What is the difference between the Ikea Uppland sofa and the Ektorp sofa? Here is a side-by-side comparison of both these Ikea couches.
Since we are currently working on our living room, replacing the couches was high on our priority list. We have been using Ikea’s Ektorp couches for a few years now. We bought these second-hand through the Facebook marketplace. Our couches were so old and worn after all these years, it was definitely time to get new ones. We were planning on sticking with Ektorp but, in October 2020, Ikea replaced their beloved Ektorp sofas with the new Uppland series.
Here is my 100% honest review of the Uppland sofa, along with a side-by-side comparison of the Ektorp versus Uppland.
What is the difference between Ikea Uppland and Ektorp sofas?
Uppland vs Ektorp Size Comparison
Although at first glance the Uppland sofas look identical to the Ektorp sofas, they are in fact different sizes.
**what I actually measured of both sofas is different than what IKEA’s measurements are.
The Uppland’s dimensions (according to IKEA’s website):
Height including back cushions: 36 1/4″ Backrest height: 29 7/8″ Width: 88 1/4″ Depth: 36 1/4″ Height under furniture: 6 3/4″ Armrest width: 9 7/8″ Armrest height: 26 3/4″ Seat width: 68 1/8″ Seat depth: 22 7/8″ Seat height: 18 1/2″
The Ektorp Sofa dimensions (according to IKEA’s website):
Width: 85 7/8″ Depth: 34 5/8″ Height: 34 5/8″ Seat depth: 19 1/4″ Seat height: 17 3/4″
Uppland’s height: including back cushions: 36 1/4″ – backrest height: 29 7/8″
Ektorp’s height: including back cushions: 32 1/4″ , backrest height: 28 3/4″
UPPLAND seat height: 18 1/4″ w/ extra fluff 20 1/2″
EKTORP seat height: 16 1/2″
UPPLAND armrest height: 25 1/2″
EKTORP armrest height: 24″
UPPLAND seat depth: 24 1/2″
EKTORP seat depth: 21 1/2″
UPPLAND seat width: 66 1/2″
EKTORP seat width: 66″
UPPLAND overall width: 86 1/2″
EKTORP overall width: 84 3/4″
UPPLAND underspace: 6 3/4″
EKTORP underspace: 3 1/2″
IKEA Uppland Slipcover vs Extorp Slipcover
Will the IKEA Uppland cover fit Ektorp?
Because of the size difference of the couches, the slipcovers are different sizes too. You would not be able to fit an Ektorp slipcover on the Uppland sofa and a Uppland slipcover would be too large for the Ektorp sofa. Here is what a Uppland cushion cover would look like on the Ektorp.
Another big difference between the two slipcovers is the zipper on the Uppland seat cover goes around the majority of the sides, not just across the back like the Ektorp seat covers. This makes it so much easier to get on and off! There is also a defined top and bottom to the seat cushions.
With the Ektorp, I would have to pull really hard to get the slipcover over the body. It would feel like I was about to rip the dang thing! I still need to put some effort into pulling the Uppland slipcover over the body, especially right after washing it. I will say the Uppland slipcover is slightly easier to get on and off compared to the Ektorp slipcover.
Ektorp slipcovers have a very thin material on the body part that easily rips. Uppland slipcovers is made with better quality material that seems way more durable.
IKEA Uppland series comes in a variety of colors, which are similar to the Ektorp slipcovers. Because of COVID, shipments of IKEA’s products, including the Uppland sofa covers, have been very delayed. We literally waited 3 months just to get one slipcover in Hallarp beige. This wasn’t even a color I wanted. According to an employee we spoke with, the two colors I did want would take a few MONTHS to MAYBE come in. I ended up having to make slipcovers.
Uppland Build versus Ektorp
The Uppland sofa seat cushions are very pouffy compared to Ektorp’s seat cushions. Unlike the Ektorp sofa, Uppland’s seat cushions are made with high resilience foam and made of pocket springs.
One of our Ektorp couches cushion’s were filled with goose feathers. Since the cushions were so old and worn, this made taking the covers off for washing a total nightmare. This was the number one reason we were so desperate to replace our couches.
The most notable difference between the two bodies is there is a bumpy, skid resistance material at the top of the backrest and bottom of the seat part of the Uppland couch. This feature is to help keep the slipcovers in place.
Assembly of IKEA Uppland Sofa
As I mentioned above, we bought our Ektorp couches second-hand so we did not have to assemble those. The Uppland couches are the first couches we have bought new (yay adulting!). Assembling the Uppland couch was very simple, straightforward, and the steps required are very minimal. Ikea did provide the only tool needed, which is the typical Ikea socket tool. My husband was able to fully assemble the Uppland sofa with no help.
