Updated June 1, 2026

Which IKEA sofa to choose: the comparison

The sofa is the number one purchase in a living room. It is the first thing people see when they walk in, the piece you spend the most time on, and the most expensive to replace if you get it wrong. At IKEA the choice is wide and the prices look similar, so it is easy to grab the cheapest model on the shelf. That is usually the mistake. This comparison gives you the right criteria so you do not get it wrong, built around three reference models: the KLIPPAN, the VIMLE and the EKTORP.

In this guide you will compare prices, the number of slipcovers, modularity and, most importantly, the real cost over time. You will know which one to favor for your use, and which one to pick when the budget is tight.

The criteria that really matter

Before you look at the price, check these three things. They are what separate a sofa you keep for ten years from one you replace after two.

• Washable covers and the choice of them: accidents happen (coffee, kids, pets), and being able to change the cover lets the sofa evolve with your decor. This is the number one criterion.
• Modularity: a sofa that grows or reconfigures follows your needs instead of ending up at the dump.
• Lifespan and resale: a sofa that lasts and resells well costs far less than it appears to.

And seat depth? It matters for comfort, but across these three compact sofas it is much the same (49 to 55 cm): it is not what sets them apart.

KLIPPAN: the cheapest, but basic

IKEA KLIPPAN two-seat sofa, compact and budget-friendly

The KLIPPAN is the cheapest on the shelf, at 269 euros. It is not a bad sofa to get you by, but it shows its limits fast.

• Few covers: just 6 slipcover models, so little room to evolve it with your decor.
• Compact seat: 54 cm, like its rivals. Not its weak point, but do not count on stretching out on it.
• Comfort that wears: the seat flattens and the springs can creak after a year or two.
• Weak resale: around 100 euros, barely a third of the purchase price.

It is the smart pick when the budget is very tight, but not a buy that lasts or evolves.

VIMLE: the most adaptable

IKEA VIMLE modular sofa with chaise longue

The VIMLE is listed at 599 euros, 330 euros more than the KLIPPAN. And that is where the difference shows, not on depth (55 cm, about average) but on everything else.

• More than 50 slipcovers available: change the color or fabric over the years without changing the sofa.
• Modular: add or remove sections, even a chaise longue, to fit your room and your needs.
• Convertible versions: several configurations come as a spare bed.
• Durable: it lasts more than 10 years and resells for around 300 euros.

On the criteria that matter (covers, modularity, lifespan), the VIMLE is well ahead of the KLIPPAN.

The real cost calculation

This is where the comparison becomes obvious. The sticker price does not tell the whole story: what counts is the real cost across the sofa's full lifespan, resale included.

• KLIPPAN at 269 euros: about 2 years of use, 100 euros resale, for a real cost of around 169 euros, but rebought often.
• VIMLE at 599 euros: more than 10 years of use, 300 euros resale, for a real cost of around 299 euros spread over the whole decade.

On paper, the KLIPPAN costs less. But factor in replacing it every two or three years: over ten years you rebuy four or five KLIPPANs where a single VIMLE stays with you, evolving with your decor. That is the whole point of thinking in real cost rather than sticker price.

EKTORP: the classic, slipcovered comfort

IKEA EKTORP two-seat sofa with a removable, washable slipcover

At the same price as the VIMLE, the EKTORP at 599 euros plays a different card: cozy classic. It is the soft, enveloping sofa, as long as you like its traditional look.

• Fully removable, washable covers, to handle everyday life without stress.
• A generous, plush seat, even if its depth (49 cm) stays compact: you sit comfortably rather than stretch out.

Choose it over the VIMLE if you prefer a timeless cozy sofa to a modular, contemporary one. To place it well in the room, also think about your sofa and coffee table size.

Always test the sofa in store

No product page replaces sitting on the real thing. Before you commit, go to the store and sit on the model you have in mind for at least 10 minutes, the way you would at home on a weeknight. Staying seated for a real stretch is how you feel whether the depth is enough, whether the back supports you well, and whether the seat stays comfortable once the first impression fades.

While you are there, check the cover: see how easily it comes off and whether it goes in the washing machine. Accidents always happen (a spilled coffee, kids, a pet), and a washable cover changes everything day to day. A non-removable cover stains for good; a removable one is saved with a single wash.

KLIPPAN, VIMLE or EKTORP: the verdict and 5 golden rules

To sum up the comparison in one line per profile:

• Very tight budget: the KLIPPAN at 269 euros. The cheapest on the shelf, it gets you by, but it evolves little and resells poorly.
• Classic cozy comfort: the EKTORP at 599 euros, soft and fully slipcovered, for anyone who likes the traditional look.
• Most adaptable over time: the VIMLE at 599 euros, modular, more than 50 covers, durable and easy to resell.

The right move is never to look at the sticker price alone, but at the trio of covers, modularity and real cost over ten years. Keep these five rules in mind:

1. The sofa is the number one purchase in a living room. Do not get it wrong.
2. Across these three compact models, depth is much the same (49 to 55 cm): tell them apart on covers and modularity.
3. Insist on washable covers. Accidents always happen.
4. Always test in store. Sit down for at least 10 minutes.
5. Tight budget, the KLIPPAN gets you by at 269 euros; to keep a sofa ten years, go for the VIMLE or the EKTORP.

Test your IKEA sofa in your living room before buying

Design idea: a living room restyled around a new sofa

The hard part is not choosing the model: it is picturing it in your home, with your coffee table, your rug and your walls. With Shopia, you photograph your living room, pick the style and sofa you like, and get a realistic render in a few minutes. You compare before and after, try several layouts and colors, and buy only once you are sure of your choice. To go further on the layout, see our ideas for your living room.