IKEA, a giant in affordable, stylish furniture, offers a range of leather sofas catering to both budget-conscious and trend-seeking consumers.
This review delves into IKEA's leather and faux leather options, examining their quality, durability, and style.
Discover whether these sofas, ranging from higher-end aniline leather to budget-friendly blends, meet your needs and expectations.
Share your experiences with IKEA's leather sofas in the comments!
IKEA's leather sofas, notably the higher-end STOCKHOLM model with quality aniline leather, offer a stylish and affordable option for modern aesthetics. However, their lower-priced options use a combination of grain and split leathers, suggesting a compromise in longevity. IKEA's commitment to sustainability and innovative designs add value, but customer feedback indicates varying experiences, particularly regarding durability and comfort. Ideal for budget-conscious buyers seeking trendy designs, but consider the potential trade-offs in long-term durability
Key Features Of IKEA Furniture:
overall
Quality
Value
Warranty
Reviews
What's The Background Of IKEA?
IKEA, founded in Sweden in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, has evolved from a small-scale operation to a major global brand with over 400 stores and revenues of $40 billion.
The brand name derives from Kamprad's initials plus the first letters of his childhood farm (Elmtaryd) and village (Agunnaryd).
Initially, IKEA sold only matches and pens during World War II due to a shortage of paper goods.
IKEA now focuses on sustainable, affordable furniture, including a recent initiative for circularity and traceability in leather sourcing.
IKEA makes it a point to ensure traceability for its sourced leather. This is from their Sustainability Report from 2020.
We have secured traceability to all slaughterhouses for the past several years now. We are continuing to make progress on leather, with traceability to direct farms, and now have this in place for several regions including Europe, Brazil, Argentina and will continue this year with Russia.
Is IKEA Legit?
IKEA is one of the world's largest furniture stores, and thus, you can confidently shop at IKEA knowing that the company is a legitimate operation.
The company is listed on Trust Pilot and has a score of 1.5 (out of 5 stars) on over 15,000 Reviews. There are over 3000 complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
These numbers were certainly a bit disheartening, however my initial reaction was that IKEA is such a massive company; given the no frills approach and low employee touch points, there were bound to be a lot of bad reviews.
Still, keep reading on as I explore reasons that people are upset.
Who Makes Furniture For IKEA?
IKEA designs its furniture in Sweden and manufactures primarily in Asian countries.
Despite closing its sole US facility in 2019, IKEA remains committed to sustainability, aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2030 and supporting suppliers during the pandemic.
These efforts highlight IKEA's unique stance in the furniture industry and represent one of the positives in purchasing furniture from IKEA.
Investing to speed up action to become climate positive
"Investing to speed up action to become climate positive In FY20, Inter IKEA Group announced the decision to invest EUR 200 million to accelerate the transformation of the IKEA supply chain towards using renewable energy and to remove CO2 from the atmosphere through reforestation, the restoration of degraded forests and better forest management"
What's The Quality Of IKEA's Leather Furniture?
In this IKEA leather sofa review, we will focus on IKEA's leather furniture, including the popular STOCKHOLM sofa, which uses a mix of full grain and split leathers, with more durable grain leather for high-wear areas.
While the STOCKHOLM features high-quality aniline leather, other models like the MORABO and FINNALA offer lower-cost alternatives, mixing top-grain leather with coated fabric parts.
Note that in materials I found on the IKEA website, it appears that IKEA uses cattle hide for a majority of leather products, but occasionally uses goatskin. Half of the leather used comes from Brazil.
IKEA has recently expanded its 'faux-leather' collection of affordable sofas.
Aside from the STOCKHOLM, MORABO and FINNALA, IKEA has several 'faux leather' options.
My Visit To The IKEA Store - IKEA Sofa Reviews
My recent visit to IKEA in Stoughton, MA, was a nostalgic journey, recalling past purchases from cabinets to cribs, reflecting IKEA's affordability.
Though skeptical, I explored the IKEA sofas. The verdict?
The STOCKHOLM sofa impressed with its stylish look and comfort, while other leather options felt less premium in comparison.
Ikea Stockholm Leather Sofa Review
The STOCKHOLM, IKEA's most popular leather sofa, priced at $2199, features a 'SEGLORA' cover of full-grain aniline leather. It's also available with a washable fabric cover.
For a full-grain aniline leather, $2199 is an attractive price point. Thus, my immediate thought was that maybe this leather isn't exactly the best of quality.
The one concern I have about the STOCKHOLM sofa is the frame construction.
IKEA says the frame is made of "Particleboard, Plywood, Polyurethane foam, Polyester wadding, Fiberboard", thus not a frame I typically recommend.
