Is the IKEA DYVLINGE Swivel Chair Worth It According to Reddit?

The IKEA DYVLINGE Swivel Chair has become one of those pieces people buy because it looks fun — and then either become weirdly attached to or realize very quickly that it doesn’t work for their body.

Reddit users consistently praise the chair for being surprisingly comfortable, soft, stylish, and much easier to get out of than its low profile suggests. It works especially well as a reading chair, music chair, or casual accent seat.

But the low seat height is also its biggest weakness. Add in no armrests, a relatively short back, some reports of cushions flattening, and non-removable upholstery, and it becomes a much more specific purchase than the photos might suggest.

We went through the discussions to see who actually loves the DYVLINGE, what problems keep coming up, and who should probably skip it.

The Good

It’s much more comfortable than it looks
- “I thought the chair was too low but then I sat in it (showroom) and it is maybe the most comfortable low chair ever and magically easy to get out of.” (45 upvotes)
- This was one of the most consistent surprises across the discussions: people expect the chair to feel awkward because of how low it sits, then end up liking it once they actually try it.
Tall people can still love it
- “I am 6’3 and my favorite thing in my home.” (15 upvotes)
- Height alone doesn’t seem to determine whether the chair works. Some tall users love it, while others dislike the low seat and short back.
It works especially well as a reading chair
- “I pretty much love mine! I use it as a reading corner chair with a footstool and it works very well for that.” (13 upvotes)
- Pairing it with a footstool seems to solve some of the lounging limitations.
Some long-term owners say it still looks new
- “I have had it for like 1.5 years still looks brand new.” (13 upvotes)
- That’s encouraging given some of the conflicting durability feedback elsewhere.
The fabric is soft and cozy
- “It’s ridiculously soft and cozy when you sit on it.” (10 upvotes)
- Comfort seems to come as much from the plush fabric and relaxed seating position as from the cushion itself.
It can handle real-life mess surprisingly well
- “Love it and use it every day. Dog also gives it some use. Our newborn has puked on it 3 or 4 times and cleaned up perfectly with the wet vac.” (10 upvotes)
- That’s useful given that the upholstery isn’t removable.
The orange color gets a lot of love
- “It’s more bright orange in person and absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend it!” (7 upvotes)
- Several users seem to view the DYVLINGE as much as a statement piece as a functional chair.

The Not So Good

It is very low to the ground
- “I love love this chair. But it’s too low to the ground for me. I prefer something a little higher.” (15 upvotes)
- “I tried this chair recently and decided I’m too old for it 😅. Had to have my friend help me and my crackling knees up.” (6 upvotes)
- This is probably the biggest reason to try it in person before buying.
- Anyone with knee, hip, or mobility issues may find getting in and out much less charming than everyone else does.
It looks bigger online than it feels in person
- “I really wanted this chair until I saw it in person. It looked like a child’s chair and I am a small person.” (20 upvotes)
- Another user said:
- “I think this chair is just too small… only a kid could really do that comfortably.” (12 upvotes)
- If your vision is curling up cross-legged with a blanket and a book, the actual seat may feel more compact than expected.
The lack of armrests comes up constantly
- “If it had armrests would be such a killer item.” (39 upvotes)
- This seems to be one of the most universally wished-for changes.
The backrest is also on the short side
- “And taller backrest.” (13 upvotes)
- If you want head or neck support, this probably isn’t the chair.
Some cushions flatten quickly
- “I keep mine only for the clothes pile and decor. I only sat on it for a few hours total and it pretty much flattened.” (4 upvotes)
- Another owner had two chairs perform very differently:
- “The second one, I’ve only had it for less than 6 months, and it was creaking when I leaned back and the cushions were sunken in.” (8 upvotes)
There may be some quality inconsistency
- “I bought 2 of them… One had problems and less padding in the cushions than the other.” (2 upvotes)
- That suggests it’s worth inspecting the specific chair you receive rather than assuming every unit will feel identical.
The tufted buttons can pop up
- “I’ve had one of these in black for over a year now… What does bother me are the buttons on the seat. They keep popping up.” (13 upvotes)

What Seems Most Worth It

Using it as a reading or lounge chair
- This seems to be the strongest use case.
- A footstool makes it significantly more lounge-friendly.
Using it as an accent chair
- If you care as much about how the room looks as how the chair performs, DYVLINGE makes more sense.
- The bold colors and retro shape are a big part of the appeal.
Casual activities rather than upright work
- Users mentioned reading, guitar playing, relaxing, and occasional guest seating.
- These uses fit the chair much better than desk work.
Homes where pets will inevitably claim it
- Reddit users repeatedly joke that their cats or dogs have basically taken ownership of the chair.
- “Best $200 cat chair money could buy.” (8 upvotes)
- Maybe not the intended use case, but apparently a very common one.

