You know the sofa came from IKEA. You may even remember roughly when you bought it. But when it is time to replace the cover, suddenly one detail becomes surprisingly difficult to answer:

Which IKEA sofa do I actually have?

It happens more often than you might think. IKEA has sold many sofa families over the years, and some look remarkably similar at first glance. Add discontinued models, different sizes, chaise configurations, sofa beds, and replacement legs, and identifying an older sofa can become a small detective job.

The good news is that you usually do not need the receipt to figure it out.

Identifying the exact model is particularly important when shopping for a replacement cover. A cover designed to fit an IKEA Ektorp, for example, should not be assumed to fit an Uppland just because the sofas have a similar appearance.

Here are the places we recommend checking before choosing a replacement cover for your IKEA sofa.

1. Look Under the Sofa First

Before reaching for a measuring tape, check underneath the sofa.

Move it away from the wall if necessary and look underneath the frame, particularly around the bottom lining, crossbars, and areas near the legs. Depending on the model and age, you may find a label containing identifying information.

If you find a label, take a clear photo before doing anything else. Even if the model name is not obvious, the information on the label may help narrow down your search later.

Check underneath removable cushions too. Older labels have a habit of ending up in places nobody has looked at for years.

2. Search Your Old IKEA Order History

If the sofa was purchased online and you still have access to the account or email address you used at the time, search your old orders and emails.

Try searching your inbox for terms such as:

IKEA sofa
IKEA order
IKEA delivery
IKEA receipt

An old confirmation email can solve the mystery in minutes.

This is especially helpful because remembering that you bought a "three-seat IKEA sofa" is not enough to identify the correct model. Different IKEA sofa families can have similar overall dimensions while using different cushion shapes, arm designs, and frame proportions.

Those differences matter when you are looking for a replacement cover designed to fit your particular sofa.

3. Count the Seats and Separate Sections

Next, look at the basic configuration.

Is it an armchair, loveseat, three-seat sofa, sectional, chaise, sleeper, or corner sofa?

For a sectional, count the individual sections rather than simply describing the entire piece as an L-shaped sofa.

Also check whether the chaise is on the left or right when you are facing the sofa. This can matter when identifying the exact configuration.

Do not assume that two sofas from the same family use the same replacement cover simply because the upholstery looks similar.

4. Pay Attention to the Arms

The arms are one of the easiest visual clues.

Look at your sofa from the front and side.

Are the arms wide and rounded? Narrow and straight? Low and broad? Do they slope slightly? Are they almost the same height as the back?

Take photos from both angles.

When two IKEA models look similar in an online photo, differences in the arm shape can make them much easier to distinguish.

5. Look Closely at the Cushions

Cushions can tell you a surprising amount about a sofa.

Start with the seat cushions.

Ask yourself:

• How many individual seat cushions are there?

• Are they square or rectangular?

• Are they thick and boxy or relatively slim?

• Do they have piping around the edges?

• Are the covers removable?

Then look at the back cushions.

Some IKEA sofas have loose back cushions, while others have a more structured back. Cushion proportions and shapes can also vary considerably between models.

Photograph the sofa both with and without the loose cushions. Seeing the bare frame often reveals details that are hidden during everyday use.

6. Measure the Sofa

If you still cannot identify the model, measurements become very useful.

Measure the overall width from the outside edge of one arm to the outside edge of the other.

Then record:

• Overall width

• Overall depth

• Overall height

• Seat width

• Seat depth

• Arm width

• Cushion width and depth

• Chaise length, if applicable

For a sectional, measure each section separately.

Write the measurements down rather than relying on memory. A difference of a few inches can help separate one model or configuration from another.

Measurements are also worth double-checking before buying any replacement cover for an IKEA sofa.

7. Compare the Details, Not Just the Overall Shape

This is where people often make mistakes.

You find an old IKEA sofa online that looks almost identical to yours and assume you have found the model.

Before deciding, compare several details:

Arm shape: Is it actually the same width and height?

