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

The IKEA blue bag is one of, if not the most, iconic items sold at IKEA. It’s been touted as 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 but, we dare say, 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 and subsequent exhibition 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.

“What we like most about the hack is how it transforms a utilitarian item like the FRAKTA Bag into something completely different and unexpected,” Dr. Self says. “Our design draws upon the iconic identity of the original shopping bag… to express and communicate the transformation from bag to seat.”

A Hacker’s Challenge

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, 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.

How To Make A FRAKTA Bean Bag

Materials:

5 – 6 IKEA FRAKTA Bags

Beanbag inner filler

1 zipper unit (70~88cm)

1 extra blue tarpaulin cloth (If you want to make a bigger size)

Tools:

Small cutter knife

Scissor

Sewing machine

Long needle (#14)

1- 2 Soft threads

Step 1:

Cut the threads attaching the FRAKTA bag’s handle and product name tag and separate them from the blue material using a craft cutting knife. You should then get individual pieces.

Step 2:

Cut the FRAKTA material in the form of 2 right-angled triangles following this size: 500 x 1200 x 1300mm (approximately 197” x 472” x 51”)

Step 3:

Cut the FRAKTA material in the form of 2 trapezoidal squares in this size: 200 x 1400 x 500 x 1368mm (7.87″ x 55.12″ x 19.69″ x 53.84″)

Step 4:

Cut the FRAKTA material in the form of 2 big triangles in this size: 900 x 1300 x 1400mm (35.43” x 51.18” x 55.12”)

Step 5:

Cut the FRAKTA material in the form of a small isosceles triangle measuring 500 x 900 x 900mm (19.69” x 35.43” x 35.43”)

Step 6:

Using a sewing machine, connect the Trapezoidal square (#4) to the 1400mm side and the right-angled triangle (#2) to the 1300mm side of the big triangle (#4), and attach the small isosceles triangle (#5) to the remaining 900mm side.

Step 7:

Repeat step 6 with the remaining fabric to create the opposite side of the bag, and attach it to one of the isosceles triangles.

Step 8:

Using a sewing machine, connect the remaining sides symmetrically. Attach the zipper first to the sides where the right-angled triangles (#2) meet. When connecting the 500mm sides of the Trapezoidal squares (#3), overlap them so that the name tag protrudes outward and sew them together.

Step 9:

Open the zipper and turn the fabric inside out.

Step 10:

Use a needle and thread to attach the handles of the FRAKTA Bag to the desired positions on both sides.

Step 11:

Fill the empty bag with the desired amount of stuffing material.

Step 12: Test out the IKEA Beanbag

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