New Sofa: What's Holding You Back

If you're thinking about a new sofa, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are our answers to some common ones.

Aren't all sofas expensive?

No. Even a brief look at our catalog will show you that an attractive, quality sofa is within your budget. And for an item that gets used every day by every member of the family, updating it can be a worthwhile investment.

Will it stand up to tough use?

Yes. We understand how people live today, and we understand that sofas, like so many of your possessions, get hard use. In fact, we're so sure that our EKTORP, KRAMFORS, KARLSTAD and other series of sofas will withstand all the enjoyment your family gets from them that we cover them with a 10-year limited warranty. The STOCKHOLM collection even has a 25-year limited warranty.

You can be confident that your new sofa will last longer than some of the other major purchases you have in your living room, such as the carpeting, your laptop computer or the big-screen TV. That alone is a good reason to relax.

What if "someone" spills something?

Of course, someone will spill something. We expect that to happen, and so should you. The materials we use to cover sofas are chosen not only because they look good, but because they clean easily, "just in case." And we have another solution to spills: removable covers that are machine-washable! EKTORP, KRAMFORS and KARLSTAD sofas are perfect for families with a small child (or the occasional adult) who loves to snack on the sofa.

A "machine-washable" cover? For a sofa?

Yes. The covers are attached with Velcro strips and can be taken off and put back on in minutes. You should know that we test our covers by washing them 40 times to be sure that they retain their shape, texture and color.

Can I replace the cover anytime?

Of course. We know that many people worry "What if I move or redecorate the room? My sofa won't fit with the new décor." Our sofas will, because you can easily (and economically) change its look. You may even want to change the look for the different seasons. It's amazing how refreshing such a simple step can be — you'll feel like you've bought a new house!

How can I coordinate a new sofa with the rest of the room?

A sofa is a big piece of furniture, and we usually choose other furnishings such as chairs, rugs and lamps to coordinate with the sofa's color, shape and size. It's important that everything else be coordinated with the sofa, but it's not necessary that it match the sofa. Experiment a little. Have fun. After all, this is the room where you spend most of your waking hours at home. Use colors or patterns that complement each other, such as stripes with solids. Accent the sofa with pillows that introduce new colors and textures. If you're redecorating the entire living room, you'll find plenty of chairs, loveseats, chaises and footstools in the IKEA catalog. All of them will coordinate beautifully with your new sofa.