IKEA Antilop High Chair 2026: Why Australian Mums Love the $35 Chair (Plus Best Accessories)
If you’ve spent any time in Australian mum groups on Facebook or scrolling through parenting forums lately, you’ve probably noticed one humble white high chair popping up again and again. The IKEA Antilop has quietly become a bit of a legend among Aussie parents — and for very good reason. At just $35 in 2026, it’s one of the most affordable feeding solutions on the market, and yet it consistently outperforms chairs costing five or even ten times as much.
I get it though — when you’re standing in a baby shop being shown $400 high chairs with built-in recline functions, leather padding and adjustable everything, it feels almost too good to be true that a $35 chair could do the job just as well. Surely there’s a catch? As a parenting writer (and a mum who has wiped more mashed avocado off more high chairs than I care to count), I wanted to dig into exactly why this little chair has earned such a devoted following.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the IKEA high chair in 2026 — what makes it special, where it falls short, the best IKEA high chair accessories to make it even better, and how it stacks up against other popular options at Baby Bunting, Kmart and Target. Grab a cuppa, and let’s get into it.
What Is the IKEA Antilop High Chair?
The IKEA Antilop is a no-frills, plastic high chair with detachable metal legs. It’s been a staple in IKEA’s range for years, and in 2026 it remains almost unchanged — which is actually a testament to how well the original design works. The chair consists of a single moulded plastic seat, a safety strap, and four screw-in metal legs with rubber feet.
The whole thing weighs around 3.4kg, which means you can pick it up with one hand while balancing a wriggling baby on your hip with the other. The seat is designed for babies who can sit up unassisted (usually from around 6 months) up to roughly three years of age.
What makes it so beloved by Australian families is its sheer simplicity. There are no crevices for food to wedge into, no fabric padding that soaks up spilled yoghurt, and no fiddly mechanisms to break. When dinner is over, you simply pop off the tray, give the whole thing a wipe (or hose it down on the back deck in summer), and you’re done.
2026 Pricing Breakdown
Here’s what you can expect to pay at IKEA Australia in 2026:
| Item | Price (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Antilop High Chair (legs only, no tray) | $25 |
| Antilop High Chair with Tray | $35 |
| Replacement Tray (Klämmig or standard) | $10 |
| Antilop Support Cushion | $8 |
Do note that IKEA delivery fees within Australia can add $10–$69 depending on your location, so if you live near a store (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth or Canberra), it’s well worth picking it up in person or ordering through their click-and-collect service.
Want to see how these stack up? We’ve reviewed 20 high chairs in total.
Why Australian Mums Love the IKEA High Chair
So what is it about this unassuming chair that has won over so many Aussie parents? Let me break down the main reasons.
1. It’s Genuinely Easy to Clean
This is the number one reason mums rave about it. Baby-led weaning and the general chaos of toddler mealtimes mean food goes everywhere. The smooth, seamless plastic of the Antilop means there are no nooks for crusty Weet-Bix or squished banana to hide. A quick wipe with a cloth handles most messes, and for a deep clean, the entire chair can go in the shower or out into the backyard for a rinse with the garden hose. Anyone who has battled with the fabric straps and padded inserts of fancier chairs will understand what a relief this is.
2. The Price Is Unbeatable
At $35, the IKEA high chair costs less than a fortnightly grocery shop’s worth of nappies. For families on a budget — which, let’s be honest, is most of us in 2026 with the cost of living the way it is — this is a massive win. It also makes it an ideal second chair to keep at Grandma’s house or for the holiday home.
3. It Meets Australian Safety Standards
The Antilop complies with the relevant Australian safety requirements and carries a five-point-capable harness system (with the right accessory) plus a sturdy crotch post to prevent your little one sliding underneath the tray. The ACCC sets mandatory safety standards for high chairs sold in Australia, and IKEA products sold here are required to meet them. Always check the chair is correctly assembled and the strap is properly fastened at every meal.
4. It’s Lightweight and Portable
The legs unscrew easily, making the Antilop one of the few high chairs you can actually disassemble and throw in the boot of the car for a weekend away or a Christmas lunch at the in-laws. Many families buy a second one purely as a travel chair.
5. It Looks Clean and Minimalist
If you’re not keen on bulky, brightly coloured plastic furniture dominating your kitchen, the simple white-and-grey aesthetic of the Antilop blends in beautifully with most Australian homes. It’s compact and doesn’t shout ‘baby zone’ the way some larger chairs do.
