IKEA Uppland Sofa vs Ektorp Sofa | Uppland Sofa Review

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?

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