I Just Discovered a Brand That Makes Any IKEA Sofa Look Instantly High-End

No matter your budget or living situation, one thing’s for sure: You honestly can’t go wrong with an IKEA sofa. Most are modern, compact, and not a huge investment overall. Yes, you do have the not-so-fun job of putting them together at home, but once assembled, they’re fairly easy to maintain.

In recent years, the brand’s latest I-can’t-believe-that’s-from-IKEA sofa designs have looked especially high-end, from the modular JÄTTEBO line to their bold redesign of the 1980 KLIPPAN sofa. That said, if you’re someone who loves patterned upholstery or textural fabrics, you’re fairly limited with IKEA’s current selection — but there’s one lesser-known workaround. 

Allow me to introduce you to Bemz, a Stockholm-based brand that specializes in (machine-washable!) sofa slipcovers designed just for IKEA models. Whether you already own an IKEA couch or have been eyeing a specific style, Bemz allows you to personalize the furniture piece with your choice of material, color, print, and fit preference. Bonus: the brand’s slipcovers were even featured in Apartment Therapy’s first-ever Small/Cool Design Awards!

Here’s how it works: Find your desired IKEA sofa or chair series, browse 150-plus fabric options, and add to cart. Bemz is compatible with more than 80 IKEA seating collections, from the POÄNG armchair to the discontinued FÄRLÖV two-seater, as well as ottomans, footstools, pillows, and more. They even carry furniture legs à la carte, in case you want to upgrade your couch with chic wooden balls or a Scandi-inspired tapered design. 

The brand carries upholstery to match just about every living room aesthetic, whether you prefer a classic gingham or graphic floral print, but they recently just released a striped linen collection in red and yellow colorways that arguably won’t ever go out of style. Apartment Therapy’s CEO Maxwell Ryan has collaborated with Bemz on a cozy ribbed corduroy line, as well. And don’t worry — if you’re on the fence, you can order up to five free fabric samples.

For added personalization, some covers also come with skirting or box pleats, resembling slipcovered sofas from big-box retailers that would probably cost twice as much as the IKEA couch and Bemz cover combined. Prices do range, depending on the upholstery, but most complete cover sets fall around $400 to $500. Expect about 4-5 weeks of lead time after you place your order, and then you’ll have your very own custom IKEA piece that looks so much more expensive than it actually is.