July 2025 — Comfort Works Blog & Sofa Resources

The IKEA ALLERUM sofa bed may have been discontinued in 2003, but its playful, minimalist design has stood the test of time — and now, it’s even a little bit vintage (in the best possible way).

Whether you’ve just scored one second-hand, or you’ve had yours since the early 2000s, don’t ditch it just yet. With the right care (and maybe a brand new sofa cover), you can keep your Allerum looking good as new — and totally on-trend.

This guide has everything you need: dimensions, assembly tips, why it’s worth keeping, and how to order a custom replacement slipcover that fits perfectly.

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Why the IKEA ALLERUM sofa bed is still worth saving

There’s a reason the IKEA ALLERUM is still popular today (so much so that people are taking to Reddit pages to hunt for a complete set). Even vintage resellers like AptDeco, laud this sofa for its durable yet unusual design.

Why so beloved?

It’s versatile: Sofa by day, twin bed by night
It’s space-savvy : No bulky armrests, perfect for small spaces.
It’s got that vintage vibe: Clean lines and quirky proportions give it a nostalgic charm
It’s sustainable to keep it: Extending the life of your furniture keeps it out of landfill

In short? You don’t need to give up your comfy classic just because it’s no longer in stores. Instead of jumping on board some cringey Y2K trends, make the IKEA ALLERUM your vintage statement piece.

IKEA ALLERUM in Mod Boucle Amber — _{If you’d like a pop of colour on your IKEA ALLERUM, opt for our Mod Boucle sofa cover in Amber. (Image credit: Comfort Works)}

Honest review: The good, the bad, and the cosy

We’ve heard from many IKEA ALLERUM owners over the years — here’s what they love (and don’t love) about this retro gem:

✔ Comfortable and supportive, with a spring core and polyurethane foam.
✔ Clever backrest that flips down into a twin sized bed.
✔ No arms = more room to stretch out.
✔ That nostalgic-but-timeless silhouette.
✔ It has pretty straight forward assembly instructions (here’s the instruction manual in case you need it).
✖ Included round cushions tend to be thin and lumpy. Adding some extra stuffing helps.

_{If you prefer a more minimalist look, check out our Mod Basketweave sofa cover in Pearl. (Image credit: Comfort Works)}

Give your IKEA ALLERUM a fresh (but still vintage-inspired) look

Even though IKEA no longer sells slipcovers for the ALLERUM, you can still refresh yours with a completely custom fit.

At Comfort Works, we make sofa covers that perfectly fit the IKEA ALLERUM sofa bed, designed to fit perfectly and made to order in your choice of fabric and colour. You can keep the vintage vibe alive — or give it a whole new mood.

Why choose Comfort Works replacement covers?

Our sofa covers are made from performance fabrics. This means that it has special features that make it ideal for every lifestyle. All our sofa covers are machine washable, OEKO-TEX certified and meet heavy-duty usage standards for commercial use.

Some fabrics also have some stellar standout features. This includes:

Liquid-repellent coating (EzGuard™)
Spills bead up so you can wipe them away before they sink. This is thanks to our clever EzGuard™ finish.
Stain-proof protection
Life’s messes don’t stick. Our stain-proof fabrics make spot-cleaning and washing a breeze.
Mould and mildew protection
Stay fresh and dry with our sofa covers that help stop mould, mildew, and odours before they start.
UV and fade-resistant
Keep your colours vibrant with our UV-protected sofa covers which resist fading, even in full sun.
Scratch-resistant texture (PawSafe™)
Pet-friendly and worry-free — our PawSafe™ fabrics stand up to claws and everyday wear.

IKEA ALLERUM in Signature Microfibre Coral render — _{Still in the Y2K vibe in colour Coral, our Signature Microfibre sofa covers have the added bonus of a scratch-resistant texture. (Image credit: Comfort Works)}

Ready to revive your Y2K classic?

Don’t toss your IKEA ALLERUM — give it a second life with a beautiful new slipcover that keeps it cosy, sustainable, and stylish.

Simply take a measurement of your ALLERUM sofa bed seat cushion by measuring the width of the seat cushion, between the seams (on your existing cover). Remember to ignore any piping or the foam that bulges out at the sides to get a more accurate measurement. Here are the size options:

W- 195 cm D- 90cm H- 35cm
W- 202 cm D- 90cm H- 35cm

Explore IKEA ALLERUM sofa covers now

Linen couches — they’re effortlessly chic, breathable, and basically scream “I’ve got taste” without actually screaming at all. The likes of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Drew Barrymore swear by the lived-in, “old money” look that linen can give your sofa (some call it coastal-inspired).

“The beauty of a linen sofa like this one is its versatility,” says designer Nina Lichtenstein when referring to Miranda’s couch. “It fits perfectly into just about any design style, whether modern, traditional, coastal, or even eclectic, serving as a subtle foundation for the room around it. In white, it feels fresh and open, grounding the space without overwhelming it.”

But let’s be honest: buying a whole new linen sofa? That can be one very stylish, very expensive decision.

The good news? You don’t need to drop thousands to get that relaxed, lived-in linen look. With linen couch covers, you can transform the sofa you already have into one that looks like it belongs in your dream Pinterest board.

And because we heard you — loud and clear — asking for a linen cover that’s as practical as it is pretty, we created something new: Care+ Linen. It’s everything you love about linen, minus the high maintenance.

