What To Know About The IKEA POANG Chair Before Investing

With its classic silhouette and practical features, the IKEA POÄNG chair has been a hit since 1976. Invented by Japanese designer Noboru Nakamura, it's popped up in countless homes over the decades thanks to its sleek, minimalist look and comfy curves. The chair's distinctive frame not only looks elegant, but it also offers a gentle rocking motion that follows your body's natural movements, reducing pressure and enhancing comfort. And despite it looking light and airy, the POÄNG chair is incredibly durable — built to last for years. The frame is made from bentwood, which makes it sturdy yet flexible. IKEA claims that the chair can support weights of up to 375 pounds. 

Over the years, IKEA has made some tweaks to the POÄNG chair to improve its durability and comfort. These include updating the upholstery options and choosing better materials to keep up with changing lifestyles and popular design trends. But the overall style has stayed pretty much the same since its debut. Probably the most noticeable update came with the recent release in the Nytillverkad collection, where IKEA removed the headrest and tweaked the seating angle to create a low-back version of its classic silhouette. But, whether you buy a brand-new POÄNG or score a vintage one, you can trust it maintains the same design principles that have made it a favorite for decades. It also comes in various finishes and colors, so you can find one that perfectly fits your décor. You can easily customize it, too.

Wondering how to make a POÄNG chair look even better? Make it your own. Fortunately, one of the best things about the POÄNG chair is how customizable it is. IKEA offers a variety of POÄNG cushion covers in different colors, patterns, and materials that you can easily swap out. They are sold separately from the frame, which might seem like a hassle at first, but it actually gives you more flexibility. You get to choose from an assortment of cushion styles and materials, including fabric and leather options, each available in different colors. This means you can mix and match to create a look that fits your personal interior style and won't clash with a cohesive color palette. You can also easily switch the covers out whenever you're ready for a fresh, new look.

Attaching a POÄNG cushion is simple. Most cushions you can just lay on your chair, while some, like the ones made of Glose grain leather (available at IKEA for $164), have straps to keep them snug on the frame. For the regular cushions, just place them on the chair and make sure they're lined up nicely. If there are straps, fasten them around the frame. This keeps everything in place, so you stay comfy and the chair stays sleek. You can also throw on a blanket or add a cute cushion. If you're wondering if IKEA pillows are worth buying, many have good reviews, especially decorative options like the round KRANSBORRE ($13.99 from IKEA). 

The POÄNG chair has received an impressive 4.7-star rating based on 357 reviews on IKEA, with 297 of those being perfect 5-star ratings. Customers consistently praise its simple and streamlined design, which makes it one of the best accent chairs for living rooms and apartments. Comfort is another major highlight. One satisfied customer shared, "This chair just happens to perfectly fit my proportions so that my feet hit the floor and the headrest is correctly positioned. It's a great resting chair, very relaxing and supportive. My husband and I both love this chair so much we're considering getting another one."

However, there is some mixed feedback regarding the headrest cushion. One customer mentioned, "The headrest cushion is too large and uncomfortable. I have had to spend hours sitting in the chair during the night due to health issues, and it pushes my head forward, causing more problems. If they offered all the fabrics in both styles (with and without headrest), I would have definitely chosen the one without." Overall, the POÄNG chair gets a thumbs-up for its awesome design and comfort, but it's crucial to think about personal preferences, especially when it comes to the headrest. If you want a version without the headrest, consider the reimagined POÄNG armchair in the Nytillverkad collection.