In this review, we will be taking a look at the IKEA Lycksele. The great thing about it is that you can choose the sofa bed mattress *and* cover to customise it exactly the way you want.
The IKEA Lycksele series is currently available in the US and UK stores. It comes in a chair bed and a 2-seat sofa bed. As with all things, unfortunately, we can’t have it all – the chair bed is not available in the US.
So if you’ve been thinking about that Europe trip, this would be the perfect time (ahem, excuse).
The sofa bed, on the other hand, was much smaller than I had expected.
After taking a quick look at the tag, I was shocked to find that the frame measures the same as that of the chair bed, with the exception of its width of 142cm.
Design & aesthetics
One thing I noticed about the IKEA Lycksele sofa bed was that the back actually forms part of the mattress.
To convert it to its bed form, all you’d need to do is to lift the bottom up and gently pull it towards you until it fully extends.
After a quick run to the covers section, IKEA has them in 5 colours:
Ransta natural
Knisa light grey
Tutstad multicolour
Vansbro bright green
Vansbro dark grey
Personally, the Vansbro bright green looks like something straight out of a maximalist living room feature.
The Lycksele feels quite firm, its wadding is made of 100% polyester. For those of you who make use of your couch’s armrests, we have some sad news – the Lycksele does not have any armrests.
You’d think that a sofa bed would cater to people of all shapes and sizes.
One thing I will say is that it isn’t very petite-people-friendly to sit on. Fortunately for me, IKEA added a back cushion to the display (sold separately, of course.)
I appreciated the extra back support and being propped up enough to rest my feet on the ground – highly recommend getting one if you’re on the petite side.
Lying on the Lycksele sofa bed, even my 5’1 frame only just fit onto the mattress (I can only imagine what it’d be like for those with taller frames).
Price
If you’re just as picky (read: frugal) as I am, fret not – you have three options:
The Lövås mattress (made of polyurethane foam)
The Murbo mattress (made of high resilient foam, polyurethane foam)
The Håvet mattress (made of latex, high resilient polyurethane foam)
Price-wise, I just have to say: you get exactly what you pay for. I’d suggest going to your local IKEA and testing the mattresses out for yourself before making a final decision.
Verdict
Design & aesthetics: 6/10
Comfort: 6/10
Price: 8/10
Overall, I’d say that the IKEA Lycksele sofa bed is great in terms of value for money. It caters to people with different budgets, as well as preferences (i.e. softness vs. firmness).
It is best if you’re going to be a casual user of its sofa bed function (or just have excited younger kids that really like camping out in the living room).
One thing you could also consider would be to get it as a fun add-on to your main furniture setup.
Slipcoverable: Yay or nay?
Before you ask: Yes, covers for the IKEA Lycksele are available on our site!
Curved furniture can bring a sense of calmness to a space, creating a relaxing environment that can benefit your mental and physical health. At a time when self-care has never been more important, adding curved furniture into your living space is another way to improve your sense of wellbeing at home.
Whether you’re riding on the curved furniture trend that’s currently happening or just trying them out, we’d like to show you how you can incorporate beautiful curved pieces in your home.
These tips will help guide you on where and how to place your furniture to avoid making any awkward design mistakes that could make your house look very uninviting.
1. Keep it simple
As curved furniture already creates a sense of motion in the room, you don’t want to be adding too many curved pieces all in one place. This can cause the space to look overwhelming and confusing not only to your eyes, but to your guests as well.
If you’re new to this, try starting with just one or two curved pieces in the space, to add some impact to the room without overwhelming it.
Curves occur a lot in nature, so they go well with organic textures like wood, natural fibres and stones. Linen, boucle and shearling are some of the textures that fit very well with curved fabric furniture.
Adding these into your living space creates a biophilic design. After the whole world lived through the pandemic and lockdown, we’re starting to see that bringing in elements of nature into our homes offers a kind of indoor-outdoor living, which is becoming more and more desirable.
You might see that round tables fit great in corners of the house, but other forms of curved furniture are best placed in the centre of the room where they’re free to float, visually.
If you have a variety of curved furniture, you could arrange them in clusters so that their shapes mirror and complement each other (they would then be in their own circle). Get it?
Sometimes life is easier if you just go with the flow. The same goes for curved furniture. Organise a few pieces of curved furniture in angles that complement each other so that there is a flow going in one direction only.