Durability Is the Biggest Question Mark

Some users report excellent longevity
- “I have had it for like 1.5 years still looks brand new.” (13 upvotes)
Others experienced flattening much sooner
- “I only sat on it for a few hours total and it pretty much flattened.” (4 upvotes)
Different chairs may feel noticeably different
- Multiple users reported inconsistencies between units.
- That makes it difficult to say the cushion itself is universally good or bad.

So the durability story seems less like a clear consensus and more like possible quality-control variation.

How It Compares

IKEA POÄNG — another IKEA chair frequently claimed by pets.
- The POÄNG is more traditional and supportive, while the DYVLINGE is more of a low-profile accent/lounge chair.
IKEA LUNNA — preferred by at least one user because of the taller back.
- “They look nice but I much prefer my old Gillis Lundgren Lunna because of the higher back.” (6 upvotes)
- If upper-back support matters, this comparison is worth keeping in mind.
Traditional office chairs — clearly better for computer work.
- DYVLINGE lacks the height, armrests, and ergonomic support needed for extended desk use.
DIY memory foam upgrade — one user replaced the stock bottom cushion with memory foam and reported better comfort.
- That’s useful if you love the chair but eventually find the cushion too soft or flattened.

Is the DYVLINGE Worth the Price?

Some users think the design and comfort justify it
- “Definitely a bit pricey but seems like it’ll hold up for a long time.” (10 upvotes)
Others think IKEA is asking too much
- “I agree that it should be much cheaper than it is.” (13 upvotes)
Value depends heavily on whether you actually use it
- A chair you read in every day is easier to justify than something that turns into a decorative clothes pile.
More colors would make the purchase easier for some
- “Would probably have bought a 2nd one if they had more colour options.” (10 upvotes)

The general Reddit feeling seems to be:

worth it if you genuinely love the shape and sitting position; harder to justify if you’re just buying it because it looks good online.

Tips From Reddit

Sit in it before buying
- This is probably the single most important piece of advice.
- The height and proportions are unusual enough that photos don’t tell you much.
Pair it with a footstool
- Several users found this makes it significantly better for reading and lounging.
Protect the upholstery if you have pets
- Throws and clear scratch protectors can help keep the fabric looking better.
Use a wet vac or upholstery cleaner for messes
- Since the cover isn’t removable, having a practical cleaning method matters.
Consider memory foam if the cushion flattens
- A DIY cushion replacement may extend the useful life of the chair.
Check padding and alignment before keeping it
- Given the reports of inconsistent cushioning and crooked chairs, inspect yours early.
Don’t buy it for a desk
- If you want the look near a workspace, a height-adjustable desk may make occasional use possible, but it still won’t become an ergonomic office chair.

Final Verdict

Reddit’s verdict on the IKEA DYVLINGE is positive, but very dependent on how you plan to use it.

People who love it tend to use it as a reading chair, lounge chair, accent piece, or casual everyday seat. They like the softness, retro look, swivel base, and surprisingly comfortable low seating position.

The people who regret it usually wanted something the chair was never particularly designed to be: a supportive desk chair, a high-backed lounger, or a roomy chair you can completely curl up in.

Best for — reading nooks, casual lounging, music rooms, bedrooms, and accent seating.
Biggest strength — surprisingly comfortable despite the very low profile.
Biggest weakness — low seat height combined with no armrests or neck support.
Think twice if — you have knee or mobility issues, want to work from it, or prefer higher-backed furniture.
Watch for — cushion flattening, uneven padding, popping buttons, and unit-to-unit quality differences.
Best buying strategy — sit in it first and inspect the exact chair you receive.

The most useful Reddit takeaway is probably this:

DYVLINGE is a great lounge chair if your body likes it — and a terrible chair to buy based on photos alone.

And apparently, regardless of what you think, there’s a decent chance your cat will decide it was purchased for them.