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Housekeeping

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Original poster

IKEA SOFAS

25 replies

carmenelectra · 01/06/2012 12:10

Has anyone on here ever had an Ikea settee?

I saw a couple i like the other wk, just basic cream fabric with removable covers. Just the thing I want for the living room as they are so compact.

However, I (stupidly) did not think that they would be flat packed. It has kind of put me off now as I am wondering just how well made they can be. DH had a look at the online instructions and it looks like the whole frame has to be built and the then the cover put over.

Do you think they will be shite?

OP posts:

cakeandcustard · 01/06/2012 12:20

I love my Ektorp! Its survived the last 5 years of the DSs jumping all over it and the covers are machine washable. Its great if you're looking for something cheap

Original poster

carmenelectra · 01/06/2012 12:23

Thanks!

Yes was looking for something cheap as want to replace current one quick sharpish and dont want to wait wks for delivery.

Loved it in the shop till went online to check about delivery and in said self assemble1

Was it easy to put up?

OP posts:

civilfawlty · 01/06/2012 12:23

I loved mine (til Dd wrote her name on it in indelible pen and tried to hide it with a blanket aged 3!). They are only flat pack because you attach the legs.

clarabellabunting · 01/06/2012 12:24

The IKEA Ektorp sofas come pretty much intact, don't they? You don't have to do much putting together that I can remember apart from screwing the feet on. They definitely aren't flatpacked.

We currently have the Tidafors, which came in a few separate bits. I think we had to screw the back and the arms to the main body of the sofa.

I'd be very surprised if any IKEA sofas came actually flatpacked and had to be completely built at home.

Original poster

carmenelectra · 01/06/2012 12:25

Lol civil. Hve a feeling my lot of hooligans might do something similar.

OP posts:

kaytola · 01/06/2012 12:26

I've got an Ektorp 3 seater sofa and Ektorp chair in the loving room and an Ektorp 2 seater sofa in the conservatory. All are over 5 years old and still going strong, comfy as hell and the covers wash brilliantly! Love them all and would recommend them to anyone.

Original poster

carmenelectra · 01/06/2012 12:27

Oh this is sounding promising if it's only part assembly. I had visions of my dp having to do some serious carpentry and then it collapsing when we all sat on it.

OP posts:

Onthebottomwithawomansweekly · 01/06/2012 12:27

I have this one (2 of them). They were properly flat packed but I put the two of them up in an evening. I love the washable covers - but wanted to get non cream ones - and discovered there are lots of non IKEA sites out there which make covers to go on IKEA sofas, so you're not just stuck with their range of covers.

I also saw an idea if you're handy with a sewing maching - buy the fabric you want, and use your existing cover as a template to sew a new one! I'm off next week so will be trying that...

Klippan

Original poster

carmenelectra · 01/06/2012 12:28

I am getting excited now at these positive messages, think i will bite the bullet and get a couple.

OP posts:

Onthebottomwithawomansweekly · 01/06/2012 12:29

Also, I've had mine 2 years now and have never had to tighten any of the fixings, they are very solid.

Ikea actually use these sofas as seating in their refunds area and as you go into the shop, so they must be hard wearing!

Salamanger · 01/06/2012 12:29

Love the size of ours but it's hard. Cover is removable but so bit I'd never find a machine big enough to wash it. Don't know what the model is called though, sorry.

Original poster

carmenelectra · 01/06/2012 12:30

THANKS EVERYONE. It's the EKTORP ones and i am looking for maybe a contrasting occasional chair too.

No good with sewing!!

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 01/06/2012 12:31

I have an Ektorp. Fabulous sofa. I've had it 10 years now and given it one new set of covers - it's like having a new sofa :)

VeronicaSpeedwell · 01/06/2012 12:33

I put together my Klippan single handed, it's super easy, mostly just a question of twiddling a few wing nuts. Easy to take apart and reassemble if you move, and the washable cover is easily replaced if you stain it beyond redemption or fancy a change. Plus it's much comfier than our JL one which cost ten times as much and feels saggy to me.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/06/2012 12:34

Don't count on Ikea for quick delivery! When I ordered it said it we would have it within 2 weeks, but when I actually placed the order they phoned and gave me a delivery date almost a month away!

They are a bit of a bitch to put together tbh, but it's just putting on the covers, bolting the sections together and sticking the legs on.

WheresMyCow · 01/06/2012 12:35

We've got a Karlstad and that came in a few bits which had to be put together. It's comfy, and sturdy and the additional plus side is that you don't have to do really stupid manouevers (sp.) to get it round the door

cakeandcustard · 01/06/2012 12:37

Easy to put up. I did ours when I was eight months pregnant with DS1, but DH did tell me off when he came home from work - I was just desperate for somewhere comfy to sit!

Fizzylemonade · 01/06/2012 12:45

We have an Ektorp sofa bed which we have had for 18 months, it is in the playroom so has so far survived two active children diving on it, rolling off it, in fact using it as a climbing frame and not once sitting on it like it should be used.

We also have another Ikea sofa in our lounge but we have literally had that for 2 months, it isn't an Ektorp.

You mainly attach the back to the seat, then add the sides. It is very easy to assemble. Ektop has velcro that holds the covers in place.

Also as it clearly screams "Ikea" to anyone who sees your sofa, there are a few companies now that make spare covers for Ikea sofas but using different fabric. Ikea do sell spare covers but sometimes it can be nice for your stuff not to be instantly recognisable.

Original poster

carmenelectra · 01/06/2012 12:48

Sounds easy if women can assemble them

I have no plans of assembly myself. I will leave that to dp.

If it takes 2 wks to come I had better get my skates on.

wanted it for the weekend lol

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 01/06/2012 14:13

Yes, because we are naturally less capable of doing that kind of men's work

ripsishere · 01/06/2012 14:27

We've got an Ektorop and a Karlstadt sofa bed. The sofa bed is fabulous.
When it arrives back from Belgium I will be buying new covers for it.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/06/2012 14:33

Well I couldn't have done our Karlstadt by myself, but it's massive and has a chaise part to it - DP possible could have just about managed by himself I think.

fengirl1 · 01/06/2012 14:34

Is there one which is high-backed enough to lean your head on?

Original poster

carmenelectra · 01/06/2012 19:04

It was a joke soupdragon.

Personally I am not going to do my back in assembling furniture, when dp is much stronger and bigger.

Also I am busy enough and don't really have spare hours. Anyway, wouldn't most men come and help their wife or partner assemble a big piece of furniture? Obviously unless its something they enjoy doing, which I certainly don't!

OP posts:

Original poster

carmenelectra · 01/06/2012 19:11

Thanks everyone. Think all the positive responses have made my mind up. Was expecting everyone to say they were flimsy or difficult to put up.

I just need to decide what combination, as not only is our old settee scruffy, its also very big. I want to ensure there are enough seats but leaving us more space.

OP posts:

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