I bought a couch with white slipcovers when my kids were about 2 and 4, and everyone thought I was nuts. But it was easy to take them off and wash them (just took a couple of loads, because we have a big chair and ottoman too.) They have been spilled on, drooled on (sleeping kids) etc. The only thing that really caused discoloration was yellowing from the sun through the southern exposure windows (now tinted.) Washing and drying them also made them seem to fit nice and tight on the cushions again - kind of spruces up the whole look. We have since replaced them with new slip covers in a chocolate brown, but kept the white ones just in case we want to use them again. That's one great thing about slip covers: you can replace them without replacing the whole couch. They're not cheap, but we purchased through Crate and Barrel, which has a sale every September. So I would just make sure that you can purchase new ones even years from now from the same place where you're getting your couch, just in case you want to.

I'm not a designer either but I love, love, love slipcovers and/or furniture that looks slipcovered hence I have some of it myself (linen). I hate the ones that Pottery Barn sells to put on existing furniture (not the ones you buy with a sofa) from Pottery barn stink. Not that you mentioned that as an option but, throwing it out there. I either don't know how to put them on right or they are funky already. They look so good in the pictures but not on my furniture. They look like a straightjacket. Finding a piece that you can confirm the slipcovers don't move around is probably key. Mine like Nicole's have a seperate cover on the cushions so it doesn't move at all. I think that is imporant as well as the overall fit some people like them a tiny bit loose on the frame and some like them tight (this is probably a must on a thick fabric). Custom made slipcovers are a great option for existing furniture if you have any you want to keep and change the look on. But, since you are leaning to the IKEA sofa, I have heard countless stories about the IKEA one and how wonderful they are and washable. And since it is a classic shape and so popular, it will probably continue to be made so you can buy new slips in the future for it. You may not be able to do the same for some other brand as they change specs/sizes a lot on their furniture. Even have seen people on the web and EBAY that make 3rd party slipcovers for those IKEA sofas. Another suggestion I saw was getting 2 slipcovers so while you are washing one your sofa isn't naked. We don't have an IKEA and their shipping is too outrageous for me to order from them so I can't speak personally about the quality or comfort of that particular sofa. I just know that lots of people have them.

I dont think its the color I think it's the style of the room has too much going on. I also think you may have too much going on in this small space. The table lamp isnt working, I also think maybe the end table should be on the other side of the love seat. Not sure you need a sofa table in here, perhaps that would give you some room to pull the sofa back a bit and open up the room some more. Two chairs would be great. maybe a sofa with a chaise on the doorway side what is to the left of the fireplace, is that a heater? I would not decorate on top of it, I would put a picture over it. maybe do try the sofa on the stained glass wall and two chairs facing the fireplace. Might be more open feel.

Hi Kim! I commented quite a while ago and see that you are still in a quandary. I am dating myself but found Christopher Lowell’s” Seven RULES for Design” very helpful. Steps 2-4 are your stumbling blocks. Keeping your main pieces of furniture, then work on your flooring, treat your ottoman as an accent piece(5) #4 is window treatment,which I believe you are moving to the bedroom.Don’t get new curtains until you decide if you will be using a throw rug. Your artwork is part of step 5. plants I think is next then lighting is last. Hope this helps, he did amazing transformations, check out his book. Good luck.