Young House Love

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Assembling Our Karlstad Ikea Sectional Sofa

Despite its original February 4th due date, our big bundle of sectional joy arrived ahead of schedule. Being our first Ikea sofa, we were a bit taken aback by how many different boxes our Karlstad came in.

the many boxes an Ikea sectional sofa arrives in when delivered

But since we’re no strangers to assembling our Ikea purchases we dove right in…and even made a time lapse video of the longer-than-we-expected process.

For those who can’t watch the video (maybe you’re being sneaky at work?) here’s the important stuff: the final pictures of Karl in place.

Ikea sectional sofa recently assembled in gray living room

dark gray Karlstad ikea sectional sofa recently assembled in gray living room with fireplace

We’re especially enamored with the fabric, which is nice and durable (it’s completely impenetrable to Burger’s claws, which is always the goal). And the dark color is perfect for hiding those spills and drool spots that happen with a dog and a baby around. Plus because the entire sectional is slipcovered (even the arms and the frame) we can always wash it if something crazy happens. Which is definitely a probability in our house.

close up detail of ikea sectional sofa fabric in dark sivik gray

Karl certainly is a big boy. It took us a couple of hours to adjust to how much more space he took up than our old couch – but it took almost no time for him to win our hearts. He fits the space really well, the dark charcoal color rocks our socks, he’s extremely comfortable, and he makes us want to schedule a huge friends & family movie night (although that might be more fun when we get a larger TV someday).

dark charcoal gray ikea sectional sofa in living room with yellow accents

Speaking of which, Karl’s presence really highlights the need for some other “heftier” items in the room (it’s a huge space, so larger items will make it look a lot more balanced and proportionate) – like a bigger rug, a new media cabinet, and lots of colorful art on the walls. Plus we need to make this space next to the window look more intentional. We plopped the little game table there because of the light that hangs above it, but we’re thinking that zone might be better served as a play / toy storage area for Clara (and future kiddos) down the line.

small seating area in living room where ikea sectional sofa was recently installed

We also want to add (maybe build?) a long narrow console table to go between the sectional and the wall to host a couple of lamps and act as a spot for drinks, etc. Especially since our current nailhead ottoman & faux sheepskin solution is great looks-wise (light and round ottoman + dark and square sectional = love) but it doesn’t really function beyond feet propping. But with a console table behind the sofa, that’s all it needs to do. Plus it’s baby-head friendly, unlike an angular coffee table. And with all the angles in Karl we were itching for something soft and round anyway.

large round upholstered ottoman with nail head trim atop yellow pottery barn rug

We also want to try a DIY upgrade to Karl’s legs. Ikea offers sleek metal ones (which take the look to über modern) but we wanna work with the chunky wood ones that came with Karl.

close up detail of ikea sectional sofa legs in unfinished blonde wood

Especially since the fancy pants sofa that we coveted from Room & Board (more on him here) has the exact same legs in a darker finish. And they look surprisingly sleek in that color, as opposed to cheap and birchy like Karl’s (no offense, man):

rendering of darkened legs of ikea sectional sofa

We’re thinking we might try to stain or paint them darker (maybe even with high gloss spray paint) to help them work better with Karl’s deep charcoal outfit, er slipcover. We considered swapping them out for tapered or round spindle legs, but Karl is a big dude. So we want him to remain as well-supported as possible. Which is why the legs that come with Karl (along with a 10 year warranty) seem like a smart thing to stick with.

Despite our still-growing to-do list, we’re loving our new spot to relax. I’ve got two directions where I can lie down completely (all 6′ of me), Clara’s got a couple of deep corners to be propped up in, and the chaise just happens to be perfectly Sherry sized. Accordingly, she’s been monopolizing it since Karl’s arrival. Good thing I’m not a jealous man.

chaise portion of ikea sectional sofa in dark sivik gray with yellow accents

Burger is basically nutty with options for curling up, jumping around, and perching upon every possible cushion and cranny. Here’s where we discovered him sit-standing yesterday. Yes that’s business in the front, relaxation in the back. What a weirdo.

chihuahua sitting atop ikea sectional sofa in sunlight

Apparently it’s a great vantage point to scope out squirrels in the backyard.

chihuahua sitting atop ikea sectional sofa Karlstad in sunlight

So yes, we still need to stain/paint the beams, get/build a sofa table for behind the sectional, get a larger rug, upgrade the media cabinet, remove the fans, add in a few lighting options, and possibly create a little play area for Clara behind the far side of Karl – but we’re happy to take our time and let things evolve instead of rushing into any big purchases we might regret (we have to replenish the ol’ bank account after buying Karl anyway). But I guess I could tackle those fans sometime soon. And Sherry claims to be saving up the energy to take on those beams (she says as she reclines on the chaise and lies motionless, closing her eyes as if to “charge”). Should be interesting…

UPDATE: We’re still loving Karl over a year later. Check out our little update post here.

Comments

  1. Laura says

    I have had good luck painting out legs and other small wood items with a cheap $1 bottle of paint from Michael’s. Thought you thrifty people might like that! Good luck!