Number of cushions: Does the reference sofa have the same seat and back cushion arrangement?

Frame proportions: Compare the relationship between the arms, seat, and back.

Legs: Legs can provide clues, although they should not be used alone because they may have been replaced.

Chaise orientation: If applicable, confirm both configuration and orientation.

Measurements: Check your measurements against the dimensions of the model you think you have.

One matching feature is not enough. Several matching details give you much more confidence.

8. Be Extra Careful With Ektorp and Uppland

Ektorp and Uppland are names that frequently cause confusion because both have the familiar slipcovered IKEA sofa style.

If you own an older sofa that you believe is one of these models, do not choose a replacement cover based on appearance alone.

Check the dimensions and configuration carefully.

If your sofa turns out to be an Ektorp, you can browse replacement covers for IKEA Ektorp sofas from LindaKale.

If you identify it as an Uppland, browse replacement covers for IKEA Uppland sofas and select the cover designed to fit your particular configuration.

The two model names should not be treated as interchangeable. A replacement cover designed for one sofa model should not automatically be expected to fit another.

9. Kivik Sectionals Can Look Similar but Come in Different Sizes

Identifying your sofa as a Kivik is only the first step. Kivik comes in several sectional configurations that can look very similar but have different dimensions.

For example, a Kivik sofa with chaise and a Kivik 4-seat sofa with chaise may look alike at first glance. The difference becomes clearer when you compare the overall width, number of seats, and individual sections.

Kivik corner sectionals can be confusing for the same reason. The 4-seat and 5-seat corner sectional configurations have a similar overall shape, so relying on photos alone may lead to the wrong identification.

Before choosing a replacement cover, count the seats and cushions, measure the overall sofa, and check the dimensions of each section. If your Kivik includes a chaise, measure that separately too.

Once you have confirmed the size and configuration, compare it with the options in the Kivik sofa covers collection to find a replacement cover designed to fit your Kivik sofa.

LindaKale also has a detailed guide to choosing covers for IKEA Kivik sofas if you have already confirmed which Kivik configuration you own.

10. Do Not Forget Discontinued IKEA Sofas

An unsuccessful search on IKEA's current website does not necessarily mean your sofa is not an IKEA model.

It may simply be discontinued.

This is common with furniture that has been in a home for many years. A perfectly usable sofa can outlive its product listing.

That does not necessarily mean the entire sofa needs replacing. If the frame is still in good condition, a replacement cover designed to fit the sofa can give you another way to refresh its appearance.

LindaKale makes replacement covers designed to fit a range of IKEA sofa models, including older and discontinued styles. You can browse replacement covers for IKEA couches to compare available sofa families and configurations.

For an older model, you can also explore replacement covers for discontinued couches.

11. What If You Still Cannot Identify Your Sofa?

Do not guess.

Instead, collect as much useful information as possible.

Take:

• One photo from directly in front

• One photo from the side

• One photo from the back

• A photo with the cushions removed

• Close-up photos of the arms

• A photo of any labels underneath

• Overall width and depth measurements

• Individual cushion measurements

These details are much more useful than a single living room photo taken from across the room.

You can then compare what you have with the different sofa models available in LindaKale's replacement cover collections.

Identify Your Sofa First, Choose a Replacement Cover Second

It can be tempting to start with fabric and color, especially when you are excited about changing the look of the room.

Model identification should come first.

A beautiful fabric cannot compensate for a cover designed to fit a different frame. Confirm the sofa family, size, and configuration before choosing your replacement cover.

Once you know exactly what you own, the enjoyable part begins. You can think about color, fabric, texture, and whether you want to keep the sofa close to its familiar appearance or give an older frame a completely different personality.

A sofa that has served your home well for years may still have plenty of life left in it. Sometimes, replacing the cover is all it takes to make the room feel fresh again.

LindaKale replacement covers are designed to fit compatible sofa models. LindaKale is an independent brand and is not affiliated with or endorsed by IKEA.