Hey Everyone! I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! We went to two fireworks displays this year, and I think the girls and I are still feeling the effects of the much-later-than-usual bedtimes. We normally let the girls head to bed a little later every once in awhile in the summer, but it’s been happening too often lately, and they’ve been out of sorts the last few days. Normal-ish routine commences tomorrow though, because this momma can’t handle any more mid afternoon tantrums or whining at dinner time {insert horrified face holding cheeks emoji here}.
But anyway, I wanted to finally share my review of our new IKEA Farlov sofas with you all today! If you follow me on Instagram, then you may already know that we bought these back in May when Fifi O’Neill came and shot our home for an upcoming magazine feature. Here she is, doing her thing! See the little corner of the Farlov armrest playing peekaboo there?
The whole experience still seems surreal, and I’ll definitely let you all know when it hits newsstands. The day they came was rainy and cloudy, but her camera crew was amazing and still managed to make the photos look airy and light. I snapped this one with my cell while Fifi was styling!
But back to the sofas. Michael and I had been debating for a few months whether or not to replace our old Ektorp sofas. They’d been SO easy to clean. Just pull off the covers, wash with Oxiclean and bleach, and they looked new again. But after years of lots and lots of use (and one creative kiddo who managed to pull 1/2 of the stuffing out of a few of the cushions while Mommy was washing the covers), they were starting to sag and look frumpy. So with a magazine shoot on the horizon, we bit the bullet, and bought IKEA’s new Farlov series sofas.
I’ll just start off by saying, I LOVE them so far. I wanted to wait a bit before I shared them with all of you – just until we’d had a chance to live with them awhile – and I especially wanted to see how they held up after a washing.
Do you see how there are a few wrinkles in the middle of the top and front of this sofa’s cushion? Well, there were even more than that on the other sofa before I washed it.
Here’s another angle, in case it’s hard to see what I’m talking about. I, personally, don’t mind a casual looking sofa, but I was afraid that if it was wrinkling up like that after a little over a month of use, we may be in trouble.
But here’s a look at the other sofa after it was washed! I was so happy to see that the fabric smoothed right back out, and the couch looked brand new again.
Hallelujah, because, seriously, I could not live without a slipcovered sofa. And although I will always love the rolled arm, classic appeal of the Ektorp, my design loving heart was longing for something a little sleeker and more elegant.
Like maybe a chesterfield.
And then I remembered that I have four kids, and a slipcover is a MUST for me. I’ve just never been ok with things ‘looking’ clean; especially surfaces that I’ll occasionally be resting my face on, and goodness, there can be all kinds of who-knows-what on a couch when you have kids, right?
I just adore slipcovers for so many reasons.
I absolutely love how the house smells on slipcover washing day. I love how the couch itself feels to sit on after it’s been washed. I love the satisfaction of watching my couches go from looking unsalvageably stained, to pristine in 90 minutes. I could go on and on, but I’m sure you get it at this point, right?
Slipcovered sofas are my jam and the Farlov is my new obsession.
The Farlov is completely different than the Ektorp though, and it goes beyond the arm style.
Farlov vs. Ektorp {Pros and Cons}
The Farlov is MUCH deeper than the Ektorp. And when I say deep, I’m talking almost the size of a twin mattress deep. I absolutely love it and find it to be ridiculously comfy, but if you’re not a fan of deeper sofas, you may not.
The Farlov slipcover fabric has a bit of a wider woven texture that looks more high end than the Ektorp, in my opinion. But the downside to that is, if you have children, little bits of crumbs, dirt, or whatever else they drag in, isn’t as easily brushed off of the couch. It’s not impossible, but it takes a few more swipes, or a vacuum if the crumb/dirt situation is crazy. I found, at my sister’s recommendation (hey, Erin! Thank you! 😉 ), that a lint roller completely solves this problem though.
The Farlov has a single cushion seat, versus the Ektorp’s three cushioned seat. Again, I think that this gives the Farlov a more high end and crisp look, but it’s also a little unwieldy trying to get the cover put back onto it.
The Farlov can sit an extra person comfortably, when you compare it to the Ektorp. Because of the shape of the arms, you’re able to have much more seating space within the same overall dimensions as the Ektorp. Another plus for Farlov!
My Washing Experience
Ok, guys, I’m going to let you know how I, personally, washed my cover. I didn’t follow IKEA’s washing instructions, so just know that there’s a chance you may not have the same results as I did if you choose to go this route too!
I used to wash our old Ektorp covers on our washer’s hottest setting, along with bleach and Oxiclean. Whenever I didn’t do that, I’d always find a stain or two that didn’t come out the first time around, so I was really hoping that I’d be able to wash this cover the same way without it shrinking on me.
