IKEA Ektorp Sofa and Slipcovers An Honest 7 Year Review

7 years later I'm sharing an honest review of the IKEA Ektorp sectional. A part of the Ektorp series including the iconic IKEA Ektorp sofa.

I'll discuss seat cushions, new slipcovers, size, and all the good things I still love about these popular Ikea sofas.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure policy here

Jump to:

• Why We Purchased The Ikea Ektorp Sectional
• Ektorp Sectional Details
• Get A New Look With New Slipcovers
• Where You Get New Covers For The Ektorp Sofa & Sectional
• A Note Regarding The White Covers
• How To Wash A White Ikea Slipcover
• How To Dry An Ikea Slipcover
• The Best Things About The Ektorp Sectional 
• Ektorp Sectional Con's
• Final thoughts

In today's post, I'm giving you the lowdown on the Ikea Ektorp sectional.

After living with it for 7 years!

If you read my post on how my other Ikea furniture pieces have held up over the years.

You know I get asked about my IKEA Ektorp sectional quite a bit.

In blog posts and on Instagram. Where I've shared plenty of photos of my living room.

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Why We Purchased The Ikea Ektorp Sectional

While I have the IKEA Ektorp sectional. A lot of the information can also be applied to the IKEA Ektorp sofa or Ektorp loveseat.

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I purchased our Ikea Ektorp sectional in early March 2015 in the midst of an out-of-state move.

Finally, I had a living room spacious enough to accommodate the sectional look.

Which was perfect for my young family who loves to hang out together.

I knew I wanted a slipcovered sectional.

The farmhouse look was really reaching its heights of popularity at the time. Which made slipcovered sofas and sectionals very popular and trendy.

Especially white slipcovers.

During that time some of my favorite bloggers and Instagrammers had the Pottery Barn comfort roll arm slipcovered sectional with the white slipcover.

So that's the one I wanted {don't judge me}.

When I showed hubby. This was his reaction {more or less}.

via GIPHY

Did I tell you I'm one of those people with champagne taste on a beer budget?

Well, I am 😄.

The sectional was going to be a big purchase either way.

But the Pottery Barn sectional was a bigger investment than we wanted to make.

And with two young kids at the time and pets {and a husband}. Spills are unavoidable.

So I did a bit more research.

That's when I discovered the gem that is the Ektorp Sectional.

It had the looks.

With the inexpensive price tag, Ikea furniture is known for.

For those who just want the quick and dirty version.

The answer is yes.

Yes to buying it again.

And yes to recommending it.

Especially for those on a budget. Who still wants that Pottery Barn look.

Ektorp Sectional Details

The Price Point

To be honest the best feature of the Ektorp sectional {besides how it looks}. Was the price point.

It's no longer available from IKEA.

But when I learned the price was $799! I almost ran to my nearest Ikea 😂.

If you keep an eye out on FB Marketplace or even Craiglist.

You can get it much cheaper than that.

If you're only looking for a new sofa and not sectional. Even better

You can snag the Ektorp sofa in decent condition for next to nothing on FB Marketplace.

Get yourself a new slipcover.

And bam! You got yourself a new couch!

Tip: A nontoxic way to clean your second-hand Ektorp sofa or sectional. Is to leave the cushions out in the sun for a few hours. That will naturally disinfect it. And help get rid of any offensive odors.

Ektorp Sectional Dimensions

One good thing to me about the Ektorp sectional is the size.

You can see by the dimensions. It's slightly smaller than your average sectional.

• Overal height – 34 ⅝“
• Overal depth – 34 ⅝“
• Seat depth – 19 ¼“
• Back cushion height – 17 ¾“

Making it the perfect size for smaller living and family rooms.

{Also, aside from the length. The Ektorp sofa dimensions are the same.}

Ikea Ektorp Sectional Frame

Here is what the frame looks likes right out of the box. Before adding the legs and arms.

{Although the kids seem to be OK with it that way 😂}

And this is the frame 7 years and one cross-state move later.

Here is the frame with just the base cover on

Hubby and I put it together fairly quickly with no issues both times.

It was pretty intuitive.

{Which was a relief because you know how IKEA instructions be sometimes 😐}

Ektorp Sofa Seat Cushions

Now for the price point, you can't realistically expect cushions wrapped in fluffy down.

Having said that...

I would give the overall comfort of the seat cushions an 8/10.

While the back cushions and the bottom cushions are a bit stiff at first.

It was still pretty comfortable to me.

Plus, after 7 years of use and being the primary seating for our family.

The seat cushions have held their shape pretty well.

They honestly don't look all that flat.

Tip: Make sure to rotate the bottom cushions and to flip the back cushions so they wear evenly.

Get A New Look With New Slipcovers

Need a new cover?

Companies like Bemz from what I've seen can make a replacement cover for Ikea sofas that fit like a glove.

Even for discontinued pieces like the Ektorp furniture line.

Usually offering a range of fabric choice and different colors.

Far beyond what Ikea ever offered. Most of these companies even offer fabric samples.

Where You Get New Covers For The Ektorp Sofa & Sectional

• Comfort Works
  
• Bemz
  
• Ebay
  
• Amazon
  
• Etsy

The Freedom Of Washable Slipcovers

Having the ability to remove the cover and wash it. Makes the Ektorp sofa and sectional very family-friendly.

