We have had the Ikea Ektorp sectional sofa for at least 5 years now. So far I have not grown tired of it and still love the way it looks, It has held up great under very heavy use and a lot of dog activity as well.
This sofa was originally purchased in Blekinge white which I loved. The original cover has been washed many, many times and shows no sign or damage or wear and tear to the fabric. The white was however starting to look a bit dingy. I would wash it and it would look great for a few days, but very quickly seemed to look dirty again. It also shrank even though I always line-dried it and this made it extremely hard to put back on. I decided to replace the cover. I had been meaning to buy a back-up for a long time but had just kept putting it off. You can imagine my dismay when I tried to order one and learned the Blekinge white had been discontinued.
They have a new white called Vittaryd white which is twice the cost of the original Blekinge white, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70321696/#/90321756.
We decided to go with the Lofallet beige instead, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70321696/#/70321696. At $99 for the sectional cover, it is the same cost that the Blekinge white was. I was not sure I would like the beige, because I really loved the white.
I have to say that I really do LOVE the beige.
It actually goes a little better in our old home because nothing is really white anyway. Everything is really much more creamy than white.
Yet it still maintains that light, neutral look I love.
The fabric is 55% cotton and 45% polyester (the white is a cotton twill). This blend does not attract dog fur the way the white did, and it is not just that it doesn't show, but the fur just doesn't cling to the fabric as much.
It definitely stays cleaner longer than the white did.
The beige also feels warmer during the cold Northeast winter. I have kept the white slipcovers and will bring them out again for the spring and summer, but I love the beige as much as I like the white!
Frequently asked questions:
Q: Would you purchase this sofa again?
A: Yes, absolutely. It would still be my first choice.
Q: How much is the sectional sofa in Lofallet beige?
A: The regular price is $799.
Q: How much is the sectional sofa in Lofallet beige?
A: The regular price is $799.
Q: Is it comfortable?
A: Yes, but this is a personal preference. It is not hard at all, but it is also not pillow soft. It is on the smallish size for a sectional and the back is not high so my husband puts a pillow behind his head for extra support. I find it perfectly comfortable and have no complaints.
Q: Is it hard to wash the slipcovers?
A: It is easy to wash. I do it in 3 loads with my front-load washer. I air dry it by hanging it outside in the nice weather, or by hanging the large, main slipcover over my stairway bannister and hanging the covers on the dining room chairs. Sometimes I throw them in the dryer for a few minutes. I sometimes, but not always put it back on when it is slightly damp. The one thing I would suggest is that you clean your washer (especially if it is a front loader) before washing the slipcovers or you might end up with black grease lines on the covers. The lines come out easily with Shout.
Q: Are the slipcovers hard to put back on?
A: The cushion covers are not hard at all, but the very large main slipcover is tricky to replace. You definitely need to do a lot of tugging and pulling at it but it can be done alone.
Q: Do you iron the slipcover after washing?
A: No. I never do and it looks fine.
Q: Do stains come out?
A: Yes, they come out easily after being sprayed with Shout, at least from the Blekinge white. I do not yet have any stains on the beige and I have not had to wash the covers yet (6 months and counting).
Please ask any additional questions in the comments and I will be glad to answer!
Linking up:
http://betweennapsontheporch.net
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2017/02/amaze-me-monday-202.html
http://www.thededicatedhouse.com
Literally, just got back from Ikea with a new kitchen and new beige covers for our Ektorp furniture! We had white and I killed it with a big cup of coffee. We couldn't beat the price of the beige, and we think it will go nicely with golden retriever!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous! A new Ikea kitchen is next on my wish list! I think you will be very happy with the beige!
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
We also have the Ektorp and we recently switched from white to beige as well. We also LOVE it! We find it keeps clean for way longer. Absolutely love your house!!! It is gorgeous, but not in a showy way...just in a nice, homey way! You inspired me (and I convinced my husband haha) to totally change our living room from a super crazy orange color to more neutral tones.
ReplyDeleteI love this comment Celeste! I am definitely not a showy person and I hope my home reflects that. I love warm and cozy without feeling cluttered and overdone. I hope I am achieving that. I had to win my husband over too, but now he loves our home.