I didn’t know that part of the cover (that is covered by cushions) was gray when we bought the sofa, and I was nervous that it might bleed or make the cover look dingy if I washed it on a hot cycle. I decided to try it anyway, because I knew a white cover was not going to work out for us in the long run if it couldn’t be bleached.
So I decided to take a chance and go against IKEA’s washing instructions by washing this cover the same as I did with our old Ektorp (hottest cycle, oxiclean, bleach). I crossed my fingers that it would work out, and it did! Yay!
Super important thing to note: I didn’t put the cover in the dryer afterwards AND I put it on the couch while it was still wet. I’m pretty sure those last two steps are essential because the fit was really snug, and if the cover had been dry when I went to put it on, I don’t think it would have fit. So definitely put it through a higher spin cycle and then put it on while it’s still wet so the fibers can stretch back out easier – the same as you would with an Ektorp if you’ve ever owned one.
Oh, and you probably want to make sure you won’t have visitors popping in on you before you do this, or they may seriously wonder why on earth their behinds are getting damp. I usually try to time ours so that I put it on just before we head to bed.
I’m completely smitten with this sofa, you guys. It’s crisp and elegant, and it’s slipcovered.
Off topic, but if you come around often, you can see that I made a few changes around here for summer. You can see my spring home tour here, if you missed it.
Ironically, the pillows that I had out at Christmas last year made a return for summer, and I added in a little teal for some freshness. I also replaced my coffee table tray with my driftwood bowl, and that’s pretty much it. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, then you may also know we’re rebuilding one of our front porches and working on our entryway at the moment (you may also know other things, like what I have hiding behind one of my curtains 😉 )
Needless to say, with my husband working on that project during his free time, and us also trying to squeeze in as much fun as we can during the girls’ summer break, decorating is taking a major backseat. But I’ll do a full tour in the fall when things start quieting down, I promise.
Have a great week, Everyone!
Laura ♥
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I LOVE THE NEW SOFAS!!! I don’t know, but they don’t look like they’re something from IKEA to me. I always picture that style being really modern, but this isn’t at all and I love it. Thanks for the tips!
Aw, thanks, Amelia! They’ve been amazing so far. IKEA definitely has a lot of modern but also loads of traditional pieces if you’re selective. I’m so glad you stopped by! xoxo
Is the sofa bright white or does it have more of a flax look?
Hi Kim! I wouldn’t quite say it’s flax. It’s a little whiter than an ivory, but creamier than a bright white. I hope that helps! xoxo
Your house is beautiful. I’m considering buying these sofas, but our Ikea is 3 hours away. Do you think these are comfortable to sit on? Thank you!
Thank you so much, Ashley! That’s so sweet! They’re very deep, and if you like a deep sofa, ! think you’ll love it. I find it to be so much better for cuddling and family movie nights. So much roomier than our old one, firm but also plush – its great! Shorter people or people who don’t like deep furniture most likely won’t agree with me though! 🙂
Thank you so much for this post! I bought the Farlov sofa back in march. I love it! I am having a hard time when I wash it though. I’m kinda stuck on what to do so I thought I would ask your advice. I followed the instructions in how to wash them but everytime they come out with bright white streaks all over. It drives me crazy! Just wondering if you ever heard of this ? What would you recommend to do? ?
Hi Corinne! Oh no, that’s so strange. I’m wondering if maybe there’s not enough water during the cycle to fully distribute the bleach (is that what you’ve used?) and then maybe certain areas are getting a more concentrated amount of it? I’m not sure. I’ve never had that happen. If you have an option for extra water or an extra rinse, I’d use it and see what happens. Crossing my fingers that works for you! ?
We have a 10 year old ektorp and the cushions are always sliding out and I have to fix them constantly. Does the farlov have this issue?
Hi Crystal! I definitely have to reposition it after a couple of days. It slides out a little, but not crazy in my opinion. My girls are pretty hard on it too!
Love the sofas! Are both of them sofas or sofa and loveseat?
Hi Amy! We have a sofa and a loveseat! Good eye! ??
Hi!
I have the Farlov sofas as well and I love them!! I tried washing the covers as directed by IKEA and they came out looking even dirtier 🙁 I was happy to see that you used oxiclean and bleach and they turned out ok! I am going to try that when I was them this next time around. How much of each do you use in your wash cycle? And how many cushions did you wash at one time?
Thanks!
