The Best Ikea Sofa Hack for Instant Flair and Personality

One of the central pieces of furniture in a house is the sofa. Choosing the perfect one without spending a fortune can be tough. It’ll have to be comfy, good looking, and matching with your color palette. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of large retailers do have good couches. For instance, I’ve always thought that IKEA makes some good looking and comfy couches. They’re affordable, versatile, well designed and ofgood quality so you can keep it for a long while. But if there’s one thing that bugs me, it’s the limited fabric options. And that’s exactly the kind of element that makes the difference between a sofa that feels like you and one that feels a bit generic. So are you ready for the best Ikea sofa hack that will add flair and personality to your entire living room?

A DIY but without the heavy lifting

When I first heard about Bemz, I thought, “Wait, I can customize my IKEA sofa without going anywhere near a sewing machine?!” Since then, I’ve used Bemz not once, but twice for my apartment (and recommended it to tons of people). First to transform my IKEA Vallentuna sofa, and more recently for my second-hand Söderhamn sofa (bought second hand) in my current apartment. So, let me share exactly why I think Bemz is the best IKEA sofa hack out there.

A simple IKEA sofa hack

Indeed, a couch is not a bookcase, you cannot repurpose it or radically transform it just like I did with my Billy bookcase. So to make it your own the only possible solution is to change its fabric. But then why buy an IKEA sofa if you have to upholster it? It seems to be a lot of work and money for a couch that had a good quality-price ratio in the first place… Some IKEA aficionados came to the same conclusion and decided to do something about it. That’s how Bemz was born.

Bemz is basically a brand that allows you to customize your IKEA sofa cover very easily. You just choose your sofa model and then pick a fabric among the large range of fabrics they offer. Then you order it and wait to receive it with your mail. As simple as that.

My First Bemz Makeover: The Vallentuna sofa

Back in 2018 the Vallentuna was my first foray into the world of custom slipcovers, and I was nervous about spending almost as much on the cover as the sofa itself. But once I saw the difference it made, I knew it was worth every penny and more.

For the Vallentuna, I went with a linen fabric called “Brera Lino Natural by Designer’s Guild, a neutral but textured option that perfectly complemented my living room. It held up beautifully to everyday use. It also turned out to be incredibly practical, because like all Bemz covers, it was machine-washable! For anyone with kids and/or pets this is a huge advantage. Knowing that I could toss the cover in the wash after any pet-related incident was a lifesaver.

My Second Bemz Makeover : The Söderhamn Sofa Glow-Up

This time around, I wanted to go a bit bolder. My apartment has these gorgeous light-filled windows, and I thought, “Why not make the sofa a statement piece?” I ordered a velvet cover in Moss Green, and the result is totally what I was looking for.

The process was just as easy as I remembered:

• First, I ordered a handful of free fabric samples from Bemz (seriously, this step is a must). I tested them at different time of the day seeing how they looked in different lighting, and holding them up against the other colors in my space.
• Once I settled on the Moss Green velvet, I placed my order.
• About a month later, the cover arrived, and putting it on was pretty simple.

I added also two armrests to our sofa as I felt like we needed more support.

Our Söderhamn sofa has had quite the glow-up since we got it in 2021. With Bemz covers and an extra layer of coziness ( added a sofa topper on top of the sofa covers), it’s comfier than ever. I’ve got two gorgeous options to switch between: a rich tobacco shade and a lush moss green that matches the Bemz covers perfectly. Below, you’ll find a few snapshots of how our sofa’s look has evolved over the years.

Why Bemz Is the Best IKEA Sofa Hack

Here’s why I keep coming back to Bemz for my sofa needs:

1. An Unbeatable Range of Fabrics

Bemz has an incredible range of fabrics. From earthy linens to rich velvets and even recycled textiles, there’s something for every style and lifestyle. They regulary have collaborations with desigers in different design areas which allows them too offer exclusive and one of a kind collections.

Both times, I took advantage of their free fabric sample service. For me, this step was a game-changer. Being able to see and feel the fabrics in person made all the difference.

2. Custom-Made, Hassle-Free Process

Bemz slipcovers are made to order, and the entire process, from browsing their website to placing an order, is really easy. The production and shipping time is about four weeks (it’s exactly the time it took for all the orders I’ve placed over the years) which is impressive for custom pieces.

3. Affordable Luxury

My Söderhamn sofa was second-hand and cost just CHF 200. The velvet cover from Bemz brought the total to 630 CHF. For a personalised sofa, that’s a real bargain. For the Vallentuna, the sofa itself cost me CHF 600 and the covers cost around CHF 500, making a total of just over CHF 1,000, which is still an incredible price for a custom sofa. What’s more, Bemz often has sales, so you can save even more. (Tip: sign up for their newsletter and keep up to date with their sales).

The One Thing Bemz Could Perfect

As much as I love their designs, the fit of the Bemz covers isn’t always spot on. A more precise, tailored fit would go a long way in elevating their already stylish covers from good to truly exceptional. But that’s, by no mean a turn off for me, I personally can live with that considering what was said above. Nevertheless, If you are a perfectionist be aware of that as it might bug you.

How to Upgrade Your IKEA Sofa with Bemz

Thinking about upgrading your own IKEA sofa? Here’s how it works:

1. Identify Your Sofa Model: Bemz makes slipcovers for most IKEA sofa styles, including the Söderhamn, Vallentuna, Kivik, and more.
2. Choose Your Fabric: Browse their collection, and don’t forget to order free fabric samples to test them out in your space.
3. Place Your Order: Once you’ve found your perfect match, order your cover and let Bemz handle the rest.
4. Slip It On: When the cover arrives, simply slide it over your sofa, it’s that easy!

*Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. Rest assured I only recommend products I use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. I may earn a small commission when you click on the links that are at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep going. Thank you for your invaluable support.