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Why linen sofas are worth the hype (and when they’re not)

There’s a reason linen sofas are having a moment — or, let’s be honest, a whole era.

Linen feels like luxury without the fuss. It’s breathable, beautiful, and brings that relaxed, textural charm that instantly elevates a space. Plus, it’s made from flax, which makes it naturally sustainable and kind to the planet. So yes — linen is a solid win in our books.

But here’s the rub (literally): linen isn’t perfect.

It wrinkles. Easily. It stains. Quickly. And most linen upholstery you see online? Not actually 100% linen — usually a mystery blend designed to keep costs down. True linen is expensive, and it doesn’t always play well with spills and mishaps.

So how do you get that linen sofa dream — without living in fear of spills or feeling like you have to babysit your furniture?

Father and son playing on linen sofa. — _{Your sofa should be lived on, no matter the fabric. (Image credit: Pexel)}

Turn the sofa you already own into a linen dream

Here’s how: linen couch covers. Not the saggy, one-size-fits-none ones from your social feed — but custom-made, tailor-fit sofa covers that make your sofa look like it just came out of a boutique showroom.

And now, you can get that breezy linen look without the usual “don’t sit there!” energy.

Meet Care+ Linen — our freshest fabric launch, inspired by you. You told us you wanted linen’s laid-back look, but with less fuss. Something that could handle real life and still come out looking fabulous.

So we listened.

Care+ Linen gives you the best of both worlds: the elegant texture of linen, blended with fibres that make it tougher, softer and way easier to live with. Just the right amount of cosy-meets-refined. And because it’s designed for durability, it’s ideal for daily lounging (or spontaneous pizza nights).

_{Care+ Linen swatches in White, Cream and Natural, respectively. (Image credit: Comfort Works)}

You’ve got three versatile colours to choose from:

White — clean, crisp and effortlessly classic
Cream — warm, calming and a perfect neutral
Natural — a soft beige-grey blend with that modern organic feel

All machine-washable. All designed to slip on easily. All made to turn your current sofa into something that feels brand new — without tossing it out.

By covering, not replacing, you’re saving your sofa from landfill and giving it a stylish second life. It’s a small shift that feels good — for your home and the planet.

Linen couch covers on sofa with little girl and her crown. — _{(Image credit: Pexel)}

How to clean a linen couch (and why our covers make it so much easier)

Linen sofas may be easy on the eyes, but when it comes to cleaning? Not always so straightforward. They end up taking the fall for every mess — cue the frantic Googling for stain solutions.

Traditional linen doesn’t love moisture — and while steam cleaning is technically an option, it’s a gamble. Too much heat or humidity can leave wrinkles or water marks that are hard to reverse.

That’s where Care+ Linen makes all the difference.

Spills happen — but with Care+ Linen, you’re covered. Our linen couch covers feature PFC-free, water-repellent finish that helps stop liquids from soaking in, so you’ve got time to grab a cloth and gently dab things away. No panic, no drama.

It’s also OEKO-TEX certified and soft on skin, making it a safe, cosy choice for everyone in the household. So you can lounge, snack, and live freely — without stressing about what might spill next.

And yes, you can machine wash Care+ Linen when needed. Just a heads up: repeated washing may reduce the effectiveness of the spill-resistant finish, so we recommend spot-cleaning for everyday messes to keep things in top shape.

Because life happens — and your sofa should be ready for it.

Care+ Linen couch covers on Ikea Soderhamn in White and Cream. — _{Care+ Linen White (left) and Cream on IKEA SODERHAMN. (Image credit: Comfort Works)}

Style your linen sofa your way

Sofas have personalities — and sometimes, yours just needs a little refresh.

Maybe you’re leaning into a softer, more natural look. Maybe your space is evolving. Whatever your vibe, the beauty of linen couch covers is that they give you an easy, low-commitment way to style things up without replacing the whole sofa.

Care+ Linen works beautifully as a base. Its tactile weave and neutral tones — White, Cream, and Natural — offer that relaxed, lived-in feel that plays well across a range of interiors. And with the right styling touches, you can bring out a whole new side of your space.

For a Scandinavian or Japandi vibe

Go with White or Natural, and pair with light oak furniture, raw ceramic pieces, and soft, earthy tones. Add layered textures — a wool throw, linen curtains, or paper lantern lighting — to keep things cosy and inviting without feeling cluttered.

For a modern coastal look

Cream is your best friend. Think sandy neutrals, blue-striped cushions, woven rattan accents, and driftwood-inspired décor. A lightweight cotton throw and seagrass rug will complete the breezy, sun-washed feel without trying too hard.

_{Care+ Linen White on IKEA SODERHAMN. (Image credit: Comfort Works)}

For warm minimalism

Stick to Natural and bring in tactile contrast — like velvet cushions, matte black metal details, or smooth stone accents. A boucle throw or structured wool blanket adds warmth while keeping your palette streamlined and grounded.

For farmhouse charm

Mix Cream or Natural with gingham or floral pillows, soft denim blues, and rustic wood finishes. A chunky knit blanket over one arm of the sofa adds the perfect lived-in touch — and invites everyone to sink in and stay a while.

For a cosy, layered eclectic feel

Start with White or Natural and go bold with your accessories: patterned cushions, a mix of velvet and cotton, maybe even a leather ottoman or a vintage rug. It’s all about contrast and personality — with linen as your calming anchor.