Four years ago, IKEA launched what was probably one of their best-designed sofas ever: the Vimle. And now they’ve done it again, this time with a few improvements and a whole new name. Lo and behold, the Finnala!
But wait – does this mean that the Vimle has been discontinued?
Well, yes and no. It appears that the Vimle has been phased out from most parts of the US, Canada, and Europe mid-2020, but is still available in the UK and in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the Finnala has been introduced in the USA and in Canada, but is not yet available in Australia/Spain/UK/France.
So what gives? We think that IKEA may be planning to discontinue the Vimle soon enough, now that its predecessor has arrived. We do think that IKEA may just be catering to their American and, perhaps in time, European markets, hence replacing the Vimle with the Finnala in these regions (sorta) while maintaining the Vimle in the Asian regions.
Considering the fact that the Vimle has been one of IKEA’s best models, the Finnala does indeed have some pretty big shoes to fill… which is exactly what we will be looking into here.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
It comes as no surprise at all that the Finnala looks just like the Vimle. It’s got the same square arms, the same square seat and back cushions. It’s also available in the same exact configurations as the Vimle was; which was literally any way you’d want your sofa to be.
The main difference between the two models lies in their size and inner build.
We expected at least a slight difference in the sofa’s depth, but what’s really interesting is that only the backrest and the arm height have been increased by 3cm. Everything else is exactly the same as the Vimle’s.
![Vimle vs Finnala measurement comparison](https://blog.comfort-works.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/VIMLE-FINNALA-DIFFERENCES-950x587.jpg)
This means that the sofa emerges as just a taller version of its predecessor. Perhaps it makes springing off the couch easier? Well if that’s the case, there is more than just added height at play here.
Comfort
Remember the shocking addition of springs into the Uppland seat cushions? It seems that this little upgrade is here to stay; the Finnala seat cushions now also come with springs inside, which is a serious upgrade from the Vimle. This way, the seat cushions may be a little firmer than the Vimle’s, but they have more resilient support inside and certainly won’t lose their shape too easily.
![Finnala sofa cross-section](https://blog.comfort-works.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/FINNALA-INSIDES.jpg)
The modular quality of this sofa is still and always will be one of our favourite things about this series. The fact that you could have this sofa in virtually any configuration is already a major win in the comfort department. As far as comfort goes, it works.
Comfort score: 8/10
Aesthetics
Okay.
After making all the right tweaks in just the right areas, IKEA decided to slash the Vimle’s previous nine (and, in our opinion, already limited) colour options down to six even-safer colours! Bye-bye edgy dark green and RIP fun yellow!
![Vimle sofa color options](https://blog.comfort-works.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/VIMLE-COLOR-OPTS.jpg)
We now have between Cream, Slightly Darker Cream, Grey, Slightly Darker Grey, Dark Blue and Strange Red-White to choose from.
![IKEA Finnala color options](https://blog.comfort-works.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IKEA-FINNALA-COLORS-950x639.png)
Not sure how I feel about the red and white, but I do wish black were still an option. It does definitely look like IKEA is taking a chance here with Dalstorp Multicolor being their one edgy fabric option.
Aesthetics score: 7.5/10
Price
From what we can see so far, the price points of the Finnala series seem pretty normal for IKEA’s standards. There doesn’t even seem to be much of a difference from the Vimle’s prices.
![IKEA Finnala prices USA and Canada](https://blog.comfort-works.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/FINNALA-PRICES-.jpg)
![IKEA Vimle prices all over the world](https://blog.comfort-works.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/VIMLE-PRICES.png)
Other than a US$30 increase in the 2-seater sofa and a US$50 increase in the 3-seater sofa, everything else seems pretty much the same. Considering the fact that the Finnala is slightly larger and has some improvements under its belt (or rather; in its cushions), we’d have to say that US$30 –US$50 is a small price to pay for the added comfort and use you’ll get in the long run.
Pretty affordable, no? We think so, especially since it is part of a modular series which would make it “growable”. Thinking of expanding your sofa? The Finnala is definitely perfect for this.
Price score: 7.50/10
Practicality
Just like the Vimle (and every other IKEA sofa), the Finnala has the same wonderful 10-year warranty and all of its usual benefits.
As far as the function is concerned, it’s got all of the same opening/closing mechanisms on the chaise, the same pull-out bed mechanism, and the same easy take-off and put-back-on function on the storage footstool’s top. The one difference now is the added springs into the seat cushions, which would undoubtedly keep the cushions in shape for much longer than the Vimle.