When you’re new to curved furniture, it’s better to play it a little safe than accidentally make a big mistake with bold colours. Go with neutral tones to be safe – muted tones go well with gentle curves and you are less likely to make design mistakes compared to bold colours.
Classy, luxe, and completely functional, there’s a lot to love when it comes to the leather sofa. There’s also a lot to know when it comes to cleaning leather sofas.
If you’re the proud owner of a leather sofa, chances are you chose it partly because of how easy it is to maintain. Liquids don’t seep into the cushions and fur doesn’t cling to it like a bee to honey.
That’s true and all, but what do you do when it’s finally time to clean the leather sofa? The guests have had one too many drinks and have done the unthinkable to your precious sofa.
Now you’re worried. It’s a whole lot more painful to see such an expensive piece of furniture stained like that, especially after all those years of treating it like a delicate child.
To make things worse, searching for a solution online just unearths a trove of conflicting information and “remedies”.
Some of these quick fixes even end up doing more harm than good!
But enough with the panic talk, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the best and safest way to clean that leather sofa once and for all. And by the way, this works for faux leather as well.
Here’s what you’ll need in your epic quest to save that leather sofa:
Vacuum (optional)
A few microfiber or cotton cleaning cloths which colors don’t run
Reverse osmosis bottled water from any supermarket (or distill some yourself)
Leather cleaner and conditioner (Leather Master, Lexol, Bick 4 is recommended. Read on to find out which to use)
Step 1: Follow the manufacturers’ recommendation if they have it
Sofa care instructions from IKEA. Look for these, but for your own sofa!
The first step that nobody should overlook when cleaning their leather sofa is boring but oh so important. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendation if it was given.
They know best when it comes to cleaning your leather sofa.
This is especially true with leather sofas since different leathers have different finishings. The one set of cleaning instructions that nicely polished up your neighbors’ leather sofa may spell disaster for yours.
Because of this, avoid any homespun cleaning concoctions you may stumble across unless you know exactly what you’re dealing with. These remedies are almost always made with top-coated leather in mind and even then they can damage that protective coating.
This means keeping your paws away from the:
Vinegar
Baby Wipes
Detergent
Magic erasers
Saddle soap
Other random “diy remedies”
Avoid these things unless you want to risk a heartbreak over the ruin of your expensive leather sofa.
If you haven’t received specific cleaning advice for your sofa, then grab those cleaning supplies and prepare for some legwork! It’s time to DIY deep clean that leather on your sofa, in the safest and easiest method possible.
Step 2: Figure out what leather you’re working with
Leather fabrics
If you don’t know the recommended way to clean your leather sofa, it would be best to know what kind of leather you’re dealing with. The quality and finishing of your leather will determine how much of the rough stuff you can give it.
Here’s a general overview for what to expect.
Full grain/top grain leather – Thick, quality leather that’s hardy. You don’t have to be overly delicate with it since it’s highly unlikely to split or peel when brushed or rubbed roughly.
Suede and Nubuck Leather – Sofas are rarely made from suede or nubuck leather because they are difficult to clean. It’s still durable, quality leather but make sure to only use specific cleaners when it comes to these.
Bonded/Split/Genuine leather – These types of leather are pretty much leather scraps that have been glued together. Be extra careful when cleaning these as they are naturally prone to crumbling and flaking. You don’t want to quicken that process so be mindful of how much cleaning product you use and how rough you brush it.
Faux Leather – Even though faux leather isn’t real leather, it is surprisingly resilient and can be cleaned the same way as leather. Quality faux leather is also durable and doesn’t disintegrate as easily as bonded leather.
Semi aniline coating – Semi-aniline leathers have a protective coat over the leather. This makes it more stain-resistant and hard wearing compared to it’s full-aniline (uncoated) counterpart. Many DIY remedies have this leather in mind which makes it too harsh for unprotected leather.
Aniline leather – Full-aniline leather is left without a protective coat to allow it to readily develop a beautiful patina. On the other hand, this leather is delicate and stains readily so it must be cleaned carefully with specific products.
Got all that? Great.
While this information isn’t mandatory to know when it comes to cleaning your leather sofa, you should keep it in mind to understand how delicate you should be when handling your leather.
So take your search online and look for your sofa details. Once you’re done, it’s time to clean that leather sofa.
Step 3: Vacuum the sofa gently and wipe with a damp cloth
Start by removing the cushions on your sofa where possible and give them and what was underneath them a gentle vacuum.
