Ikea LYCKSELE LÖVÅS: The space-saving alternative to the sleeper sofa

A new Ikea furniture piece promises to provide exactly that solution.

Many city dwellers know the problem: sofa, bed and home office all somehow have to fit into just a few square metres. Until now, the pull-out sleeper sofa has been the standard answer, although it has rarely been genuinely comfortable or practical. With the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS, Ikea presents a piece of furniture that makes the idea of a bulky sleeper sofa look rather outdated.

Why this Ikea furniture replaces the old sleeper sofa

The traditional sleeper sofa comes with several drawbacks: it takes up substantial space, is heavy, its folding mechanism often sticks, and it is seldom particularly comfortable to sleep on. This is precisely where the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS comes in: an armchair that becomes a proper single bed in a matter of seconds.

“Rather than having a huge sofa in the room, you have a compact armchair that turns into a bed whenever needed – with no levers and no struggle with metal frames.”

Its lines are clean and the design is deliberately slim. When folded up, the furniture looks like a slightly wider armchair rather than a shortened sofa. This makes it suitable for:

• Studio flats and micro-apartments
• Guest rooms that serve as offices during the day
• Shared flats where every square metre matters
• Teenagers’ bedrooms that need room for playing or studying during the day

Converting the armchair into a bed is almost self-explanatory. Pull out the sleeping surface, fold the backrest backwards, and it is ready. There is no heavy lifting and no complicated handles to contend with. This is exactly the point at which many conventional sleeper sofas fail after a few months of regular use.

Slim design instead of a bulky block in the living room

The furnishing trend is clearly moving towards minimalism and flexibility, especially in major cities. Thanks to its straightforward shape, the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS suits a wide range of interior styles:

• Bright, pared-back Scandinavian interiors
• A colourful blend of flea-market finds and designer pieces
• Traditional décor with a wooden cabinet and rug

With its low profile, the armchair does not overwhelm the room. Anyone already using open shelving, plants and multifunctional furniture gains another piece that remains unobtrusive despite its additional function.

Comfort without compromise: sitting and sleeping on a foam mattress

Many space-saving furnishings require compromises in comfort. Not here. At the heart of the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS is a polyurethane foam mattress designed for both sitting and sleeping.

“The mattress is designed so that it neither sags from sitting nor develops dips from sleeping quickly – whether it is used by a long-term guest or for a nightly television session.”

In armchair form, the combination of the seat and backrest provides noticeable support for the lower back. For those working from home, it offers a useful alternative to an office chair for one or two hours of work, or for a long evening of watching a series.

When extended, it forms a genuine single bed with one continuous sleeping surface. There is no gap in the middle and no hard metal bar pressing into your back. The foam density sits in the “firm but not board-hard” range, making it suitable for guests who do not want to wake up with back pain the following morning.

Who will benefit most from the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS

This armchair with a bed function shows its strengths particularly well in the following settings:

Change the covers instead of buying a new sofa

A key feature is the outer cover: it can be removed completely and replaced. Ikea offers several colours and fabric textures; the standard Ransta cover is relatively neutral and works with many interiors.

“Instead of replacing the entire piece of furniture after a few years, only the cover goes into the washing machine or is changed.”

This offers several advantages at once:

• Washable: Coffee stains, red wine and sticky fingerprints mean the cover goes in the washing machine rather than the bulky-waste collection.
• Adaptable appearance: New flooring or a fresh wall colour? A different cover can match the armchair to the new mood.
• Pets: Cat hair and muddy dog paws are less of an issue when the fabric can be cleaned regularly.
• Suitable for children’s bedrooms: Felt-tip marks or cocoa are more likely to end up in the laundry basket than on the upholstery foam.

Maintenance remains manageable: wash the covers and vacuum the foam occasionally – nothing more is needed. This noticeably extends its usable life, as the furniture continues to look cared for even when used every day.

Price, guarantee and the sustainability aspect

At a price of €249, the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS is positioned well below many high-quality sleeper sofas, while costing more than the most basic guest beds. For tenants in large cities paying heavily for every square metre, the calculation is simple: one armchair replaces both a guest bed and an additional sofa.

Ikea also includes a ten-year guarantee. Such a long guarantee is not available everywhere in the furniture sector. It indicates that the construction is intended for long-term use rather than occasional use alone.

“Anyone who puts their money into one well-used piece of furniture saves costs, transport journeys and hassle in the long term.”

Sustainability also plays a supporting role: furniture that fulfils two functions only needs to be produced, transported and eventually disposed of once. The replaceable covers further extend its lifespan, because visible wear does not automatically mean buying something new.

How to integrate the armchair effectively into small rooms

To get the full potential from this furniture, it is worth considering the layout of the room. A few practical strategies include:

• Position it against a wall: Place the armchair so it can be pulled out forwards without blocking the entire room.
• Choose a lightweight coffee table: A small table that can be moved aside quickly makes the transition from living to sleeping mode easier.
• Keep storage nearby: A sideboard or storage basket within reach for bedding saves searching around in the evening.
• Use plants rather than bulky furniture: Slim plants such as a monstera, or herb pots on the windowsill, make the room feel homely without taking up floor space.

Anyone who works and sleeps in the same room can use the armchair beside the desk during the day as visitor seating or a reading corner. In the evening, the laptop goes into a drawer, the armchair pulls out, and the room visibly changes its purpose.

What buyers should consider before purchasing

Before visiting the furniture store, it is worth carrying out a quick check of your home:

• Take measurements: Check both the armchair and bed configurations – will the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS genuinely fit where it is intended to go?
• Clarify the intended use: Will it be used as a bed every day, or only occasionally for guests? This determines whether two units might make more sense.
• Plan for covers at the same time: Allowing for a second cover at the point of purchase makes changing it easier during washing or when the style changes.
• Protect the flooring: Particularly in rented homes with delicate floors, felt pads are essential if the furniture will be moved regularly.

Anyone who has previously owned a conventional sleeper sofa will notice the difference in weight and handling immediately. The armchair feels lighter, is easier to move and is far less imposing in the room. This could prompt a rethink of the entire room layout – perhaps removing a large wardrobe in favour of more open, flexible elements.

Combined with thoughtfully planned lighting, a few hardy, easy-care plants and perhaps a small vertical herb garden on the windowsill, this creates a living concept that does not feel larger because it contains more furniture, but because every individual piece has a purpose. This is where the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS fits in: as a building block for people with limited floor space who want to get as much comfort from it as possible.