IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS: The Space-Saving Chair Bed for Small Homes

More and more people are living in studio flats or sharing a limited number of square metres between working from home, hobbies and visitors. Conventional sofa beds often feel like a bulky intrusion in these settings. With the IKEA LYCKSELE LÖVÅS chair bed, the furniture giant offers a solution that looks remarkably uncomplicated while handling two roles at once: a proper armchair by day and a genuine single bed at night.

Why this chair bed could replace an old sofa bed

Anyone who has unfolded a typical sofa bed will know the drawbacks: it is too heavy and cumbersome, its metal frame sticks, and the mattress is as thin as a yoga mat. The LYCKSELE LÖVÅS takes a different route precisely where these issues arise.

“Rather than a wide sofa: a slim armchair that turns into a bed in seconds – with no levers and no struggle.”

When folded up, this piece resembles a compact, low armchair. There is no sprawling frame or excessive padded bulk. That is a major advantage for small living rooms, studios or a home-office guest room: it takes up little floor space and does not make the room feel crowded.

Converting it requires just one straightforward movement: pull the seat forwards, fold down the backrest, and it is ready. There is no weighty metal frame to pull from inside the sofa and no fiddling with complicated mechanisms. Its design is simple enough to understand instinctively, even for guests using the furniture for the first time.

The LYCKSELE LÖVÅS also suits a wide range of interior styles. It has clean lines, a low profile and no unnecessary decorative details. Scandinavian-design enthusiasts get a calm, understated item that will not dominate a period flat, student room or family home.

Comfort without compromise: sleeping as on a proper bed

For space-saving furniture, sleeping comfort is the key consideration. Many fold-out sofas are considered “fine for one night” – but after two nights, your back tends to complain. IKEA aims to challenge exactly that reputation with the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS.

At its core is a polyurethane foam mattress that keeps its shape whether it is being used for sitting or sleeping. The foam density has been selected so that the surface does not sag after only a few months.

• as an armchair: noticeable lumbar support, suitable for extended periods of sitting
• as a bed: a smooth sleeping surface without an awkward gap or metal bars
• firmness: relatively firm, preventing you from “sinking in” while remaining comfortable for a full night’s sleep

Anyone who spends long hours sitting while working from home in particular benefits from the firm back support. During the day, the chair can serve as a work spot; in the evening, it becomes a reading corner; and at weekends, it can be used as a guest bed. In a studio flat, it could even function permanently as a full bed, with the advantage that it looks like an ordinary armchair during the day.

Changing covers instead of buying new furniture

The cover system is another notable feature. The LYCKSELE LÖVÅS uses fully removable slipcovers that fit over the armchair like a “dress”. The standard Ransta cover has a neutral look, though IKEA offers several colours and fabric textures.

“A new cover is all it takes for the furniture to look newly bought – without picking up a single screwdriver.”

In daily use, this has several practical benefits:

• washable covers can simply go in the washing machine – ideal for red wine, coffee and pets
• changing the colour scheme of a room is quick: choose a new cover rather than a new sofa
• families with children need not worry so much about stains on light-coloured fabrics
• people who move frequently can adapt the look to their new home

Looking after the upholstery is equally manageable. Occasional vacuuming is enough, while the foam needs no special treatment. Taking these few steps seriously can significantly extend its lifespan. Rather than replacing the entire sofa bed every few years, the basic structure stays in place – only the mattress and cover need changing when necessary.

Price, guarantee and sustainability: is it worth buying?

At around 249 Euro, the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS sits clearly below good-quality conventional sofa beds in price, while also replacing two items of furniture: an armchair and a guest bed. Every patch of free floor space matters, especially in cities where rent per square metre is expensive.

IKEA provides a ten-year guarantee for this model. At this price point, that is a strong indication that the company expects its construction to withstand long-term everyday use as both seating and sleeping furniture. For tenants who move home regularly anyway, this substantially reduces the risk of making a poor purchase.

There is another consideration: using one item of furniture for two purposes conserves resources. Only one product has to be manufactured, transported and ultimately disposed of. The replaceable covers extend its usable life further – instead of discarding a sofa that merely looks dated, a new fabric simply gives it a second life.

Where the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS excels – and where it does not

This IKEA armchair bed is particularly effective in certain situations. It makes most sense when:

• a home office occasionally needs to double as a guest room
• a proper bed should be kept out of sight during the day in a studio flat
• a teenager’s or student’s room needs both a sofa and a guest bed
• people regularly host family or friends but have no spare room

The model is less suitable, however, for families intending to sleep on it together every night. Its construction is clearly designed around the dimensions of a single bed. For permanent use by two adults, a traditional double bed would make more sense, supplemented with a separate armchair or a smaller sofa.

Tips for furnishing small spaces with the chair bed

To get the most from the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS, it is worth planning the layout carefully. A few tried-and-tested practical ideas include:

• Pair it with low furniture: the coffee table and TV unit should be no taller than the armchair, making the room feel larger.
• Choose a folding or extendable table: in studios, lightweight tables on castors work well because they can be moved aside when needed.
• Use vertical surfaces: wall shelves rather than deep sideboards preserve floor space for the folding mechanism.
• Select light-coloured covers: pale fabrics can make small rooms appear airier, even where available floor space is limited.

People who enjoy having plants indoors can deliberately incorporate the armchair into a “green corner” – for instance, by placing a tall plant stand beside it. This creates a reading and relaxation area that can quickly become a guest bed in the evening, without having to rearrange the whole room.

What buyers should know beforehand

Before buying, it is worth taking an honest look at how the furniture will be used. Those who host visitors only once or twice a year will mainly benefit from the space saving and price. Anyone seeking a daily bed for one person should definitely try lying on the mattress in the store. Its feel is on the firmer side, which suits many backs but may initially feel unfamiliar to some people.

It also makes sense to allow for a second cover from the outset. One fabric can then be in the wash while the other remains in use. This saves stress for people with pets or young children and makes stains easier to handle calmly.

Thoughtful combinations with other multifunctional furniture create even more flexibility: a coffee table with storage for bedding, a stool with a hidden compartment for pillows, or a slim chest of drawers instead of a wide wall unit. Planning in this way makes noticeably better use of every square metre – and that is exactly what the LYCKSELE LÖVÅS is made for: furniture that does not show off, but works quietly every day.