• a recognisable 70s-influenced look that appears contemporary rather than theatrical
• a comparatively accessible price for a branded piece based on an archive design
• straightforward conversion from seat to single bed
• a low profile that maintains open sightlines in compact rooms
• styling that suits both minimalist and maximalist interiors

There are, however, a few limitations worth considering:

• sleeping space for one person only, making it more appropriate for guests than for a couple’s everyday use
• a fixed, non-machine-washable cover that requires mindful daily care
• a striking denim shade that may not work with highly formal or ultra-minimal rooms

70s style, 2020s requirements: making it work at home

VÅRKUMLA sits comfortably within the broader revival of 1970s interiors, alongside corduroy, rounded lamps and low coffee tables. To prevent the result from feeling like a themed set, interior stylists generally offset strong vintage elements with quieter contemporary furniture.

Straightforward styling options include:

• combining the blue denim seat with a neutral wool rug and a streamlined oak shelving unit
• introducing one or two patterned cushions in mustard, burnt orange or chocolate brown
• choosing a simple rice-paper lamp or mushroom-shaped lamp to soften the area
• keeping technology understated with a compact speaker instead of a large sound system

The goal is a relaxed, layered room where the retro note feels natural, not theatrical.

In particularly compact rooms, the low design also affects how the space is perceived: sightlines travel above the furniture, making the room appear less congested. In a 25 m² flat, that can be as important when planning the layout as storage provision or seating capacity.

Beyond VÅRKUMLA: what it reveals about furniture trends

The reappearance of this chair-bed points to a broader movement in mass-market furniture. Major retailers are now reusing their own design histories, much as fashion brands reissue archive trainers and handbags. For consumers, this has two practical implications.

Firstly, the visual language of design becomes more widely recognisable. Forms once viewed as niche, including low modules and monobloc cushions, are now available through mainstream retailers. This makes it simpler to combine second-hand finds with new furniture without creating visual tension.

Secondly, modular design is moving from specialist retailers into the everyday market. Furniture that can become a seat, lounger or bed directly answers uncertain housing arrangements, including house shares, frequent relocations and rooms with multiple purposes. Rather than purchasing separate guest beds, armchairs and daybeds, buyers can select one item that adapts as their circumstances change.

For anyone considering an update to a small living room, VÅRKUMLA provides a useful example. It is possible to plan a layout around two of these modules, a low table and a narrow shelving unit, then compare it with a more conventional sofa-and-armchair arrangement. Beyond the visual result, this comparison often exposes alternative ways to use the room: more floor-level seating, more informal get-togethers and easier rearrangement for yoga, gaming or working from home.