GRONLID IKEA: Complete Guide to Spare Parts, Modules and Sofa Cover with High Backrest

The GRONLID is the discreet but serious successor to the VIMLE. Same philosophy – a modular sofa with a high backrest, designed to last and adapt to your living room – but with its own visual identity and a deeper seat that clearly distinguishes it from its predecessor. Appearing at the end of the 2010s, it is steadily growing and gradually replacing the VIMLE in several European markets. This guide covers everything you need to know: its construction, available configurations, parts to monitor as a priority, and a few pitfalls that no one mentions in the instructions.

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Anatomy of the GRONLID: understanding what you have

The GRONLID belongs to the family of IKEA modular sofas with high backrests. Its total height is **104 cm** – slightly higher than the VIMLE (83 cm backrest). This is not just a visual effect: the high backrest of the GRONLID actually supports the neck for people of average height, not just the lower back.

Seat depth is one of the characteristics that distinguishes the GRONLID in the IKEA range. We are approaching 98 cm of total depth. This is a sofa you really settle into – enough to lie down in a semi-seated position without your knees protruding. Lovers of enveloping sofas will be delighted.

The internal structure is based on a wooden and metal frame. The seat cushions are made of polyurethane foam with a layer of polyester fiber, which gives them both support and a certain surface flexibility. The result is firm and structured – not "cloud-like", but not austere either.

The back cushions are numbered five on the 3-seater version – thin and flexible cushions, arranged in a row. This is a deliberate aesthetic choice that gives the GRONLID its specific silhouette. The downside: they are loose (not attached), and will naturally migrate and compress over years of use.

The feet are made of plastic with a standard M8 thread. This standard is shared with many other IKEA models (including the VIMLE and SODERHAMN) – which means there is an active market for compatible replacement feet, in wood or metal. A concrete advantage for customization and replacement.

The covers are removable and machine washable. The range of fabrics available at IKEA and on the third-party market is one of the strengths of the model.

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GRONLID configurations: from 2-seater to large corner sofa

The GRONLID is a modular system. Each configuration sold by IKEA is built from the same basic blocks. Understanding this logic is understanding what you can evolve – and how to precisely identify the module that concerns you when you are looking for a part.

Straight configurations

GRONLID 2-seater sofa — Dimensions: 177 x 104 x 98 cm. The most compact configuration, suitable for small living rooms. It comfortably seats two adults, but the generous depth makes the seat a little less practical if your feet don't easily reach the floor.

GRONLID 3-seater sofa — Dimensions: 247 x 104 x 98 cm. The flagship configuration. This is the one that comes up most often in spare parts and replacement cover requests. The space/seating ratio is the most balanced in the range here.

Configurations with a chaise longue

GRONLID 3-seater sofa with chaise longue — Dimensions: 258 x 98-164 x 104 cm. The entry-level L-shaped version. The chaise longue is 117 cm wide and 164 cm deep – enough to lie down fully.

GRONLID 4-seater sofa with chaise longue — Two sizes available: 328 x 98-164 x 104 cm and 339 x 98-164 x 104 cm. The large format. You need a generous living room to accommodate it without suffocating the space.

The chaise longue alone

GRONLID chaise longue — Dimensions: 117 x 164 x 104 cm. Sold as an independent module, it can complement an existing configuration or position itself alone alongside a straight sofa.

Corner configurations

GRONLID 4-seater corner sofa — Dimensions: 258 x 258 x 104 cm. The compact U-shaped sofa.

GRONLID 5-seater corner sofa — Dimensions: 252 x 322 x 104 cm. The pivot configuration for large open living rooms.

GRONLID 5-seater corner sofa with chaise longue — Dimensions: 333 x 252 x 104 cm. The largest format in the range. Its surface covers an area of 333 cm by more than 2.50 m deep – measure your room carefully before purchasing.

