Can you recover an IKEA Kivik instead of replacing it? Yes. The Kivik frame outlasts its fabric, so a well-made stretch cover in the right size gives it a second life in about ten minutes. Measure across the back, arm to arm, match your Kivik size below, and size up if you land between two.
Your Kivik cover in 30 seconds
The IKEA Kivik is one of the most owned sofas in the world, in production for over a decade. The frame lasts, the cushions can be refilled, and the only part that ages quickly is the cover. So replace the cover, not the sofa.
Two Kivik details decide how a cover sits: the seat is deep (about 60 cm front to back) and the armrests are wide and rounded (about 25 to 30 cm). A stretch cover with enough length absorbs both, which is why it fits a Kivik so well.
Which size cover fits your Kivik
Covaba covers are sized by width across the back, arm to arm, not by IKEA seat count. Measure your Kivik, then match the width to a cover size. The Kivik configurations map like this:
| Kivik configuration | Total width (approx) | Covaba cover size |
|---|---|---|
| Kivik 2-seat | around 190 cm | 3-Seater (180 to 220 cm) |
| Kivik 3-seat | around 228 cm | 4-Seater (225 to 300 cm) |
| Kivik 4-seat | around 282 cm | 4-Seater (225 to 300 cm) |
| Kivik 3-seat with chaise | around 280 cm long | Cover the main run and chaise as separate sections |
| Kivik corner (L-shape) | varies | One cover per section, matched left or right facing |
Not sure which you own? Stand behind the sofa and run a soft tape from the outer edge of one armrest to the other. The full method is in our how to measure a sofa guide, and every size range is mapped in what size sofa cover do I need.
Covers that suit a Kivik
These soft-touch stretch covers all come in four sizes from 1 to 4 seater, so you pick your Kivik width, then the fabric you like. Tap any cover to choose your size.
See the full range in stretch sofa covers, or the complete sofa covers collection.
How a stretch cover fits a Kivik
A stretch cover for a Kivik usually arrives as one main piece that goes over the whole sofa, plus separate cushion covers. Fitting takes about ten minutes:
- Drape the main piece loosely over the sofa and centre it.
- Tuck the back edge behind the backrest cushions.
- Pull the front down over the seat and smooth the sides into the gaps beside the arms.
- Slide each cushion cover on like a pillowcase and replace the cushions.
The deep Kivik seat takes extra fabric, so tuck generously rather than pulling tight. The grip comes from the tuck, not the stretch. For a corner Kivik, most covers come as two pieces fitted separately at the corner, and a left-facing chaise needs a left-facing cover.
Choosing fabric for a Kivik
A Kivik is a working sofa, so the fabric should hold up to daily life.
- Soft-touch microfibre. The practical default. Resists pilling, takes a cool machine wash, holds colour.
- Linen-look weave. Softer and more textured, best for a room with more adult than child use.
- Boucle-style weave. Adds visible depth, ideal for a styled, layered room.
The trade-offs are covered in our fabric guide. For a primary Kivik, soft-touch microfibre is the right default.
Keep the tuck tidy
A new cover always looks slightly loose for the first day, then relaxes into the frame over 24 to 48 hours. If yours ever shifts, the fix is almost always a firmer tuck. Our guide on how to stop a sofa cover slipping walks through it.
Frequently asked questions
Will a stretch cover fit my exact Kivik model year?
Most likely yes. The Kivik has had small year-to-year changes, but the width, seat depth and armrest profile have stayed consistent, and stretch fabric absorbs the small differences. Measure your sofa and compare to the size chart before ordering.
Do I need separate covers for each cushion?
Usually yes. A complete set includes one main sleeve plus individual cushion covers that slip on like pillowcases, so you can wash each cushion separately.
My Kivik is a corner sofa. How do I know if it is left or right facing?
Stand in the room facing the sofa as normal. If the chaise extension is on your left it is left facing, if on your right it is right facing. The cover must match.
Can I machine wash the cover?
Yes. Soft-touch microfibre covers are made for a cool wash around 30°C and air drying. Avoid hot water and high-heat tumble drying, which can shrink fabric and damage the elastane.
How long does a replacement cover last?
With normal household use and gentle care, a well-made stretch cover holds its shape and colour for five to ten years. Heavier-use sofas may need a refresh sooner.
Will the cover slide off the Kivik?
A well-tucked cover does not slide. The grip comes from fabric pushed into the gap between seat and arms, and many covers include foam rods to lock the tuck in place.
Keep reading
- How to measure a sofa for a cover
- What size sofa cover do I need
- How to stop a sofa cover slipping or looking baggy
