The IKEA Ektorp sofa is known for its plush, cozy comfort and traditional design with rolled arms, while the IKEA Uppland offers a modern, streamlined look with boxy arms and firmer, more supportive cushions. Ektorp caters to classic, cottage-style decor and sink-in softness, whereas Uppland is built for contemporary spaces and an upright, tidy aesthetic.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the right sofa from IKEA for your living room.
IKEA Ektorp Sofa
The Ektorp is one of IKEA's most recognizable sofas, celebrated for its timeless design and exceptional comfort. With its classic rolled arms, deep seat, and extra-plush cushions, it's designed to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a favorite for family rooms and casual living spaces.
- What it is: A classically designed sofa with plush cushions and a cozy aesthetic.
- Key features: Removable and machine-washable covers, soft foam-filled cushions, timeless rolled-arm design.
- Price: Around $399 - $499 for a standard 3-seat model.
- Style: Traditional, cottage, shabby chic, and rustic farmhouse.
- Materials/Construction: Solid wood and particleboard frame with polyester blend fabric covers and polyurethane foam cushions.
- Pros: Very comfortable with a "sink-in" feel. Washable covers are great for families and pet owners. Timeless style that doesn't feel dated. One of IKEA's most affordable sofa options.
- Cons: Plush cushions may flatten and lose shape over time. The rolled arms and deep cushions can feel bulky in smaller rooms. Its traditional look is less versatile for modern decor schemes.
This sofa is for anyone who prioritizes plush, cozy comfort over a structured, modern look and wants a classic piece at a highly affordable price point.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/ektorp-sofa-3-seat-beige-s49035690/
IKEA Uppland Sofa
The Uppland is essentially IKEA's modern response to the classic Ektorp. It offers clean lines, a slightly lower profile, and firmer cushions, catering to a contemporary aesthetic. While it shares practical features like removable covers, its design is more tailored and minimalist, making it a great fit for modern and Scandinavian-inspired homes.
- What it is: A modern and versatile sofa with a streamlined silhouette and firm, supportive cushions.
- Key features: Removable and machine-washable covers, firm high-resilience foam cushions that retain their shape, clean lines with boxy arms.
- Price: Around $499 - $599 for a comparable 3-seat model.
- Style: Modern, contemporary, Scandinavian, minimalist.
- Materials/Construction: Sturdy frame with high-resilience polyurethane foam cushions and durable, often textured fabric blends.
- Pros: Firmer cushions provide better support and hold their shape longer. The clean, modern design is highly versatile. Looks and feels pricier than it is. Visual profile is less bulky than the Ektorp.
- Cons: Priced slightly higher than the older Ektorp. The firmer seating is not for those who want a plush, sink-in sofa. Boxy arms provide less comfort for lounging or napping.
The Uppland is a solid choice for those seeking a durable, modern sofa with a tailored look and supportive feel that blends easily into contemporary living spaces.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/uppland-sofa-3-seat-vissle-beige-s89227852/
Ektorp vs. Uppland Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
While both sofas come in similar 3-seat lengths (around 84 inches wide), their visual scale is quite different. The Ektorp feels larger and more imposing due to its deep seat, puffy cushions, and prominent rolled arms. This makes it a great anchor piece for a medium-to-large sized living room but can feel overpowering in smaller spaces.
The Uppland has a more compact visual footprint. Its straight lines, tailored cushions, and lower profile make it appear lighter and more space-efficient. This makes it a more versatile choice for apartments or rooms where you want to avoid visual clutter.
Comfort & Feel
This is the most significant point of difference. The Ektorp is built for lounging, offering a soft, sink-in experience. Its deep, plush cushions are ideal for curling up and relaxing. However, this softness comes at a cost, as the cushions tend to compress and can look lumpy or flattened over time without regular fluffing.
The Uppland provides a much firmer and more supportive seating experience. The high-resilience foam cushions hold their shape exceptionally well, offering an upright posture rather than a deep lounge. While some find this less "cozy," others prefer the support and the fact that it maintains a tidy appearance with minimal effort.