The Honest Downsides You Should Know
I promised you honesty, so let’s talk about where the IKEA high chair falls short. It’s not perfect, and depending on your needs, these drawbacks might matter.
No Footrest (Out of the Box)
This is the big one. The standard Antilop comes with no footrest, which means your baby’s legs dangle freely. A footrest isn’t just about comfort — having somewhere to plant their feet actually helps babies sit more stably and can support better eating and even reduce choking risk by giving them a grounded posture. The good news? There are excellent third-party solutions (more on the IKEA high chair foot rest options below).
No Recline or Height Adjustment
Unlike pricier chairs, the Antilop sits at one fixed height and doesn’t recline. For most families this is a non-issue, but if you have a low dining table or want a chair that grows into a toddler seat, you may want to consider alternatives.
The Basic Strap Isn’t a Full Harness
The chair comes with a simple waist and crotch strap rather than a full five-point harness. For most sitting babies this is adequate, but if you have a determined little escape artist, you’ll want to add the dedicated harness accessory.
Tray Can Be Tricky for Some Toddlers
The tray clicks firmly into place (which is great for safety) but some parents find it a touch stiff to remove one-handed. A little practice sorts this out.
The Best IKEA High Chair Accessories in 2026
Here’s where the Antilop really shines. Because it’s so popular, an entire cottage industry of IKEA high chair accessories has sprung up — both from IKEA itself and from third-party Australian sellers on Etsy, Amazon AU and specialty baby stores. These affordable add-ons transform the basic chair into something genuinely premium. Here are the ones worth your money.
1. The Footrest (Most Essential Accessory)
An IKEA high chair foot rest is the single best upgrade you can make. There are a few options:
- Adjustable third-party footrests (approx. $25–$40): These wrap around the metal legs and can be raised or lowered as your baby grows. Australian sellers on Etsy and Amazon AU offer wooden and plastic versions. This is the option I’d recommend most.
- DIY footrest: Many handy parents use a simple strip of fabric or a silicone band looped around the legs. It’s not as sturdy but it’s free.
Adding a footrest genuinely makes a difference to how settled your baby is during meals — it’s the upgrade I hear mums mention most often.
2. Silicone Tray Cover / Placemat (approx. $15–$30)
A fitted silicone placemat that suctions onto the Antilop tray catches mess and gives little hands a non-slip surface. Brands like those stocked at Baby Bunting and various Amazon AU sellers make Antilop-specific versions.
3. Support Cushion / Insert (approx. $8–$35)
IKEA sells its own inexpensive support cushion, while third-party sellers offer plush inserts that help smaller babies sit more snugly and add a bit of padding. Just remember the trade-off: fabric inserts mean more washing.
4. Five-Point Harness Upgrade (approx. $20–$35)
For wrigglers and climbers, a proper five-point harness that threads through the existing strap slots gives you serious peace of mind. Highly recommended if your bub is an active sort.
5. Klämmig Tray (approx. $10)
IKEA’s own raised-edge tray (sold separately) does a brilliant job of containing spills and rolling food. A worthwhile $10 if you’re doing baby-led weaning.
Accessory Cost Summary
| Accessory | Price (AUD) | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable Footrest | $25–$40 | Absolutely essential |
| Silicone Placemat | $15–$30 | Highly recommended |
| Support Cushion | $8–$35 | Optional |
| Five-Point Harness | $20–$35 | If you have a climber |
| Klämmig Raised Tray | $10 | Great for BLW |
Even if you bought the chair plus every single accessory, you’d be looking at roughly $130 total — still less than a third of what many premium high chairs cost.
How the IKEA High Chair Compares to Other Australian Options
To help you make an informed decision, here’s how the Antilop stacks up against other popular high chairs available in Australia in 2026.
| High Chair | Price (AUD) | Where to Buy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA Antilop | $35 | IKEA | Budget, easy cleaning, portability |
| Kmart Anko High Chair | $39 | Kmart | Budget alternative with footrest |
| Target Basic High Chair | $45–$59 | Target AU | Padded seat fans |
| Childcare / 4Baby (Baby Bunting) | $99–$199 | Baby Bunting | Adjustable height and recline |
| Stokke Tripp Trapp | $359+ | Baby Bunting, David Jones | Long-term investment, grows with child |
| IKEA + full accessories | ~$130 | IKEA + Amazon AU | Premium experience on a budget |
The Kmart Anko chair is the Antilop’s closest budget rival and notably comes with a footrest built in, which is a genuine plus. However, many parents find its tray and crevices harder to clean than the seamless Antilop. The Stokke Tripp Trapp, meanwhile, is a beautiful heirloom-quality chair that converts into a regular seat your child can use for years — but at over ten times the price, it’s a very different proposition.