    Reply

  2. diana says

    Sorry to come back, just thinking, the side tables could do as nightstands? Right now, I am transforming the crib (morally outdated, thank you very much, after three babies in the house and lent to one, also) into nightstands exactly the same shape as your side tables. Work in (very slow) progress!

    Reply

  3. Laura *You Stir Me* says

    We have Ikea couches too and I can vouch for how easy it is to clean them! We have white slip covers (no pets or kiddies yet) so we end up having to wash them:) Karl looks like a great addition to the family – I’m jealous of the chaise lounge seat! That would be my coveted corner!

    Reply

  6. Beatriz says

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! Looks great guys! I actually bought the yellow Dwell pillows from Target and would love to buy the rectangular off-white ones you have as well. (Imitation IS the best form of flattery, right?) They match beautifully.

    PS I am looking at purchasing Karl as well but in white leather but the birch legs turned me off. I’m also thinking of staining them darker when I get it. Any thoughts on a white leather sofa? yay or nay? I have a black cocker spaniel who sheds “….like a dog!”. LOL. Nails are neatly trimmed so I’m not worried about scratches but durability and easy-to-clean!

    Reply

  8. Ann says

    Love love love the way this room is coming together. You two are such an inspiration to me. My husband is considering banning shelter blogs because they make me have ideaas. He’s starting to dread “Baby I have an idea”. BTW my Lab/GSP mix sits at the top of the stairs like that. He can scope out squirrels on two sides of the house at once. And sometimes cats…though I think I might lose a table over the cat issue.

    Reply

  9. Samara says

    It looks really great. How does the texture of the fabric feel (I know Ikea is hit or miss with fabric texture).

    p.s. I vote for a large flokati rug + babies enjoy the texture.

    Reply

  11. Sam says

    Hey Youngsters! I LOVE your blog.

    When I saw this post this morning, I got REALLY excited for you – as if Karl was sitting in MY living room, not yours. Ha. He looks awesome!!! I’m suprised at how big he is.

    Something about his placement, though, is driving me a little nuts, and I’m not sure why. Like he should be pulled away from the wall (maybe adding a console behind him, like you said, will help), and shifted to the right (when you’re looking at him from the TV), so that his armrest on the left side isn’t RIGHT up against the doorway… maybe I feel like there needs to be breathing room for a little side table, or something.

    I guess I don’t know why I’m mentioning this – I’ve seen you guys make all the right decisions in the past (like I said, I LOVE your blog), so I’m totally willing to accept that you “just have to be there” to see and feel how everything fits in the space. And no one else made any comments about it, so maybe it’s just me. :)

    Otherwise, everything looks great and I love seeing all the changes you’re making! You guys are an inspiration!

    Reply

  14. Jessica says

    Can you both cuddle on the couch…aka: spoon? I can never find one deep enough and hubs refuses to try spooning in the store. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes! We’ve actually been huge fans of using the chaise like a chair and a half when we want to snuggle, but we could also spoon longways on the sofa part that faces the TV I bet. I always get a neck cramp watching that way though (meanwhile John loves it).

      xo,
      s

  15. Tia @ onsimepleplace says

    Great Video! You guys are seriously too cute!! I love the sectional. We just purchased a sectional and it is the best!! So comfy… I really enjoy your site =) Thanks for the inspiration and the laughs!

    Reply

  16. Jessie says

    So, this comment is a little unrelated to the post. I was just checking out Design-Milk.com, and started scrolling down, and there was a picture of Burger! I was very excited to see him as a guest doggie blogger on Dog-Milk.com. Way to go Burger!

    (by the way, Karl looks great! Love the charcol with the yellow.)

    Reply

  17. Teri @BeePie Runs says

    Love, love, LOVE this! We bought a loveseat from Ikea a couple of years ago and I love the fact that it’s slipcovered. I have had to wash it a couple of times but it looks just as perfect as it did the first day out of the box. Yay for surprises :)

    Reply

  18. Fatima says

    Good work, guys! :) I didn’t know ikea had sectionals??? Where have i been?! Anyway, it was very refreshing to see a guy reading directions :) (Note to self: must show this to my husband!)Oh and it looks really nice!!

    Reply

  20. Roshni says

    love it! I’m not sure if its just the lighting, but Karl seems to be darker in some photos and lighter in others. I guess I would have to see the sofa firsthand to understand how dark the grey is.

    Reply

  21. Julie White says

    We have the same sofa and it is fabulous for busy families -easy to keep clean and stylish. We have styled it with red union jack cushions and it looks great! Keeps its shape and still looks new nearly 2 years later……

    Reply

  24. Yezenia says

    I love Karl! Normally I wouldn’t like such an angular piece, but it looks great. Regarding the legs, which has probably already been asked and answered but there are sooo many comments to go through (I know, boo hoo to me right?), but would it possible to clad the exisiting legs somehow? Like chunkier wood pieces that have been hollowed out somehow to fit the existing Karl legs? Is that even feasible? Just wondering.
    FYI, the hammered metal spray paint idea above, excellent! I actually got a set of Craigslist tables (for $35, score!) that look a lot like your coffee table, went it them with black hammered metal spray paint and LOVE THEM.

