IKEA POANG Armchair: The Complete Guide (Variations, Assembly and Spare Parts)
Thirty million units sold in 2016. One and a half million per year for decades. The POANG is not just IKEA's best-selling armchair in history — it's one of the most widespread seats in the world. And yet, behind this immediately recognizable silhouette lie assembly subtleties, poorly documented variations, and pitfalls that even long-time owners are unaware of. This guide covers everything you need to know, whether you've just purchased your first POANG or are looking to replace a part on a fifteen-year-old model.
Anatomy of the POANG: what makes it unique
The POANG is based on a simple but technically sophisticated idea: beech (or birch) plywood bent with heat, also known as bentwood laminate. The frame is not carved from a block of wood. It is made by assembling thin layers of wood glued together and then bent under pressure and heat, a technique that Noboru Nakamura adapted to mass-market furniture when he designed the armchair in 1975.
Why this process is superior to solid wood for this application. Solid wood bent by force cracks along the grain lines. Bent plywood, on the other hand, distributes stress over dozens of layers. The result: a load-bearing arc that absorbs the user's weight like a spring, without a mobile mechanism, without a metal spring, without maintenance. This is the source of the POANG's characteristic rocking motion — not a mechanical rocker, but the natural elasticity of the material.
The frame is covered with a clear lacquer finish that preserves the natural look of the wood. Aesthetic advantage, practical disadvantage: deep scratches go through the protective layer and reach the bare wood underneath, making them more visible than on a solid-tinted finish.
On the seat side, the cushion is held to the frame by a velcro system. This is sufficient for everyday use, but it also means that the cushion is not structurally integral to the frame — it can slip if the velcro ages or if the strips do not align perfectly. We will return to this point.
The variations: which POANG for which use?
The POANG range is more extensive than it appears. IKEA has developed it into several configurations, each with its own dimensions and target audience.
The standard armchair
This is the original POANG. Its dimensions have been standardized for years:
- Total width: 68 cm
- Total depth: 82 cm
- Total height: 100 cm
- Seat width: 56 cm
- Seat depth: 50 cm
- Seat height: 42 cm
A relatively compact armchair for real comfort. It fits into most living rooms, even modest ones, and its footprint remains reasonable thanks to the arc structure that projects the legs forward and backward rather than widening to the sides.
The armchair with footstool
The POANG footstool is sold separately but is designed to be used in tandem with the armchair. It uses the same bent plywood structure, with a matching cushion. This is the configuration recommended for prolonged use — reading, breastfeeding, convalescence — as it allows you to elevate your legs and distribute your weight along the entire length of your body.
Important note: the POANG footstool has its own cushions, distinct from those of the armchair. If you are replacing a cushion, be sure to order the reference corresponding to your part (armchair or footstool).
The rocking chair
The rocking chair version replaces the straight legs with curved legs that allow for active rocking. The movement comes from both the elasticity of the wood and the geometry of the legs. Result: a more pronounced rocking amplitude, ideal for parents with infants or anyone looking for a soothing effect.
Its dimensions are slightly different from the standard model, especially the total depth which extends to about 94 cm to accommodate the legs. The seat height rises to 45 cm. This armchair requires a little more free space in front and behind it to rock freely without hitting a wall or coffee table.
The children's armchair
IKEA offers a children's version of the POANG, structurally identical but reduced to a scale adapted to the youngest. The load capacity is limited (consult the IKEA product sheet for the exact value depending on the year of production). This model is not always available in store — check online availability before you go.
Frame finishes
For several years, IKEA has offered the POANG in three frame finishes:
- Birch veneer: the classic, light natural hue
- Bleached oak veneer: a warmer tone, slightly golden
- Black brown: a dark finish for contemporary or industrial interiors
These three finishes are not interchangeable — the cushions are technically compatible between all, but the aesthetics are radically different.
The NYTILLVERKAD collection (2024)
In 2024, IKEA celebrated its 80th anniversary with the NYTILLVERKAD collection, a heritage reissue of its iconic furniture. The POANG appears alongside the KLIPPAN in a revisited version: lower backrest, streamlined lines, "conversation" spirit rather than "solitary relaxation". A collector's item for Scandinavian design history enthusiasts, representing the complete loop of the armchair's evolution since its birth fifty years ago.
The history of the POANG: fifty years of a moving armchair
1975. Noboru Nakamura, a Japanese designer working for IKEA, designs an armchair he calls POEM. It was launched in 1976. The original structure uses steel tubing — strong, but impossible to flatten for flat-pack transport and shipping.
1992 is the pivotal year. IKEA replaces the steel with bent beech plywood, renames the armchair POANG, and achieves two simultaneous gains: the furniture becomes flat-pack (packable flat) and the price drops by 21%. This change is what transforms a good design armchair into a global commercial phenomenon.
