Why Some People Say You Should Find An Alternative To IKEA Sofas

If you're in the market for a new couch, you want a piece that looks good, is comfortable to sit on, and offers a great value. While many of these qualities can be found in pieces from IKEA, there are people out there who caution against purchasing a sofa from the Swedish furniture retailer. Some sofas that look good enough on the IKEA showroom floor don't live up to expectations when it comes to performance at home, leading to customers who feel that they have spent far too much and have gotten far too little.

Why are some of IKEA's sofas not the best choice? Firstly, certain sofas are priced too high for their appearance and already look unattractive, even on the showroom floor. One example is the UPPLAND, which has a slouchy aesthetic despite costing $749. The fabric quality often comes up short on IKEA sofas, quickly taking on a wrinkled, slouchy appearance that makes it difficult to keep your home looking tidy.

Secondly, while there are some IKEA couches that look attractive, they are simply priced too high to be worth considering. Take the ÄPPLARYD sofa, for example. It features a gorgeous blue fabric but costs more than $1,300. On top of the high price, the sofa often receives criticism for poor performance and comfort — you may be quickly dissuaded from considering such a purchase. If you already own an IKEA sofa and are dealing with appearance issues, you can try this viral TikTok hack that will plump up your flat IKEA couch cushions.

If some of IKEA's sofas are leaving you wanting better choices, there's no need to worry. You can find some really solid choices there — you may just need to be a little more discerning in your selection. While a different aesthetic from the UPPLAND roll arm sofa, the KIVIK ($699), which has a 4.5-star average out of more than 250 reviews, allows you to score a very comfortable sofa for a little less money. Customers say that the couch is durable and remains a comfy spot to relax after years of use. One word to the wise: this sofa is reviewed as being quite firm, so it might not be the best if you'd prefer a squishier option.

Perhaps the visual of the ÄPPLARYD fits your personal tastes, but you're not impressed by the lackluster reviews. In this case, you might be more swayed by the STOCKHOLM sofa ($2,499). Considered by some to be the most comfortable couch at IKEA, customers love the performance of this sofa, with many saying that it is both beautiful and comfortable. One customer writes, "We purchased in 2014 and 10 years later (and one transatlantic move) it still looks great! It is comfortable for everyday use ..."

While some of IKEA's couches are worth steering clear of, you can still find some quality pieces. Test the furniture thoroughly at the store, and pay attention to how the fabric looks on display. Reading the reviews on each sofa is often one of the best ways to anticipate how an IKEA sofa will hold up. Should you choose to branch out from IKEA, you can still score one of these best sofas for under $750.