Quickly update the look of your IKEA upholstered furniture with slipcovers for a fresh, high-end finish
Many thanks to Bemz for supplying the slipcovers featured in this post.
I tend to get restless with my decor. After living with a look for a year or so, I want to move furniture, swap textiles and try something new. Slipcovers are one of the easiest ways to change a room without buying all-new pieces, and they’re especially practical for homes with kids and pets.
Last spring we bought the IKEA Farlov sofa and Stocksund armchairs, and they’ve been fantastic—comfortable, affordable and easy to maintain. I love being able to remove slipcovers for washing, but after a year the original IKEA covers felt a little tired. I also wanted more color and fabric choices than the store offered.
If you haven’t come across them, Bemz makes custom, sewn-to-order slipcovers for many IKEA sofas and armchairs. I’d heard good things from friends, so I ordered fabric swatches to test the options for our living room.
We’d been using a white IKEA cover on the Farlov, and I wanted to try something a bit darker for the sofa while keeping the armchairs light to preserve an airy feel. Bemz sent samples so we could evaluate texture, weight and color in our own light. After holding several fabrics up against the sofa and the rest of the room, we settled on a gray for the sofa and a crisp white for the armchairs.
The final choices were Tegner Melange Textured Cotton in Silver Grey for the Farlov and Simply Linen in Absolute White for the Stocksund armchairs. The Bemz fabrics feel noticeably more substantial and refined than the original IKEA covers. The gray cotton blend has a soft, textured hand that reads high-end, while the white linen blend keeps the space bright without feeling fragile.
One particular improvement: the Bemz covers arrived with no wrinkles out of the box, which solved a recurring annoyance I had with the IKEA slipcovers. The fit is tailored and smooth—so much so that guests wouldn’t guess they’re covers rather than upholstery. The armchairs, dressed in Absolute White, brighten the room and are still easy to wash when life happens.
Besides the immediate upgrade in appearance and texture, slipcovers extend the life of your furniture and give you flexibility. If you want a different look next season—lighter for spring and summer, cozier for fall and winter—you can swap covers instead of replacing sofas. For families, the ability to remove and launder slipcovers is a huge practical advantage.
The Bemz covers fit like a glove and changed the room’s overall vibe from a bit utilitarian to more tailored and intentional. They feel durable enough for everyday life and still look polished. If you have IKEA upholstered pieces and want to refresh them without committing to new furniture, custom slipcovers are one of the best options.
If you’re interested in trying Bemz, use code 15blesserhouse for 15% off your order through the beginning of August.
Below are the finishes and sources used in our living room for reference:
- Wall color: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
- Door/window color: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
- Trim/ceiling color: Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sofa: IKEA Farlov (covered with Bemz slipcover)
- Armchairs: IKEA Stocksund (covered with Bemz slipcovers)
- Ottoman coffee table (thrift find – DIY tutorial linked)
- Ceiling fan
- eSaleRugs Berkshire area rug
- Nesting tables (thrift find – DIY tutorial linked)
- End table
- Hearth basket
- Lanterns
- Lamp
- Mercury glass candle
- Summer botanical prints (printable)
- Biltmore art
- Bench (similar – Craigslist find)
- Curtains
- Concrete flower statuette (DIY tutorial linked)
- Pleated blue throw pillows
- Cream medallion throw pillow
- Jute rug
- Breakfast nook French bistro chairs
- Lantern pendant light
- Wall planter (DIY tutorial linked)
