The time has come for us to invest in a new sofa. The one we have now was a hand-me-down from my grandmother, and while it’s still pretty functional, it’s now old, extremely heavy, very sucio, has some busted springs, and the DIY upholstery job that I gave it about five years ago is not holding up too well. (shocker :P) If you look closely, you can see how the fabric is baggy and in places, seams are beginning to come undone. I cover it with a gaggle of throw pillows and fabrics because I can’t stand to look at it anymore. It’s time for a change.
Those of you who have followed the blog for a while know that I can be pretty frugal and that it’s rare for me to buy *new* things–I love my vintage, thrifted and handmade finds–but I think it’s time to make an investment. We have about $2000 to spend on it–which (as thrifty as I am) is a lot to spend on a piece of furniture for myself. That having been said, after about four months of searching, I realize that (with my *expensive* taste) finding something that I love for that price isn’t so easy.
Here’s what we were looking for:
- Sleeper Sofa (especially now with the baby we have grandmas sleeping over to help out and the couch doubles as a guest room)
- Not too heavy to move (I like moving furniture around and the one we have now is so incredibly heavy, it’s hard to clean under it etc.)
- A fun color (duh – that needs no explanation)
- The cheaper the better (double duh)
- Big enough for two people and a baby to sprawl out and comfortably watch the new season of Boardwalk Empire on.
- Baby Friendly
It should also go well with this new coffee table/ottoman that I got on One Kings Lane that should arrive here in the next week or so. (Did you know that coffee table head injuries are the #1 reason toddlers end up in the emergency room?! Crazy!)
I have narrowed it down to four sofas:
1. Baxter Sectional at West Elm
2. Mustard Sleeper sofa from Fashion for Home
3. Caper Sectional sofa at CB2
4. Kivik Sofa at Ikea
Which do you think we should go for? Or are there any others that you’ve seen around that I’ve missed? Help a sista out!
Well… In case you pick the one from Ikea, there is this site: http://www.bemz.se/en/
There you can buy new covers in many different styles.
Good luck!
I’d go for the Ikea one. It looks comfier than all of them and what with the third party sofa cover company options out there you can dress it up as anyway you like.
I also say ikea! Biggest issue (this is important to me) the back is tall enough that you can put your head back on it. The other pieces look like the back hits at your mid back. Love my ikea sofa and I do not like to feel like I am married to a piece. If I haven’t spent much on it, I feel like in 4 or 5 years, it is fair to get a new one. Bemz is a GREAT option for covering it also! Good Luck and may you be comfy!
mustard one is goorgeous!
I really love it too.
For your Jungalow I would choose the Baxter sectional with the great color but would make sure there are nice large pillows to lay back on or perhaps if backed up against a wall some vibrant bolsters across the back. That is a really low back but that COLOR!!!
They all look great, but get the one that cleans up easy–kids and upholstered furniture don’t go well together(!!) –think chocolate milk, grubby hands…..
If any of them come with slipcovers–that’s a plus! The first commenter mentioned slipcovers in different colors for the ikea model? That might be the one then–it looks like it’s affordable, and even the gray version will look awesome with your pillows and rug.
PS: Love your new coffee table/ottoman!
PPS: Also, the new header looks fabulous!
Great tips Gagan, and I’m so glad you like the new header!
Being a mother to two little boys I have to say that at this point in my life, I would definitely go with the most economical and easy to wash choice in sofas. Having said that, number four is the smartest pick when you have little ones around. I can’t even tell you how incredibly beaten up my poor sofa is because of my kids ( and my husband! ). I love having a pretty house all designed and fabulous. My kids have a different agenda though and I regret buying a sofa that doesn’t have removable covers on them. So yes, number four would be my choice for a kid friendly and aesthetically pleasing home : )
I have 2 Ikea Ektorp sofas- they are slipcovered- a must with children, really lightweight and seemingly bombproof- and big- firm and while they are a bit more classically lined than your selections above they are great sofas. The covers WASH!!!! and they are cheap enough that if you found a fabric you love you can have covers made- Mine are khaki and I have bright, colorful pillows- Love them- My interior designer mom always told me to NOT get a sofa where the seat cushion splits right where someone would sit- Three seater sofas either need 3 cushions or one seat cushion- not 2 cushions. As she said- one crack in one’s behind is enough…..
i think the first one from west elm is gorgeous and would fit amazingly in your home. my second choice is the mustard colored one. your home has been a huge inspiration to me and i’ve been bringing more life into my home with plants. you have brought the naturalist out in me. i say this as a fan of yours, the first two sofas seem most like you! however, as talented as you are, i’m sure you could make the last two on the list fit in quite seamlessly as you’d brighten them up with your beautiful accessories! good luck on your big purchase… it’s very exciting!
Go sit on them before you decide! When we were sofa hunting, we thought the Ikea Stockholm looked like a great sofa. Went out to Ikea sat down and…it was like sitting on a board. If you like super firm, it’d probably be great. Crate & Barrel couches are much comfier, but I don’t know if that holds for CB2. We didn’t even have a C & B then so we had to try the sit test when we were on vacation!
It also sounds like you don’t want to have to replace the sofa any time soon. So you need to decide what color you can love for A LONG TIME. Will you love your new fun color 5 years from now? 10? If the couch is great to sit on, and you buy a style that you will enjoy for many years than at least you can have it reupholstered.
