IKEA MORABO Sofa Review: The Underrated Chunky Sectional That Outperforms Its Price

The MORABO is IKEA's most grown-up sofa. It replaced the Landskrona — a quietly beloved model that ran for years with almost no complaints — and carried forward the same design DNA: low profile, firm seat, clean Scandinavian lines, and a modular chaise that attaches via a removable armrest. Where the EKTORP and SODERHAMN trade on softness and sink, the MORABO trades on structure and longevity. It is also available in genuine leather at a price point where most competitors only offer fabric.

The tradeoffs are real and worth knowing upfront. The cover is stationary and non-removable, shared with the APPLARYD as one of IKEA's two main non-washable sofas. The chaise cushion has a documented flatness problem that shows up consistently across years of ownership reports. But for buyers who want a firm, durable, stylish sofa that outlasts most alternatives at this price? The MORABO consistently delivers.

Frame and Cushions

The frame is plywood and solid pine with particleboard and fiberboard infill. The seat cushions use high-resilience polyurethane cold foam at 2.2 lb per cubic foot — the firmest density IKEA uses in any of its sofas. Back cushions use a lighter 1.5 lb foam. This spec explains why long-term owners consistently report that cushions hold their shape; the density is sufficient to resist the sink-and-flatten trajectory that affects cheaper sofas within a few years.

Cover and Fabric

The Gunnared polyester cover is dope-dyed — color is embedded in the fiber rather than surface-applied — giving it better fade resistance than typical polyester. The weave reads warmer and more textured than it sounds on paper, with a wool-like melange effect that works well in living rooms that lean Scandinavian or mid-century modern. The unavoidable downside: the cover cannot be removed or washed. Spot cleaning and periodic steam cleaning are the only maintenance paths. Owners with pets flag this as the main long-term frustration, though the tight Gunnared weave resists scratching better than looser alternatives.

Modular Armrest System

One or both armrests detach, allowing a chaise section to be added or repositioned on either side. This means your configuration is not locked at purchase — buy the sofa now and add a chaise later. The chaise section itself has a consistent community complaint: the far end is thinner by design and sinks significantly with regular use. Multiple owners across different years recommend avoiding the chaise end as a primary seat, or planning for it to function more as a footrest than a full seat.

Legs

Solid oak-veneered wood legs with clear lacquer — a material step above the plastic legs on the EKTORP. Assembly tip: rotate each leg counter-clockwise until you feel the thread click before screwing clockwise. Several owners have cross-threaded legs by rushing this step, which can compromise the insert in the sofa base.