    Reply

  25. Jamie B says

    My dog sits like that too, except with his butt on the couch and his front feet on the floor! (He’s quite a bit bigger than Burger, heheh.) He’ll do it anywhere, even a park bench once when we were out for a walk, that got him a lot of attention. Dogs are so funny. :)

    Reply

  28. Liz says

    Maybe your sofa table should actually serve as toy storage as well with cubbies for baskets or books, etc. Love the sofa.

    Reply

  29. Toni says

    Wow! I want a Karl as well, only much smaller. The Dwell pillows look fantastic. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for the console and the media center. I hope you build something.

    Reply

  30. CasaCullen says

    great new sectional, you guys!!! oh my gosh, you’re gonna LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! it was some of our best MONEY SPENT, for realz-skee! PS – Zola says burger is crackin’ her up! Woof!

    anyways, john you mentioned tackling those ceiling fans…check out OUR POST on easy DIY painting and what a difference it made:

    http://www.casacullen.com/2010/11/…before-and-after-diy-how-to-paint-a-ceiling-fan.html

    Reply

  32. Katie says

    Ahh I LOVE it!! You have no idea how jealous this makes me. It looks perfect in that space – the colour, the size, the cushions.. everything!! Well done, guys. Can’t wait to see what you do next!

    Katie
    xx

    Reply

  33. Gail M says

    Love the sofa! Looks great in the large room. The idea of a sofa table behind it is great. I just had an idea for you while I was reading the post and admiring the room, the wall behind the sofa is also screaming for some great sconces along with the artwork you had mentioned. Thought I would share and let you know how great the new house projects have been!

    Reply

  34. Colleen says

    That time lapse video was awesome! I definitely want to see more of those. Especially since so many home improvement projects are uber time intense and it is cool to see the progression.

    The couch looks great, too! I am going to have to check it out- we have been wanting a sectional for a while for our family room.

    Reply

  39. K. Gardner says

    Looks great. You two do such a good job decorating. I like the idea of you placing a sofa table between the wall and Karl. I was thinking of doing that in my living room but was not sure if that would look weird (since most photos of sofa tables I have seen have them facing outward for all to see the decorative items on the shelves below). But now I know that it must be o.k. because you two have an eye for things like that. Congratulations on your new home.

    Reply

  43. BethanyB says

    Love the pop of color. it looks great.
    p.s. Burgers mullet pose is hilarious but he seems like a very good rodent guard and big brother.

    Reply

  45. Amanda says

    Slightly random question – I’m saving up for a kitchen reno later this year, and the saving is eating up my regular “home improvement” budget. It’s been a few months since I’ve adjusted something in the house, and I’m starting to get an itch to paint something, etc. How do you guys manage to balance out the big projects (esp paying for them) and still being able to finance the smaller projects?

    Reply

  46. Callie says

    Oh I am OBSESSED!!! So darling! I wish we were neighbors…I would steal you every single day to come and help me decorate! Can I ask where your throw pillows and rug are from? I saw you got the yellow pillows from Target…but, all the others? Thank you and keep up the great work! I love all of your fabulous ideas! :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      The long skinny pillows are from Crate & Barrel a while back and the gray patterned ones (bigger square ones) are from Target really recently. As for the rug, it’s from Pottery Barn (called the Moorish Tile Rug) but they no longer sell it so maybe try ebay? Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  47. Steve says

    I remember you mentioned that you looked up reviews for the couch online before buying it. I’m considering buying an Ikea dining room table, and don’t know where I can find reviews. Would love to know where you looked.

    Reply

    • diana says

      I have had a Bjursta dinning table for the last three and a half years, the oak one. It’s perfect, it has never given us any reason to complain. The legs and frame are solid wood, and the sheet itself is particle board; we have the biggest rectangular one (don’t make me spell in inches, it’s 175 x 90 cm), and it doesn’t bend or anything. We had extended it a few times, brilliant. At its fullest, we’ve seated 12 people at it. AND two children are doing their homework on it everyday, while the third and last is playing, colouring, play-dough-ing and what not on it. I fold the laundry on it. Anything, you name, I’ve done on it, even kneading, cutting fabric and paper. I couldn’t recommend it enough, it will be My Dinning Table until the babies fly away, when I’m planning a smaller one (the round one).

  48. Elizabeth says

    It’s fun to see how big projects come together in time lapse. The part at the end of the video where you all sit down together on the couch would fit perfectly right at the end of the opening credits to your future sit-com and/or reality TV show. ;-)

    Reply

  50. elle C. says

    I love Karl. That’s the exact sofa and fabric I’ve had my eye on for a while, so it’s good to hear that it’s comfy and durable. BTW, I also like your little game table area. I know you were thinking of having a little play area there for Clara, but she might not like being in a spot where she can’t see you. Maybe a compromise would be something similar to this, but with a fold-away table:

    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19861339

    You can have some toy storage, but also have a game table that even Clara can eventually grow into. I know our biggest problem in our family room is not having a solid surface tall enough to keep game pieces away from the baby, so we’re probably going to have to go with a drop-down table of sorts. Just an idea.

    Reply

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