Accent your sofa: A review of 10 patterned IKEA cushion covers

We believe that you should make use of IKEA cushion covers for sofa styling. 

The festive season is around the corner and most of us are scrambling to make our homes guest and family-ready.

It’s the finishing touches that can really make a difference to your space. 

The problem is, you don’t have time to drive out and scramble through the labyrinth that is IKEA, especially when you’ve got Christmas gifts to hunt for. 

For the instances where you don’t have time to grab final accent pieces to bring together your hosting vision, online shopping can save you a lot of headache. 

Just for these moments, we’ve compiled a list of beautifully patterned IKEA cushion covers that may meet your needs. 

Fret not, we’ve been honest and fair, so you can find the perfect accent pillow to suit your vision.

Why accent cushion covers?

Accent cushion covers are the unsung heroes of interior design — small yet mighty in their ability to transform a space. 

Whether you’re looking to add a pop of colour, introduce a new pattern, or simply freshen up a tired-looking sofa, cushion covers are a quick and affordable way to revamp your room.

There are  endless patterns, textures, and colours to choose from, you can swap them out with the seasons or whenever the mood strikes. 

Spring florals, autumnal tones, or festive prints — there’s an accent cushion cover for every occasion.

For those who love a spontaneous purchase, cushion covers are the perfect last-minute addition to your IKEA haul. 

They’re budget-friendly, lightweight, and easy to add to cart without much worry about size as you can get the inner cushion for around USD 4. 

Beyond aesthetics, cushion covers are also practical. 

They’re easier to clean and effortless to replace, especially if you have kids or pets in the house. 

Spilled coffee or muddy paw prints? No problem. Just toss the cover in the wash or swap it out for a fresh one.

Better still, if your sofa has a Comfort Works slipcover then cleaning up these sofa messes is even easier because of our EzGuard technology.

From patterns to performance: How we judged IKEA cushion covers

We’ve chosen fun, patterned and colourful cushion covers from the Swedish homeware brand.

Naturally, they are the ones that were quickly sold out so you have a higher chance of nabbing one in time.

While they make for the best accent cushion covers, they may be trickier to style.

For this review we focused on lighting, and explored:

• How do these IKEA cushion covers look in natural light compared to indoor lighting?
• Do the colours change depending on the lighting?
• Can different lightings highlight flaws?
• Should we avoid certain colours based on lighting?
• What sofa colours may pair best with these covers?

Texture is another crucial factor, especially if you’re buying online and won’t get to have a feel until it arrives at your door step.

All the photos we have taken were without any special lighting so you have a more realistic idea of what these IKEA cushion covers look like in natural sunlight and indoor lighting.

We want this to be especially useful for those who have aversions to certain textures or need cushion covers that pair well with their sofa material.

This review keeps in mind those of us who prefer furniture and accent accessories that are easy to maintain.

We looked at if covers need ironing and can they be scratched easily. 

We’ve even asked, ‘Can IKEA cushion covers be washed?’ and made a note of the washing instructions for you. 

With our living room styling expertise, we’ve crafted this guide to help ease your shopping experience.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IKEA (@ikea)

10 patterned IKEA cushion covers reviewed: Which ones make the best accent pillow

1. VINTERFINT

• Price: USD 8.99 (currently discounted to USD 4.99)
• Material: 100% cotton
• Machine wash warm, normal cycle.

Naturally we’ve started with one of the most festive IKEA cushion covers.

Designed by Cecilia Pettersson, this detailed cushion cover features the artist’s impression of the Swedish winter landscape. 

There is so much to look at —  from the artistic woodland creatures to the expressive foliage, it feels like a fairytale reimagined as home decor. 

“The designs are influenced by folk art, and I hope they evoke anticipation for the celebrations and a desire to wrap gifts, decorate and set tables with extra festive touches,” says Pettersson. 

The zip is thoughtfully at the bottom of the design so you do not have to worry about its visibility. 

With natural or indoor lighting, the traditional Christmas hues of this piece still feel energetic.

This cushion cover makes the perfect accent piece for any sofa or chair colour. 

However, it would be most striking on an amber/mustard yellow or forest green sofa. 

The VINTERFINT feels rustic but may be a little tricky to style all year. 

Styling it outside of yuletide celebrations could be a fun adventure to challenge your interior styling prowess. 

2. HAMNKRASSING

• Price: USD 4.99
• Material: 100% polyester (100% recycled)
• Machine wash warm, normal cycle.

“Fun” is the first word that comes to mind when you see this IKEA cushion cover. 

It is vibrant with three striking colours and the neatest seams. Even the matching blue zip adds to its overall design.

While it felt a little snug to pull onto the cushion, the final look felt worth it.

The HAMNKRASSING also feels very soft, with a slightly plush texture. 

What’s the downside you ask? Lighting makes a big difference to the look of this cushion cover. 

