By far, the question I’m asked most often is whether we like our IKEA Farlov sofa. I get it — a couch that looks like a designer piece, has a removable slipcover that survives kids and pets, and costs around $700 sounds almost too good to be true. This is an honest, first-hand review after living with the Farlov for several months in a busy household.
This isn’t a sponsored post — IKEA doesn’t know I exist — and I always try to be upfront about sponsored content anyway. Many readers have asked if the Farlov is worth the hype, so here’s how it’s held up in our home with a five-year-old, a Yorkie-Schnauzer, and a Goldendoodle puppy.
Short answer: YASSS — but it may not be right for everyone.
Pros
- Deep, spacious seating — The Farlov has deep cushions that make it easy to curl up and get comfortable. The seat uses a single long cushion, so there’s no uncomfortable seam to sit on, and the overall seating area is roughly the size of a twin mattress, giving plenty of room for family lounging.
- Slipcovers are washable — We chose the white cover because I like seeing dirt so I can remove it immediately. With darker upholstery you might not notice messes until later. Case in point: our puppy tracked in poop one day, and I pulled the slipcover off and tossed it in the washer right away. The removable cover makes stains and accidents much less stressful.
- Affordable to refresh the look — IKEA offers a few color options for the Farlov, and third-party companies like Bemz sell many more custom covers. That flexibility makes it easy to change the sofa’s appearance without replacing the whole piece.
- Low maintenance day-to-day — With a washable slipcover, you don’t need to hover over kids with markers or worry relentlessly about spills. We’ve washed the cover multiple times and stains like coffee have come out with proper treatment.
- Replaceable without major regret — If you’re in a stage of life where furniture gets beaten up, choosing a budget-friendly, practical sofa feels smart. We were tempted by a pricier down-blend couch, but the Farlov is a better match for our active household.
Cons
- Initially firm cushions — The Farlov arrived firmer than we expected. It softened after a few weeks of regular use but remains firmer than plush down-blend sofas. If you love sinking deeply into a couch, this may feel too firm at first.
- Coarser slipcover texture — The stock white cover from IKEA has a slightly tweedy texture rather than a smooth canvas or soft linen. If you prefer a softer hand, third-party covers from Bemz or custom options will be softer but add expense.
Update: After about two years of regular washing, our original IKEA slipcover shrank slightly and looks a bit shorter around the skirt. The white cover has also developed a faint gray tint in places and there are a couple of stubborn spots that didn’t fully come out. We later purchased custom Bemz covers, which solved many issues but did add cost.
- Low seat height — The sofa sits fairly low, which works in rooms with standard ceilings and for people of average height (we’re both about 5’7″), but taller users or rooms with very high ceilings might find it feels squat.
Care and maintenance tips
- Wash slipcovers regularly. With our pets and child, that’s about once a month. Households with less traffic can go longer between washings.
- Protect fresh covers by treating them with a fabric protector like Scotchgard while they’re clean to help repel stains and dirt.
- Spot-treat small marks between washes using stain pens or a mild pre-treatment. For tougher stains, pre-treat with an oxygen-based stain remover before washing.
- Air-dry covers on chairs or a drying rack. Put the slightly damp cover back on the sofa to smooth wrinkles and help the fabric settle into place. If wrinkles persist, use a garment steamer for a quick refresh.
Overall, the IKEA Farlov has been a great practical choice for our family: it’s comfortable enough, easy to clean, and forgiving of everyday messes. If you want a stylish, slipcovered sofa that’s budget-friendly and replaceable, it’s definitely worth considering. If you need a super plush sink-in couch or a permanently luxurious fabric, you might prefer investing in a higher-end model.
Do you have any IKEA favorites (or their cinnamon rolls)? Share what you love in the comments.
