Ikea LYCKSELE LÖVÅS: The armchair-bed for small homes

A new Ikea furniture piece aims to solve the problem of limited space with style.

The situation will be familiar to many: a tiny studio flat, visitors from time to time, but no room for a proper bed – let alone a bulky sofa bed. This is where an unassuming Ikea model, the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS armchair-bed hybrid, comes in and is quietly becoming an insider favourite. Despite its catalogue-style name, it could replace the traditional sofa bed in many homes.

Why the Ikea armchair could replace the old sofa bed

Anyone who has unfolded a cheap sofa bed will know the ordeal: a weighty metal frame, a mechanism that catches, frustrating pulling and tugging, followed by a long gap running beneath your back. For the rest of the time, it sits in the room like a lump, taking up floor space that is needed elsewhere.

The LYCKSELE LÖVÅS takes a different approach. Rather than beginning as a sofa and somehow converting into a bed, it is essentially a compact armchair that turns into a proper single bed within seconds. There is no folding frame, no metal arms and no hunt for a concealed handle.

“The switch from armchair to bed works in one movement – with no effort, irritating levers or swearing.”

Its outline remains slim even in “armchair mode”. Instead of imposing itself in the middle of the room, the seat is visually unobtrusive. That makes a noticeable difference in small studios or in a home office that occasionally needs to serve as a guest room.

Visually, Ikea has opted for clean lines, a low profile and no unnecessary flourishes. As a result, the armchair works as well in a classic “Scandi” home with pale wood and plenty of white as it does in an eclectic period flat filled with flea-market finds. Its form feels understated rather than like a “student flat with a makeshift solution”.

Ideal for home offices, guest rooms and studio flats

The concept is particularly useful wherever one room has to perform several roles:

• Home office that occasionally accommodates guests
• Living-bedroom in a studio flat
• Teenager’s bedroom with infrequent overnight visitors
• Holiday let where an extra sleeping space is needed

In each of these situations, a compact armchair-bed provides considerably more freedom of movement than a wide sofa bed that permanently dominates the room.

Comfort without compromise: what it is really like to sleep on

Space-saving furniture has long had a poor reputation: useful, yet uncomfortable. Ikea is seeking to challenge precisely that perception with the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS. At its centre is a polyurethane foam mattress designed for both types of use – sitting and sleeping.

When used as an armchair, the seat and backrest together provide noticeable lumbar support. Anyone working from home who uses it during the day as a reading chair or for video calls will soon notice whether their posture is properly supported. Here, it is: you sit upright without feeling as though you are sinking into a sea of cushions.

The quality of the sleeping surface matters in bed mode. Once unfolded, it creates a continuous single-bed-sized surface, with no disruptive edges or crossbars. The foam density makes the mattress feel supportive without becoming hard – a balanced option that is especially practical for guests with very different sleeping preferences.

“The armchair is no substitute for a luxury hotel – but it reliably avoids the ‘I feel battered’ sensation after a night on a typical sofa bed.”

Those who host guests more often benefit twice over: back discomfort is avoided, and there is no need to apologise every time for putting someone on a folding construction with metal bars.

Removable covers: one piece of furniture, many looks

One major advantage of the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS is its modular cover system. The cover can be removed entirely and exchanged for another version whenever desired. Ikea offers a choice of colours and fabrics, ranging from simple standard covers to more distinctive shades.

• Machine washable: Stains from coffee, red wine or tomato sauce can realistically be removed.
• A visual refresh: A replacement cover can effectively deliver the feeling of a new piece of furniture.
• Seasonally adaptable: Light covers for spring and summer, with darker, cosier fabrics for autumn and winter.
• Suitable for family life: Children, pets and everyday mishaps are handled far better than by many conventional sofas.

Maintenance itself is straightforward: remove the cover, machine wash it, dry it and put it back on. The foam components only require occasional vacuuming. Doing this every few weeks can significantly extend their lifespan.

Price, guarantee and sustainability: is it really worthwhile?

At around €249 currently, the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS sits in Ikea’s typical mid-range price bracket. More relevant than the price alone is the comparison with buying two separate pieces: a decent armchair and a guest bed quickly cost considerably more, while also requiring more space.

This calculation is particularly clear in cities with high rents: every square metre that is not permanently occupied makes a home feel larger. A piece of furniture that fulfils two roles therefore contributes directly to quality of living.

Ikea provides a ten-year guarantee for this model, which is a strong indication at this price point. Anyone replacing a cheap sofa bed every few years will ultimately spend substantially more, both financially and in terms of waste generated.

“A piece of furniture that proves itself every day and does not end up in bulky waste after a short time saves stress, money and resources.”

The interchangeable-cover concept also has a sustainability benefit. Instead of disposing of an entire sofa because the fabric is no longer appealing or visibly worn, a new cover is enough. Less transport, less material and less waste make this a persuasive point for people looking to consume more consciously.

How the armchair fits into modern living concepts

The move towards smaller homes and multifunctional rooms has long been a reality. Kitchens are becoming kitchen-living spaces, living rooms are turning into home offices, and balconies are becoming miniature gardens. Furniture such as the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS fits this picture perfectly: flexible, compact and quick to adapt.

Anyone already reorganising their home can plan the armchair in deliberately:

• Define a zone: A rug beneath the armchair creates a small reading or working area.
• Add a side table: During the day, it holds a laptop or coffee; at night, it becomes the guest’s bedside table.
• Plan the lighting: A dimmable floor lamp provides pleasant light for both reading and sleeping.

Paired with plants, such as hardy houseplants that require very little care, it is easy to create a small comfort corner that becomes a guest area in the evening.

Who is the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS particularly worthwhile for?

The armchair shows its strengths most clearly in certain living situations:

• Students living in shared accommodation who receive visitors infrequently but regularly
• Single people in expensive central locations without space for a separate guest room
• Parents looking for flexible overnight accommodation for their child’s friends in a bedroom
• People working from home who want their study to serve two purposes intelligently

However, anyone regularly accommodating two overnight guests, or sleeping on a pull-out bed every night themselves, should consider a larger solution. The LYCKSELE LÖVÅS remains a comfortable single bed – not a full replacement for a double bed.

What to consider when buying and using it

Before purchasing, it is worth taking an honest look at your own living habits. People who use the furniture mainly as an armchair and only a few times a year as a bed are the ideal target group. In that case, comfortable everyday seating is the priority, while sleep quality when needed is the added benefit.

Practical points to check include:

• Is there enough floor space when the armchair is pulled out into a bed?
• Is there sufficient nearby storage for bedding?
• Does the chosen cover suit the rest of the room, or would two versions offer greater flexibility from the start?

It is also sensible to consider the mattress weight and how easily it can be handled. Anyone with limited physical mobility should try the conversion from armchair to bed in store to make sure it is genuinely as easy as expected.

The armchair is also interesting for anyone exploring a more minimalist way of living. A single piece that covers two functions well suits a household aiming to own fewer but better things. Combined with compact storage solutions, shelving that uses height rather than width, and well-considered lighting, even a small flat can feel remarkably spacious.