Hi Jessica! Aren’t they so comfy? We love them over here. I only use a little bleach (maybe 1/2 a loads worth) but then I use two big scoops of oxi clean and add an extra rinse to the cycle. I hope that works better for you! Thanks for popping in ☺️
Hi! I love how thorough and detailed this review is – it has been helpful during my research for a slipcovered piece. Do you own any of the ikea slipcovered chairs to match this line or the ektorp you owned before? Im wondering if they would be a nice accent piece for the living room without having to spend triple at other places.:)
Hi Miranda! Thanks so much! I don’t own any of the slipcovered chairs, but I have tried them and they’re really comfortable. I love how the Stocksund and Stockholm, and then of course the matching Farlov, look with these. Thanks so much for stopping by! xoxo
These look awesome and I totally considering getting them, if you can answer a couple questions. 1. I find most of their couches/chairs sit low to the ground, do you find these are normal height? I am only 5ft, I noticed you do not have the bolsters on the couch/love seat, do you think that would help for less lazy sessions on the couch (mainly thinking of laundry folding sessions)? On that note, are the bolsters shown on their website included with couch? Thank you! PS – Your home is gorgeous!
Hi Sarah! I’d say this couch is a relatively normal height. Not nearly as low as some of them, and it’s also fairly deep. I’m 5’6″ and if I sit all the way back without the bolsters, my feet just lay flat on the ground. The bolsters did come with it, I just have too many pillows that I love lol! I’d say the bolsters would definitely make a difference if you’re not looking to really lounge. Any pillow would really, I think! Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. So many comments were buried in spam and I’m just now seeing them! xoxo
Hi! Great review!! I just got my Farlov sectional and I love the look of it, but my back cushions are so flat that I can feel the hard wood behind them. The seat cushions plumped up beautifully, but not the back. Can you tell me if yours are plump and comfy? Thank you!!
Hi Robyn! I’m so sorry, I just saw your comment now! Ours is 7 months old and our cushions are still just as plump as they were when we bought it. That’s so strange!
Robyn, I have the Farlov sectional and I didn’t let the cushions expand as much as needed when I first bought this couch. Try leaving them out of the covers overnight and see if that helps them plump up a bit.
That’s a great idea, Jen! xoxo
Greetings from Berlin. Thank you for the review. Since the sofa is relatively new, there aren’t very many reviews of the Farlov, so it’s a huge help when I stumble upon one. I have been eyeing the Farlov for about a month now. We just sold our Kivik (also from Ikea) and are looking for something just as comfortable with a traditional silhouette, where the arms take up less space, giving way for additional room for seating. We spend a lot of our free time entertaining friends and watching movies, so we need a sofa that can handle everyday traffic. I was wondering how you found the cushions to hold up? Is your Farlov in a room that you use often? I have seen several photos where the seat cushion seemed very flat as if there was no batting surrounding the cushion. I love the look of the Farlov and appreciate that it’s slipcovered. Though, I am concerned about the seat cushion not holding up. However, I am hopeful. Especially, when I see the sofa shown in beautiful photos and spaces like yours. Thank you in advance and congratulations on the magazine feature.
Hi Phil! Thanks for those kind words. Our cushions are still totally plump and the sofas are in our only living room. They start to look a little tired after a couple of weeks because the slipcover starts to stretch a bit I guess, but right after it’s washed, the sofas look taut and plump again. We love them! I hope that’s helpful and I’m sorry that I saw your comment so late!
Thank you so much for this post!! I’ve been looking at both designs of sofa for SO long. I couldn’t choose because I didn’t have a side by side view ya know?!? This is perfect I’m almost positive we’re going to get the farlov instead of the ektorp. My husband loves taking naps on the couch and I was worried about the ektorp not being big enough (he’s a big guy). So thank you so so much for this!!
Oh, yay! I’m so glad it was helpful! We’ve had it for 7 months now, and still love it! xoxo
Hi
What a great review your wrote about the Farlove
I am now quite doubting on which color I will buy.
The white ine is great but I am afraid that it will become dirty and won’t be clean as in the beginning.
There is a darkgrey (which looks asful in my opinion) and beige version too.
Any tips?
Hi Jens! The gray is definitely very dark and moody, and if that’s not your thing, it’s probably not a great option. The beige is more versatile, but what I love about white slipcovers is that you can bleach the heck out of them, and they always look new! So I wouldn’t worry about having white unless you really don’t want to wash them every couple of weeks. The farlov is a new line though, and I’m pretty sure they’ll roll out new colors/patterns in the next couple of years, so if you get one and don’t like it, you’ll most likely have other slipover options soon! Thanks for stopping by!
Love this review. Bought the Farlov sofa in white today. Should I wash before installing. How wet is the slip cover when you put it on? Do you air dry first?
Do you use scotch guard or anything?
Thank you for your review! Your living rooms looks beautiful!
Hi Liz! Yay! So exciting! I didn’t wash my cover the first time and haven’t used Scotch Guard on it either. Just oxi clean and bleach, and stain remover spray when necessary. I typically put it on right after it’s washed but thoroughly spun in the spin cycle. And I try to make sure I do it at night because it takes about 4 to 5 hours to dry this way. Thanks so much for stopping by and for those kind words! xoxo
Hi! I have a question about the seat cushions. I saw a set in the reduced section at our local ikea (they were ex-display) and the seat cushions were completely flat with square edges. It felt like I was sitting on a flat piece of foam, which is very different to the current display stock I’d just tried. Have you noticed any change?