You’ll want to get as much of the dirt and dust out before you start wiping it down with water because who likes wet, sticky dust? Also, remember to be extra tender when handling bonded leather sofas.
Once that’s done, wet a soft microfiber/cotton cloth until damp and give your sofa a thorough wipe down. Make sure the colors on the cloth doesn’t bleed; remember we’re trying to clean that sofa over here.
If you want to be extra fancy, you can even use distilled water (or reverse osmosis bottled water from the store) when you’re wiping down. On a serious note, this is advised because chemicals and minerals in water like chlorine can damage poor quality leather.
You see, leather doesn’t actually hate water that much – it hates the chemicals and minerals inside it. If you’ve ever so much as worn a nice pair of leather boots through snow that has been salted, you may unfortunately know the damage that can be caused.
That’s another reason why it’s safer to wipe away any excess water from your leather sofa instead of letting it seep in. Who knows what was in that water?
Step 4: Still dirty? Pick up some cleaner specifically designed for leather
Note: The leather cleaners and conditioners specified in this section are not for nubuck or suede leather sofas which are uncommon. Those require specific cleaners for suede or nubuck.
Aaaand you’re done! Leather sofas are so easy to maintain that a wipe-down is all it takes to loosen and soak up the grime.
Most of the time that is.
So if your sofa is looking clean and lively, you can stop right now. But for those households with particularly nasty leather sofas of the visibility stained and dated kind, you’ll need to bring out something heavier duty than water.
What are the big guns you’ll be using on your leather sofa? Two words: “leather cleaner”. It’s made to clean leather after all so it’s a mystery where and why all these other inventive DIY leather cleaning methods are coming from…
Anyway, you’ll want to pick up a leather cleaner and conditioner. You can find these easily in the general good stores or on Amazon.
Which leather cleaner? Well, a good starting point would be to use the Leather Master cleaner and conditioner. Not only is Leather Master one of the gentlest cleaners out there, but it’s also suitable for aniline and top-coated leathers alike.
It’s the safest choice and will get the job done unless you have some sticky, ancient stains that have by now become part of the sofa. In these cases, you might need something stronger, like Lexol or Bick 4.
With leather cleaner in your hands, it’s time to go to town on your sofa. Give it the ol’ razzle dazzle!
Bonus if you’re doing your cleaning on a warm day as well. Leather is porous and gentle heat will open it up to make the leather cleaner work all the better.
The process to clean your leather sofa is easy as can be: Just put leather cleaner on microfiber/cotton cloth and agitate it into the leather in a circular motion. Nothing too forceful needed.
You can use a soft bristled brush as well if you have one.
Before you get to work however, test the cleaner on an inconspicuous part of your sofa first and wait for a couple of hours to dry. This is important because the dye on your leather can run if it’s poor quality.
This can also happen if the coating on top-coated leather has already previously been damaged.
While it isn’t the end of the world since you can re-apply that pigment, who wants the extra work? If the pigment runs, you’ll need to be prepared to re-apply the pigment or find another safe way to clean the sofa.
Or you know… simply live with the dirty sofa forever.
Unless you’re super unlucky however, none of this will be a problem. The cleaners recommended in the previous section are gentle, all-purpose leather cleaners after all.
Once you confirm that the leather cleaner is safe to use, then apply it everywhere on your sofa that needs cleaning.
If the sofa is feeling tacky when you’re done, wipe it off with a cloth to reduce the curing time and let it set for a couple of hours.
At last, you are one step away from unveiling your snazzy, revitalised sofa. All that’s left to do is to condition the leather, which simply means to give it nourishment.
Now I’m not crazy, and supplying nutrients to literal dead skin isn’t my idea of talking sense, but in this case, that’s exactly what’s up.
You see, leather cleaner pulls out dirt and grime from the leather but in the process also removes natural oils needed to keep the leather supple and healthy (as healthy as can be for something dead).
If too much of the oils get stripped away, your leather sofa will become more prone to drying out and cracking. Think of it like how conditioner keeps your hair looking fresh – it’s that important.
To condition your sofa, do pretty much the same thing as you did with the leather cleaner. Grab the conditioner from the cleaning set and buff it gently into the sofa.
Just like before, wipe it down when you’re done to soak up the excess and finish off. It goes without saying you should wait for a few hours for it to dry out and you’re ready to enjoy your fresh leather sofa!