In testing, the STOCKHOLM proved comfortable with ideal cushioning. However, despite satisfactory leather quality, concerns about the sofa's frame durability remain
Ikea Morabo Leather Sofa Review
The MORABO is another popular IKEA sofa, but this is where the 'faux' leather comes into play.
IKEA says that the MORABO uses a 'dyed through top-grain leather with a treated, embossed and pigmented surface" on 'main parts, likely the cushions.
But the 'coated fabric parts', likely the sides and back of the sofa, use "25 % cotton, 75 % polyester, 100 % polyurethane".
Thus, the MORABO is not as high quality as the STOCKHOLM IKEA sofa, but at the price point ($849) it's a nice stylish, low cost alternative.
From a comfort perspective, I found the Morabo to be firmer than the Stockholm sofa and less comfortable.
Note that the Morabo is also available as a black leather loveseat, which I think is more appealing than the white variation. While stylish, at $1299 retail, the Morabo is what I would classify as 'style on the cheap'.
Ikea also sells a Morabo brown leather chair and other color variations. It uses the same leather and leather match combination.
Ikea Viskafors Sofa Review
The IKEA Viskafors sofa, priced at $1899, embodies trendy mid-century modern style with a Swedish flair
It features a comfortable, extra-soft brown leather with a top-grain finish and well-defined cushioning.
This is one of the IKEA sofas labeled as 'extra soft' and I sunk into the cushions at the showroom. This was also after an extra helping of IKEA meatballs, so this sofa fits the bill as a great 'lounging' sofa.
This isn't a 'Buy It For Life' sofa, but it offers great value for about a decade, especially for those on a budget.
Ikea Finnala Sofa Review
There is also the FINNALA which uses the same materials as the MORABO and for the regular size sofa costs $1199. The Finnala is also available as a sofa bed (as is Morabo).
Based on my sit test, i found the Finnala to be quite comfortable and certainly a great value. Perfect for lounging and watching tv, one of the best bang for your buck couches at IKEA.
Like the Morabo, Finnala uses a mix of leather and leather match which will likely limit the longevity, yet provides a more affordable sofa option for consumers.
On the Finnala and all of IKEA sofas, they use a sustainable recycled polyester to fill the back cushions.
Thus if buying from a sustainable furniture company is important, know that IKEA takes great strides to ensure they are using the most carbon efficient materials.
IKEA Havberg Leather Chair Review
I almost came home with this gorgeous IKEA Havberg leather swivel chair, but instead bought an IKEA Lansdkrona sofa.
The Havberg is a very comfortable chair and is made with leather match, which means top grain leather on the seating areas, and a polyurethane materials for the backs and sides of the chair.
It's affordable at only $499 and comes with an optional ottoman.
At the store, I was curled back in the Havberg and could have stayed there for hours. It's a great reading chair.
What Is Ikea Grann Leather?
IKEA's Grann leather, used on many of the IKEA sofas, is a high-quality grain leather known for its strength and natural texture.
It's typically paired with Bomstad, a coated fabric that mimics leather's look and feel. This combination allows IKEA to offer stylish yet cost-effective furniture, like the Morabo loveseat, in various color options.
This is known throughout the furniture industry as a 'leather match' and is quite common when furniture companies are looking to cut corners.
It requires less, costlier leather, allowing the manufacturer to cover the remaining areas of the furniture with non-leather materials, usually splits, which are a combination of leftover leather scraps and plastics.
Are IKEA Couches Comfortable?
During my visits to a local IKEA store I was impressed with the comfort of the Morabo Leather sectional and the Kivik sofa. I've also owned an Ektorp sectional before and it was super comfortable.
In my discussions with IKEA sofa owners, there has rarely been a mention of the couch being stiff or uncomfortable.
One reviewer of the Morabo IKEA sofa says the following:
The Morabo very supportive and keeps posture proper when sitting upright. The cushions are very firm with no signs of bottoming out and as advertised, it quickly retains its shape after getting up
Note that IKEA also labels its sofas as Firm, Medium Firm, Soft or Extra Soft.
I'm not 100% certain what distinguishes between the different comfort levels, but I suspect it has to do with the thickness of the foam used in the seatrests and cushions.
What Do Customers Say About IKEA?
IKEA's customer feedback is mixed, with a low Trust Pilot score and numerous BBB complaints, primarily due to delivery issues.
However, limited reviews on IKEA's website suggest a more positive reception for specific products like the STOCKHOLM leather sofa.
Despite these mixed reviews, the company's size and operational model contribute to these diverse customer experiences.
But we need to focus on the reviews about the leather furniture at IKEA.
Here's one reviewer's opinions on the Stockholm IKEA Sofa.
The conclusion?
Comfort, quality and style are on point, according to the reviewer.
And then I went over to my other favorite source for true, unbiased reviews--Reddit.
