IKEA VIMLE Sectional Sofa Review

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I receive emails and DM’s weekly (daily?!) asking for my thoughts on the VIMLE sofa from IKEA. We bought the 5-seat corner VIMLE sectional for our basement in July 2019. I looked into several brands at the time, but we ended up going with the VIMLE due to price, availability, and a baby soon to arrive any day! I designed our basement to be a cozy space; one in which I wanted people to feel relaxed and free to have fun without the fear of ruining an expensive sofa. Tyler is like a bull in a china shop and little ones are well known for their messes, so function was of utmost importance.

Below I have listed our top PROS and CONS of the sofa as well as answers to a few frequently asked questions. I hope this is helpful, but as always, feel free to reach out if you have questions!

Please Note: It looks like IKEA has since come out with the FINNALA sectional. I haven’t seen it in person, but the measurements are quite close to those of the VIMLE. It’s possible IKEA may be phasing out the VIMLE and replacing it with the FINNALA.

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P R O S

  • Price. At just under $1,400 for a 5-seat corner sectional, the price simply can’t be beat.

  • Washable covers. The ability to remove and wash (and even replace, if absolutely necessary) the covers was a huge plus for us, especially with such a light colored fabric.

  • Size & Customization. We wanted something large and cozy for our space, and the VIMLE can be configured to a number of arrangements - even changed down the road if your needs/wants change. We also needed to fit the sofa in our basement which meant going down a stairwell and making a tight turn. The ability to assemble the VIMLE in place was a huge plus as anything already fully assembled likely wouldn't have fit.

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C O N S

  • Height. While I love the look of a low profile sofa in our open floor plan, I do wish the back height of the cushions was taller. The height including back cushions is 32 5/8”. It’s comfortable to sit and have a conversation, but if you want to lounge and watch a movie, we have to shimmy down to get comfy. I’ve gotten used to it over time, but if I had my choice, I’d like a higher back. (Side Note - the new FINNALA is slightly taller at 33 1/2”. It’s not a lot, but I wanted to mention it.)

  • Individual Seat Cushions. This never even crossed my mind when we looked at purchasing the sofa, but the individual seat cushions actually aren’t my favorite. I know this is how most sectionals are designed, but our sofa upstairs is a two-cushion which means you have ample room on each side of you. If Tyler and I want to snuggle up on the sectional, I’m always stuck in the crack! Again, I’ve kind of gotten used to it, but if you’re after ultimate coziness and comfort, it may be worth finding a sectional with one large cushion on each section (although I’m sure it could wear funky over time. Pros/Cons to weigh, that’s for sure).

  • Assembly. While we have assembled a TON of IKEA stuff in our day, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. We’re used to it, but I didn’t want to assume everyone loves to assemble furniture like we do. This sectional is big and it has a LOT of pieces and parts. Honestly, putting the covers on everything was the biggest pain in the butt. It took forever! Or maybe it was just because I was 39 weeks pregnant… Either way, if you hate assembling stuff, this may not be for you.

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F A Q

  • Is it comfortable? The sofa has a firm sit, but I actually find it quite comfortable. It’s not a sink in and instantly fall asleep sort of deal (it’s not feather filled or anything if that’s your thing), but I do find it comfortable.

  • How has it worn? We’ve had the sofa almost a year now, but we didn’t really start using the space until about three months ago. Since then, Tyler and I spend every evening in the basement after we put Marin to bed. Over that time, the sofa has shown zero signs of wear. We always sit in the same spots (Ha!), and you would never know where those were based on the appearance of the seat and back cushions.

  • Is the fabric grey or beige? We have the Gunnared Beige covers and it is definitely more grey than beige. It’s actually really pretty in person and looks much nicer than what you might typically think of IKEA.

  • Is the fabric itchy? I have pretty sensitive skin and I don’t find the fabric itchy at all. It’s definitely a heavy weight fabric which is great for durability, but it’s not super soft (like velvet or suede). I think it will wear really well over time.

  • Would you buy again? Definitely.

  • Is it good for kids? Marin is too young to have put this to the “kid test”, so I can’t say for sure. I do think it seems like it would hold up well to lots of play and wear, but time will tell. Like I said above, the covers are washable (and replaceable), so that’s a huge plus. The construction of the sofa itself also seems really strong. I wouldn’t have concerns with kids jumping/wrestling on it.

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S O U R C E S

This post is not sponsored or in partnership with any of the aforementioned brands but the article contains affiliate links. When you shop via the links above I may make commission on a sale at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

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