What to do if your leather sofa is beyond saving?
Sometimes it happens. You’ve tried everything in the book from stronger products to calling in a professional, but nothing has revived your leather sofa from it’s sorry state.
Well don’t break up with it just yet! It might look frumpy but it’s still perfectly functional. Instead, consider using a custom sofa cover to bring it back to life.
Bespoke sofa covers are something we sew right here at Comfort Works. Think of them as the secret to sofa immortality – a fountain of youth of sorts.
Slip one on a sofa where the frame and cushions are holding up and you’ve got a brand “new” living room centrepiece. Granted that so-called new sofa won’t be leather (though we do make covers in faux leather), but it will look pretty darn good… like an entirely different stand-alone fabric sofa.
These are tailor made to fit your sofa after all.
Put on sofa slipcovers
The best part is that they are machine-washable… except for the faux leather ones, and a breeze to slip on, making them just as easy or even easier to maintain as a leather sofa (take that leather sofas!).
And if you have a specific sofa design you want to bring to life, we’ve got you covered on that too. We’re talking over 200 fabric, color and styling combinations to absolutely transform your sofa into a personalised, one of a kind item!
There’s even a fabric stand up to cats and animals for all of you who dreamt of having fur babies but didn’t want to send your luxury furniture to a quick death. All while being swanky enough to belong in an Instagrammer’s home as well:
IKEA Nockeby sofa and Stocksund armchair in Claw-proof Velvet
So if you’ve got a leather sofa that’s on its way to the afterlife and nothing else works seems to be working, consider using a slipcover to give it a second round of faithful service.
Or just use the covers for a temporary makeover of your sofa… cause people do that as well.
Anyway, hope you’ve learned everything you need to know on how to safely get your leather sofa sparkly clean and looking lively in this post!
I’m biased of course (working in acompany that sells bespoke slipcovers), but there’s nothing sweeter than a slipcovered sofa as the main living room couch.
Most slipcovers are removable, replaceable and machine-washable, making them the biggest secret to couch immortality… and general cleanliness.
You won’t even have to worry about stains when the cat decides to cough up yesterday’s dinner onto the couch. Or the times when little Timmy needs a little blank canvas to test out his artistic expression.
Just a quick trip to the washing machine and you’re good to go. How have people not realised how great these are?
Of course some may not appreciate the relaxed style offered by loose covers and prefer the sleeker looks signature to upholstery, but who wants to live in terror over every pasta spill?
Terror for a good reason as well – it will cost a bomb to reupholster. Sometimes as much as the original couch itself.
If you can’t get the stain out all that’s left is to live with it, or fork out.
But since you’re reading this post then you probably already know all this. I won’t have to sell you on the benefits of slipcovers.
With that said, let’s dive into the guide to the best slipcovered sofas you can buy right now, including:
Note: There’s a newer, deeper, and taller variant of the Ektorp called the Uppland for IKEA US. It is designed to better accommodate the Western market and is equally inexpensive. Plus it comes slipcovered!
Let’s get the formalities out of the way and start with the most popular slipcovered sofa in the world – the IKEA Ektorp.
It’s the sofa that no slipcovered sofa list can be complete without. After all, it is IKEA’s most popular couch by far.
So what can you expect out of a couch with such impressive credentials? Well actually, not as much as it might be hyped up to be.
The Ektorp is by no means the best slipcovered sofa. It’s brilliant at what it does, which is to not blow a giant-sized hole into your wallet.
At the same time it also checks all the boxes that ordinary folk will be looking for in a slipcovered sofa.
Replacement covers available? – check.
Machine-washable too? – check.
A sturdy enough frame construction and cushions that don’t fall apart after a few years – check check.
They’ve even gone ahead and played it safe with how it feels to sit on. Firm, overstuffed cushions that aren’t especially soft or stiff and a seating position that is upright with a tiny bit of lounge.
Hardly anyone could find the Ektorp too deep, hard, soft, or loungy to be a deal breaker. It’s just… neutral.
What isn’t neutral is how affordable the Ektorp is. At the time of writing, the Ektorp is £450 in Great Britain. Due to its discontinuation in the US, its successor, the Uppland, is available at $749 for its 3-seater. What a steal for a sofa with standard quality!
Things get put into perspective when you compare it against the classic Pottery Barn basic slipcovered sofa which costs $1,599 or more. They even look very much alike but the Ektorp is much more affordable.
