The IKEA Kivik sofa has been in the market for a little less than 10 years and it’s just been given upgrades and upgrades. I can’t say the modifications were necessary, but it didn’t stop the model from being ever-so-popular globally.
Compared to its 2018 version, the newer versions of the IKEA Kivik which were launched in 2021 and later became firmer. Not everyone can accept this change, because people do already like the original version, so why fix something that isn’t broken?
The cushions should become softer over time and usage, but how long that would take is another question to be answered in the future.
The IKEA Kivik is available in many countries around the world and we’ve found that it’s still available in countries like the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany and Egypt.
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Technical details and price
Apart from being widely available in various countries at the point of writing (August 2023), IKEA is also offering so many models for the Kivik sofa series. Take a look at the list below to see what they’ve got, with prices included in USD in their most affordable option – the Tibbleby beige/grey.
- 1-seat sleeper sofa, $549
- 2-seat, $649
- 3-seat, $699
- 3-seat with chaise lounge, $1149
- 4-seat with chaise lounge, $999
- 4-seat corner sofa, $1299
- 5-seat corner sofa, $1349
- 5-seat with chaise lounge, $1649
- 6-seat with chaise lounge, $1699
- 6-seat U-shaped sofa, $1949
- 7-seat U-shaped sofa, $1999
- chaise lounge, $350
- footstool with storage, $199
With so many sizes available, you could imagine the Kivik being suitable for all types of families. Whether you’re solo, coupled up or have a big family, the Kivik fits into every home. There’s even a Kivik planner for you to build the IKEA Kivik sofa according to the size and style that you want.
Design and aesthetics
Now, let’s talk about its overall look and design. It’s cute, I have to say. It’s a modern-looking sofa that would fit into many different types of homes, as long as the interior isn’t too traditional or old-fashioned. I could picture it in a Japanese minimalist home, a modern farmhouse home (with the right sofa slipcovers) and a mid-century modern home.
It’s definitely in the boxy category of sofas, but it looks great. The low armrests may not be the best at its job, but if you’re the type to lay down on your sofa a lot of the time, then the height is perfect to support your head. Another thing to note is that if you ever have a day where there are more guests in the house than you’ve expected, the armrests are wide and even enough to act as extra seats.
Design: 8/10
Comfort
Everytime I sit on the Kivik at my regular dance studio, it makes me feel like I’m sinking a little, although it does feel quite comfortable. As I wait for my class to begin, it’s relaxing to just lounge and scroll through my phone. However, that chair has been there for more than 5 years, and it’s definitely the earlier version of the Kivik model (when the brown corduroy sofa slipcovers were still available).
Returning customers have been comparing the 2018 version of Kivik with the 2021 version, and apparently it’s become so hard now for them. As for new customers, a lot of them feel like the IKEA Kivik sofa is fine, perhaps it’s their preference or they didn’t have a better version to compare to.
On the website, IKEA claims that the Kivik cushions are “made of pocket springs, high-resilience foam and polyester fibres – adding both firm support and relaxing softness”, just like a lot of their other sofa models. I feel like the softness and hardness are applicable in 2 different versions of the IKEA Kivik. So, the best way is to go test it out at the IKEA showroom yourself to see if it suits your preference.
Nonetheless, the firmness of the current version should be able to cater to the sofa sleepers – people who love being horizontal on their sofas.
Comfort: 7/10
Slipcoverability
The slipcovers that are being offered now are easy to clean as they are removable and machine-washable. However, IKEA only offers four colours for the Kivik sofa.
On the other hand, Comfort Works (yes, that’s us) offers more than 70 fabric styles for your Kivik. With various collections like the Starter, Pet-friendly, Hypoallergenic, Performance and Sustainable, there’s a sofa slipcover for everyone. What’s more? They’re guaranteed a perfect fit.
Take a look at some of the Kiviks that have been refreshed with our slipcovers:
Verdict
Overall, we’d give the IKEA Kivik sofa a 7.5/10.
