IKEA does sometimes come up with quirky designs (unfathomable, even) and one of them is the IKEA Ekebol.
The original design idea was for it to be a seating unit with ample storage space, a perfect choice for those with smaller living spaces.
I’d say they’ve definitely achieved this with the end product.
Setting first impression aside for a little bit, let’s look at the Comfort Works break down of the IKEA Ekebol.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
#1 Comfort
The foam seat cushion is pretty comfy, but you can’t really say the same for the back cushions. After having the sofa for some time, you are definitely going to feel the wire mesh digging into your back.
But, if you’re a midday-napper, the IKEA Ekebol can offer a pretty decent napping experience. Also, the cushions can be detached from the frame and used as a makeshift pillow, which ups its versatility factor.
Overall, it’s a tad bit less comfy than an actual, traditional couch. But, for an out-of-the-norm, industrial “sofa”, it does a pretty decent job in terms of comfort.
#2 Aesthetics
IKEA was gunning for an offbeat design that would be able to serve multiple purposes. Mission accomplished.
And although the plain, beig-ey Katorp Natural colour it comes in can be a tad uninspiring considering its utilitarian looks, you can easily spice things up with a sofa slipcover.
The little wedge of space to leave your mug on is a cute touch too.
#3 Hackability
Hackability is definitely not the Ekebol’s strong suit. I mean, the 3-seater is the only product in the series.
However, it does have plenty of storage space. I imagine that the bottom storage panel makes cute bookshelf for your favorite reads. Especially if you’re into lazy, weekend reading session.
IKEA also has some tips. They suggest using the wire mesh to hang things from it, which is very doable and even practical for small spaces.
#4 Price
A 3-seater IKEA Ekebol is USD$399. That’s the same price as the reigning IKEA comfort champion, the Ektorp.
In my head, it would make sense to invest USD$399 in a super comfy sofa rather than a decently comfortable, avant-garde type sofa, but it really all depends on the size of your space and the type of look you’re going for.
If an industrial, prototype-looking space is your cup of tea, the Ekebol’s price is very reasonable.
Final Remarks
The IKEA Ekebol is an interesting concept but IKEA could have executed the idea better.
For starters, they could have gone with storage spaces that were not-so- explicit. Maybe a pull-out drawer in the bottom panel would be nice. Or a pull-out bed, even. Some form of paneling, really.
Price-wise, the Ekebol is comparatively reasonable compared to other industrial sofa options from IKEA. Take the Delaktig we’d recently reviewed, for example. A Delaktig 3-seater is nearly twice the price of the Ekebol! That’s pretty steep.
In terms of comfort, I can safely say that 80% of the comfort was provided by the well-built foam seat cushion. It gives you great support, both when sitting down and stealing some shut-eye.
We’ve done the gritty bits for you, you only need to decide whether the IKEA Ekebol is a fit for your decor.
Got an old Ekebol that you’d like to refresh?
8 Comments
by Amy
I’m a dedicated Ikea hacker, always on the lookout for new ideas. My housemate and I purchased two Ekebols, situating them across from and facing each other, with a farm-industrial coffee table between. We love them so much we’re purchasing more. We were looking for environmentally sustainable options, and though some of the materials in the Ekebol are synthetic, the metal can be recycled, the cushion covers are washable and replaceable, and we avoid polluting our indoor air (and later, a landfill) with toxic adhesives from particle board. We found the Ekebol seat too deep for comfort, but we fixed that by adding a second pair of identically-sized cushions behind the back ones. My back issues had me on an endless hunt for a bed I could sleep on without pain. Unexpectedly, the Ekebol fit the bill for me. So I’m buying a third Ekebol for my bedroom. The Ekebol is long enough for me to sleep on, since I’m 5’4″. But a taller person might have trouble. So I’m hacking one for overnight guests by liberating the tilted metal “arm-end” grids (which gives the sofa its chaise-position) from their screws. I’ll place a 1″ metal hooked tab at each screw, so the grid can be optionally placed in (normal) chaise position, or laid down flat, so it’s not limiting a taller person’s leg room. For a two-sleeper hack, I’ll store a spare Ekebol seat pad on the lower shelves of that Ekebol. Then I’ll find or build a coffee table in the same length and width as the Ekebol seat. When a couple stays over, the coffee table will become a side-extension to the Ekebol-guest-bed, extra seat pad atop, and metal clips holding it to the Ekebol base so it doesn’t slide away during the night. One could shove two Ekebols together, but that would box the sleepers in. Thanks for your review!
by Hema
Hi Amy,
Thank you so much for sharing your Ekebol experience with all of us.
We truly appreciate your insider insight on how the Ekebol can be further customized and hacked.
by Carol
Amy, please post photos of your finished product!
by Carol
I finally found a nearby used Ekebol couch to purchase (they come up now and then in Boston; I see 4 in Chicago today!). I love it. I wanted something I could dismantle to haul up the 23 steps to my apartment. I put long shallow bins on the lower shelf for storage; you can’t see them from the side. I really think this is a great sofa. It is too short for us tall people to sleep on all night (a good thing) and it is not a super soft couch (but could be adapted), but I really like the clean, light, and unusual look. I am thinking of buying another and putting it in storage dismantled for a future house. I might buy your cushion covers.
by Mira
Hi Carol, what a find! Please feel free to reach out whenever you’re ready to get those cushion covers 🙂
by sammy
so both the main cushion and all pillows were damaged in a move. anyone have insight into if there’s some way i can order just the pillow and mattress as i still have an in tact frame. or can someone with the sofa share dimensions? maybe i can hack some cushions together
by Mira
Hi Sammy! While we don’t sell cushion inserts, but we do know a few online brands that might: https://blog.comfort-works.com/where-to-get-replacement-cushion-foam-inserts/
by katleen
looking for the 2 long poles that connect the ends…they were lost in the last move