IKEA vs Kmart: The Budget Battle
This is the comparison I’m asked about most. Both are around the same price. The Kmart Anko wins on the included footrest. The IKEA Antilop wins on cleaning ease, portability and that timeless minimalist look. If a built-in footrest matters most to you and you don’t want to buy an accessory, Kmart might edge ahead. If easy cleaning and the ability to disassemble for travel are your priorities, IKEA is the clear winner — and you can always add a footrest for around $30.
Is the IKEA High Chair Right for Your Family?
Let me make this simple. The IKEA Antilop is an outstanding choice if:
- You want to keep costs down without sacrificing quality or safety
- Easy cleaning is a top priority (hello, baby-led weaning parents)
- You have limited kitchen space and want something compact
- You travel often or need a second chair for the grandparents
- You prefer a clean, minimalist look in your home
You might want to look elsewhere if:
- You want a chair that adjusts in height or reclines for younger babies
- You’re after a long-term chair that converts into a toddler/child seat (consider the Stokke Tripp Trapp)
- You don’t want to buy a separate footrest accessory
mum.com.au Approved: Our Verdict
After weighing up the price, the cleaning experience, the safety credentials and the glowing word-of-mouth from thousands of Australian mums, the IKEA Antilop High Chair earns our mum.com.au Approved badge for 2026.
It’s not the fanciest chair on the market, and it won’t grow with your child for the next decade. But for the crucial baby-and-toddler feeding years, it delivers everything most families actually need — at a price that leaves plenty in the budget for the things that really matter. Pair it with an adjustable footrest and a silicone placemat, and you’ve got a feeding setup that genuinely rivals chairs costing hundreds more.
Our recommended setup for 2026:
- IKEA Antilop High Chair with tray — $35
- Adjustable third-party footrest — approx. $30
- Silicone placemat — approx. $20
- Total: around $85
That’s a brilliant, easy-clean, mum-approved feeding station for well under $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IKEA Antilop high chair safe for my baby?
Yes. The Antilop sold in Australia meets the mandatory ACCC safety requirements for high chairs. It’s designed for babies who can sit up unassisted (typically from around 6 months). Always ensure the chair is correctly assembled, the legs are screwed in firmly, and the safety strap is fastened at every meal. For active babies, consider adding a five-point harness accessory.
Does the IKEA high chair come with a footrest?
No, the standard Antilop does not include a footrest. This is its main drawback. However, you can buy an affordable adjustable IKEA high chair foot rest from third-party sellers on Etsy or Amazon AU for around $25–$40, which makes a real difference to your baby’s comfort and posture during meals.
Where can I buy the IKEA Antilop high chair in Australia?
You can buy it directly from IKEA stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra, or order online via the IKEA Australia website with click-and-collect or home delivery. As of 2026, it retails for around $35 with the tray included.
Can I put the IKEA high chair tray in the dishwasher?
Yes, the Antilop tray is dishwasher safe, which is another reason mums love it. The seamless plastic seat itself is best cleaned with a quick wipe or rinsed in the shower or with the garden hose for a deeper clean.
How long will my child use the IKEA high chair?
The Antilop is suitable from around 6 months (when baby can sit unassisted) up to approximately 3 years of age. After that, most children transition to a booster seat or a regular chair at the family table.
The Bottom Line
In a world of $400 high chairs with bells and whistles you’ll rarely use, the humble $35 IKEA Antilop is a refreshing reminder that simple, well-designed products often do the job best. It’s affordable, ridiculously easy to clean, lightweight, safe, and beloved by Australian mums for very good reason.
Add a footrest and a silicone placemat, and you’ve got a feeding setup that punches well above its weight. Whether it’s your main chair, a travel option, or a spare for Grandma’s place, the IKEA high chair is one of the smartest, most budget-friendly purchases you can make for your little one’s mealtimes in 2026. Happy feeding, mums — and may your kitchen floors stay (relatively) avocado-free.
