Hey everyone! Happy you stopped by today because I’m giving you the lowdown on the Ikea Ektorp sectional after living with it for a year {and 3 months}.
If you read my post on how my other Ikea pieces have held up over the years, you’ll remember me saying that I would be doing this post separately. That’s because I get asked about my Ikea Ektorp sectional quite a bit! Especially on Instagram, where I’ve shared plenty of photos of my living room.
The two most frequently asked questions I get are, I’m I happy with purchasing the Ektorp sectional and how do I keep the white slipcover clean? So let’s talk about it!
We purchased our Ikea Ektorp sectional in early March 2015 in the midst of moving from New Jersey to Tennessee. It wasn’t until a month later we actually got to use it. I was like a kid on Christmas morning when we finally moved in and was able to unbox our new Ikea Ektorp sectional!
It definitely doesn’t look that impressive naked, although the kids seem to be OK with it that way.
Hubby and I put it together fairly quickly with no issues, and I loved the look of it in our new space right away!
I started out with the Nordvalla gray slipcover…
But, have also used the Tygelsjo beige slipcover {discontinued}.
holiday home tour
And my favorite the Blekinge white slipcover {sadly also discontinued}. It’s a really a bright white, and hubby thought I was nuts when I told him I wanted to get it. However, when you can just take off the cover and wash it, having white with kids is really not that big a deal to me. Plus, I’m willing to put in a little extra energy into keeping it clean since I love the look of the bright white cover so much.
*Tip: Lint Rollers are a must if you have the white slipcover! Using a lint roller a few times a week really helps keep the slipcover looking fresh in between washings.
Although I loved the way the Ektorp sectional looked when we first put it together. I was still a little worried about how well it would hold up given the price point. Plus, I knew it would arguably be the most used piece of furniture in our home.
It has been a little over a year that our family has been using the Ikea Ektorp sectional day in and day out, and here’s my honest opinion on it.
I love this sectional, and I would buy it again in a heartbeat!
What I love about the Ikea Ektorp sectional:
~The price point! I firmly believe that it’s one of the best furniture bargains out there for the quality!
~Removable slipcover. Having the ability to remove the cover and wash it is great, especially when you have kids and pets {and mom and dads who drink coffee and eat dessert on the sofa}! Even if you don’t have kids or pets, being able to basically “wash” your sofa whenever the spirit moves you is still pretty awesome. The slipcovers are a durable cotton twill like fabric, and they wash well.
~It’s comfy and durable. Even after a year of heavy use {including kids climbing and jumping all over it}, the cushions are still firm and not saggy at all. We all have our favorite spot on the sectional, so I do try to rotate the cushions so they wear evenly.
~I can change up the whole look in my living room by simply purchasing a new slipcover {as you can see from the pictures I love to change things up}.
~The classic and casual slipcovered look minus the huge price tag that often comes along with it.
home tour
The only downside that I can speak to is the maintenance that comes along with the white slipcover. The white shows EVERYTHING! Not that it’s terribly difficult to wash, but if washing the covers fairly frequently, and the other general maintenance that comes along with having a white sofa is not something you want to deal with, then you should consider getting another color.
How I wash and dry the white Ektorp slipcover:
When I wash my white slipcover, which honestly isn’t that often, once a month {if that}. I use the same method I’ve been using for years when washing my other white slipcovered pieces from Ikea.
I use whatever detergent I have on hand, bleach, and Oxiclean. I wash them in warm water/cold rinse on a normal cycle. I wash the Ektorp covers in 3 loads { back cushion covers, seat cushion covers, and the base cover}.
I dry each load separately on medium heat for about 20 minutes or so, putting the covers back on slightly damp {I aim for somewhere around 60-70% dry}. Doing this helps make it easier to get them back on since it has more give, and helps reduce wrinkles. You can always use a steamer if the wrinkled look is not for you. Just between me and you though, I mostly let the wrinkles work themselves out unless I’m taking pictures for the blog {dont judge me}.
I’ve been asked what do I do when it’s drying since we can’t sit on it. Well, what I often did was wash them right after I dropped the kids off at school. I would turn on the ceiling fan and the covers would be dry by the time they got home. Now that the kids are on summer break, my plan is to wash it in the evenings and let it dry overnight.
Also, I wash my beige cover the same way minus the bleach. I’ve yet to wash my gray cover, but when I do, I will use these same methods as well.
When it’s all said and done I have no regrets buying this sectional. It has worked wonderfully for our family. I’m actually hoping that sometime in the near future we can get the Ektorp sofa for our loft playroom.
