The IKEA Finnala and Harlanda are both popular sofa options from IKEA, but they are built for fundamentally different purposes. The Finnala is a compact and budget-friendly sofa bed designed for multi-functional spaces like guest rooms or apartments, while the Harlanda is a larger, plush, stationary sofa focused on providing deep-seated comfort for a primary living room.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Finnala and Harlanda to decide which sofa is the right choice for your home.
IKEA Finnala Sofa Bed
The Finnala is IKEA's answer for those who need flexibility in small spaces. It functions as a clean, modern sofa by day and easily converts into a comfortable bed for guests at night. Its compact frame, simple lines, and affordable price point make it a top choice for studio apartments, home offices, and dedicated guest rooms where every square foot counts.
- What it is: A versatile and compact sofa that converts into a double bed.
- Key features: Easy-to-use fold-out bed mechanism, removable and washable cover options, and a space-saving design.
- Price: Around $399, making it a highly budget-friendly multi-purpose option.
- Style: Modern and minimalistic. Its simple silhouette and neutral color options (beige, gray, black) fit easily into most contemporary decor schemes.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a sturdy frame and supportive foam cushions designed for both sitting and occasional sleeping.
- Dimensions: As a bed, it unfolds to approximately 78 inches long and 55 inches wide.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price, dual-functionality saves space, removable covers simplify cleaning, and it’s very easy to convert from sofa to bed.
- Cons: Foam cushions are firm and less plush than traditional sofas, the lightweight design may not feel as durable as premium models, and styling is very simple.
The Finnala is a practical choice for anyone who prioritizes affordability and space-saving functionality over luxurious, deep-seated comfort.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/finnala-sofa-bed-30485594/
IKEA Harlanda Sofa
The Harlanda is designed purely for lounging and comfort. Featuring deep seats, wide armrests, and plush high-resilience foam cushions, it’s an inviting sofa perfect for everyday use in a primary living or family room. Its classic, substantial appearance provides a cozy anchor for a space where relaxation is the main goal.
- What it is: A large, contemporary and plush stationary sofa built for comfort.
- Key features: Deep seating for comfortable lounging, wide, supportive armrests, and high-resilience foam that maintains its shape.
- Price: Ranges from $599 to $799 depending on the chosen configuration and fabric.
- Style: Classic and comfortable. Its soft, rounded look and generous proportions create a cozy, family-friendly aesthetic.
- Materials/Construction: Features a solid frame, high-resilience foam cushions for long-lasting support, and durable fabric upholstery options like polyester and cotton blends.
- Dimensions: Typically measures 84 to 90 inches long and features a deep seat profile of about 35-40 inches.
- Pros: Exceptionally comfortable for daily lounging and long seating periods, durable construction provides long-term value, and its classic styling suits many decor types.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than the Finnala, takes up considerably more floor space, and has no sleeper function.
The Harlanda is the right fit for families or individuals needing a durable, comfortable, and permanent fixture for their main living area.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/harlanda-sofa-70228345/
Finnala vs. Harlanda Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most immediate difference between the Finnala and Harlanda is their size. The Finnala is compact, measuring around 78 inches long, making it perfectly suited for small apartments, home offices, or guest rooms where a larger sofa would overwhelm the space. Its lean profile and smaller footprint are its main assets.
In contrast, the Harlanda is a substantial piece of furniture, stretching from 84 to 90 inches long. Its significant visual weight comes from its deep seats and wide arms, making it an anchor piece best suited for medium to large living rooms or family areas that can accommodate its scale.
Comfort & Ergonomics
Comfort is another area where these sofas diverge. The Finnala's cushions are made of supportive foam, which provides a firm and flat surface ideal for its dual role as a bed. It's perfectly comfortable for sitting, but it lacks the sink-in, plush feel of a dedicated lounging sofa.
