Is This the Most Unexpected Beanbag Ever? It’s Made from an IKEA Bag

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The IKEA blue bag is one of, if not the most, iconic items sold at IKEA. It’s been touted to be indestructible, the most versatile bag in the world, and an all-time favorite for hacks.

It’s not unexpected that a doctoral researcher in South Korea honed in on hacking the blue bag for his research. He transformed the iconic IKEA FRAKTA blue bag into a stylish, crinkly beanbag that looks good and is surprisingly comfortable.

Dr. James Andrew Self and his teammates, Ga-eul Han and Jinhee Cha from the Design Department at UNIST, a science and engineering institute, used the FRAKTA bag as part of his research project on the “common transformative nature of IKEA hacking and design-driven innovation focusing on the transformation of physical and/or functional elements into new meanings.”

In short, the research explored how people felt about this change to the brand and if the familiar bag could become something beautiful and practical.

From Shopping Bag to Seating

The project involved turning the FRAKTA bag into something entirely new. The design process used 5-6 bags and took approximately 25 hours. Costs varied depending on materials and additional tools.

Design Process

This meticulous process involved the initial design phase, followed by actual production. The initial first step was to deconstruct the bag. The team removed the IKEA handles and labels from the bags and cut the threads to separate the pieces.

Cutting To Dimension

To maximize material usage, the bag material was cut following a four-piece pattern designed for the beanbag. He also supplemented with an extra blue tarpaulin cloth in order to make a larger beanbag.

Sewn Together

Using a sewing machine, the pieces of FRAKTA and extra tarpaulin material were connected together, repeating the same steps for the opposite side of the bag. And a long zipper was sewn to one side.

Flip it

Once the sewing was done, they unzipped and turned the fabric inside out.

And voilà!

For the finishing touch, they used a needle and thread to attach the handles of the FRAKTA bag to both sides of the beanbag, serving as handles for the bag.

Fill with beanbag stuffing

Lastly, they filled the empty bag with the stuffing material, and the IKEA Beanbag was ready.

Take A Seat

While the result is a comfy seat, working with the bag’s material, polypropylene, commonly known as tarpaulin, proved to be the trickiest part.

“Tarpaulin can be tricky to sew and may slip or tear easily if not handled carefully,” Dr. Self warns.

His advice for those attempting a similar hack? Patience and attention to detail, particularly when working with the triangular pieces. Numbering them beforehand can ensure a successful outcome.

Positive Reception to IKEA Beanbag

The attention-grabbing IKEA beanbag has received positive feedback at a design exhibition, with viewers impressed by its creativity and functionality. Some have even expressed interest in recreating the design themselves.

“Overall, it has been a rewarding experience to share my design innovation journey with others through this hack,” Dr. Self concludes.

This innovative project highlights the potential of design hacking to breathe new life into everyday objects, inspiring creativity and resourcefulness.

IKEA Beanbag instructions

The team even created IKEA-style assembly instructions for the beanbag. More detailed instructions for the IKEA Beanbag, including cut sizes, can be found on IKEAhackers.

FRAKTA Continues To Amaze

IKEA fans continue to find incredible uses for the IKEA blue bag. Tina’s clever IKEA hack for a typical wedding day problem went viral and has become a wedding day essential. With a long mermaid wedding dress, she was worried about “going to the bathroom and not being able to handle myself.” She chanced upon the idea of turning the blue bag into a bridal bathroom helper, enabling her to go to the bathroom on her own. All she needed to do was cut the base of the bag — large enough to go around her hips. She recommends the cut to be snug so the gown’s skirt doesn’t fall through. Place the longer straps on the shoulders to hold up the bag with the skirt tucked inside.

She’s No Bag Lady

A blue bag halter dress? You bet. Adriana says, “I fashioned the top of the bag and one handle as the neckline and halter for the top of the dress. Then, I cut open the seams of the rest of the bag to make a backless A-Line outfit. I sewed darts in the front and back to be shapely for my bust and back. I cut the long handles off of two more bags to create ties for the back of the dress. Waterproof and ready to tote!”

Roll Top Backpack

This is a waterproof, lightweight roll-top backpack that’s fabulous for bikers. It repels rain and is easy to carry around.

Get Ready To Grill

Make a large stain-proof apron to gear up for sizzling summer barbecues. If you get any stains on it, just wipe them off with a damp towel, and you’re good to go. One thing to note is that the bag material (polypropylene) is stain-resistant, NOT flame retardant, so be careful near the grill.

Dog Igloo Hack

This dog igloo (you can probably use it for a cat, too) is made from IKEA FRAKTA bags and a thin foam mattress. You can also use an old crib mattress, especially if you no longer need it or it’s worn out. The foam provides insulation. It will trap your dog’s own body heat and keep the inside of the tunnel warm and cozy. Bookmark this for when colder weather comes around again.

The Affordable Dog Rain Coat

A FRAKTA blue bag is an excellent material for a dog raincoat. It’s as easy as unstitching the IKEA bag, cutting it into a rectangle to fit your dog, and reattaching the long handles to tie around the neck and belly.