5 Best IKEA Couches – How do they compare?
IKEA sofas are a go-to choice for affordable furniture. Do you think they are still inexpensive? Based on your comments on my last IKEA article about how high their prices have gotten, I decided to investigate. I compared five of what I consider to be the best sofas at IKEA to similar models in retailers that we all know and love. I’m going to break down for you everything from the price, quality, and comfort.
I didn’t compare to Wayfair, Target, and Walmart, and here’s why. As I mentioned in a previous article about buying a couch, it is often the biggest purchase that you make for your house. I personally am not going to buy a sofa that I have not been able to sit in. Next to my bed, the couch is the piece of furniture that I’m going to use the most in my house. I don’t want to buy it sight unseen. It is next to impossible to send one back if we are being honest.
VISKAFORS – Chesterfield
We’ll start with VISKAFORS. This one comes in three colors and two sizes. It’s a classic Chesterfield style sofa. If you want a refresher on the five classic sofa styles, have a look at this sofa buying guide.
You can see here the comparison to a similar sofa at Pottery Barn. The advantage of buying at Pottery Barn is the fabric choices are virtually unlimited. It could be worth the price to choose a custom fabric because sofas are something you’re going to keep in your house, hopefully, for a while. The construction is pretty similar, though.
This one comes in three colors. What I like about this couch is the rolled arm. Also, it’s pretty deep, so it’s comfortable. It comes in two sizes: a loveseat and a standard 88-inch sofa.
UPPLAND – Traditional
Of course, we have to talk about the UPPLAND. This one does come in 13 different fabrics. What I love about it is that it’s a slipcover. You can take it off and wash it. It’s a traditional style sofa.
Here’s a comparison to a very similar look at Pottery Barn. The price and the construction are not only similar, but you can also buy slipcovers from IKEA. There are several great sellers, including on Etsy.
This UPPLAND couch has been the mainstay of IKEA’s couch offerings. It has a nice rolled arm, and this one is a lot more comfortable. It comes in multiple sizes. UPPLAND also comes with a hassock and it has storage built into it. You can get different covers for this too, so that can give you the opportunity to make it into an L-shaped configuration. You can kind of move the sofa and it makes it a lot more versatile than getting an L-shaped couch.
KIVIK – Modern
Sticking with fabric sofas, this KIVIK is a great looking modern sofa. It does come in a sofa and a sectional, and it is comfortable. Here’s a comparison of the KIVIK to the Pottery Barn Big Sur, including price and construction. This KIVIK line of couches is comfortable. If you like a sectional, it’s a nice corduroy fabric.
MORABO – Mid Century Modern
A lot of people love a leather sofa, and IKEA does have several real leather sofas. The MORABO has a classic mid-century look to it. For comparison’s sake, on this sofa, which comes in black, brown, and gray at IKEA, I looked at Joybird. In some cities, Joybird does have stores where you can sit in their sofas, and I’ve been inside one. Here’s a comparison of the price and the construction.
Parts of the couch have fabric. The main parts are leather and one that has the button detail.
FINNALA – Modern Leather
Lastly, is this FINNALA sofa that comes in brown and black. It has a very similar look to this Pottery Barn leather couch. They’re about the same size, about 95 inches by 38 inches deep. Here’s a comparison of the construction and price. If I was going to choose leather, I’d probably choose this one. This one actually feels nice and it’s comfortable.
You can judge for yourself whether IKEA sofas are still a bargain, but having said that, many of the sofas at IKEA I would not touch. Here are a few of those:
- FINNALA with Headrest
- PÄRUP
- GLOSTAD
- SÖDERHAMN
- BACKSÄLEN
BACKSÄLEN does have a slipcover but it’s not well-designed. If I was going to get a slipcover, I would probably wait and splurge on the UPPLAND. I do love that the HYLTARP couch has a removable slipcover and you can get slipcovers made for it. It’s not that comfortable, though.
Before you make your final decision on an IKEA couch or any couch, make sure you’re choosing the right size for your space. If you’re not sure about what style or size is right for you and what fabric would be best for your situation, check out my Sofa Buying Guide.