And that’s what makes the Ektorp the ultimate budget slipcovered sofa. It really is the slipcovered sofa that is accessible to anyone.
To really drive this home, IKEA is a global brand and offers flat-packed furniture. Most corners of the world can order it and bring it through their doorways or narrow stairwells.
Don’t forget you can even browse through the local showrooms to get a feel of this couch which is definitely a perk! You get all that plus the benefits of shopping at IKEA such as the 10-year guarantee and easy returns.
All in all, while the Ektorp is not the cheapest slipcovered sofa, it’s as cheap as you’ll want to go. It won’t break on you if you don’t abuse it and provides everything you’ll want from a budget slipcovered sofa.
Best IKEA Slipcovered Sofa:Söderhamn
Image credit: Comfort Works
Introducing one of my favourite sofa series from IKEA – the Söderhamn.
First, let’s talk about its aesthetics. One glance and you see a modern-looking sofa that’s boxy with shiny steel legs – great for living spaces with hints of modernity in their interior. Despite its structured frame and cushions that don’t look as fluffy as what a traditional sofa would have, I can only say the way I initially judged it was wrong.
As they say, don’t judge a book by its cover.
Not me judging the Söderhamn even when this saying is always on my mind.
The seat height is low and it isn’t easy to get up from the sofa. But, that’s the reason it’s made this way – it’s not for you to get up, ever.
Sink into its soft, feathery cushions while you read a book, watch TV or anything you fancy doing on your laptop. Time will pass and you’ll not know how many hours ago it was since you sat down. It’s a lounger, for sure.
The way the Söderhamn is designed makes it suitable for office spaces too. If you have your own office, you could always have a short nap on the Söderhamn when you’re feeling a little tired…
Because that’s what some of our colleagues do here in our open plan office.
Apart from being super comfortable for lounging, the Söderhamn is also very much hackable. Depending on the sections that you buy, you’re able to hack it in several ways so that it turns out to be in the modular that you like.
The Söderhamn 2-seat sofa section in its most affordable fabric costs $679. This piece does not have any armrests, so you can either leave it as it is or join them with a corner seat, chaise, or even another 2-seat section.
The Söderhamn is currently available in 5 neutral colours in greys and beiges, which of course, is easy to style your home with. But, if you’d like some form of texture or a pop of colour for your Söderhamn, take a look at the customised slipcovers that we offer.
Plus, thanks to our team here at Comfort Works, we’ve managed to make slipcovers that can be slipped on without having to disassemble the Söderhamn. And they look snug on the Söderhamn.
Interested in the Söderhamn? Browse through the local showrooms to get a feel of this couch which is definitely a perk! You get all that plus the benefits of shopping at IKEA such as the 10-year guarantee and easy returns.
Click here to read a complete review of the IKEA Söderhamn.
Best Mid-Priced Slipcovered Sofa:Stone & Beam Faraday
Surprise, surprise! It’s not everyday that you’ll see a sofa from Stone & Beam getting a mention. It’s a brand that flies under the radar, but shouldn’t.
Stone & Beam is part of Amazon’s own furniture line and makes great sofas, which is why it’s odd that they’ve remained on the down-low.
When it comes to their slipcovered sofas, there’s an unfortunate lack of options; most of them aren’t slipcovered. But thankfully the Faraday does come with one and has some of the best quality at a modest price.
Modest as in you are definitely not paying for the brand name on this one. Currently, it is priced around the $1,230 mark for the 89” model.
One look at the Faraday will tell you that it’s different. Unlike the hordes of skirted, round-arm Pottery Barn lookalikes, the Faraday has chosen to go unconventional.
It’s oversized and has a sleek look that would fit right in with more contemporary homes. You wouldn’t even think this was a slipcovered sofa unless you knew beforehand.
With a relatively affordable cost and highly different proportions from any tried-and-tested design on the market, you may have some suspicions on whether this sofa is any good.
Don’t reinvent the wheel on what works right?
Well as it turns out, the Faraday is not only a comfort king but trumps the construction of almost any big-brand sofa dollar for dollar.
It’s got a frame made of solid hardwood, with down-filled cushions, and comes with very thick cotton-blend sofa covers. Who said you couldn’t find a well-made couch on the cheap?
