Welcome to the ultimate guide and resource for the IKEA Karlstad sofa – find sizes, dimensions, reviews, slipcovers, assembly instructions and more here.
Maybe you are searching for the perfect sofa and need a little help. Maybe you’ve already decided on the Karlstad and need more information. Or maybe you already own a Karlstad and your house guest decided to spill coffee on its hard-to-find slipcover. In this cheat sheet, we’ll help you with all of that.
Launched in 2008, The IKEA Karlstad are one of the longer running sofa series besides Klippan, Ektorp, Stockholm and Poang. Models include 2 seater, armchair, 3 seater, corner sofa, chaise longue and footstool.
As of 2015, the sofa has been partially discontinued in the US (replaced by the Landskrona) and only the 3-seater Karlstad remains for sale. The Karlstad is however still available in all of its configurations in many parts of the world.
If your questions aren’t addressed here, feel free to contact our support staff at info@comfort-works.com.
Status Check
Status: Sofas and slipcovers are still available from IKEA in some parts of the globe
Slipcover: Custom Karlstad slipcovers available from Comfort Works
Measurements:
- Karlstad Arm Chair, SMALL W- 69cm D- 87cm H- 80cm
- Karlstad Arm Chair W- 91cm D- 93cm H- 80cm
- Karlstad Chaise Lounge Stand Alone W- 74cm D- 137cm H- 80cm
- Karlstad Chaise Lounge, Add on Unit W- 74cm D- 137cm H- 80cm
- Karlstad Footstool W- 81cm D- 63cm H- 46cm
- Karlstad Sofa bed W- 223cm D- 90cm H- 80cm
- Karlstad 2 seater sofa W- 162cm D- 88cm H- 80cm
- Karlstad 3 seater sofa W- 202cm D- 86cm H- 80cm
Cool Factor: Good looking, sturdy and comfortable. All at a very competitive price.
Ugh Factor: Not the best looking legs, but easily replaceable.
Instruction Manual.
Want to know how to assemble a Karlstad sofa?
Click on the model below to download their Assembly Instruction Manual.
- IKEA Karlstad Sofa Bed
- IKEA Karlstad Armchair, 2 Seater and 3 seater
- IKEA Karlstad Corner Sofa 2+3/3+2
- IKEA Karlstad Chaise Lounge, add on unit
- IKEA Karlstad Footstool
- IKEA Karlstad Armchair
Our Review.
Retro looking and very minimalist of a sofa from IKEA introduced in 2008 to replace the Karlanda range – the Karlstad can be made even more Scandinavian with custom vintage legs, tufted cushions, or by giving it a long skirt. It truly is the ideal sofa for DIY hacking.
Interested in hacking the Karlstad? Design your own custom Karlstad today!
More Information.
OurMidCentury – Instructions and cost breakdown of getting your Karlstad’s seat and back cushions button tufted.
APARTMENT THERAPY – Opinions and reviews of the Karlstad sofa.
The Sweetest Digs – Review of the Karlstad slipcover in nice Taupe Gray.
dooyoo.co.uk – Some user reviews of the Karlstad sofa in general.
Young House Love – Review of the best looking sectionals, including the Karlstad.
IKEA Hackers – How to Petproof your Karlstad sofa using the ‘box-in’ method.
Productreview.com.au – Reviews of the IKEA Karlstad sofa.
90 Comments
by Maygan
Is there regular instructions of the Karlstad (non sofa sleeper) with the chaise?
by Naomi
It’s in the blog, Maygan!
IKEA uses the armchair, loveseat and 3 seater guide as one 🙂 Here you go
– https://blog.comfort-works.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/K20125914.pdf
– https://blog.comfort-works.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IKEA-Karlstad-Chaise-Lounge-add-on-unit.pdf
x
by Rachel Levenson
I’m waiting for my cover to arrive but have the sofa in my apartment. Is it possible to assemble the sofa without any cover at all and just put a blanket on it?
by Naomi
Hey Rachel,
If you need to use the sofa, you could definitely assemble it and throw a blanket over it in the meantime. Once you get your covers though, you’ll need to disassemble the sofa in order to put on your Karlstad covers.
The good news is, it’s relatively easy to do. To speed up the process, grab a buddy (or two)!
by Dawn
Hi there!
Can you please tell me how many inches are the arms of the Karlstad sofa? I would like to purchase the arm covers for my linen couch which is not a Karstad sofa. I appreciate your help!
Thanks so much!
by Naomi
Hi Dawn!
Thanks for asking – this is actually something we strongly do not recommend doing as covers made custom for a specific sofa model will not fit another sofa model. To avoid fit issues, we’d actually recommend sourcing for a local tailor/upholsterer to create a working set of covers for you 🙂
Best of luck and we hope you find a working solution for your sofa!
by Jolie
This is so helpful- do you guys happen to have dimensions for the foam cushions for Karlstad models anywhere? I am struggling trying to determine the right size to replace them with- it seems that measuring “should” be easy, but it’s presenting a surprising challenge to me in terms of where the cushion really ends.
by Naomi
Hey Jolie,
That depends! Which seat/back cushion dimensions are you looking for – the 2-seater, the sofa bed, the chair?
by Matthew
I’m looking for the cushion dimensions for the 2 seater.
by Naomi
Hey Matthew,
The dimensions for the Karlstad 2 seater (loveseat) cushions are;
Seat Cushions: 29″ x 29″ x 4.5″
Back Cushions: 29″ x 18″ x 3.5″
Hope this helps 🙂
by Dana
Hi- I have the Karlstad 3 Seat Couch. Is it possible to add on pieces like a chaise or turn into a sectional?
by Naomi
Hi Dana,
You can definitely do that! Just unscrew the arms off your Karlstad sofa (you might have to lay the sofa on its back to be able to access the screws that hold the arms to the frame), and then attach the chaise/2-seater/1-seater with the same screws.
The Karlstad was designed to be a modular unit, which allows it to be combined with other components to create different configurations.
When in doubt, just follow the Karlstad assembly manual in reverse (available in this blogpost).
Hope this helps! x