In indoor lighting the blue really stands out and darkens down the pink to a deeper tone.

We would pair this with a darker sofa or arm chair shade, such as a dark blue or with a similar softness, like our Denim Mod Chenille.

A darker sofa will allow this accent pillow to truly shine. 

If your living space gets lots of natural light (or you have warmer lighting), our recommendation changes. 

In the sunlight, the green truly pops and the pink background fades to a more subtle blush.

This makes it less difficult to style, but most neural shades like grey and beige would pair nicely. 

With either styling choice, the haphazard checked lines give your couch a fun energy that’s perfect for the holidays without being too on the nose. 

3. VILDPERSILJA

• Price: USD 9.99
• Material: 70% cotton, 30% linen
• Machine wash warm, normal cycle.

Although you have to wrestle its cover on, the final result truly makes this cushion cover worth the trouble. 

Giving cottage core and plenty of whimsy, VILDPERSILJA can add a splash of colour to your space (If you choose the black variation you will be treading onto whimsigoth territory).

With such a clean background, the plants and fruit look like they’ve come straight out of an artistic children’s picture-book.

Fret not, this does not mean that this pillow is child-like in style, but rather lends itself better to floral and maximalist spaces. 

The addition of piping around the edge of the cover even adds sophistication and softness to its overall design.

As it is a cotton linen blend, it has a rustic feel but it’s not rough — this cover is huggable and gentle to the touch. 

In terms of lighting, this cushion cover stays consistent indoors or outdoors. 

To style this cover you can play more with texture — a neutral beige or white sofa can act as the base as you layer a textured throw or two and complete the look with this whimsical cushion cover. 

If you’ve got a coloured armchair, ensure that it is one of the shades found on the pillow for a seamless match.

4. IDGRAN

• Price: USD 12.99
• Material: 100% cotton
• Machine wash cold, normal cycle.

This pick is perfect for the velvet visionaries, who put texture ahead of all other textiles. 

The IDGRAN is crafted with a soft cotton velvet, with a vivacious floral pattern that is balanced with understated pastels. 

Its colours mean that it can give any room a fresh buzz without being overwhelming. 

From a muted grey sofa to a warm sunset orange, this pillow is very effortless and versatile to style. 

It is easy to put on this cushion and the hidden zip is a nice touch, however it can leave lint behind upon removal.

As mentioned, the material of this cushion cover makes it hug-worthy. The soft plushy feel brings a softness in its touch and look.

Our main gripe with the IDGRAN is that its fabric seems susceptible to damage. 

Even a light scratch with a finger nail creates a mark on this soft velvet and it doesn’t always rub out.

So if you’ve got pets at home with curious paws, then stay clear. 

5. JÄTTEGRAN

• Price: USD 14.99
• Material: 100 % cotton
• Machine wash warm, normal cycle.

This lively and refreshing green IKEA cushion cover was a no-brainer when we saw it.

It is textured, patterned, and comes in an energetic shade of green, one that is very versatile for interior design. 

In fact, with this colour you should simply avoid a green sofa of the same shade as that matchy look can feel outdated. 

(Keep in mind that there is also an off-white and red-orange variation).

The jacquard weave texture is nature-inspired, lending itself to creating a warm space with depth. 

The tactile feel of the pillow is also akin to nature, mimicking the lines on leaves as seen behind a microscope.

This case has squared-off edges and fits a little loosely on the cushion. While this is meant to create a more boxy shape, it instead just looks loose. 

This doesn’t completely deter itself from our list, but perfectionists who need neat and clean lines should opt for one of our other choices. 

The sturdy composition of this cotton cushion case makes it suitable for indoor or outdoor, but the vibrancy of its colour does slightly change in different lighting.

Indoors, the beautiful green fits on the sofa cover, from a muted grey to a sunny yellow. 

In natural sunlight, the green really pops, making it a stunning accent piece for your couch. 

We would then recommend more neutral background colours so it can be the star of your arrangement.

6. IDALINNEA

• Price: USD 6.99
• Material: 100% cotton
• Machine wash warm, normal cycle.

For an accent pillow that is classic with a pop of colour, IDALINNEA should be your choice. 

There is something dainty and old-school about this cover but it also feels sophisticated. 

Upon first purchase it certainly needs a quick iron as the creases formed diminish the overall look (iron on medium temperature, max 300°F/150°C).

On the bright side, it is made from a sturdy and cosy cotton fabric so it doesn’t crease easily.

This unique yellow brown is just a few shades off from mustard, which makes it a little tricky in different lighting conditions.

Natural light can bring out the muddy tones in this yellow, so pairing becomes a little challenging. 

Lighter colour sofas and throws that match the off-white flowers can compliment this cover, for outdoor lighting. 

However, room lighting brings out the richness of this colour, so darker couch colours work just as well in that case.

