SODERHAMN IKEA: Complete Guide to Spare Parts, Covers and Upgrades for the Modular Sofa

The SODERHAMN is not an ordinary sofa. It’s a system. A promise made to lovers of streamlined interiors: to assemble exactly the sofa they want, in the configuration that suits them, without compromise. Since its launch in the 2010s, it has become one of the most durable references in the IKEA catalog — and one of the most customized pieces of furniture by its community. Custom covers, replaced feet, rearranged modules… The SODERHAMN has a life well after its purchase. This guide covers everything: the models, dimensions, parts that fail and how to manage them.

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Anatomy of the SODERHAMN: a sofa designed like a puzzle

What strikes you first with the SODERHAMN is its silhouette. **Very low seat** — only 40 cm from the ground — and **generous depth**, up to 99 cm depending on the configuration. The style is deliberately horizontal, almost flush. It’s pure Scandinavian minimalism, which accepts sacrificing the practicality of "getting up easily" in favor of a relaxed, laid-back aesthetic.

Physically, each module rests on **four black plastic feet** screwed in with M8 threading. The whole is surmounted by a **frame made of chipboard and metal** which supports the seat cushions. These cushions are made of **high-resilience polyurethane foam (density 35 kg/m³)** — an honest density for the price range. The back cushions, on the other hand, are made of **hollow polyester fibers**: soft, enveloping, but likely to compress over the years.

The connection system between modules is the key element of the architecture: **connecting bolts** pass through the internal structures and allow two sections to be joined side by side. It’s robust when it’s tightened properly. It’s the detail that fails when it isn’t — we’ll come back to that.

The covers are removable and machine washable. On this point, IKEA didn't cheat. The standard fabric (Samsta, Tonerud range, etc.) is made of wear-resistant microfiber. The closure is under the cushion, discreet.

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The models and configurations: what you can build

This is where the SODERHAMN really stands out. It’s not a sofa in size 2 or 3 places. It’s a **box of bricks** from which you determine the final format.

The basic modules

• 1-seater module: the unit block. Used at the end of a configuration or as a standalone armchair. Dimensions: approximately 82 cm wide.
• 3-seater module: the most common central block. Approximately 186 cm wide, 99 cm total depth, 83 cm overall height. The seat is 48 cm deep and 40 cm high — this low seat defines the SODERHAMN experience.
• Chaise longue module: the element that changes everything. Add it to the right or left of a 3-seater sofa and you get an L-shaped configuration. The chaise longue is deeper than the standard modules — designed for lounging, not just sitting.
• Corner module: for U-shaped configurations or large right angles. Less common but available in the series.
• Armrest: sold separately. It attaches to the ends of the modules. Its absence is actually an option offered by IKEA for corner configurations — which explains some product references mentioning "without armrest".
• Footstool / ottoman: the last block. Often purchased as a supplement to transform a 3-seater + chaise longue configuration into a truly complete relaxation space.

The most common pre-assembled configurations

IKEA also offers **preconfigured packs** to simplify the purchase:

• 3-seater sofa: one 3-seater module with its two armrests. The most compact.
• 4-seater sofa + chaise longue: the best-selling L-shaped configuration. Approximately 291 cm in length and 192 cm in width.
• 6-seater corner sofa: the maximum configuration for large spaces. A real living room furniture.

IKEA even offers a **dedicated online design tool** for the SODERHAMN to visualize and configure its assembly before purchase. This is rare for a sofa — and it’s revealing of the complexity assumed by the product.

Available colors

The range evolves with the seasons. The references that regularly return:

• Fridtuna light beige: the neutral best-seller, ideal for bright interiors
• Tonerud grey: the safe bet for modern living rooms
• Tonerud red: for those who dare
• Gunnared beige / Gunnared medium grey: warm beige-greys, very versatile
• Viarp beige/brown: a warmer two-tone, with a visible woven texture
• Gransel ecru: the most streamlined version, close to off-white

Colors change, arrive, disappear. If you are looking to replace a cover in an original color, first check the exact availability before ordering.

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Understanding your configuration to order the right part

Before looking for a SODERHAMN spare part, you need to identify precisely which module is concerned. This is not always obvious on a modular sofa.

1. Identify your module. A 1-seater module (approximately 82 cm wide) and a 3-seater module (approximately 186 cm) do not have the same dimensions of cushions, covers or internal support bars. The part to order directly depends on the faulty module.
2. Note the reference number on the instructions. Each SODERHAMN module comes with its own instructions. The number at the bottom of the page of these instructions is the one you give to the IKEA customer service to order a structural part (bar, connector, foot).
3. Identify the year of manufacture. The label glued under the module frame indicates the production date. This is useful if you contact IKEA: some first-generation parts differ slightly from current modules. A Bemz or Comfort Works cover, however, is made to measure according to your module — the vintage doesn't matter.

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Assembly: step-by-step guide to avoid pitfalls

SODERHAMN assembly is not difficult. It’s just particular. And there are two points on which almost everyone stumbles.