Available colors

The range evolves regularly. Stable fabric families:

• Inseros: smooth-surface woven cotton, 100% cotton. Natural and warm feel.
• Sporda: natural-based textured fabric with a two-tone mottled effect. Contemporary look.
• Neutrals (beige, grey, white) and bolder shades depending on the season.

Colors are linked to the covers, not the structure. A GRONLID module can therefore be re-covered independently of the rest – this is where the third-party cover market makes all the sense.

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Identifying your configuration to order the right part

Before looking for a GRONLID spare part, one question arises: which module is concerned? On a modular sofa, the answer conditions everything.

Identify the faulty module. A 2-seater module and a chaise longue module do not have the same cushions, the same cover dimensions or the same internal components. Mentally or physically (frame label) note which block is involved.

Find your assembly instructions. Each GRONLID configuration comes with its own instructions. The number on the instructions is the product reference number – this is the number you pass on to the IKEA customer service for any structural part order.

Specify the side of your chaise longue. On configurations with a chaise longue, it is positioned on the left or right. This information is necessary to order the correct cover from a third-party provider.

Note the year of manufacture. The label under the module frame indicates the production date. Useful for checking compatibility if you are purchasing an additional module to complete an existing configuration.

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GRONLID assembly: step by step and points of vigilance

The GRONLID follows the logic of assembling IKEA modular sofas. Nothing inaccessible – but some steps require method.

Tools

IKEA provides the necessary tools in the box. Keep them for future tightening. A standard Allen key is sufficient for the bolts connecting the modules. No specific tools beyond that.

Step by step

Step 1 — Prepare the space. Clear an area on the floor large enough. GRONLID modules are bulky and heavy. Assemble flat before upright. Plan for an assistant for the final tipping.

Step 2 — Mount the feet. Each foot screws into M8 directly into the insert provided in the frame. Screw in by hand until you feel resistance, then add a quarter turn. Do not force – you risk saturating the resin of the thread and blocking the foot in a bad position.

Step 3 — Assemble the modules together. This is the step that conditions long-term strength. The inter-module connectors are inserted laterally and tightened with a key. Leave zero play. Even a tiny play amplifies with months of use.

Tightening torque of the connectors: IKEA does not publish an official value. The proven rule: tightened by hand + half a turn with the key. You need friction, not deformation.

Step 4 — Install the covers. Center the covers before closing the zippers. A misaligned cover creates unsightly folds and uneven wear. For seat cushions, wait for the decompression period before concluding that "it doesn't fit".

Step 5 — Wait 72 hours. The cushions come compressed in the packaging. They appear flat. This is normal. After 72 hours, they regain their nominal volume. Do not judge the comfort of your GRONLID before this period.

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Critical parts and upgrades: what users do

The feet: the first accessible upgrade

The original feet are made of plastic. Functional, sober, without particular character. But their M8 thread is entirely standard – and that's a real freedom. This standard is shared with many IKEA sofas, which opens the GRONLID to an entire market of compatible replacement feet.

Bemz and Prettypegs offer feet specifically labeled "M8 compatible", available in wood (oak, walnut, beech), in metal (matte black, brushed steel, brass). The modification takes ten minutes, requires no particular skill, and radically transforms the look of the sofa.

A point not to be neglected: changing the height of the feet modifies the seat height. Higher feet are more suitable for tall people. Lower feet give a more contemporary look, but make the seat more difficult for people with mobility problems.

Covers: an active third-party market

The GRONLID is a recent model – its third-party cover market is growing. Two providers are the most active in this segment:

Bemz offers covers designed module by module, with precise templates for each GRONLID configuration. The choice of materials is wide: washed linen, velvet, thick cotton. The level of finish is higher than the original IKEA covers, at a corresponding price.

Comfort Works offers a similar positioning, with a specialization in durable materials for intensive use – including seat covers with an anti-slip lining, which prevents the gradual migration of the cushions.

These two providers operate via online configurators: you select your module, your material, your color. Allow two to four weeks of manufacturing time.