Hi Alicia! Yikes! No we haven’t had that experience at all, thankfully. They’re still as plump as the day we got them! They start to look a little frumpy after two weeks, I’d say, and then they’re back to normal after a washing! They’re not flat at all though. xoxo
Hi, thank you so much for your review. I have read other reviews that say the fabric is pretty rough and uncomfortable. What do you think? Does the fabric get softer after it has been washed a few times?
Hi Lesley! I guess you could say that the fabric is rougher than the sailcloth fabric that our old Ektorp cover was made from. It’s a wider weave that I think looks a little more tailored and expensive than the Ektorp, but if you have the chance to go and feel it for your self, I’d do it! We love it, but you may prefer the Ektorp fabric. Oh, and IKEA always ends up selling a number of slipvcover options for their sofas. They already have a few new option since we purchased ours and there are no doubt more to come. Something else to consider if you want to wait it out and see what new options they come up with!
Good morning. Came across your blog while looking for reviews on the Farlov. Honest and very detailed. The fact that the review was written months after us so helpful when it comes to how the sofa holds up to naps, cuddles and washes. Thanks so much!
Thanks so much, Em! I’m glad you stopped by! xoxo
Hi there! I am considering a “high end retail” store memory foam slipcovered sofa and chair, which will cost 3x as much as a Farlov and two chairs, plus shipping from IKEA to me is $49 ($399 from the high end retailer). I have read negative reviews about the cushions being super firm and not comfy, and the fabric feeling scratchy. You do not find this to be the case? We love to lounge on our current Ektorp sectional with coffee, the news and our dog and cats. I want comfort, but after 5 years I find my Ektorp to just be too shallow. That is my goal; depth and comfort. Hoping for an opinion. Thank you!
Hi Anne! Thanks for stopping by! We love our Farlov! I will say, however, that an IKEA sofa will never compare to a high end sofa. They are totally different in the way they’re constructed, and in the fabric choices. For the most part, the more money you spend, the nicer your sofa will be – if it’s from a reputable manufacturer. The fabric on the Farlov is rougher than the sailcloth that the Ektorp covers are made from, but I’ve never found it to be scratchy, and neither has my hubby or kiddos. I guess that’s a matter of preference though? The draw for me with this sofa is the price, of course, the fact that it’s slipcovered (we have four daughters 10 and under, so cleanability is important), and the comfort. It’s very deep and great for lounging. With my family of 6 using it daily, it starts looking frumpy after about two weeks, but after washing the cover, it looks plush and new again! Like any sofa, the cushions need a bit of straightening every few days. I’m thinking of doing a before and after soon since I get similar questions on instagram all of the time. I hope this helps! xoxo
Anne, I’m sure you’ve already made your purchase, but I’ve also been contemplating this one vs Ektorp. FYI IKEA has a new 3.5 Ektorp that is much longer, higher, deeper. Also they have a 20% off sale that just started on the Ektorp.
I have the farlov sectional in white and love love love the look and feel, but it gets very dirty, even after washing! I’m not sure why but the fabric actually looks MORE stained after I wash it (almost like the dirtiness soaked onto the entire cover!). I may have to try your method. Very disappointed as you can’t really have a white couch and not be able to wash it clean!
I tried to read your review, but the writing is so light that I cannot read it all. So I hope you are really happy with it as I just boght two chairs and the ottoman.
Hi!
Do you add the bleach and oxiclean at the same time? I read online that you should not mix oxiclean and bleach.
Thanks!
Ali
Good Morning! What a beautiful living room! By any chance could you tell me where you got your round side table? I’ve been looking everywhere but can’t quite get that brown distressed wood look… It would be so helpful!
Best!
Laura, thanks for sharing your lovely home and the Farlov review!! I am wondering how the sofa and loveseat have held up after several years? Also, have you used the foldout bed for guests? We are tryingto decide whether to make a Murphy bed or this Farlov sleeper bed. I want to make sure that we honor our guests by giving them a good sleeping experience. Any other thoughts or ideas are appreciated!! Thanks!! =)
Love reading these reviews/comments as we are about to buy the Farlov sectional. We are replaceing some very high quality sofas that we bought years ago and while they are are still in excellent shape, I no longer like the style. I know I will miss the ‘feel’ of the cushions, but I am hoping that I will enjoy the depth of these sofas as well as the slipcovers and style of them enough to get past that…;). Any update of the durabilty of the cushions a few years later would be great. Thanks!
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