Especially when you have young children and pets.

{And moms and dads who drink coffee and red wine on the sofa 😶}

There's freedom in knowing you can basically "wash" your sofa {scroll down for washing tips}.

Spills that would have caused me a mini panic attack before.

Now, it's just an annoyance.

Slipcover Color and Fabric Choice

Another huge bonus to having the slipcover.

You got options!

You can change the look of your sofa or sectional by only changing the slipcovers.

It's like getting a brand new sofa each time.

Over the years I've had 3 different colors.

Nordvalla gray slipcover

Tygelsjo beige slipcover

Blekinge white slipcover

And the fairest of them all, the Blekinge white slipcover.

Pretty much everybody and their mama had/have this white cover.

Vittaryd white and the Lofallet beige color were two other popular neutral slip covers that Ikea sold.

Among a variety of different colors and fabrics that were too bold for my taste.

But my hubby thought I was nuts when I told him I wanted white couches in our main living room 😂.

However, when you can just take off the cover and wash it.

Having a white slipcover with kids is doable.

Plus, I was willing to put in the extra effort to keep it clean.

Since I loved 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 the slipcover have a clean look in between washings. 

A Note Regarding The White Covers

While I know we all love those beautiful images with the crisp and white covers. And want that look in our home.

But...

Please be aware the white slip cover shows everything!

If like me you just can't resist getting the white slipcover.

Just be realistic with yourself about the maintenance that comes along with it.

• Using a lint roller almost daily
  
• Vacumming
  
• Spot cleaning
  
• Removing the cover and washing it consistently
  
• And just generally needing to be more concious of what you eat and drink on the couch

Now is it terribly difficult to clean? No.

However.

If washing the covers frequently is not something you want to deal with.

In addition to the other general maintenance that comes along with having a white couch.

Then you should consider getting another color. 

How To Wash A White Ikea Slipcover

• I use whatever detergent I have on hand. Along with bleach and Oxiclean. {follow the manufacturer's directions for measruements}.
  
  
• Wash them in the washing machine on a normal cycle. Using warm water to wash and cold water to rinse .
  
  
• Don't wash the entire thing together. Wash them in 3 seperate loads.
  • Back cushion covers
  • Seat cushion covers
  • Base slipcover.

I wash my white slipcover about once a month when it's on the sectional. Using the method above.

Which is the same way I've been washing my other white slipcovered pieces from Ikea for years.

Plus my beige and gray covers too {minus the bleach}.

How To Dry An Ikea Slipcover

• I dry each of the 3 loads separately on medium heat.
  
  
• Aim for somewhere around 60-70% dry. That's usually like *20-30 minutes in my dryer.
  *DO NOT OVER DRY THE COVERS, THEY WILL SHRINK!
  
  
• Put the covers back on slightly damp. Doing this helps avoid shrinkage. Makes it easier to get the covers back on since it has more give. Plus helps reduce wrinkles as it dries.
  
  
• Once completely dry. You can use a hand steamer if the wrinkles bother you.

Just between me and you.

I mostly let the wrinkles worked themselves out 🤷🏽‍♀️.

I've been asked what do I do when the covers are drying. To keep my family from sitting on it.

Well, I usually wash them in the morning right after the kids go to school.

Once I put the clean and slightly damp covers back on. I turn on the ceiling fan.

The covers are usually {mostly} dry by the time everyone gets home.

If it was still too damp to sit on.

I would literally put painter's tape from arm to arm. So no one would sit on it 😶.

When the kids are on summer break. My plan is to wash it in the evenings and let it dry overnight.

The Best Things About The Ektorp Sectional 

For those who weren't paying attention 👀.

Here's a quick recap of all the best things about not just the Ekptorp sectional. But the Ektorp sofa and arm chairs too.

• The budget friendly price point {especially if you can snag one sencond hand}.
  
  
• You can change up the look of your living room for the different seasons or holidays. By simply purchasing a new slipcover. They're not very expensive. And you can even find them on Amazon.
  
  
• It's comfy and durable. Even after a couple of years (7) of daily use. The seat cushions have held up pretty well.
  
  
• The classic look and casual style of a slipcover sofa {think Pottery Barn}. That works with many different decor styles. Minus the huge price tag that often comes along with it.

Ektorp Sectional Con's

While there is a lot to love about the Ektorp. There are a few things that can fall in the con's column for some.

• Like I mentioned in the white cover section. Be aware the white slipcover does require a fair bit of maitenance to keep it looking clean.
  
  
• The back cushions have gradually gotten saggy over the years. And can sometimes require some "aggressive fluffing" to make them appear fuller and smoother.
  
  
• The seats are not very deep (19 ¾"). We're not a tall family so this doesn't bother us. But, I can see a tall person(s) being annoyed by this. Especially when you add throw pillows into the mix.
  
  
• The sectional as a whole is on the smaller side as far as sectionals go. While this is a plus for me. If you have a bigger room and or a large family. The size might be a con for you.

Final thoughts

Although the Ektorp has been replaced by the IKEA Uppland sofa {which is just a larger version}.

I love this sectional, and would buy it again in a heartbeat!

For the price point, it held up incredibly well.

This is not a sponsored post.

I've just gotten a lot of questions over the years regarding the Ektorp sectional.

And I wanted to share my honest opinion about 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.