Ever since I discovered the joys of bean bags, I automatically sit on one whenever I see one at a coffee shop, library, or at my friend’s house. There’s something really comfortable about sinking in almost to the floor on these mostly comfortable chair alternatives instead of sitting on a chair or couch. There are times when I can actually sleep in those things, although it’s not good for the back or neck afterwards. I sometimes want to take a peek inside though as to what are the materials there inside.

Designer: Shayan Ramesht

Transparent Bean Bag is what its name says it is. The concept is to have a bean bag that you can see what’s inside since the outer part is of a transparent, plastic material. There are two ideas behind this design: to use recycled materials and also to take advantage of the raw aesthetic of said recycled materials. They used the excess foam from a furniture workshop to not just reduce the carbon footprint that a normal bean bag would have but also to reduce the production cost since you just re-use what is already been discarded.

The usual bean bag has an emphasis on the outer wrapping as the main design. But this time around, the volumetric material (mass) that’s inside the bean bag takes center stage. It’s like seeing a bunch of different colored popcorn squished inside the transparent bag when you sit on it. There are several advantages to having a transparent bean bag. For one, it can be more aesthetically pleasing. You can also customize the “content” inside to show more colorful elements and fillers, or even a more minimalist approach. They can also blend in better with different kinds of surroundings, especially if you are able to customize what’s inside.

Maintenance can also be better for this kind of bean bag since the transparent plastic material is often water-resistant and easy to wipe off. It would be nice also if the material inside can be replaced eventually, although that may defeat the idea of using more sustainable materials. This is a pretty interesting kind of item to have in my space and the Architecture Masterprize seems to think so too since they chose it as one of the best products last year.

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Sleep has become a luxury for a lot of people because of the fast-paced work lifestyle and also the distraction of our gadgets. Singapore is apparently the third most sleep-deprived country in the world and people taking naps in public is a common sight in this Southeast Asian country. IKEA Singapore has come up with a new product for those who may need to take a quick nap while commuting or at other public spaces.

Designer: Secret Little Agency for IKEA Singapore

The RESTEN bag looks like the iconic blue FRAKTA bag of IKEA, but this one also doubles as a huggable bag or pillow for those who need a quick nap. The padded design of the bag resembles that of a pillow but keeping the blue color and design of the IKEA reusable bag. It was made with ultra comfortable fabrics and stuffing with enough space to put your daily essentials.

The main appeal of this bag though is that when you’re commuting on a bus or train or studying at the library, it will double as a pillow when you need a quick nap. It also has a strap that has the words “Leave the rest to IKEA” so you can also remember to take a quick break every once in a while.

The RESTEN bag is a limited edition item that will be available at IKEA Singapore branches from September 6-8, 2024 as part of their RestFest event. It would be nice if they can also make this available in other sleep-deprived countries like mine.

The post IKEA brings makeshift pillow bag to sleep-deprived Singaporeans first appeared on Yanko Design.