Ikea Uppland Sofa Review
As a shorter person (I’m about 5’3), the Uppland sofa is not as comfortable as the Ektorp. It’s harder for me to get comfortable with my legs dangling, especially when nursing a baby. I have to sit crisscross to be comfortable. Although I am still getting used to the Uppland sofa, I am happy with our purchase. It definitely feels sturdier. I hope lasts longer than the Ektorp. It definitely seems like an upgraded version of the Ektorp. My kids even call it Ektorp 2.0.
I hope you found this post useful. Comment below with your thoughts on the Ikea Uppland versus Ektorp, are happy with Ikea replacing the Ektorp with Uppland?
Watch this full review
PIN THIS FOR LATER!
Do you feel like the Uppland cover is shorter? It seems like it’s a little short in comparison. Does it bother you or do you not notice?
Honestly, I didn’t even notice!
Hi! I have a question about the fabrics! How close are the beige fabrics between the 2 styles? Wondering because I have a gray ektorp 3.5 couch and am wondering if gray uppland chairs will match, or at least look ok together in the same room. I know you didn’t have the gray color specifically but I thought maybe if the beiges were pretty close the grays might be too.
We recently bought the dark gray and I compared my Uppland dark gray cover to my sister’s old Ektorp dark gray and they’re very similar.
Awesome! Thank you for replying! That’s so helpful!
No problem! Hope it helps
How is it holding up so far?
They’re holding up really well!! I plan on doing a six-month or year update.
How is it so far?
What Color is the cover on the Uppland in your photos and Videos?
Thanks
Hallarp beige
Thank you for posting this and taking the time to share your findings with us!!! I have a full house of Ektorp, which I absolutely love, but have been worried about finding covers now. Luckily I had bought extras several years ago when the Lafolette beige was on sale. I may be able to get several more years out of those but it’s good to know I have a good option to replace all my current furniture when it needs to be done.
Excellent review! The seat covers on my Ektorp 2+2 are fraying and would like to find replacement. Wish I had bought a second set like the above comment by VH. Idemo beige or Lofallet. Who knew they would be hard to find.
Thanks! Bemz seems like a great place to still find Ektorp covers. Here’s the link https://bemz.com/en-us/ikea-series/ektorp/sofa-covers?gclid=CjwKCAjwuYWSBhByEiwAKd_n_iFAmmzDTWAJ4ryy-QOf5qPLuiLiEGs-BM5EEhsll_TIXm50HdfqXxoCixQQAvD_BwE
I hope you can help us. In a recent move the corner support section of the Ektorp 5 seater was lost. We have all the cushions and cover but need the dimensions of that cube to have it built. We cannot even get the dimensions from IKEA. Can you help us?
Thank you for the comparison! I have the sofa in Lofallet beige and wonder if you think it would be noticeable to pair the Lofallet Beige sofa with the Hallarp Beige chair?
First, thank you for such a thorough review. This has helped me decide to go with Uppland. I noticed in one photo you have a cat. Curious as to how it holds up with the cat nails. Thanks!
So far it’s hold up. My cats don’t scratch the furniture that much though.
What an excellent review! Thank you so much. I have an Ektorp sofa for the past 8 years and living alone it is still in perfect shape. When I bought it, I had the dark beige covers and then a year later I bought the red covers. Last year I decided I wanted new covers only to find out IKEA isn’t making their most popular sofa any longer, which means no covers! I went on the web and searched for Ektorp 3 seat sofa covers and there are two companies who can make exacr copies of the covers for $250.+. I originally paid $149. The $250.+ plus the taxes and shipping would be outrageous.
I cannot understand what IKEA’s thinking was regarding not only discontinuing the Ektorp sofa but no longer carrying the covers?
I KNOW
I have hypothetical question and I hope you’re still moderating this post. I have an Ektorp sectional I purchased in 2007. I really want a new cover. I wonder if I wash AND dry the Uppland cover, if it would shrink enough for the Ektorp. I accidentally washed and dried my very first Ektop cover and it was unusable after that. I on my second cover and learned my lesson about the dryer. So I wonder if the Uppland would shrink it I ruin it like I did my Ektorp?!
The covers would shrink a little after drying but would still be pretty loose.
Thank you for doing this comparison. My Ektorp pieces have served us well for 7+ years. It confirmed my decision to move on from IKEA when ordering replacements.
Is it possible to shrink the Uppland covers in the dryer to better fit the Ektorp?
Ours didn’t shrink that much and would’ve still been very loose
Does anybody have unclawed cats? I am trying to find out if the slipcovers for any of the Uppland sofa could with stand two very loving cats?