What’s not to love here? An added reinforcement to an already-solid structure is always welcome. If anything, we think it solidifies the trustworthiness of the Finnala’s quality, taking over from the Vimle’s, of course. But… is it slipcover-able? Yes, and no. Since it is the same exact shape as the Vimle, the series can definitely be slipcovered in the same way.
However; the added depth and height means that the Vimle slipcovers will not be interchangeable with the Finnala series. The good news is that we’re already working on templates for this model, so it won’t be long until this is available on our website.
Practicality score: 8/10
Final verdict
Here is the overall score of the IKEA Finnala sofa series:
Comfort: 8/10
Aesthetics: 7.5/10
Price: 7.5/10
Practicality: 8/10
Final verdict: 8/10
The Finnala scores an impressive 8/10 overall! It is well-deserved for a sofa that has maintained its all-roundedness while still continuing to improve its structure and form.
Sure, the colours are rather limited, but hey, the added springs inside its seat cushions are going to make up for that 10 years down the line.
Imagine sitting on your Finnala 2-seater with chaise thinking “wow, I’m finally ready to extend this into a 5-seater and it still feels brand new!”
9 Comments
by Sue P.
Ikea US coworker here. Great article updating everyone on the differences between Vimle and Finnala. Your points are EXACTLY what we are telling our customers who ask.
Now, my question is, are you going to have covers available specifically for Finnala anytime soon? I will be soon purchasing the sofa sleeper, chaise, single chair and ottoman and would love to know that I can come to you for cat scratch-resistant covers!
by Naomi
Thanks for your words, Sue!
Glad to know we’re on the right track 🙂 We’re definitely in the works of getting the entire Finnala line covered, but as for when this will officially launched -I’m afraid I don’t have an exact timeline that I can promise you right now. My best guess is that we’d ideally want to have it up sometime next year (2022).
We’ll definitely be talking about it when it’s about to launch, so keep an eye out! In the meantime, we wish you and you cat(s) well x
by Laurag
Is there any way to have the chaise on the other side of the sofa? Or, if I design my own, is there any way for the program to tell me the new measurements automatically so that I can make sure it will fit my room without trying to add up all the measurements for the different pieces before I order a custom sectional?
by Naomi
Hi Laura, good question!
It is definitely doable – since the Finnala is a modular series. This means that each sofa component can be detached and re-attached to suit whatever configuration you like. You can remove the chaise and attach it to a chair, 2-seater, or even a 3-seater if you’d like.
If you plan on DIY-ing this, all you will need a the Finnala assembly manual for the chaise and sofa section, and maybe a partner or a buddy to do this with 😀
As for the measurements, you may find them directly on IKEA’s Finnala product pages itself. Here is one for you: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/finnala-sofa-with-chaise-gunnared-medium-gray-s39319101/
Assembly manuals
Chaise section: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/assembly_instructions/finnala-chaise-section-frame__AA-2191812-1.pdf
2-seater section (frame is named Daretorp): https://www.ikea.com/us/en/assembly_instructions/daretorp-frame-for-loveseat-section__AA-2191802-1.pdf
Hope this helps!
by Beth Bacon
Hi Naomi, Any idea when the Finnala couch will come back into stock? Most locations near me in Florida are out…supply chain issues or too much demand?
Beth
by Naomi
Hey Beth,
Thanks for asking! We reckon the shortage of Finnala stocks may most likely be due to a huge demand + smaller supply 🙁 The Finnala definitely is a hot item right now, so many are pining over it.
We’re not sure how IKEA plans their restocking, but we reckon the best bet is to call them up and perhaps try to book one in advance.
Hope this helps, Beth! We sincerely hope you get your Finnala x
by Ann
I bought a Vimle sectional with the intention of being able to adjust or add pieces when we moved. Now that we have moved, the Vimle is no longer available. ::sigh:: I want to replace the sagging chaise with a corner/2 seater. Will the holes line up? I don’t care so much if the back heights are different, my living room is not a show room LOL.
by Naomi
Hey Ann, good question!
Unfortunately, I don’t think the holes would line up since the backrests are taller (meaning, the holes would be at a different position). 🙁
If your chaise is sagging in the seat cushions, you best bet would be to replace just the cushions with some custom-cut foam inserts if possible….as opposed to throwing the entire sectional away.
Hope this helps!
by Ron H
I’m puzzled by your Finnala Review regarding the price. I know it’s been a couple of years but your article says the 3-seat (no chaise) basic sofa is $599 US. Here in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St.Paul) it’s $1,049 for the red/white fabric and $1,149 for all others. Why the tremendous price variance? Did it’s popularity make the price soar? If so, you may want to update your review.