This is not a sponsored post. I’ve just gotten a lot of questions over the last year regarding the Ektorp sectional, and I wanted to share my experience with it. Hopefully, this post will help you make an informed decision if you’re thinking about purchasing it. If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments or email me.
Does anyone else have the Ektorp sectional or sofa? What are your thoughts on it?
Thank you for visiting! See you next time!
Linking Up With: Dishing It & Digging It Link Party #100
Do the slipcovers come with the cushion covers as well? I see you change to gray and wondered about that or did you use slipcovers that are not from IKEA? Thanks!
Hi Linda,
I was just reading your post and found it very helpful as I have been SEARCHING for the perfect sectional couch that is cost effective, but also will hold up and be kid friendly. I saw this post was from 2016, I was wondering if you had any change in your feeling about it since then!! Thank you so much!
Thank you this has been really helpful we just bought the 3.5 sofa version . Im so glad we did 3 kids and a shedding large dog . I am just hunkering down to wash it since we got it and I was a little nervous till I found you review and instructions. p.s your home is Beautiful .
Where are you pillows with the blue checkers from?
I tried washing my extorp ikea sectional cover and it shrunk in the dryer! Any tips on drying the cover? Should i air Dry it?
Curious about the coffee table. Looking for something exactly like that. Can you tell me where you bought it?
Do happen to know the dimensions of this sectional!? Would LOVE if it fit in my apartment!
I am really glad you posted this. I just purchased the Ektorp sofa and armchairs and I can’t wait for them to come in, and I have a toddler, two dogs and a husband! This was so helpful and I am looking forward to enjoying them with my family as you have! Thank you!!
Just curious to your opinion on the cushions not being attached?
Sissy it really hasn’t been a problem for us at all. You do have to fluff every so often.
moving soon & am thinking of getting the ikea ektorp. your post has Definately pushed me toward purchasing. love your decorating style, and appreciate the photos of the furniture being put together and used rather than just staged.
So glad it has helped Rhonda! I hope the move went well!
love the room. what color is the wall color?
Thank you! The color is Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams.
love your pillows with the white cover . Where are they from?
Great post, thank you! You’ve got me convinced to buy one for our new house. your home is beautiful. 🙂 thanks for sharing.
I love them too!!!!! The fact that I can take them off and throw them in the wash is amazing! I’ve gotten ball point pen out even!!!!! Curious though if anyone has had luck getting permanent marker out? I’ve tried oxiclean and I’ve tried using rubbing alcohol with no luck.
Try using hairspray to get out the permanent marker
how to spot clean the sectional grey ektorp
Thanks Linda, I love the look of slip covered furniture. I’ve been searching the web and was so glad to find your review. You’ve made my night. TY again!
Thank you so much for this review. I wanted to buy the smaller sectional sofa so badly but my husband thought it would tear up quickly. We ended up getting something else but in the future I really would like to get some Ikea furniture.
Khadija, I’m so glad you found this review useful! We also did the same thing and got a more expensive sofa and it look old within a year. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! ?
Great information here! I’ve always wondered how the Ektorp holds up. Thanks for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It!
Thanks Lori! Glad you found this informational!
Hi Eilis! Thanks for stopping by today! I Love the Ektorp armchairs as well, the profiles are just a little bit too big for our space, or I would’ve replaced our living room chair with one ages ago I think. Yes having slipcovers with children is really a godsend! We passed on the Ektorp a few years ago and I wish I got it earlier, although I’m sure what you have now is great also.
Hey there! Found this posted on Pinterest. Can you tell me the gray paint color you used? I plan to buy the dark gray covers and wanted a light gray for the walls.
Hi Heather, It’s repose gray by Sherwin Williams. Good luck!
We have two Ektorp armchairs in our master bedroom. Like you, I love being able to wash the white covers. After reading this, I wish we had bought this piece for our family room when replaced our sofa…
I’ve always wondered how those Ikea couches hold up, so this is super helpful! The couch is definitely our most used piece of furniture in the house as well. Those slipcovers are pretty much essential for life with kids and pets. Love your honest review, and they look like they’ve held up well!
Hi Celeste, I’m so glad this was helpful! We do everything on this sofa, especially because we all fit so no one has to fight for a spot LOL. Yes, I agree about the slipcovers! I’m not sure I can go back to a non slipcovered sofa, I love the freedom of not being scared of stains or having to constantly fuss at the kids to keep their feet of the sofa or whatever. Glad you stopped by today!