Love my cats but am so wishing I could find a solution to my dilemma. They don’t claw the funiture but seem to enjoy the “needing” in most cats. Thanks for any help u can give me.
I have six cats (unclawed) and the slipcovers have held up really well. Granted, our cats do not scratch at our furniture that much.
I have read that the Uppland fabric seems shiny and more polyester-ish than the nice cotton Ektorp covers. What do you think?
I am crushed that Ektorp is discontinued.
I would say the three cheaper cover options are IMHO
I wonder if I would be pretty simple to have them tailored to fit the Ektorp?
hmm, I wonder? I assume if you’re pretty good at sewing. Let me know if you do!
Excellent review! The seat covers on my Ektorp 2+2 are fraying and would like to find replacement. Wish I had bought a second set like the above comment. Idemo beige or Lofallet. Who knew they would be hard to find.
Have you tried Etsy? We’ve found some fab covers from a company called petbitat which have transformed our old ektorps. The material (we opted for velvet) seems better quality and a better fit than the original covers. We don’t have an uppland yet I’m the UK but am curious to compare if it replaces the ektorp later on.
I have seen people sell covers on Etsy but I have not personally bought a cover through them. Petbitat looks very comparable to Bemz, seems like good quality covers.
Im a little late to this post, which by the way is the best comprehensive summary ive ever read online. I bought mine new in 2006 and its been overdue for a very long time. I’m moving and i want to replace with Uppland but concerned about availability. If it’s going to take months I might as well move my Ektorp with me.
Q-s: Has availabilty improved?
Are the cushions reversible? Doesnt look like it.
You made your covers?Wow
I want the L shape unit. Are there footstools?
Does it have the pullout unit to make a bed?
Thank you
I believe the availability has improved but I would definitely check with your local Ikea. The seat cushions are not reversible unfortunately but the back cushions are. The Uppland series does have an ottoman that does look nice with the L-shaped couch (my sister has that setup) and the ottoman does double as storage. Uppland doesn’t have a sleeper sofa option but Ikea’s VRETSTORP sleeper sofa looks a lot like the Uppland sofa and has the exact same slipcovers. Hope this helps
Hi, Do you think i could put a beige UPLAND in the same room as my beige EKTORP?
Did you get used to your feet not touching the floor? I’m used to my feet touching. My husband wants more of a couch he can relax and slouch into so I’m thinking he might like it. Just super nervous for comfort level but with kids and cats i think this couch would be perfect for us.
This is the review I didn’t know I needed! Thank you.
I have a question for you- first of all thanks for this great post! My question is- the Ektorp had a really nice plush feel, whereas some of the IKEA sofas feel weird- either very firm, or you can feel the springs. I know Uppland has springs whereas Ektorp didn’t, and I know you mentioned the dimensions took from your comfort, but what about the plushness? The ektorp seems to kind of envelop you, which is such a nice experience. How has thant changed with Uppland?
Hi! I want to thank you for your excellent review which I just re-read for the umpteenth time! I gave my Ektorp sofa, chair and ottoman to my daughter because I thought I wanted something smaller scale for my very tiny living room. I realized right away that was a big mistake. So, I am looking at the Uppland now and have decided that for the price and the fact that the larger dimensions are in keeping with all the other bigger furniture out there, I may “spring” for the Uppland sofa pretty soon. I did notice the Uppland’s cushions look much more, well, cushiony than the Ektorp’s cushions in the two photos of you and your husband sitting on them. I didn’t realize how flat the Ektorp’s cushions were until I saw those photos. That is what my old sofa looked like so looking forward to getting a more cushiony sofa. I am 5′ 2″ and so I am not thrilled to not have my feet touch the floor, but, oh well. The Ektorp did make a nice napping couch so I look forward to doing that on the Uppland when I get it. My scaled down MCM sofa I currently have is just not cutting it for me. I will sell it on Marketplace. Thanks again for the thoughtful review!
I just wanted to point out that the Ektorp furniture actually hasn’t been discontinued, but they no longer sell it in North America (and probably some other countries/continents). In fact, the two European sites I checked, Ireland(ikea.ie) and Sweden(ikea.de), didn’t have any mention of Uppland. The European Ektorp dimensions seem to match the old ones, so they didn’t just keep the Ektorp name for the Uppland furniture.
Anyway, if you are looking for some genuine Ektorp covers, you probably can’t order directly from Ikea… that’s what ebay is for! Sellers on ebay are often willing to ship international, so you might be able to find what you’re looking for there if you aren’t ready to give up on Ektorp. You might even be able to find current Ikea fabrics for your Ektorp!
Ireland’s ebay is in English, but you can still use other countries’ ebay sites with a little work and help from Google Translate 🙂