Not sure if you should get this sofa? Take a look at our updated IKEA Färlöv sofa review in 2022 before you make your decision!
If you’re too lazy to read, watch our video about the IKEA Färlöv instead:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. History, status check & technical details
2. Design & aesthetics
3. Comfort
4. Price
5. Slipcoverability & hackability
6. Overall conclusion
7. Assembly guide
History, status check and technical details
Launched in 2017, the Färlöv family consists of 4 models at the time of writing – the armchair, 2-seater sofa, 2-seater sofa bed and 3-seater sofa. The sectional seems to have been discontinued at this moment. As of now, the Färlöv is still available in the US, Great Britain and Australia.
The Färlöv is actually quite a huge sofa, with the 2-seater being 85 ⅞” (218cm) wide and having a deep seating of 25 ¼” (64cm). If you are planning to get it, you’ll have to take into consideration the size of the sofa that may not fit your space. The Färlöv is also a low-sitting sofa, so if your house is one with a low ceiling, the Färlöv should fit right in.
Design and aesthetics
The IKEA Färlöv sofa has been said by many to resemble sofas from high-end brands such as the Pottery Barn York Slope Arm slipcovered sofa collection and Restoration Hardware’s Belgian Classic Slope Arm Slipcovered collection. But, it comes with a price that’s 3 to 4 times cheaper! One feature that makes the Färlöv stand out is its beautifully sloped arms in comparison to many of IKEA’s boxy sofas with straight arms.
The IKEA Färlöv sofa is available in 2 kinds of fabrics and 4 colours. The first fabric is yarn-dyed with natural hints of flax so it gives more texture to the fabric. Although crisp, this material can feel scratchy to the skin for some people. The colours available for the Flodafors fabric are white and grey. The second fabric is velvet that has a soft surface, dense pile and reflective shine. This one comes in dark grey and dark olive-green and is a more comfortable fabric to lounge on.
Rating: 8/10
Comfort
While the sofa may be firm during your first few “sittings”, the seat cushions eventually soften a little over time. Similar to the Söderhamn, it allows you to sit all the way back while you enjoy a book, but it definitely isn’t as soft as the Söderhamn. Despite that, the Färlöv is still very good for lounging, even if you’re in the taller group.
Rating: 8/10
Price
Currently, the Färlöv 2-seater is priced at GBP329 in Great Britain, starts at AU$449 in IKEA Australia and US$799 for our American friends. Meanwhile, the Färlöv 3-seat sofa starts at US$949 in the US, GBP295 in Great Britain (crazy discount for the Flodafors White cover!) and AU$749 in Australia (only available in Djuparp Dark Grey).
It’s incredibly affordable compared to the Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware sofas mentioned in the previous section. If you’re a fan of the modern farmhouse trend but not about the price of luxurious sofa brands, then pick the Färlöv already!
Slipcoverability and hackability
With the limited slipcovers from IKEA, we bet you’d like more choices. Take a look at how you can transform the plain Färlöv by simply using slipcovers. Whether you want a snug fit or long skirt, the choice is yours. Did we already mention that you can choose from more than 70 fabric styles for your Färlöv (and other IKEA sofas) upgrade?
You could totally put a Pure Linen slipcover with pleated skirts on the Färlöv for a farmhouse look. Additionally, the sofa legs have the same old bolt size that’s used in many of the IKEA sofas, so it’ll be easy-peasy to swap out the sofa legs for something cuter. Done and dusted!
Overall conclusion
The Färlöv series from IKEA is for those who want to graduate from the basic Ektorp. While it’s a little pricier than many other IKEA options, its traditional shape is timeless and slipcovered style makes it easy to keep clean and really go the distance.
Verdict: 7.2/10
Assembly guide
Have you checked out the IKEA Färlöv sofa yet? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
58 Comments on this post
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angela
May 5, 2017I actually liked this sofa a lot however, I totally agree about the seat cushions. They looked lumpy in the warehouse. By doing a quick google search it looks like you can buy replacement foam and I measured for about $150 shipped for the 3 seater couch.
As far as the fabric, I did not love it but I think for people with kids/pets it makes a fairly durable couch. I have two white golden retrievers and their hair shows on anything that’s not white which really makes me want a light covered sofa (and I just love white sofas!). I have been on the hunt for a deep bench seat cushioned couch in a light color with low arms that is not cotton. I think cotton attracts the dirt and just can look dingy quickly animals and kids. This fabric is super thick and has a sheen to it that I don’t think will look that dirty that quickly. I ran my fingers over it with my nails over and over to see if it would catch and pull and it did not. It’s pretty heavy duty. I think it’s a fantastic option for people with kids and pets.
Tamara
Apr 30, 2017Just tested this at IKEA and found it very comfortable and super cute. But may go with Holmstad which isn’t comfortable so I have the bed option for kids use and farlov chairs for my husband and I. But, comfort of farlov sofa may win over need for couch option…. of Holmstad.
KB
Apr 28, 2017Chuck. To answer your question re: colors. In addition to washable white covers, I’d be interested in a stone color — a soft taupe/gray — also washable. (We have dogs . . .)
Chuck
Apr 28, 2017Thanks Krista!
Maybe you can check out our fabric collection firstly? Here’s the link: http://comfort-works.com/en/home/fabric-samples-24
Highly recommend the Kino heavy duty fabrics if you have dogs :)
KB
Apr 28, 2017Here’s an idea: Not only sell custom covers for the Farlov and also sell a cushier new foam insert for the bench cushion . . . I’d so go there.
Chuck
Apr 28, 2017That’s a great idea actually!
We’ve been tinkering around it for a while now actually, but packaging is a little bit difficult as foam is kinda bulky so shipping does get pretty expensive – ideally we’d want to make this complementary option as affordable as possible as well :)
So we’ll still be working on this, hopefully we’d also be able to provide inserts soon as well.
LMH
Apr 18, 2017Hello, I would buy this sofa if I knew I could get a washable linen blend slipcover for it. Is that on your radar?
Chuck
Apr 18, 2017Hey there!
We’re definitely trying to get some new machine-washable linen blends in, is there any colour in particular that you’re after? :)