This Beloved IKEA Couch Got a Green Velvet and Fringe Makeover

You can count on IKEA couches, which are usually cheaper than other brands, to be high-quality and long-lasting, making them a fan favorite at Apartment Therapy. The only downside (which could actually be considered an upside) is that their neutrality can make them look a little flat in more colorful spaces. However, a couple in Paris updated a best-selling sofa in one of the chicest ways I’ve ever seen, and it completely transforms the look into something that feels custom and high-end.

In the video above, viewers are taken on a tour of three incredible Paris apartments, each with a different style. While all of them are stunning, my eye was instantly drawn to the SÖDERHAMN couch in Alice Gras and Anaïs Seguin’s colorful home in the 17th arrondissement. The reason it stood out was that I would’ve never guessed it was actually an IKEA couch; it looks like a completely custom piece. 

You might be surprised to learn that fringe is having a moment. Even though fringe might not be the first thing you’d think to add to a sofa, it’s exactly what makes this one look completely custom. But Alice and Anaïs were way ahead of the trend as their House Tour was filmed and photographed in 2022. The SÖDERHAMN couch, currently marked as a “Last Chance” item, is beautiful on its own. It has a timeless, minimalist style that’s low to the ground and comes in 12 colorways. You can also customize it — like choosing a sectional versus a sofa — to fit your space. 

Although it comes in fun colors, Alice and Anaïs’s apartment is bursting with electric colors, and it’s likely that they wanted a sofa that could stand out among the vibrancy. Covering the couch with rich, green velvet and adding fringe (which makes it look high-end) is the couple’s proudest DIY project in the apartment, and it’s what makes a simple, affordable sofa look much more high-end. 

“This gives it a whole other dimension,” the couple said about the final product at the time of the House Tour. “Very British kitsch, which we love very much.”

If you love this sofa or want to copy Alice and Anaïs (I wish I had the space because I’d be copying them in a heartbeat), you might want to think quickly about snagging this couch. As I mentioned before, it’s, sadly, on its way out. There are several positive reviews on IKEA’s website that sing its praises. 

“Very comfortable, looks really good, and washable, which is great if you have pets/kids,” Camila, an IKEA shopper wrote in a review. A through-line of this couch is how people appreciate its ability to be customized. Esperanza, another IKEA shopper, wrote, “The sofa is nice, a bit too low but I switched out the legs for taller ones and is much better. I liked the simplicity, not bulky for my small space but big enough to be comfortable and can sit up to three people depending on their size.” 

Alice and Anaïs’ upgrade is simple but provides a huge visual payoff — with no reupholstering required! If your sofa feels a little basic, you don’t need to replace it; you can still take Alice and Anaïs’s lead. By adding a couch cover, especially with some fringe, your couch will instantly look like it’s double the price. 

Buy: SÖDERHAMNSofa Section, $719

This IKEA couch DIY isn’t the only gorgeous find in the video above. Check out the other the House Tour featured: 

• This Outrageously Gorgeous Paris Apartment Is the Perfect Maximalist Mix