I vote for #1 - looks more classic. I also think it will be more comfortable and will look better w/the slipcovers. And they will look good w/ your chairs.

I don't care for the legs on #2 - while I understand they are the minimalist Swedish thing, they don't look like they will hold up - Couch #2 says "Ikea" while #1 could be from any quality furniture store.

I like #1. I think it works better with your furnishing and I also agree 2 says Ikea.

I don't think you can go wrong with the Ikea pieces, & I like the first option best. I think that sofa is the best deal around. Here's a recent post from Joni at Cote de Texas talking about how much she loves that Ikea slipcover sofa.

Allie

Here is a link that might be useful: Cote de Texas blog on Ikea sofa

Thanks so much for posting that link!

Both sofa's have a lot to offer and I've read such good reviews about both of them. I test sat both on Saturday and was pleased.

I think option 2 shows poorly w/o the floor length slip cover.

I think #1 gives a more 'cottage family' feel and #2 gives a more 'urban uptown' feel.

I'm so torn - they both have so many pros and the only con for me about the Ektorp is that smaller interior seating space.

I know that I want to mix it up a bit.

Off to delve into that blog link more!

Remembering the photos of your house, I honestly can't see sofa #2 working well in your space. Since you are planning to get two additional chairs, I'd accept the smaller seating area and use the extra chairs as the additional seating. The kids are small now and I wouldn't expect this sofa to last into their full-size teen years-- but that's where the price point comes in. At this price, you wouldn't need the sofa to last another 10 years.

I have looked (online we don't have IKEA here) at the ektorp for our sunroom, but decided against it and bought new wicker. I still love the look though and have read only good things about it. I know several bloggers that I read have them. I've been really surprised in reading about the durability of this line of furniture.

Just responded to your post on feedsack pillows - take a look at My Sweet Savannah's blog (mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com - I think!). She has the Ektorp sectional in her den (I believe there was a post last week on her den) and uses some of those pillows. Just thought you might like to see it.

And yes, I read Joni's thoughts on the Ektorp also, high praise from someone who LOVES slips and has used some $$$ pieces. Have you considered the Jenny Lind chairs in the same line to use with the sofa?

tina

The picture with the long sofa attached would be to-ta-lly worthless for a family with kids and dogs. Take it from me. I bought the Potterybarn one 5 years ago and it was not comfortable and the kids fought for the lounge part. It's been put upstairs in the media room.

A sofa is only as good as its bones. The one other sofa is a Century (LTD7261-2), it's 6 feet long and we bought it from North Carolina (delivered to CA) with negotiating and a fabric I wanted. It's 10 years old and has since been recovered after the kids left. The frame is wonderful. Personally I think Ikea is good for glasses and stuff other than furniture. Opinion only!!

Have you actually sat in both sofas? I ask because I find the Ektorp to be cute but somewhat uncomfortable to sit in. Also, it seems to wear badly - take a good look at the store display model and you'll see that it looks kind of rumpled, disheveled, and the cushions look squashed. The Karlstad is much comfier IMO - we actually just bought the sectional version for our soon to be finished basement. You are talking a floor length cover for the Karlstad so it doesn't matter, but you can also get metal legs for them Karlstad if you don't like the wood-peg look - that is what we are going with. I think the Karlstad also seems to hold up better, based on the state of the display models in the store. The only thing I don't like about the Karlstad is the two longer cushions as opposed to the 3 cushions on the Ektorp - 2 cushions means someone's gonna get stuck on the crack (we have that problem with our current sofa - it's long enough to seat 3, but no one wants to sit in the middle).

I think either sofa would work fine in your house with your chairs, so my vote would be to go with the one you find comfiest. Good luck and happy Ikea-ing! I need to get down there myself - how long does the sale run?

With your armoir, I think #1 looks nicer. It sort of mimics the softer lines of the armoir than does the other sofa, with it's straight lines.

Another vote for #1. No doubt about it, kids are rough on furniture, spill stuff and will fight over the prime position. I've had similar problems trying to find family room seating to accomodate our family of five in a slightly smaller sized family room. SO many of today's furniture makers have the McDonald's supersize mentality--which does not work for everyone. Make sure to have a comfy rug on the floor and some oversized chair cushions so everyone has room to spread out.