The evolution of the POANG illustrates an IKEA principle rarely so well documented: logistical constraint (being able to put it in a flat box) can generate a better technical solution and a cheaper product. Bent plywood is objectively superior to steel tubing for this application — lighter, more elastic, more comfortable.
Assembly guide: what the instructions don't say loudly enough
Assembling the POANG is quick — less than twenty minutes with experience. But there is one part on which you cannot afford to make a mistake.
The plastic washer: the critical part
Among the parts in the kit is a plastic washer (sometimes several depending on the versions) that is inserted between the wooden frame elements at the points of articulation. Its role is to ensure that the wooden parts sit flat against each other, without play, without direct metal-on-wood contact.
If you forget this washer during assembly, or if you lose it during a move, the consequences are immediate and progressive: abnormal lateral oscillation of the frame, creaking under weight, premature wear of the contact points. This is not a design flaw — it's an assembly error. Systematically check the presence of all washers before tightening the last bolts.
The IKEA assembly instructions list the parts at the beginning of the document with their symbols. Take thirty seconds to take inventory before you begin.
Tools needed
- An Allen key (supplied in the screw bag)
- A flat or adjustable wrench for the frame bolts
- Possibly, a Phillips screwdriver for the cushion fixing screws if your version is equipped
No drill, no mallet needed. If you force a part, it's not in the right direction.
Tightening torque
Bent plywood cannot withstand over-tightening. Tighten the bolts until the parts are solid and stable — not all the way in. Excessive torque can crack the wood at the bores. If you re-tighten the armchair after several years of use, be particularly careful on parts that have already been subjected to cyclical stresses.
Pitfalls and special cases
The cushion that doesn't stay put
This is the most frequent complaint about replacement cushions purchased separately. The problem comes from a misalignment of the velcro strips between the new cushion and the old frame. Two possible causes:
Cause 1 — Modified cushion version. IKEA discreetly evolves its products. A replacement cushion purchased in 2024 may have slightly different dimensions than an original cushion from 2015. The width may have moved by a few centimeters, enough for the velcro strips to no longer overlap correctly.
Cause 2 — Dirty or flattened velcro. Velcro has a limited lifespan, especially if the cushion has been machine washed repeatedly (the hooks collapse). Before buying a new cushion, test your existing velcro with repositionable double-sided tape to see if the problem comes from the velcro or the alignment.
The proper solution: reposition the velcro strips by carefully peeling them off and re-gluing them to the correct position, or replace them with adhesive velcro from a haberdashery.
The support canvas not available as a spare part
The POANG incorporates a support canvas stretched between the branches of the frame, on which the cushion rests. This canvas is not available as an official spare part at IKEA. If it tears or loosens, you have two options: contact IKEA customer service and hope for an exception, or have it replaced by an upholsterer with an elastic webbing strap of the same width.
Screws and bolts not found in store
IKEA does not sell its screws and bolts on the shelf. POANG screws and bolts are only available through the spare parts service. Two official channels:
- Online on ikea.com, "Spare parts and screws" section — standard screws are free and shipped within about ten business days
- In store, at customer service, by presenting your assembly instructions (which lists the exact references of the parts)
For parts not listed in screws (plastic washers, structural elements), the website ikparts.fr or its English equivalent ikparts.com offer compatible replacement parts.
FAQ: frequently asked questions
Can you only replace the cushion without changing the frame?
Yes, and it's even the recommended way. IKEA sells POANG cushions separately, with a wide range of colors and materials. The frame lasts for decades if the initial assembly was done correctly.
Are POANG cushions washable?
It depends on the fabric. Most fabric covers are removable and machine washable at low temperature. Leather and faux leather versions are maintained with a damp cloth only. Check the composition label sewn onto your cushion.
How much weight can the POANG support?
The standard load capacity of the adult armchair is 110 kg. The children's version has a lower capacity — consult the product sheet of your exact model.
Can you use a POANG cushion from an earlier generation on a current frame?
In theory yes, since the frame has not changed dimensions since 1992. In practice, the slight variations in cushion width between generations can create velcro alignment problems. Test before validating.
My frame creaks — is that normal?
A slight creak when cold on the first press of the day is normal (wood expansion). Repeated creaks under weight during normal use indicate either a loose bolt or a missing plastic washer. Loosen, check, tighten.
Where to find IKEA POANG spare parts?
Directly via the IKEA customer service for standard screws (free). For cushions, via ikea.com or in store. For structural parts or washers, via third-party specialized suppliers if IKEA cannot provide them.
*Sources consulted: IKEA France — POANG series, IKEA — Spare parts and screws, IKEA Belgium — NYTILLVERKAD collection, Dimensions.com — POANG Rocking Chair, ikparts.com — POANG spare parts*
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