The Harlanda is entirely focused on plush comfort. Its high-resilience foam cushions are soft yet supportive, and the deep seats encourage you to curl up and relax. The wide, padded armrests add to the lounging experience, making it the clear winner for movie nights, reading, and everyday relaxation.
Functionality & Use Case
These two sofas are designed for completely different scenarios. The Finnala is the champion of multi-functionality. Its primary value lies in its ability to serve as both a seating area and a guest bed, solving a common problem in homes with limited space. It’s an ideal choice for a home office that doubles as a guest room or for adding sleeping capacity to a small apartment.
The Harlanda is a traditional, single-purpose sofa. Its sole function is to provide comfortable seating for family and friends in a primary living area. It does not convert or serve any other purpose, instead doubling down on durable construction and lasting comfort for daily use.
Style & Aesthetics
The Finnala has a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Its clean lines, simple form, and lack of ornamentation allow it to blend into contemporary decor styles without demanding attention. It's designed to be functional first and stylish second.
The Harlanda has a more classic, inviting appearance. Its plush cushions, soft silhouette, and substantial size create a cozy, lived-in feel that serves as a welcoming centerpiece for a room. While still contemporary, its focus is on comfort and timeless style rather than sleek minimalism.
Price & Value
Priced around $399, the Finnala offers incredible value for anyone who needs both a sofa and a bed. For the cost of a single piece of budget-friendly furniture, you solve two furnishing needs. The real value is in its utility and space-saving abilities.
Starting at $599, the Harlanda is a bigger investment, but its value comes from comfort and durability. The higher-quality materials and focus on an excellent seating experience justify the higher cost for a sofa that will see daily use for years.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both sofas are excellent choices from IKEA, but they serve completely different needs and spaces.
Choose the Finnala if:
- You live in a small apartment or need furniture for a multi-purpose room.
- You frequently host overnight guests but don't have a spare bedroom.
- Your decorating budget is under $500.
- You prefer a simple, modern look that doesn't dominate a room.
Choose the Harlanda if:
- You're furnishing a spacious, primary living room or family den.
- Plush, deep-seated comfort for daily lounging is your absolute top priority.
- You want a durable, classic sofa that will be a long-term central fixture in your home.
- You don't need a sleeper function and have a larger budget to invest in comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the IKEA Finnala and Harlanda?
The primary difference is their function. The Finnala is a compact sofa that converts into a bed, designed for flexibility and small spaces. The Harlanda is a large, comfortable stationary sofa designed for lounging in a primary living area.
Which sofa is more comfortable?
For lounging, the Harlanda is significantly more comfortable due to its deep, plush cushions and wide armrests. The Finnala has firmer cushions which are better suited for sleeping but less ideal for sinking into.
How easy is it to convert the Finnala into a bed?
The conversion mechanism is very straightforward. It typically involves pulling a section out from underneath the seat and unfolding the mattress - a quick process that one person can easily manage.
Are the covers removable and washable on both models?
The Finnala features removable covers that can be machine-washed, which is a major benefit for easy cleaning. IKEA offers various covers for the Harlanda as well, many of which are also removable and washable, but it's always best to check the specific fabric care instructions.
Which sofa is better for a family with children?
Both have advantages. The Harlanda offers more space and durability for a busy household, making it a great family hub. However, the Finnala's easily removable and washable covers are a practical advantage for dealing with inevitable spills and stains.
What are the dimensions of the Finnala when used as a bed?
When unfolded, the Finnala's sleeping surface is approximately 78 inches long by 55 inches wide, which is comparable to a standard double or full-size bed.
How difficult is the assembly?
Both sofas come with IKEA's signature flat-pack assembly requirements. The Finnala's assembly involves building the frame and attaching the convertible mechanism. The Harlanda's assembly is also straightforward but can be more manageable with two people due to the larger size and weight of the components.
Which sofa is a better value for the money?
Value depends on your needs. The Finnala offers better dual-function value for small spaces and limited budgets. The Harlanda offers better long-term comfort value as a primary, heavily-used piece of furniture.
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