Thanks to the beauty of owning neutral furniture pieces, we’ve been able to mix up the furniture from our old house in new ways without having to buy much for our new house. But one purchase we couldn’t avoid is a new living room sofa. We didn’t want to spend a lot of money and had narrowed down the possibilities to the IKEA EKTORP sofa and a few other inexpensive sofa options that I blogged about {here}. The EKTORP seemed like the best option for us but we wanted a sofa that was longer than the EKTORP’s 86″ because our living room is so long and narrow. The solution? We figured out a way to create an EKTORP sofa that’s over a foot longer than the standard EKTORP:
How can you create a supersized IKEA EKTORP sofa? Start with the EKTORP loveseat and chaise lounge:
*Remove the long chaise cushion, which has an attached skirt that covers the chaise.
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*Pick the chaise cushion back up, fold the attached skirt under it, and place it on the seat of the sofa so that it serves as both the center and a side seat cushion. It’s a perfect fit 🙂
OK, I know what you’re saying. That looks weird! One short seat cushion and one long one?! All it takes is a strategically placed throw and no one will ever be the wiser:
Or you can hit the IKEA “As Is” section and you just might luck into an extra seat cushion and cover. I did 🙂
Update! We’ve had our EKTORP sofa for three years now and love it!
Rachel P says
Hi! Everything looks beautiful!! Can you possibly tell me paint color, and where you purchased the curtain panels?
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Hi Rachel – thanks so much for the sweet words about our living room. I’m happy to share the paint color – it’s a slightly tweaked version of Sherwin Williams Keystone Gray. This post has the exact formula (it’s the same color we have in our dining room): https://www.drivenbydecor.com/house-tour-dining-room
As far as the curtain panels, I had those made from a Lee Jofa fabric that’s been discontinued for several years now.
Anonymous says
You have no idea how happy I am I found this post. I purchased the sofa and chaise combo a couple of years ago, but have been wanting to get rid of the chaise to open up the room. I never even thought about flipping the long cushion.
Seriously, saved me the cost of having a new pillow made and ordering a whole sofa worth of svanby grey covers $$$!!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
I’m so glad that you found it helpful! I don’t understand why IKEA doesn’t tout the fact that you can do this as being a benefit of getting the sofa with chaise! I figured it out just by accident!
tsizemore says
I want to know if it’s possible to just purchase the chaise part to attach to a normal ektorp? The ektorp with chaise is 99” long and I need something 98” or under but love the chaise!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
As far as I know there isn’t an option to buy just the chaise – the chaise cushion wouldn’t fit the regular EKTORP sofa because the seat cushions aren’t as wide on the regular one as they are on the sofa/chaise. Wouldn’t it be nice if IKEA sold the EKTORP pieces as individual components where you could build the sofa in the size and style that works best for you?
Vel Criste says
Can’t believe it! IKEA should pay you for all the updates you’ve been doing to their stuff!!!!!
Ashley Jo says
Well, aren’t you smart! That’s amazing and so thrifty.
Stacey says
I just want to dive into that sofa! It looks so comfortable! I absolutely love how you styled the ottoman too! Fabulous space.
therelishedroost says
Great idea and would expect nothing less from you!!Rooms looks great!! I love those beads on table too!
Cyndy Aldred says
Wow! Smart cookie girl! Everything looks so beautiful. I used the Ektorp sectional in my office/studio and was so impressed with how comfy it is. It was my first IKEA purchase. Your sofa is making me wonder if I should switch out in my living room… Hmmm. Thanks so much and have a great weekend Kris!
pam {simple details} says
You smart cookie!! Love your pretty table styling, too! I never leave Ikea without checking the As-Is section, it’s crazy what you can find there!
SHERRY HART says
Brilliant! The room looks great!
Robin @ Happily Home, After says
Clever solution, stealth shopping (hope you don’t have to pay to park at IKEA, still shaking my head on the Tar-Jay situation), and a lovely room. I also have the same shape ottoman / coffee table with my sofa but I haven’t accessorized it … your styling is wonderful and inspires me, will definitely “borrow” your ideas.
stephanie at Stephanie Kraus Designs says
So clever and looks beautiful!!
Bonny Neiman says
Brilliant!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
Kris, I can’t believe you figured that out – so smart! And it looks so pretty and cozy all styled! Plus when you move in a few years you still have the option of using the chaise.
Carla @ Inside Home Living says
I love it! Doesn’t even look like Ikea that way! The whole room looks beautiful too Kris x
Linda {Calling it Home} says
That is one long sofa…very smart. I probably would not have noticed the cushion issue. Great job.