Inter-module connectors: the maintenance that everyone forgets

The bolts connecting the modules gradually loosen with time and the micro-vibrations of daily use. This is not a manufacturing defect – it's the physics of any bolted joint subjected to repeated stresses.

The simple rule: re-tighten all inter-module connectors once a year. Ten minutes, the tool provided, no skill required. The first re-tightening should take place within the first three months of use, the period during which loosening is fastest. A lost connector can be ordered free of charge from the IKEA customer service using the part number on the instructions.

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Special cases and pitfalls to avoid

Compression of the back cushions. The five back cushions of the GRONLID 3-seater are padded with polyester fiber – a material that compresses naturally with use. After a year or two of intensive use, gaps appear between the cushions and the rendering becomes less structured. Solution: shake and reshape the cushions regularly (once a week), and alternate their position to homogenize wear. The seat cushions, made of foam, retain their shape better.

Baggy covers. GRONLID covers tend to deform slightly after several weeks of sitting. Good news: they are fixed to the frame with Velcro, which allows you to reposition them and eliminate false folds. Get into the habit of realigning them once a month. Third-party covers (Bemz, Comfort Works) are generally more fitted and less prone to this phenomenon.

Feet that unscrew. M8 feet gradually unscrew, especially if the sofa is regularly moved. Check their tightening during each annual check. Some users apply a weak threadlocker (Loctite type 243) to the thread for a definitive solution – this option however makes subsequent replacement more restrictive.

The chaise longue that drifts. The chaise longue, lighter than the central modules, tends to become detached slightly if the connecting bolt is not properly tightened. Systematically check this point during initial assembly, and control it during annual re-tightenings.

Discontinued colors. IKEA regularly renews its colors. If you purchase an additional module three years after the initial purchase, the exact fabric may no longer be available. The proper solution: complete re-covering via Bemz or Comfort Works, which offer materials consistent across all modules regardless of the year of purchase.

The first-time unzipping. The outer cover of the GRONLID covers an internal envelope that protects the foam. This envelope can tear if you remove the cover with jerks, especially during the first unzipping. Correct technique: completely unzip the zipper along its entire length before pulling. Never force it.

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FAQ: the most frequently asked questions

Is the GRONLID compatible with the VIMLE for mixed configurations?
No. The two systems have different connection interfaces and structures. The M8 feet are interchangeable – but the modules themselves are not combinable. If you are looking to expand an existing VIMLE configuration, you must stay within the VIMLE range.

Are third-party M8 feet really compatible?
Yes, without reservation for serious brands (Bemz, Prettypegs, Comfort Works) that explicitly mention M8 compatibility in their product sheets. M8 is a standard industrial thread – there is no owner in the GRONLID at this level.

Can a module be added to your GRONLID configuration after the initial purchase?
Yes. This is precisely the principle of the modular system. Disconnect the armrest, insert the additional module, re-bolt. Allow about an hour for the operation. The main constraint: the availability of the original color – or a complete re-covering if necessary.

Does IKEA still provide GRONLID spare parts?
Yes for standard hardware (connectors, inter-module bolts, replacement feet) – orderable via the IKEA spare parts service with the reference number on the instructions. For structural parts, availability depends on stock.

Can the seat cushions be replaced alone?
Yes. The seat cushions can be ordered separately. If your sofa has several years of intensive use and the seat has sagged, this is the first intervention to consider. Replacing the cushions costs a fraction of the price of a new sofa.

Is the GRONLID suitable for use with pets?
The high backrest and seat depth are advantages. But the standard fabric covers do not resist repeated scratches. Investing in a cover made of reinforced material (Comfort Works offers fabrics specifically tested for this use) is particularly relevant if you share your sofa with an animal.

What is the concrete difference between the GRONLID and the VIMLE?
The GRONLID is taller (104 cm versus 83 cm), deeper, and firmer in the seat. Its back with thin cushions gives it a specific silhouette. The VIMLE is slightly more enveloping in the seat and offers a better balance between firmness and softness for long sessions. Both share the same modular logic and the same M8 thread – but are not cross-compatible.