The one thing that throws a wrench into how great the Faraday performs as a slipcovered sofa is the fact that replacement covers for it aren’t currently sold. Come on, Amazon! Uh, I mean Stone & Beam…
We also do not make covers for this sofa (yet) so it’s a good thing the soft denim-like cotton blend is substantial.
At the very least the covers can be washed. Not that Amazon specifically says it can be, though people have been doing it anyway without issue. Best to play it safe and use cold water when washing and drip drying them in shade.
As for whether this is the sofa for you… well, it depends mostly on how you like to sit. It’s plenty comfortable with its softer-than-average down-filled cushions, but the 26 inches of seating depth make this couch all but unusable for attentive sitting – unless you’re a giant.
Basically, be very sure that you love your couch relaxed and loungy before even considering this.
If it wasn’t for the risk involved in buying sofas that you can’t test out, the Faraday would probably be a whole lot more well known. Though, it’s the lack of showrooms and salespeople that make the couch so affordable in the first place.
So if that’s something you don’t mind, you can hop straight onto Amazon and check out with the all too familiar Amazon shopping experience. It even comes with free delivery and all if you’re a Prime member :)
Best Sectional & Best Outdoor Slipcovered Sofa:Crate & Barrel Lounge II Petite
Image credit: Crate And Barrel
[Update Jan 2023] The Crate & Barrel Lounge II is no longer available on the website. Prices and details may also vary from those found on other sites.
The Crate & Barrel Lounge II has always been a favourite in the sofa world. It’s modern, big, comfy, and so very versatile because of its modular nature.
It’s among the top contenders for best family couch.
Unfortunately, there is one slight issue – it doesn’t come slipcovered. But! In some weird twist of fate it’s littler cousin (the Lounge II Petite) strangely does get the slipcover treatment.
That’s the star of the show today.
As the slightly less oversized version than the original Lounge II, the Lounge II Petite still shares most of the defining characteristics of Crate & Barrel’s favourite sofa.
That means it’s also a pretty deep seating couch. If the name “Lounge II” wasn’t enough of a giveaway, this couch is meant to be lounged on.
Nevermind the fact that it’s the petite version because at 24 inches of seating depth, some might be finding it hard to get their legs on the ground.
The fact that it has cushions that are all the way on the softer side add to that feeling of being engulfed by the sofa. It’s like getting sucked into a giant snuggly cloud.
A cloud that also has the added benefit of being expanded on by buying additional modules to turn it into a sectional… cloud. That’s right, the Lounge II offers some of the best modularity to turn it into the ultimate slipcovered sectional sofa.
Chaise lounges, corner modules, single seaters and the entire works – all slipcovered. You just name it!
Image credit: Crate And Barrel
So if you’re looking for a large, deep and soft slipcovered sofa that also can be turned into a sectional – you won’t find a better option.
To make things even better (and weirder), the Lounge II petite has been built outdoor ready. To show they mean business, they even use Sunbrella-acrylic fabric on it alongside water-repellent and mold resistant cushions.
The frame itself is also constructed of marine-grade hard plywood.
It’s a mystery who is actually searching for a super-loungeable slipcovered sofa for outdoor use but here it is anyway!
In the end, there’s no real downsides to the Lounge II petite if you’re the type that prefers relaxed and soft sitting. The fact that it is one of the only brands to offer a truly modular slipcovered sectional makes it all the more enticing.
Since Crate & Barrel is behind this sofa, you can be guaranteed a solid construction and decently priced replacement slipcovers for it (they cost approximately ⅓ of the price of the sofa).
On top of being durable and fade resistant for the outdoors, the covers can also be machine-washed following Sunbrella’s cleaning guidelines.
Expect all that quality to come with a substantial price though. In the case of the Lounge II petite, it will be $2,300 and above for the standard slipcovered 83” sofa.
Image credit: Comfort Works
Despite being one of the priciest options, I would still recommend this in a heartbeat, especially when you consider that Crate & Barrel is pretty much the only high-end, commercially famous brand that has a presence in several countries around the globe.
It’s a great place to shop if you’ve got the budget to splurge on something fancier and of higher quality than what you’d find at IKEA.
As of now, they have showrooms in America, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates so don’t forget to head on over and testing it out before committing to the Lounge II Petite!
Best Small Slipcovered Sofa:Pottery Barn Basic Slipcovered Sofa
It’s difficult to make a list of the best slipcovered sofas without covering the most famous farmhouse slipcovered sofa of all time. Of course, I’m referring to the Pottery Barn Basic sofa.