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
You are a brave woman! I have always stayed away from white or beige sofas because we have two dogs, so I was so surprised to see that you have dogs as well. Your review was a pleasant surprise to hear that this has worked so well for you even with the pet hair. Thanks so much for sharing, you have given me a new outlook on white!!!
ReplyDeleteI love white, but I love my dogs even more. We often throw blankets on the sofa when we know Rey (the black one) wants to cuddle with us. Harley doesn't like to get up on the sofa. If Rey leaves any paw prints, they usually brush off unless they are wet and muddy. Then I just remove the dirty cover/covers and toss them in the wash. I have no regrets about getting a white sofa. Go with what you love and you can make it work Ann!
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
Do you know the dimensions for the length across the inside where the cushions are? I'm wondering if my coffee table might be too long.
ReplyDeleteIt is about 58" from the inside corner to the end of the sofa. Our ottoman is 32" long and that is the longest that I would go. Good luck!
DeleteWarmly, Glora
Hi, I have been doing so much research into this sectional because I have a right space to work with. I keep finding different measurements for it. I called IKEA to find out the actual length from one end to the corner and she said the same thing as your measurement looking at the frequently asked question section of there site for that sofa. However I have also read many people say that it is 96" long each section. So I'm terribly confused and I can't just run up there to check it out for myself as it's 3 hours away. I'm not sure how there am be different measurements for the same sectional? Any idea? Thanks
ReplyDeleteOk, I just broke out the measuring tape. The hard back of the sofa measures to 92" but the rolled arm extends the sofa to about 98" on both sides along the back. You would need to allow for at least 98" on both sides. This measurement is for the back of the sofa, not the inside. I hope that makes sense. Our room is very small and it fits nicely with 2 average size end tables. Later today when I have my husband to hold the measuring tape, I will take some photos with the measuring tape and add them to this post.
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
Love your review and photographs! I'm looking to get two Ektorp 3-seaters in Vittaryd white, but two issues are holding me back:
ReplyDelete- hubby has long legs and hates undersized furniture! How deep is the sofa (from edge of the sofa to the back cushion)?
- And the Blekinge slipcover was 100% cotton while Vittaryd white is poly-cotton (maybe that's why the pet fur doesn't cling so much?).. the polyester content makes be nervous, is the vittaryd comfy or does it get hot and itchy? And your comments about keeping clean and putting the covers back on, do they relate to Vittaryd? Could Vittaryd be oxycleaned?
Thanks so much!
This is definitely not a huge sofa. My husband is 5'10" and my sons are 6'. The length of the seats are comfortable for them, but the height of the back is not. They usually put a throw pillow behind their head when sitting to watch tv. The length of the entire seat cushion from front to back is 26 1/2". When the back cushion is in place, the seating area is about 20" front to back. The height of the back cushion is about 18 1/2".
DeleteSince I don'tt have the Vittaryd fabric, I don't really know anything about it. I did just look to compare it to the Lofallet.
Lofallet - 55% cotton, 45% poly
Vittaryd - 35% cotton, 65% poly
The Lofallet fabric is very comfortable and not hot and scratchy at all. I just washed it for the first time and it did not shrink at all. It was much easier to put back on the sofa than the Blekinge was and did not need to be ironed. While the stains on the Blekinge ALWAYS came right out in the wash (with bleach), there is one small smudge (probably unnoticeable to anyone but me) on the Lofallet that did not come out so I am going to treat it with Shout and wash it again.
I recently got out my old Blekinge white sectional cover from storage (it had never been stored away before). I thought I would put it on the sofa for the summer for a change. To my amazement, it had shrunk at least 6". There was no way we could get it on the sofa again. The only thing I can think to do is wash it again and try putting it on partially damp and see if it stretches back out, but I am so happy with the beige cover that I don't feel like putting in the effort right now.
I hope this helps!
Warmly, Gloria
What a cozy living room! I'm feeling inspired to embrace more neutrals in our living room. We love our Ektorp sectional, too -- we have two different beige covers (one has contrast stitching and darling button details, but it has been discontinued -- if you see it on eBay you should snatch it up). I wash our covers quite often since we have two small children and two kitties. You just can't beat it!
ReplyDeleteI love the beige cover with the buttons! I don't know why IKEA keeps discontinuing popular items. I just washed our Lofallet beige cover for the first time and it washed beautifully. It did not shrink at all, had no wrinkles, and was much easier to put back on than the Blekinge white. I just ordered the Lofallet covers for another sofa and chair because I like it so much.
