IKEA’s Secret Storage Sofa Is the Absolute Ultimate Piece for Small Spaces

Small-space living requires some sacrifice of paring things down or embracing some form of minimalism, but it shouldn’t mean you need to live starkly to maintain sanity. If you have limited space, especially under 400 square feet, you might wonder how to store your things without adding extra dressers to the mix. Cleveland Braswell, III found a product that combines storage, practicality, and looks. 

Even though the ceilings are 15-feet tall in Cleveland’s home, the rental apartment is still only 378 square feet. It was not a want but a need to have smart storage areas. But what makes Cleveland’s solution so special is that you’d never actually know that the furniture piece was housing anything. Enter: IKEA’s JÄTTEBO. 

The IKEA JÄTTEBO is actually a one-seat modular piece of furniture (it appears that Cleveland pushed two together). It comes in three colors: dark yellow-green, gray-beige, and Tonerud gray. The seat has deep cushions so that you can comfortably sprawl out while feeling supported. The dark-yellow-green and gray-beige options are made from Samsala, which the website says is a durable and pleasant corduroy material.

You can customize the IKEA JÄTTEBO and make it larger or different sizes by using IKEA’s planning tool — that makes it a great choice for smaller or awkwardly shaped homes. However, speaking of small spaces, the real bonus is that it has ample storage areas. 

“My sofa actually has hidden storage under the cushions — perfect for sweaters and extra blankets,” Cleveland said at the time of the House Tour. And he isn’t the only one who has a good opinion of the modular piece — it has an almost five-star rating. Angelica, an IKEA shopper, said in a review on the website, “We added this to the other piece we bought to add more seating space. Adding it was a success. Extra seating and extra storage. Very comfortable. Everyone loves it.”

However, the love for the IKEA JÄTTEBO extends to the Apartment Therapy staff, too. Two years ago, Malena Gatti, a contributor, wrote about her appreciation for the item. What Malena liked most was the level of adaptability you can get for the price. You can move it around to work in any setting without any tools, according to the website. 

But if you don’t have an IKEA near you or the JÄTTEBO sells out, don’t fear: There’s a similar option at Wayfair. It’s less expensive than the JÄTTEBO, but also gives you storage in the armrests. Another bonus is that the cover is machine-washable, so you can quickly clean it. 

Obvious dressers aren’t the only way to get storage, and I love how Cleveland used the IKEA JÄTTEBO to get the best of both worlds: storage and high-end aesthetics. If you’d like to see more of Cleveland’s clever home, visit the full House Tour. 

Buy: IKEA JÄTTEBO, $530.00