IKEA Lets Us Travel Back in Time With Its Iconic 1967 ‘Anti-Stress Armchair’ – A Retro Classic and One of the Brand’s 'Biggest Success Stories'

IKEA has brought back one of its most beloved designs from 1967: the MILA swivel easy chair, famously presented as the 'anti-stress armchair' in the 1967 catalogue. Designed by the legendary Gillis Lundgren, it was an immediate success, combining comfort, style, and functionality in a way that felt both modern and timeless.

Inspired by the lowriders of the 1960s and boasting a slightly reclined seat, MILA quickly became one of IKEA’s biggest success stories. Over the years, its colors and covers evolved, but the fundamentals – the wide seat, cushioned foam, and playful swivel base – remained the same.

Now, over 50 years later, it has been given new life under the name DYVLINGE as part of IKEA’s Nytillverkad collection, which revisits classic pieces and adapts them for contemporary homes.

As someone who has always loved retro furniture that feels cozy yet stylish, this revival is a personal favorite. The act of diving into the IKEA archive is a guilty pleasure of mine, and seeing this iconic chair resurface feels like uncovering a hidden gem of design history.

There’s something undeniably satisfying about tracing the lineage of a piece from its original 1960s form to its present-day reinvention – especially when it’s a chair that encourages you to sit back, relax, and stay a while.

The DYVLINGE retains all the qualities that made MILA a design classic. Its wide, low seat and cushioned foam filling invite long stretches of lounging, while the playful swivel base adds a practical, modern twist. Bold colorways, from rich green to vibrant orange, give it a fresh, contemporary edge, proving that retro doesn’t have to mean outdated. Subtle updates, like a five-leg base for stability and eco-friendly materials, ensure the design works seamlessly in modern living spaces while respecting the charm of its 1967 origins.

This revival couldn’t be more timely. Nostalgic decor is back in the zeitgeist, with retro furniture, mid-century shapes, and vintage-inspired interiors enjoying a major resurgence. DYVLINGE fits perfectly within this interior design trend, blending a sense of history with practical functionality. It’s the kind of piece that doesn’t just fill a space – it transforms it, adding warmth, personality, and a touch of 1960s charm. Some designs are simply too good to be left in the past, and this chair is a prime example.

I find myself drawn to it not just for its design but for the memories it evokes. This chair is a nostalgic favorite that I would happily make the centerpiece of my modern living room, a place to curl up with a book, enjoy a moment of calm, or simply revel in the comforting familiarity of a classic design.

Whether you’re a longtime IKEA enthusiast or discovering the brand’s rich heritage for the first time, DYVLINGE captures the magic of timeless furniture: playful, practical, and irresistibly retro. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best way forward is to look back – and in doing so, we get to bring a little piece of the past into our modern lives.

And while this icon may be rooted in history, it’s also very much of the moment. Swivel chairs have become a go-to piece for flexible living, whether in home offices, living rooms, or cozy reading nooks. IKEA has balanced this functional demand with the emotional pull of nostalgia, creating a piece that feels both familiar and entirely new.

It’s a reminder that good design can be playful, practical, and sentimental all at once – a rare trifecta that makes this armchair so compelling.