I bought my Ikea slipcovered sofa a little over a year ago... thought I would do a little review of how I like it. Mine is the Ektorp sofa. I have received many emails over the last year asking if I liked it, and a few of you asked about it in the last post. Since I have had it for a good while now I feel like I can give it a fair review.
I really do LOVE it!
When I was looking for a new couch I really really wanted a slipcovered couch but I was on a major budget. My first reaction and even my husbands when we brought it home was that it is a very solid couch with well made arms and the cushions are very sturdy. After a year they are still just as good as new. For the price (around $400) we were expecting it to be kind-of cheaply made. It really isn't!
The cover is a nice and durable white denim... it does get a little dirty... after all it is white... there is no changing that white gets dirty but honestly I just pop those covers right in the wash and it all comes out! I have spilled tomato soup, iced tea... and my kids spilled green slime on it too... and all of it came out. I use spray and wash on the spots and just wash in the washing machine. Sometimes I use bleach when I wash and I don't ever dry the covers. they will shrink if you dry them. I usually wash the cover once or twice a month.
I have a little dog that does like to sleep on the couch... and at first I kept her off of it but now she has weaseled her way to being allowed on it! lol If I had a big dog I am not sure I would really want the bright white cover unless I laid a blanket on the seat cushions or something like that. The kids do just fine with it... and I do let them lay all over it with their feet up. ;)
I love the slipcover part! I love the fact that I can take the covers off and wash them. It makes me feel like my couch is so clean. This is a plus when you have kids and animals and I really think it is the best part of having slipcovered furniture. That clean feeling! Sometimes I lay a lightweight cover over the seat part because one thing I find is that people sometimes are afraid to sit on white couches! lol!! I always say... don't worry... sit! I can just wash it.
Another really NICE feature to the Ikea sofa vs other brands is that you can buy a replacement slipcover for 50.00 which is really so inexpensive if you had something that doesn't come out. At that price it is easy to get 2 covers for your couch so that one can always be clean and ready to put on, kindof like sheets. They have a new linen slipcover that they just came out with for this same couch. I really really want to get that one! They also have a pretty gray color that is new and I love it! the other colors and patterns cost more than the white... they vary depending on style.
There is one thing that I have to say about the couch that is good and bad... it is a very firm couch. It isn't the sink down in type of furniture that some slipcovered couches are. I like this feature because it is not going to break down easily and will hold up for a long time... but at first it seems a little stiff. My couch now is alot more comfy so it does get a little less firm over time. I also like to soften mine with lots of pillows and throws.
This is the Chaise Lounge that I want to get to add to my living room... it is so pretty! I love how it has the arm on one side. I can picture cozying up on here with a comfy throw and and a good book.
Well, hope I didnt' bore you but thought I would share my thoughts on my Ikea Sofa... just incase you ever wondered.
xoxo Heather