Materials & Construction
Both sofas are built on comparable frames of solid wood and particleboard, which are durable enough for daily use. The key distinction lies in the cushions. Ektorp uses a softer polyurethane foam that provides its signature plush feel, while Uppland uses a higher-density, high-resilience foam that resists sagging and maintains its tailored shape better over time.
Both models feature the practical benefit of completely removable and machine-washable covers, a staple feature for IKEA sofas that adds immense value for parents and pet owners.
Price & Value
The Ektorp is consistently the more budget-friendly of the two, typically priced around $100-$200 less than the Uppland. Its value lies in providing classic comfort and style at a very accessible price point.
The Uppland, while slightly more expensive, offers good value through its durability and modern design. The firmer cushions are less likely to need replacing down the line, and its timeless modern look gives it excellent staying power in contemporary interiors.
Style & Versatility
With its rolled arms and plush frame, the Ektorp is firmly rooted in traditional, cottage, and farmhouse aesthetics. It creates a feeling of homey comfort instantly but can clash with modern or minimalist decor.
The Uppland is far more of a stylistic chameleon. Its simple lines and tailored silhouette can blend into modern, Scandinavian, transitional, or even some organic modern spaces. This makes it a safer long-term investment if your interior style tends to evolve.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Ektorp is the perfect choice for buyers who prioritize a soft, sink-in feeling above all else. It's ideal for a cozy family den, a first home, or anyone aiming for a shabby-chic or rustic farmhouse vibe without breaking the bank.
The Uppland is better suited to those who want a more polished, contemporary look and prefer a firm, supportive seat. It's a fantastic fit for apartments, modern family homes, and anyone who values a sofa that looks neat and tidy even after heavy use.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both sofas are excellent affordable options from IKEA, but they cater to very different needs and tastes.
Choose the Ektorp if:
- You love a soft "sink-in" sofa for lounging and naps.
- Your home decor is traditional, cottage, or farmhouse style.
- Budget is your top priority, and you want maximum comfort for the price.
- You don't mind fluffing cushions occasionally to keep them looking their best.
Choose the Uppland if:
- You prefer a firmer, more supportive seat with an upright feel.
- Your decor is modern, contemporary, or Scandinavian.
- You want cushions that hold their shape well and require less maintenance.
- You're willing to pay a little more for a durable, clean-lined design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the IKEA Ektorp and Uppland?
The primary difference is style and comfort. The Ektorp has a timeless, traditional look with rolled arms and soft, plush cushions for a "sink-in" feel. The Uppland is a modern sofa with straight lines, boxy arms, and firmer, more supportive cushions that keep their shape better.
Which sofa is more comfortable?
Comfort is subjective. If you define comfort as soft and cozy, the Ektorp is more comfortable. If you define comfort as supportive and firm, the Uppland is the better choice. Think about whether you prefer to sink into your sofa or sit on top of it.
Are the covers for Ektorp and Uppland interchangeable?
No, they are not. The sofas have different dimensions, arm shapes, and cushion sizes, so the covers are specifically designed for each model and cannot be swapped.
Do the cushions on the Ektorp sag?
The soft foam cushions of the Ektorp can compress and lose their plumpness over time with regular use. Regular fluffing and rotation can help, but they are more prone to looking "lived-in" compared to the Uppland's high-resilience foam.
Which sofa is better for small spaces?
The Uppland is generally better for smaller spaces. Its clean lines, boxy arms, and lower profile give it a smaller visual footprint, making a room feel less cluttered than the bulkier, overstuffed Ektorp.
Can you wash the covers for both sofas?
Yes, one of the best features of both the Ektorp and Uppland is that their covers are completely removable and machine-washable, making them excellent choices for households with children or pets.
Which sofa is more family-friendly?
Both are very family-friendly thanks to their washable covers. The Ektorp's cozy feel is often a hit with families for movie nights, but the Uppland's resilient cushions might stand up better to kids jumping on them long-term.
Are these sofas easy to assemble?
Yes, like most IKEA furniture, both sofas are designed for self-assembly and come with clear instructions. Most people find them straightforward to put together, though it's typically a two-person job due to the size and weight of the components.
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