Ditto lkplatow. I always admire the Ektorp and think about buying it until I go to the showroom and see the model they have there that does look crumpled, smooshed and disheveled, not to mention that it somewhat uncomfortable (I could probably live with that).
That's how I rate the items from Ikea, though, because I figure if the item wears well in the showroom, it will wear well in my house.

Found a pic for you from the ikea site of the karlstad with the full length slipcover. I like it and it gets my vote on comfort alone!

TTodd,

I don't think it could hurt to mix some urban with your current furnishing. Your style can afford the mix.

Ooh, it does look better with the full length slipcover! Now the choice is more difficult. I do think the other one goes better w/ your current furnishings, but this would also work if you were looking to mix it up a bit.

Saturday must have been the Ikea shopping day! I was there too! I also sat in the Ektorp and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and well padded the arms were! I was also torn between the gray slipcover and the white. I am looking because my DD is moving into her first apt. in August and I would like to help her purchase some things for her new digs!I didn't sit in the Karlstad, but I don't care for only two cushions. I do like the look though! Tracey from "Notes From A Cottage Industry" is blogging about the Ektorp right now too. Her DD just bought it with the white slips. Scroll down a wee bit.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ektorp

I wanted to let you know that Bemz make slipcovers for Ikea furniture if you wanted to see other fabric choices that are not on the Ikea website. Look through all the slips! They fit all models!!! They also have a blog with inspiration pics from customers. Have fun!

Here is a link that might be useful: more slips!

I noticed the same thing about the comfort of th eEktorp and the Karlstad. Now to be honest they are doing new displays etc. and the Ektorp sofa felt stiffer but it also looked like it was recently put out on the floor. The Karlstad felt more comfortable. I went around the store testing a few of the Ektorps and Karlstads in the display rooms and there was def. a difference in comfort even amongst the same line. I could find at least one Ektorp that was quite comfy as well as the first Karlstad I tried. I remember how stiff my leather club chairs were when I bought them a few yrs. ago and they have softened up very nicely!

When I went to check out I saw the Karlstad w/ the full slipcover and a woman asleep on it. I sat down on the other end and she woke up and started laughing. Said she'd been asleep for awhile and how comfortable it was!

lkplatow - thanks for the pic! I think that it looks less boxy in person and if I recall correctly the seams are French seams (hope I remember that correctly from someone here!). They are stitched again on either side of the seam and I think that makes it look more elegant or something. The slipcover appeared looser in the store. The Summer sale is on until July 5th.

Maybe what I'll do is buy just the slipcovers of whichever sofa I decide on and then just keep scouring the bumps and dents show room for the actual sofa later.

Cool - found a pic of the Karlstad w/ the long skirt!

Ooh Val - so far our kids have found spots that they have designated as their own on the furniture so squabbles seem to only happen on movie night when they determine that all of us have to sit on the sofa together. That's why I've been spoiled about the length of our current sofa and why the interior seating room is so important to me. And when DD decides she wants up too - well - who knows how we'll manage. I'm sure DS2 will be 16yrs old still wanting to sit on my lap! And I'm not so fond of sectionals as I think I lose actual seating for when company comes over.

I agree w/ the size of todays furniture!!!!! That's what has always struck me about RH and how far off they've veered since their inception when the then owner was looking for stuff that would fit into his smallish Victorian in CA so he started RH! Or so that's what I've read in the past.

I've tried using big euro pillows w/ matching washable slipcovers for them to hang out on on the floor along w/ giant fluffy throws but it's no go on movie night for them! I'm figuring that before we know it they won't want to be glued to our sides so we'll always smile and squish together now!

I'm getting the Karlstad. When I first posted, the long slipcovers were on sale for $49 - down from whatever they were.

I went back tody to test sot again and the slipcovers were marked down to - how do I capitalize this? $9.99! So I bought 2 for when I wash one. The Karlstad sofa itself will present itself on CL or another sale when the time is right.