The number of times this one sofa gets used as a comparison against other round arm slipcovered sofas is… pretty much always. Think of it as the benchmark for the look and feel for these kinds of sofas.
It’s just that famous. Not too surprising since it was Pottery Barn which popularised the design.
Over the years, many brands have created their own “clone” of this sofa, some with far more competitive prices for the quality. I mean,starting at a $1,399 price minimum you’d expect the PB Basic 60.5” sofa to at least come with a hardwood frame or be made in the USA, which are unfortunately both no’s.
Scrolling back, you’ll find that the Stone & Beam Faraday has a better build quality at a far more affordable price.
But enough with the downsides, everyone knows you pay extra for the Pottery Barn brand name. So what gives this sofa a spot on the list?
For starters, the PB Basic is a tried and tested couch that is beloved by lots of satisfied shoppers. It’s comfy, traditional, slipcovered and gives off that rustic and cozy cottage feel that many of those searching for a slipcovered sofa so desperately want.
The fact it’s from Pottery Barn will likely make your friends green with envy as well (if that’s your thing).
What you will be able to get out of this sofa that isn’t present in its competitors is the option to go extra small. Small as in the loveseat is just 60 inches wide.
If “apartment-sized slipcovered sofa” is the word of the day, then this is the one you’ll want. Nothing else comes close to how tiny the width of this sofa is.
Nothing else from a decently reputable brand that is.
As for the feel of the couch, the PB isn’t all too much different than the other round arm sofas on this list. It’s got an upright sit with some lounge and neither too firm nor too soft cushions.
The comfort levels however are definitely beyond that of the IKEA Ektorp which is it’s most direct rival. Down-blend cushion filling makes a lot of difference in the comfort department, especially if you’re planning on using it for long stretches of time.
On the other hand, even with the down filling the comfort of the PB isn’t anywhere near 4 times that of the Ektorp (like the price is), making this sofa a tough one to recommend to just anyone.
But if you’re desperate to conserve space, the PB Basic might be the only option available. It’s still a good small and slipcovered sofa for those who can afford the extra.
Thankfully, the build quality is above the likes of IKEA sofas as well.
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits when considering the PB Basic is the ability to test the couch before making the commitment. Just head into one of their showrooms and get seated, which is what you’ll definitely want to do before splurging on this.
One thing that might not be so obvious when visiting the showroom however is the fact they have a far wider selection of slipcover fabrics/colours than any of their competitor round arm couches.
A quick mosey through their site will give you all the many ways you can design your PB Basic. And that flexibility in fabrics and colours goes for their replacement covers as well to allow you to change things up once in a while.
It’s something to think about especially for those trying to design their ideal living space but are limited by the rather dull options available on the IKEA Ektorp.
Note: Not all the PB fabrics can be machine-washed. You’ll need to refer to the care instructions at the back of the fabric swatches to find this out.
Bonus: Best Personalised Slipcovered Sofa: Your current sofa
Image credit: Comfort Works
Haven’t found a slipcovered sofa on this list that suits your needs? Consider simply making your own.
Introducing the best personalised slipcovered sofa – your own sofa… but slipcovered:
Bespoke covers have been a thing for a while now – we sew them right here atComfort Works. But did you know that our covers can be made for most types of sofas?
Even for couches that weren’t slipcovered to begin with.
And not only are they machine-washable (except the leather ones) and replaceable, they are also far more affordable than buying a whole new slipcovered sofa.
Sometimes they are more affordable than a slipcover from the original brand even, which is particularly true for non-budget sofas.
But it gets better! With over 70 fabric and colour combinations, you’ll be getting choices like no other. And with the option to go different styles like Scandi or Modern, you’ll be the one to craft the couch of your dreams.
There’s a good chance your old sofa might look even better than when it was brand new.
So if you’ve got an old sofa in desperate need of a do over, don’t break up with it just yet – consider getting your own unique slipcovered sofa without the hefty price tag.
Or you know… just buy a slipcovered sofa and use a custom cover on it to get it how you want. Because we do get customers who do that :)
Whatever it is, hope you enjoyed this post and are now ready to pick the perfect slipcovered sofa. Happy hunting!
Want to find out more about how you can turn your old sofa into its slipcovered self? Give us a visit on our main website and discover the brands and sofa models we make bespoke slipcovers for:
Before we begin, do not confuse the IKEA Harlanda with the IKEA Karlanda (this model has already been discontinued).
