This Velvet Sofa Is the Star of IKEA’s Latest Luxe Collection

I’m no stranger to IKEA. I’m typing this in my STEFAN chair at my MICKE desk, sitting by my MALM bed and STORKLINTA nightstand. All of them have served me well for years, and I’m not alone in that. IKEA is known for sturdy, affordable and minimalist furniture that suits just about any space and style. But there’s a more vibrant side of the brand that’s less familiar to many of us: the STOCKHOLM collection.

IKEA’s premium line offers thoughtfully designed statement pieces that are built to last for decades. It’s a more luxe take on the brand’s sleek Scandinavian style. The collection is turning 40 this year, and to celebrate, IKEA dropped 96 new STOCKHOLM pieces in its eighth and largest update so far.

The 2025 edition features lots of rounded edges, light wood and pops of color and patterns drawn from Swedish landscapes. The overall impression is earthy, elegant and welcoming.

“We wanted to have almost like a vintage feeling from classic designs, and not so coordinating in details, colors,” Karin Gustavsson, Creative Leader for STOCKHOLM, tells HGTV. “We wanted to be a bit bold, a bit unexpected.”

While the drop includes many gems (Ola Wihlborg’s ice-inspired tealight holder is a personal favorite), the centerpiece is his modular sofa.

Wihlborg is one of three designers on the STOCKHOLM 2025 creative team. He previously worked on the 2017 collection. Originally from Stockholm, Wihlborg was eager to pay homage to his hometown and its close relationship with nature in the new edition. He designed a wide range of household items and furniture for it including mirrors, dinnerware, shelves and dining tables, keeping flexibility in mind. As with the rest of the collection, his pieces are easy to mix and match to suit different tastes and lifestyles — including his own.

When planning this year’s collection, Wihlborg knew he wanted to contribute a sofa that would work for households like his. He owned the 2017 STOCKHOLM sofa, which came with 10 cushions that his kids and dog were always knocking to the floor. Frustrated, he set out to design a couch that would hold its shape with minimal upkeep.

“The idea here was to do something that you can have in the right condition all the time without any work, so it should always look nice but still have good comfort,” Wihlborg tells HGTV.

The resulting sofa is soft but not squishy, thanks to a foam interior and boasts a 25-year warranty. It comes in four colors: beige, dark brown, turquoise and gray. The latter is bouclé, and the other three are velvet.

“It’s a nice velvet with a quite short pile, so it will not collect so much dirt,” Wihlborg says.

According to interior designer Molly Costello, frequently vacuuming the velvet will help it look pristine, and a microfiber cloth should take care of most spills. She recommends getting it professionally cleaned every year, but the covers are also removable and machine washable. Interior architect, designer and founder of Studio Anva, Alyssa Anselmo, says that’s a huge benefit.

“The practicality of removable and machine-washable covers cannot be overstated,” Anselmo tells HGTV. “Velvet is often perceived as delicate, but this feature makes it a viable option for households with children or pets, or for anyone who values both style and ease of maintenance.”

The modular design makes the sofa highly customizable. You can configure it as a three- or four-seater, a loveseat or a single armchair. And, since the pieces are delivered individually, it’s much easier to move than a typical couch. Gustavsson recommends arranging it as a long four-seater couch if you have the space, while Anselmo prefers a U shape for a more “sculptural” look. Both designers suggest using a single module as a statement piece; Gustavsson says this would work well in a bedroom.

“This adaptability is something IKEA has always excelled at, and it’s great to see it applied in a more elevated design,” Anselmo says.

Costello also praises the new edition for playing to the brand’s strengths.

“The release of the STOCKHOLM [sofa] is an excellent example of IKEA going back to what makes it so iconic,” she says. “I am obsessed with this STOCKHOLM couch design, which dates back to the 1970s, from the modular shape to the velvet texture.”

She also recommends leaning into the sofa’s timeless appeal by incorporating vintage pieces in the rest of your décor.

“Layer the couch on a colorful oriental rug and flank it with pharmacy floor lamps. Add complementary (but not matching) tables. Then, throw a vintage quilt on the arm of the couch to add an inviting element. Since the couch has round lines, select a coffee table with a wood or metal frame to offset all the softer items,” she says.

For shoppers seeking beautiful, quality products on a budget, the entire revamped STOCKHOLM collection is worth a look. It offers great value to anyone eager to upgrade their space, even on a small scale.

“I think people are much more conscious, more aware of what [they’re] buying,” Gustavsson says. “I wanted young people to be able to buy because high-end furniture is so expensive … I also want to meet new customers who have maybe not yet explored IKEA, to feel like, ‘Wow, it’s IKEA for me, too.’"