3 IKEA Outdoor Sofas That I've Tried, Tested, and Given My Tick of Approval — Plus 2 Honorable Mentions Worth Knowing
I took a trip to my local IKEA to try out a few different outdoor sofas and came away positively smitten with a few in particular
When shopping for garden furniture, I'd forgive you if you accidentally overlooked IKEA's outdoor sofa offering at first. Admittedly, it's not the first place I'd think to go either, but after spending an afternoon sitting on every style I could find in their showroom, I've got to admit: I'm pretty impressed.
Not only are IKEA's outdoor sofas available at the brand's famously affordable prices, but some models have some serious Scandi style, too. Options might not be as plentiful as other garden furniture brands, but depending on how you want to look at it, sometimes less choice can be a blessing.
As for which of IKEA's outdoor sofas to choose, I have become quite astute at picking a quality design over the last few years, and, as part of researching for this article, I spent an afternoon running — okay, there was a lot of lounging involved, too — around my local IKEA, testing every outdoor sofa I could sit on.
Three IKEA outdoor sofas really tickled my fancy, but when I looked online afterwards, I discovered two more that hadn't been on the showroom floor that day, but I really wished had been (so they get an honorable mention). So, without further ado, these are the only IKEA outdoor sofas you really need to know about.
Brigid didn't choose the sofa life; the sofa life chose her. Toward the end of her time as one of Livingetc's inaugural Style Editors, Brigid's day-to-day focus shifted entirely toward couches — the making of them, the buying process, how to style them, how to deliver them ... you name it, she interviewed an expert about it. As a result, she has spent over 100 hours researching the couch-buying process and certainly knows a thing or two about the products worth your while. And although she's not a Style Editor anymore, she still applies her loveseat and sectional acumen to her freelance design pieces, for which she finds herself strolling around IKEA quite often.
NÄMMARÖ
The version I saw in store was situated a bit differently to how you see it online, but its modularity is its superpower!
Those who know know that as far as IKEA outdoor sofas go, the NÄMMARÖ series is a fan favorite. In fact, it's regularly completely sold out in the UK as a result. So, of course, I had to give it a try for myself.
To start, a disclaimer: I did not sit on the 2-seat NÄMMARÖ. I sat on what was essentially a sectional version, built out with the two-seaters and other NÄMMARÖ series components. Overall, though, it was basically the same product, and its modularity is one of the things people love most about this IKEA outdoor sofa.
As for my thoughts, this is quite a chic sofa. The seat is super firm (which shouldn't be too shocking; the frame is wood), and comfortably deep. The cream-colored cushions might be best suited for a covered patio, as I would imagine they get dirty quite easily, but they are also removable and washable, which is good.
But don't just take it from me. This IKEA outdoor sofa is rated 4.7/5-stars after 64 reviews, with one customer writing: "The long wait for it all to be back in stock was totally worth it. It's super comfortable and looks great in my garden. Some reviewers mention that the cushions slip. I haven't found this at all, as the seat cushions are anchored to the frame with elastic fixings. The DUVHOLMEN cushions with cream FROSON covers are very comfortable, and my dogs' muddy paw prints wipe off easily with a damp cloth. My only regret is that I didn't get one years ago!"
TEGELÖN
The durable black material here would be very easy to care for.
The TEGELÖN is not your average IKEA outdoor sofa. It's pretty minimal, as you can tell from my photo above, and comes as part of a conversation set, which is complete with two chairs and a coffee table. Despite appearances, I thought this was comfier than anticipated.
Is it the same feel as sitting on a couch with cushions? Not at all. But it's a good option for a front porch set-up, and would require a lot less care than something with true seats. I like that it's black, as well, which is yet another safeguard against stains and marks. And it's currently on sale.
Looking at reviews, one customer identified a bit of an annoying point: it's currently only available to purchase as a complete set rather than individual pieces, which could be restricting depending on the size of your garden — but that's what Facebook Marketplace is for, right?
VITTSKÄR
The VITTSKÄR is probably the most traditional of these three IKEA outdoor sofas. It has very plush cushions and a very deep sit, with a plastic/rattan frame. Due to its size, I'd say it's better for backyards and patios than a small balcony.
And while the plastic isn't quite as nice as the Acacia wood on the NÄMMARÖ, it's definitely easy to care for and quite durable. You should have no problems with this sitting on an uncovered patio (white cushions aside).
Also, I liked that the chaise is movable, so you can turn whichever side you like into the sectional or even treat the ottoman as a 'coffee' table. Alternatively, there is a matching coffee table, too.
While it currently only has one review online, it's remarkably positive. "This IKEA outdoor sofa has ample space for extra cushions along the back and is very comfortable to lie out on," it reads. "I love that I can replace any cushions or parts in the future if need be, as it is totally modular and you can even just buy a new cushion insert. The fabric is smooth and very easy to clean."
The review does note one drawback, though. "The seat cushion toggles have nothing to attach to, so I just linked them to each other at the back of the cushions. I ended up buying another backrest and back cushion for the ottoman part, as otherwise the end cushion would just slide around, and the zipper is visible on three sides."
Honorable Mentions
I did not get to try these options in-store, but I did look into them online. And they're on this list as much for positive customer reviews as they are for style.
The JUTHOLMEN reminds me a lot of the VITTSKÄR in its functionality and silhouette; both are modular and come in collections — so you can build them out into the exact size and shape you'd like — and both have splayed side panels. What I like about the IKEA JUTHOLMEN outdoor sofa specifically, though, is that the style and look of the panels (plus the thin metal legs) feel almost Parisian in appearance to me. It's like you're bringing the riverside sidewalk cafe home.
To me, the LÄCKÖ is a definition of a garden sofa. I wouldn't say this is a spot for lounging and watching a movie, but it would work great as a bench seat at a table, a serene respite outside of a garden, or a conversation spot on your front porch. The metal frame would be easy to clean and care for, and you could swap out the cushions depending on the season and condition of the fabric.
FAQs
Does IKEA Have Good Outdoor Furniture?
Absolutely, it does! IKEA's outdoor furniture is as strong as its indoor offerings. There might be a tad less of it, which makes sense, but it's still a great place to shop for all your porch and patio needs, especially if you're looking to save a couple of dollars.
What Is the Best-Looking IKEA Outdoor Sofa?
I did not get to try it in-store, but I am very impressed with the look of IKEA's TVARÖ outdoor sofa. It's a simple, clean design with a sort of hand-assembled, rattan frame. Looks very chic. What's more, it is — you guessed it — modular, which ensures longevity, practicality, and bang for your buck.
But if you think these outdoor sofas are good, just wait until you see IKEA's sofa offering for indoors — and yes, before you ask, I spent an afternoon sitting on these too, and have shared my insight into which styles are actually worth shopping.
For more product recommendations for the home, make sure you subscribe to Livingetc's newsletter.