The IKEA Harlanda became available (only in the US) in 2020 as a successor to the IKEA Grönlid. In other parts of the world, the IKEA Grönlid still remains as it is. In this Harlanda sofa review, we’ll be talking about its characteristics and how it is almost similar to the IKEA Grönlid.
When we compare the IKEA Harlanda and Grönlid, the Harlanda’s size is much bigger than the Grönlid.
IKEA Grönlid vs IKEA Harlanda
As you can see from the image, the only difference between these 2 is the width of the sofa. The Harlanda is 249cm whereas the Grönlid is 247cm for the 3-seater of both series. We can safely say that the Harlanda is just another version of the Grönlid that is exclusive to the US only.
The Harlanda comes in many models:
Loveseat: USD849 – USD949
3-seater: USD949 – USD1049
3-seat sleeper sofa: USD1249 – USD1349
3-seat sleeper sofa with chaise: USD1349 – USD1499
4-seat corner with chaise: USD1499 – USD1599
4-seat sectional with chaise (1 chaise only): USD1449 – USD1599
4-seat sectional with chaise (2 chaises side by side): USD1849 – USD2049
4-seat corner sectional with chaise: USD1899 – USD2099
5-seat corner sectional: USD1999: USD2199
5-seat corner sectional with chaise: USD 2399 – 2649
5-seat corner sleeper sofa with chaise: USD2799 – USD3049
Chaise (on its own): USD680 – USD770
As you can see, the almighty Harlanda comes in 12 models, and what’s more – it’s also a modular sofa that you can configure in many different ways.
With IKEA’s Harlanda planner, you’re able to fit different pieces from the same series together and form it into a shape that you’re happy with. Have fun while you’re at it, but don’t forget to make sure the measurements fit into your existing space.
Hackability: 9/10
Slipcoverability
The Harlanda sofa is slipcovered and it comes in 6 colours from IKEA:
Inseros White
Ljungen Light Green
Ljungen Light Red
Ljungen Medium Grey
Sporda Dark Grey
Sporda Natural
6 colour options might just not be enough, how does 70 styles of different colours and fabrics for your Harlanda sound? Then, you can transform your room into any kind of design just with the use of slipcovers of a certain colour or texture.
Please note that you will have to disassemble your Harlanda sofa in order to remove and also put on the slipcovers.
IKEA Harlanda loveseat in Savannah Saddle leather slipcovers
Design, aesthetics and comfort
We wrote a post about the Gronlid being a baby of the Vimle and Ektorp. Now the Harlanda just looks like a bigger child of both the sofas mentioned. The IKEA Harlanda has rounded arms just like its mama, the Ektorp, and it has thick, bouncy-looking cushions just like its papa, the Vimle.
You may have measured the IKEA Harlanda via online sources before looking at the real deal, but it is a big sofa when you see it with your own eyes. With a seat height that’s 19¼” (49cm) and a seat width that’s 49⅞” (119cm) for the chaise, this one-seater takes up quite some space in any room.
The Harlanda may seem big to you, but not without a good reason. It has a huge storage space under the chaise where you can keep a whole lot of stuff such as blankets, throws and pet toys.
The armrests of the IKEA Harlanda are on the higher side and they have a medium width – not ideal if you’re planning to use it as a pillow or headrest while you lie horizontally across the sofa. Its seat cushions can be a little stiff when you’re just starting to use them, but they will soften over time and can be comfortable after a while. The back cushions are fluffy and very plush to sink your back into – this is definitely good for long hours of lazy sitting. I do find that the back cushions can occupy quite a bit of space on the seat as without them, I could have sat further inwards with more depth. Nevertheless, this could probably be adjusted when you get creative with the arrangement of the back cushions.
Comfort: 8.5/10
Verdict
Overall, we’d give the IKEA Harlanda sofa a rating of 8.5/10.
The Harlanda is a pretty comfortable sofa to sit on and sleep in (for the sofa bed). If your room is not one with a low ceiling, the Harlanda sofa would fit better due to its height. A gigantic sofa like the Harlanda can easily make the room look smaller, so do consider the space before you make your purchase. If you have pets, and they are always around or on your sofa, the original IKEA slipcovers may collect pet dander easily. For less to no work on the assembly and disassembly, perhaps our leather slipcovers might be a better choice for your lifestyle.