If you’re someone who prefers a sofa with firmer cushions, go for it! It’s also great for people who love lying down on their sofa, be it sideways or facing up.
We also think it’s good enough to last you for many years, even when you have toddlers or children around the house. Plus, its cute design is suited for all sorts of homes, so it’s highly possible that it would work in yours too. If not, dress it up with our Signature Style slipcovers for a look that’s totally different from the Original Style slipcovers.
55 Comments
by Pui
I am so glad to find your site as I have been searching for reviews for ikea sofas that are in the current market but none has been as good as your site! I am a huge ikea fan as I like scandinavian style furnitures but lacked the funds. I am moving into a new apartment in 2 or 3 months time and have been searching for sofas online and in store for past 2 months. Really liked the Kivik series yet concern if it will hold up for a good 5 years? Ektorp was comfy but i find the seat depth a bit too short, while the soderhamn seat cushion seems too thin.
Anyone who owns a Kivik care to share their opinion?
Or if you have to vote btw Kivik vs Soderhamn vs Ektorp for comfort and support, which is your pick?
Thanks!!
by Chuck
Hey Pui!
We actually own a Kivik chaise, 1 seater, 2 seater so we’re pretty huge fans of the Kivik 🙂
Mainly for its large cushions and would definitely recommend it – ours has held up 5 years in terms of structure, but with regards to the fabric that’s of course another story.
The Soderhamn is surprisingly comfy but to each their own; the team here has definitely had many NERF gun wars over this as the Soderhamn may look super nice, some of us think that it can be a lot more comfy and would hands down pick the Kivik over the Soderhamn. We’ve tried the Ektorp but can’t say much about it as we don’t exactly own one – but it is definitely as comfy as the Kivik, so it comes down to whether you prefer a more contemporary look or a traditional one 🙂
Hope this helps!
by laurel Miyake
Does anyone have a leather Kivik sectional? We need to replace a lovely but falling apart leather couch we bought 4 years ago at Macy’s. We were told it was real leather, but turns out it’s bonded and starting to chip and peel. We’ve got 2 young boys, so we don’t want anything too expensive just yet. We love Ikea for their rooms and our offices, but we’ve never bought a couch there. I’m curious if the leather covering changes the way the seats feel, the cushion’s comfiness, and anything else. thanks much!!
by Chuck
Hey Laurel!
Just thought you should know that the leather that IKEA uses is bycast leather as well, so we’d recommend heading down to IKEA nonetheless to test out the couches for their comfort 🙂
With the leather couch that you have though, it’s also possible to get custom made slipcovers made for them – ever considered that? If you are, do let us know and we’ll be able to help out.
Cheers!
by Debbi
I am wondering if the Kivik storage footstool holds up well?
by Chuck
Hey Debbi,
We’ve had our Kivik Storage Footstool for the past 6 years and it’s still holding up well structurally 🙂
There was definitely a need to change the covers every couple of years but that’s pretty much it really.
Hope that helps!
by Jordan
Hi all,
I have a 3-seater Kivik and am interested in adding on to it with a chaise or loveseat. Do you know if that is possible–to take one of the sofa armrests off to add a new section?
Thanks!
Jordan
by Chuck
Hey Jordan!
The Kivik is a modular couch which allows anyone to easily lego/combine each piece with another Kivik piece so yes, you can definitely add it on with a chaise, loveseat, or an infinite number of 1 seaters even 🙂
Hope this helps!
by Samantha
I was thinking about buying 2 chaises and 3 single seaters so I can put them together and take them apart and move around the room. But I’m concerned that when I put them together like a sofa they won’t stay together (don’t want kids falling in between when sitting on them) Do you have any experience with this kind of setup?
by Chuck
Hey Samantha,
These modular pieces from IKEA are typically connected by a clamp underneath the sofas (single seaters and chaise), so you don’t have to be afraid of them moving apart 🙂
It’s only when the clamps are removed then you’ll have to be extra careful, but as long as the pieces you want combined are properly clamped – all should be good.
Hope this helps!