Give Your Old IKEA MORABO Sofa A Linen Upgrade With A DIY Project

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What's a person to do when their MORABO sofa from IKEA still feels good, but the upholstery needs a little love? (Especially if whipping out the sewing machine isn't exactly in your skillset.) You don't have to get rid of the sofa or, if looking up how much it costs to reupholster a sofa makes your eyes water, just live with it until your "new sofa" account is fully funded. Instead, repurpose linen bedding to give your sofa a crisp new look on a budget.

The best part about this creative DIY project shared by Madisun Gray on Youtube is that you don't need to be an expert (or even an amateur) seamstress to upgrade your sofa. By simply repurposing linen bedding, you can level up your sofa with just a fraction of the cost of a professional upholstery project. All you need to upgrade your old MORABO into the sofa of your dreams are linen crib sheets, pillowcases, and a coverlet, as well as a staple gun and a few safety pins just in case.

First, decide if you want to replace any sofa cushions and measure anything you want to recover. Think new or existing cushions, armrests, or the back of the couch. Next, get your fabric. But instead of heading to the fabric store, pick up a few fitted linen crib sheets for the seat cushions, like these European flax sheets from Etsy, and linen pillowcases for the back cushions, such as StangH Linen Sofa Cushion Covers. Use your measurements to make sure the covers will fit appropriately. Additionally, for the back, sides, or front panels of the sofa, reuse or pick up a linen coverlet or thin blanket. Make sure to add a buffer of at least 6 inches to the dimensions to ensure you have enough fabric to secure and cover the panel.

Now, let's put it all together. Remove the sofa cushions and pillows. To cover the front panel, cut the coverlet to size if needed, making sure to leave enough buffer fabric. Position the cover in place, then use a staple gun or safety pins to attach it to the bare sofa seat. If you want a flowy look, let the fabric drape down. To keep with the MORABO's modern look, lay the sofa forward, so you can see the underside of it and pull the fabric taught. Fold the excess fabric up and staple into place. Repeat for the back and side panels. Make sure to staple in places that will typically be covered by cushions to create a crisp, clean look. Then slip the crib sheets onto the seat cushions — use safety pins to secure any loose fabric on the underside of the cushion if needed — and the pillowcases onto the other cushions.

We'll just say it: Linen isn't exactly known as one of the easiest sofa materials to clean. However, with a little special care and know-how, you can keep your beautiful new sofa looking spotless. First, one of the best ways to clean linen furniture is to make sure to dab any stains with a mixture of white vinegar and water as soon as possible. After gently dabbing on the mixture, rinse with water and allow it to dry. When you wash the crib sheets and pillowcases, use a liquid detergent that's safe for linen, like Le Blanc Linen Wash, on a delicate cycle in cold water. If you have the time, put the linen outside to dry, but try to avoid putting it in the sunlight if possible to prevent discoloration and weakening of the fibers. If you need them dry ASAP, a cool tumble dry on low should do the trick. Vacuum your linen regularly, especially the fabric that is stapled down, to prevent everyday dust from settling into the fabric and causing damage.

A fun bonus of this home DIY activity is you can swap out the crib sheets and pillowcases depending on the season, your mood, or if you change up the color palette of a room. If you plan on doing this, make sure to pick a neutral color for the sofa back upholstery. This way, the sofa will still have a cohesive look while incorporating the colors of the season or your new decor.