I finally gave up and had a sofa made for me. Gee, there are a lot of ugly couches out there! ~Cathy
I love the colour of the first one, but dont like the corner bit. Mum has had one like that for the past 20 odd years and I hate being stuck sitting in the corner bit. I love the Ikea one, it looks so comfy, but would probably go with the fold out sleeper one! Good luck with your decision :)
Ikea!!! Don’t be discouraged by the color, with all your bright beautiful pillows and covers you really don’t need a colorful sofa. and the price is good ; )
I would go for #1 for the color, it’s perfect for your house, but the corner is a bit weird…doesn’t look very comfortable. And, I would certainly reconsider that decision for #4 if the difference in price is a lot. Besides, with all those lovely throw pillows and you creativity that Ikea sofa could end up working out perfectly…
I think the mustard sleeper sofa is the best. Matches perfectly with the coffee table too.
I like the mustard one for the color and lines. But, it sounds like the IKEA one is a great practical option – plus you can dress it in all kinds of delicious colors! I agree with the comment that seating down on it would be key to deciding!! Good luck!
Based on reading the specs, and my life of having slept on MANY couches, I vote for 1 or 3. Honestly, IKEA was out from the start, really. IKEA is nice and cheap but is not as durable as it seems you want. The sleeper sofa is not good…and the way it folds down is not comfortable to sleep on. I’ve slept on several like that, and I’d rather just sleep on a deep sofa. Personally, I prefer the orange #1, but either 1 or 3 would be really great!
I will throw in a recommendation for the Ikea Kivik – I slept on several of them while traveling Europe with my boyfriend last year (including over a month using one as our bed in Istanbul) – and found it incredibly comfortable as both a couch and a bed. Unlike most sleeper sofas, it’s not a skinny folded mattress hidden under the cushions, but a big pull out drawer with a pad that raises up to the same level as the couch and lounge cushions to make a flat double bed. Very comfy, *really* easy to set up and put away, and has a great storage compartment for extra linens and pillows.
It sounds like Ikea is winning here, but since in you’re in LA, you might want to check out a place called the Sofa Company. They have one in LA, Pasadena & Santa Monica (I don’t work for them btw) but some friends have used them to get what they want for a decent price. You can design your own and I’m sure they have fabric recommendations for kids/or slipcover options.
http://www.thesofaco.com/custom-furniture/Sectionals.aspx
The mustard one seems to fit your personality and your list. That one is my pick for the Jungalow! It looks very comfy, also! but I agree with the other commentors: lounge on it first if you can. Good luck!
IKEA.. The price is right. Grey is a great neutral color to play with. You can add all kinds of excitement with the pillows and throws. Plus going the economical way means more money for clothes. I’m just say’n!
There’s also this place in Los Angeles:
http://monarchsofas.com/2101.html
I’ve never been there but thought I might check it out for my next sofa purchase. It seems like their prices are really good and everything is made in the USA.
All your choices are cool but I think when you get the chaise option like the Kivik you give up a lot of seating because the chaise doesn’t have a back. A traditional sectional is much better for family lounge time. We have one and my husband, three kids and I can all fit on it quite comfortably.
Good luck — love your taste and your blog!
We love our sofa and its made locally ;)
http://thesofaguy.com/
You can customize color/pattern/fabric etc.
no complaints! luv your blog!
I love the mustard one!
All of them are great choices, but since you need help picking one I say #3
#2, great shape, great color, and looks comfortable.
Not be a downer but I’ve heard horrible things about ikea sofas. We have the Karlstad for our occasionally used office space, its getting worn out relatively quickly. I’ve heard that for a high trafficked space the ikea ones get saggy and misshapen. Hope that helps!
Hi Justina,
ok one thing i would say.. definitely go with one with side arms…
I just acquired a sofa from a friend and it does not have those nice arms for lounging reading etc… i’m just saying i miss them : )
good luck.. #3 is my pick it looks cozy xo
ps. love your blog
i say the ikea one for sure! You have so many beautiful bright colors with pillows and such and the neutral gray will make it all pop! ps- i just found your blog yesterday and i have to say I LOVE EVERYTHING. You have my exact home style and inspire me! Bohemian butterfly! oh and how cool would this be to put in a living room. i like adding uncoventional pieces makes everything more fun. im a sucker for anything macrame. all my pendant lights in my house are fringe macrame from etsy!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/100140199/macrame-tree-swing-swing-tree-swing?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=macrame+&ga_order=price_desc&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all
omg, girl have you checked out thrive yet? its totally for your budget and its awesome vintage style but new and sturdy made to order with free shipping! http://www.thrivefurniture.com
I know I’m super late in commenting on this, but as a napping expert I will say that good arms on a sofa are a MUST. You need a place to rest your tired head.
The heaviest of the four girls and only 1.6 kg. Hospital for Figure (Reporter Business West correspondent cases Yun) yesterday around 11:30, from the 24-year-old woman in rural Henan, Li Qian, at the Beijing Maternity Hospital successfully gave birth to four birth, mother and daughter safe. Wang when the problems encountered, the original name of his account at the end of the case records with a different police station, can not exit due tax. It is understood that [.] fake oakleys store online http://pinterest.com/foakleys/foakleysoaho/