IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS: the smart alternative to a traditional sofa bed

A new IKEA piece of furniture is currently generating plenty of discussion.

Many city residents know the problem: you need a comfortable place to sit during the day and a guest bed at night, yet a bulky sofa bed ends up taking up space again. With a fairly understated model, IKEA takes a different approach, showing that space-saving living can work without back pain or the frustration of unfolding awkward furniture.

Why this IKEA furniture piece is replacing the traditional sofa bed

In major cities such as Berlin, Munich and Vienna, one-room flats are becoming standard. Floor space is expensive, so every furniture purchase needs careful consideration. This is exactly where the IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS armchair bed comes in: it is intended to offer the functions of a pull-out sofa without its usual drawbacks.

Instead of a bulky sofa bed: a slim armchair that turns into a proper single bed in seconds.

Whereas many sofa beds permanently occupy a large footprint, this armchair remains remarkably compact in day-to-day use. Its profile is narrow and nothing about it appears oversized. It works just as well in a home office as in a compact kitchen-living space or against an unused studio wall.

Turning the armchair into a bed does not require any effort: there is no heavy metal frame, no snagging mechanism and no concealed levers. Simply pull the seat forward and the sleeping surface is ready. This straightforward mechanism is a real benefit in tight homes, where evenings can otherwise involve squeezing between the sofa, coffee table and clothes airer.

Design that does not look like a makeshift solution

The LYCKSELE LÖVÅS is deliberately understated in appearance. Clean lines, a low height and no wide armrests allow it to fit into both minimalist Scandinavian interiors and colourful shared bedrooms. Rather than looking like an emergency guest bed you would prefer to hide away, it resembles an ordinary piece of furniture designed to stay in the room.

This is particularly relevant for home-office spaces: during the day, a simple armchair can sit by the bookcase or window, while in the evening the same area becomes a place for visitors to sleep. Anyone living in a very small space gains a valuable extra metre of room to move around.

Comfort without the usual compromise of multifunctional furniture

A great deal of space-saving furniture asks a lot of its owners. It saves room, but the trade-off is neck pain, sagging padding and tiny sleeping areas. IKEA addresses precisely this issue with the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS.

At its centre is a polyurethane foam mattress that has to perform in both seating and sleeping modes. It is designed to retain its shape even after being unfolded and folded away frequently. There should be no obvious sagging or feeling of a seat dip after just a few months.

The mattress supports the lower back when sitting and helps keep the spine relatively straight when lying down – a rare promise at this price point.

When used as an armchair, its back section provides targeted support around the lumbar area. Anyone who regularly moves from their desk to the armchair while working from home will quickly notice whether furniture falls short here. In bed mode, it creates one continuous sleeping surface with no hard joins. For an overnight stay with friends, it is more than merely adequate: guests should wake feeling noticeably more rested than after a night on a sofa with a crosswise edge pressing into their back.

Who is this armchair especially suited to?

• Singles in one-room flats who do not want to give up clear floor space during the day
• Couples who only have overnight guests occasionally but want to provide a proper place to sleep
• Parents looking to incorporate a flexible extra bed into a teenager's room
• People working from home who sometimes turn their office into a guest room
• House shares where the living room has to serve several purposes

It is important to note that this is a single bed. For two people, it is really only an emergency option. Anyone who regularly hosts couples would be better served by a different solution.

Removable covers: little effort, major impact

One everyday advantage that is often underestimated is the cover system. The entire cover can be removed and replaced, bringing several benefits:

• Cleaning: The fabric can simply go into the washing machine. Stains from coffee, red wine or food therefore become far less serious.
• Changing the look: Rather than buying a new piece of furniture, a different cover is enough to alter the room visually.
• Family friendliness: Dirt builds up more quickly with children or pets. Washable covers make this easier to manage.
• Seasonality: Light, airy fabric in summer and a darker, cosier option in winter – all with the same furniture.

The standard cover in a neutral shade suits almost any home. Those who want to be bolder can find various colours and fabric textures at IKEA. In particularly small rooms, changing colour deliberately can be worthwhile: a pale cover makes the room feel more spacious, while a strong accent shade brings the armchair visually into focus.

For maintenance, it is enough to vacuum the foam components from time to time and wash the cover regularly. This can noticeably extend its lifespan, much like a bedroom mattress stays fresh for longer with a protective cover.

Price, guarantee and the sustainability aspect

At 249 euros, the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS sits well below the price of many high-quality sofa beds, while remaining far removed from disposable furniture. In cities with high rents, every square metre saved matters twice: anyone choosing one item instead of both a sofa and a guest bed uses their space more efficiently and may even be able to manage with a smaller home.

One piece of furniture, two functions, ten years' guarantee – IKEA is sending a clear message about long-term use.

The decade-long guarantee indicates that the company has considerable confidence in its product. For buyers, this means less risk of something breaking or becoming loose after a short period. Spread over the years, the purchase price becomes far more reasonable when considering how often cheap sofa beds need replacing.

There is an environmental consideration, too. Choosing a multifunctional piece of furniture avoids the additional production, transport and disposal of other items. Replaceable covers reinforce that benefit: rather than getting rid of an entire sofa once its fabric no longer looks good, a new cover is sufficient. This saves both resources and money.

Practical tips for using it in small flats

The armchair becomes especially useful when paired with a few simple furnishing tricks. A folding side table that can be moved aside in the evening quickly makes room for a comfortable sleeping surface. Lightweight stools instead of a heavy, obstructive coffee table keep the space adaptable.

Plant lovers can position the armchair deliberately beside larger houseplants such as a monstera or ficus. This not only creates a cosy feel but also structures the room without making it look overcrowded. Pale walls, a rug that defines only the seating area and the compact armchair can create a small but clearly defined living zone in a studio.

Anyone who welcomes guests more often should keep a slim, roll-up mattress topper on hand. It can be stored in a cupboard during the day and makes the single bed even more comfortable overnight, without requiring extra room for a full replacement bed.

A verdict for city residents with limited space

The LYCKSELE LÖVÅS demonstrates that multifunctional furniture does not have to be bulky, unattractive or uncomfortable. It is not a luxury item, but neither is it an awkward stopgap from the bargain corner. Anyone living in a small flat, needing a guest-sleeping setup and tired of flimsy sofa beds will find a practical alternative here with sensible value for money.

The key point remains this: before buying, consider carefully where the armchair will stand, how often guests genuinely stay overnight and whether a single bed is sufficient. Those who can answer these questions clearly may find that this IKEA furniture piece is more than just another compromise in too few square metres.