I didn't find much on the STOCKHOLM Leather but found more inquiries about the MORABO (I think the higher price point of the STOCKHOLM might scare off some more budget oriented consumers)
The reviews were pretty favorable. One redditor says the MORABO sectional is 'perfection'.
It is very comfortable but not the squishy, fall-into-the-cushions type of comfortable which is probably why it’s not considered one of IKEA’s most comfortable sofas! It’s still great for lounging and cuddling though. And it just looks so damn good all the time! I don’t picture someone regretting this sectional unless they’re looking for the squishy, tall, thick kind of sofa!
This same sentiment was echoed by another user that owned the MORABO:
I fall asleep pretty regularly on the couch.. you’ll definitely need back pillows for that though. So highly recommend it for napping.
I’ve had it for about two months now so can’t say much to longevity, but it’s definitely a semi-firm foam. I’m not a fan of a couch that you would sink into.
The seats are pretty deep, and I’d say the couch is lower to the ground than most which is something I (and the dog) like.
What's The Warranty On IKEA's Leather Furniture?
IKEA offers a 25-year limited warranty on the STOCKHOLM leather sofa and a 10-year limited warranty on the other top grain and faux leather options.
The question: what will IKEA cover under either of these warranties for a leather/faux leather sofa?
I unfortunately found many instances where IKEA was not living up to its end of the bargain in terms of its warranty. Here's another one where the discussion centers on the ripping of any IKEA sofa.
IKEA does state in its warranty manual that it does not cover leather under the warranty.
What about the particleboard based frame?
Here's one consumer that had a big problem with an IKEA leather sofa frame and a denial of warranty.
Problems With High End IKEA Leather Sofa
"The manufacturer dared to use a particleboard to suspend the plywood beam with very poor building quality. There have occurred cracks and holes at the particleboard part when assembling it, and the manufacturer just glued the big damage instead of replacing a new part. It is clear that IKEA uses a manufacturer without qualified engineers. The IKEA assessor and customer service manager tried to be blind on the defect of its manufacturer. Even with the obvious defect of their manufacturer, they still chose to blame it was their clients’ fault so as to avoid its warranty at all."
Will IKEA Ship Internationally?
IKEA US delivers within the continental United States, however they are not able to deliver to Alaska, Hawaii, PO Boxes or APOs.
Given IKEA's global footprint, there's a good chance that you might be able to get your hands on IKEA furniture if you live outside of the US.
I'd check in here with IKEA to see if you live in a territory covered by IKEA delivery.
Does IKEA Offer Discounts?
One thing I love about IKEA is the 'AS-IS' section which is typically located near the front checkout section of the warehouse in more locations. I've found some amazing deals here, even discovering a cloth Stockholm sofa for only $200!
The key is in timing the stocking up of the AS-IS section so it might make sense to call your local store to see when they load it up. My local store adds new items every day as things are returned. My experience has also been that stuff tends to pop up when its less busy midweek as opposed to on the weekend.
Note that in Canada, IKEA now offers the ability to shop AS-IS products online, so my hope is that some day they add the same capabilities in the US.
In Conclusion
IKEA's leather sofas, while certainly not the most expensive couches on the market, manage to strike a delicate balance between affordability and style.
While they might not compete with the likes of Restoration Hardware or Ethan Allen in terms of luxury, IKEA's leather sofas offer a valuable option for many, especially those looking to smartly furnish their living spaces without excessive costs.
IKEA's offerings are more than suitable for those furnishing college apartments, a new house, or seeking a comfortable sofa for their living room without breaking the bank.
The STOCKHOLM sofa, for instance, stands out at an attractive price point, with high ranks for comfort with its sturdy back cushioning. Add on some comfy, high design throw pillows for an extra layer of style and comfort.
If you are looking for a new couch that will last generations like some more expensive alternatives, it might not be a perfect fit, but IKEA offers a practical solution for those in need of a reliable, comfortable sofa.
IKEA's initiative to improve and sustain the quality of their products suggests a move towards bridging the gap between luxury and affordability.
We have had the Ikea Stockholm leather sofa in our living room for four years of very hard use and it just keeps getting more comfortable and better looking. Neither my husband nor I are lightweight people and this sofa has been slept on , jumped on, eaten on and generally abused by all – including cats. I LOVE this sofa and highly recommend it. It was a little low for me, so we did replace the legs with taller ones.
Thanks for the comment Celia! And good to know about the taller legs. Funny I had an old Ektorp fabric sectional from IKEA and I also thought it was low. I should have changed the legs but never even thought to do so. All the best! Tom
Bought the Kramfors sofa,15 years ago. It has stood the test of time with a now 13 year old nephew and several grandchildren. Firm and great for napping. It reinvents itself thanks to Bemz velvet made for Kramfirs covers.