7. VATTENVÄN

• Price: USD 12.99
• Material: 57% cotton, 43% viscose/rayon
• Machine wash warm, normal cycle.

As beautiful as this cushion cover is, it is the one that we are most unsure about.

Still, let’s start with the positive. It has a really fun and aesthetically pleasing design. 

With multiple colour variations to choose from, we went with the green and pink option for the season. 

Sometimes a sheen on fabrics can look tacky, however this cushion cover looks elevated and classy especially if styled correctly. 

The versatile hues on this particular VATTENVÄN make it very easy to pair with different sofa colours and throws.

To keep it simple you can pick one of the colours already on the pillow, so a deep green or peachy pink would go perfectly.

Or you can experiment like we did — taking cues from the light blue we styled it with a dark blue sofa. 

In both natural and artificial lighting, this pillow remained bright and somewhat unchanged.

We would recommend ironing this case especially for natural lighting as the creases show up more prominently. 

Our first issue was with the uneven seam against the zip, but that is easily solved when you flip it around. 

While VATTENVÄN is said to have a cotton/viscose velvet texture, it is somewhat disagreeable.

Rubbing it the wrong way feels akin to petting a freshly shaved French bulldog, which on a puppy is expected but on a pillow is uncomfortable. 

Piles pop up on the fabric too, making it look as almost as unsavoury as it feels.  

This is certainly the kind of pillow cover that gives off that look-don’t-touch vibe. 

8. UNDERBLOMMA

• Price: USD 9.99
• Material: 70% cotton, 30% jute
• Machine wash warm, normal cycle.

Rustic and unique, the UNDERBLOMMA has such a happy design with an edginess if you pick the black variation like we did.

It is the easiest cushion cover to put on and has the most satisfying and clean zip seams which meld well with the design. 

(We keep harping about seams because we’re all about the details!)

The basketweave pattern on this cotton jute blend feels like a fresh interpretation of nature. 

“Like nature, everything is slightly asymmetric and imperfect. I believe that’s why it’s so pleasant to look at,” says designer Emma Hagman.

As for the feel of this fabric, it has the timeless and artisan feel of jute with none of the roughness of texture. 

As a result, it ranks quite high on our huggable scale (yes, we’ve decided that’s a thing). 

A combination of lighting and background colour make quite a difference with the look of this cushion cover. 

In natural light, the black washes out to a deep grey and the green has a touch more olive in its undertone. 

However, in indoor light, especially on a darker couch, the black is prominent and the green takes on a moss green colour. 

In either setting, the white accents really pop, drawing your eye to its angular design.

9. SVARTPOPPEL

• Price: USD 4.99
• Material: 100% polyester (min. 90% recycled)
• Machine wash warm, normal cycle.

While there are many colours of SVARTPOPPEL, we could not resist this pocket full of sunshine. 

The visual texture of this piece can really invigorate your sofa, but it is not too extra, making it fitting for a year-round aesthetic revamp.

This pillow cover is fun to look at and feel. It is soft and huggable, reminding us of the Monster’s Inc. character Sully, and what could be more comforting?

Other than the elegant zip design, a great bonus is that you will never have to iron it making it a fuss-free choice.

However, we did notice quite a bit of shedding when we moved it around. With a trusty lint roller (which most pawrents are best friends with) you have an easy fix. 

We found that in the sunlight, this bright accent piece can turn a touch garish, so styling will become key.

A more subtle sofa cover can balance out some of the pure sunshine that this cover emits, but do not opt for shades that are too dark as the contrast might make it feel very loud.

Styling for indoor lighting is a lot easier as it is easier on the eyes. 

If you have a dark green or neutral blue couch, this particular shade of yellow will be perfect.  

10. MÄVINN

• Price: USD 14.99
• Material: 100 % cotton
• Machine wash warm, normal cycle.

We have saved the best, and most meaningful, for last.

You may think that ‘meaningful’ is an odd attribution to give a cushion cover, but this one is special. 

IKEA often collaborates with social enterprises such as this to make an impact on the world that is positive.

MÄVINN is handmade by the social business Jordan River Foundation, which provides long-term livelihood for female artisans, Jordanians as well as Syrian refugees.

This organisation provides economic empowerment for these women. 

This won’t be the only aspect to sway you towards this accent cover.

Close inspection reveals a cross hatch pattern and detailed hand-sewn elements that make it unique. 

The cats have nose and eye details that are elevated, offering a tactile pleasure and a visual treat.

The added tail that hangs off the cover is a fun feature, although pet owners should consider that this may become their favourite toy to gnaw or scratch at.

In the sunlight, the orange really pops and the shocking orange contrast to the black and white cats give an almost halloween feel with indoor lighting. 

In either setting this envelope style pillow cover might be the best conversation starter for the holidays.

Want to completely refresh your space? Invest in a Comfort Works sofa cover that is performance driven.