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
Have you added any bleach to your wash at all? I just received my new Lofallet Beige after four years of white. Excited to try them, but thinking about toning them down a tiny bit with bleach. Afraid I'll ruin them.
ReplyDeleteI have not used bleach on the beige and don't think I will. I have only washed this cover once since we got it so it is still in perfect condition. I will probably spray any stains with Shout and then wash in Tide with bleach alternative. If you bleach yours, let me know how it turns out.
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
This is good to know. I LOVE my Blekinge white, but so do my pugs so they get washed a lot. However, I hate hate HATE beige so I was disappointed when the white tripled in cost and the cheapest was beige.
ReplyDeleteThis, in natural light, looks great (like beach sand) though so I may invest in it.
I really didn't want beige, but settled because of the price. I am amazed at how much I like it. We have the sectional in our family room and the sofa and chair in our living room. I liked the beige so much I ordered covers for the sofa and chair too and just put them on for the fall. Most of my pillows and blankets go much better with the beige than they did with the white and the room feels so cozy now. It is sort of a taupe beige, very much like the color of sand.
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
I bought a bottom half of an ottoman on eBay, because it was the cheapest to test bleaching the lofallet beige. Washing it this weekend, and I'll let you know how it turns out! I love my new slipcovers btw. I love the looser fit and stone color!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow did it turn out Anne?
DeleteHi! I am curious if the beige really looks like beige or more like cream or off white. I wanted to get the gray but the beige is super cheap right now so I'm trying to figure out if I need to get a different paint color in warmer tones.
ReplyDeleteIt is almost a taupe beige and is very light, but not at all white. Not a creamy or off-white for sure. I would definitely try different paint colors with it to see what looks good.
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
hi! i am trying to decide between the ektorp sofa + loveseat OR just the ektorp sectional.... how many people do you comfortably seat on yours? thank you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Anne! Comfortably, you can seat 5 adults on the sectional but you could squeeze in a couple more people if needed. The Ikea sofas are a bit smaller than other similar sofas. If you have room for the sectional, I would go with that over the sofa and loveseat. I have the sectional, sofa and chair and love them all.
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
Your review was very helpful - thank you
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it was helpful to you Melissa!
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
It's almost been a year since this post. How are you liking the sofa now? Is it holding up well? How much of the year did you use the beige covers and how many times did you wash them? I'm have wanted the white for years and getting ready to buy within the next month. I think the beige would be better for our family. I have three messy kids, lol.
ReplyDeleteWe still love the sofa and it has held up great. There is no sagging and the cushions have retained their shape. So far, I have not put the white covers back on. The beige just seems to work better for us right now, plus, all my pillows, throws, and accessories have more cream tones than whites. The good thing about the slipcovers is you can get the sofa in white, and get a beige cover for backup. The covers are very inexpensive. Hope you can get your dream sofa!
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
Your review has been super helpful and I'm almost convinced I need the beige! BUT, we have taupe/grey walls that literally change color as the sun sets...does the beige cover have a pinkish tint to it at all? I'm worried it's gonna look like we have a pink couch next to the grey! But I'm too scared to commit to the white cover... (I'm more clumsy than my toddler). Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat is a tricky question. I don't think it has pink tones, but I don't have any grey tones that would bring out pink. My walls are a creamy white so the sofa looks very different than it would with gray. I would say the beige color of the cover leans towards taupe. I don't think it would look pink, but I definitely can't be sure. Sorry this is not more helpful!
DeleteWarmly, Gloria
No pink at all, in my opinion. It’s a lovely neutral taupe.
DeleteHi there! Love, love your room! I have the beige and love it-I was so sad when I saw that Ikea had discontinued the Blekinge white. However, the polyester in the beige is great because the fibers, dust pet hair, etc. don't cling to the beinge. Did you happen to notice if it the Vittaryd white fabric looked similar to the Blekinge? Is it still more white than cream or beige? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJust found your site and am getting ready to order the EKTORP Loveseat in Lofallet beige. Our main couch is dark gray leather, almost black. Our walls are greige. Do you think this would go with the couch? I don't want to do the dark gray in the love seat because that will be too dark in our room. I love your site - your home is beautiful!
ReplyDeletei need the price
ReplyDelete