Tooling

IKEA provides a specific tool in the box. Keep it. You will need it for the annual tightening. Otherwise, a **standard Allen key (hexagonal key)** is sufficient for the connecting bolts between modules.

Step by step

1. Step 1 — Prepare the space. Clear an area on the floor sufficient to assemble flat. The SODERHAMN is assembled lying down, then upright. Plan a friend for the final tipping.
2. Step 2 — Install the support bars. Under each module are **transverse metal bars** that must pivot and snap into position. This is the number one friction point of the assembly. These bars are stiff. Some users describe the operation as requiring significant force. The technique: **position yourself above the module lying on the floor**, push the bar with the palm of your hand, not with your fingers. If you force with your fingers, you risk injuring yourself or twisting the part. Do not force: first check that you are in the right direction.
3. Step 3 — Screw in the feet. Each foot screws in M8 directly into the provided insert. Screw in by hand until you feel resistance, then tighten a quarter turn further. No need to force — the resin of the thread saturates quickly.
4. Step 4 — Connect the modules. This is where long-term solidity is played out. The **inter-module connecting bolts** are inserted laterally between two adjacent sections. Tighten them firmly with the tool provided. Leave no play.
5. Step 5 — Install the covers and cushions. The seat covers are slipped on from below, the back covers from the back. Take your time to center them before closing the zippers.

Tightening torque of inter-module bolts: IKEA does not publish an official value, but the empirical rule validated by user feedback is: **tightened by hand + half a turn with the key**. No more. You need friction, not deformation.

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Critical parts and upgrades: what the community is really doing

The SODERHAMN has an active community. And this community has identified three priority intervention posts.

The feet: the first systematic upgrade

The original feet are made of black plastic. Functional, discreet, but without personality. The threading is standard **M8** — which opens the SODERHAMN to an entire market of replacement feet.

The site **prettypegs.com** alone offers more than 195 SODERHAMN-compatible references: turned wood (natural oak, walnut, teak), metal (matte black, shiny chrome, brass), conical or cylindrical shapes. This is the easiest modification — ten minutes, no special tools — and the one that most radically transforms the visual appearance of the sofa. A SODERHAMN placed on conical oak feet no longer has anything to do with the original version.

However, be careful: changing the height of the feet changes the seat height. If you go from 10 cm feet to 20 cm feet, you raise the seat by 10 cm. On an already low sofa, this is sometimes welcome. Check the dimensions before ordering.

The covers: the customization market

When the original cover is worn, stained or simply too seen, three players dominate the replacement cover market for SODERHAMN:

• Bemz: the high-end reference. Covers designed specifically for each SODERHAMN module (sofa, chaise longue, ottoman). Dozens of materials available — washed linen, velvet, thick cotton. Machine-washable. 3-year warranty. The price is significantly above the original IKEA, but so is the quality.
• Comfort Works: positioning similar to Bemz, with an emphasis on durable materials for intensive use. Anti-slip lining on their seat covers — a practical detail that prevents the cushion from migrating under you.
• Masters of Covers: a more affordable option, good for intermediate budgets.

These three providers offer online configurators: you select your module model, your material, your color. The cover is made to measure. Allow two to four weeks for delivery.

Module connectors: the forgotten maintenance post

This is the part that no one thinks to monitor — until the day two modules come apart under a person's weight. The **inter-module connecting bolts loosen** gradually, under the effect of the micro-vibrations related to daily use.

The simple rule: **retighten all connecting bolts after the first 3 months of use**, then once a year. Ten minutes, the tool provided, no particular skill required. This is the most profitable preventive maintenance you can do on this sofa.

If a bolt is lost or damaged, the hardware can be ordered free of charge from IKEA (customer service, with the 6-digit part number on the assembly instructions).

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Special cases and pitfalls to avoid

Removing the cover: beware of internal envelopes. Several users have reported that the **internal envelope of the foam** (the thin fabric that wraps the foam block under the outer cover) tears when removing the cover, especially when the cover is removed abruptly. The correct technique: unzip the cover along its entire length before pulling. Never pull diagonally.

The chaise longue at the end of the sofa: the risk of slipping. The chaise longue, lighter and without a full back, tends to drift if it is not properly bolted to the adjacent module. Always check that the chaise longue-central module connecting bolt is fully tightened, not just by hand.

Discontinued colors. IKEA regularly renews SODERHAMN colors. If you buy a module several years after your initial configuration, the exact color may no longer be available. Two solutions: third-party covers (Bemz, Comfort Works) which offer neutral materials homogeneous on all modules, or bulk purchasing from the start to avoid this mismatch.

The seat that "gives" gradually. The density of 35 kg/m³ is correct, but not exceptional. With intensive use (several people, several hours a day), the seat cushions may lose their tonicity after 3 to 5 years. This is not a defect — it’s a material limitation. Replacement seat cushions can be ordered directly from IKEA.

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FAQ: the most frequently asked questions

Are SODERHAMN modules compatible with each other over several years of purchase?
Yes, as long as the model has not undergone a documented structural redesign. The connection interfaces have remained stable. However, if you purchase a module several years after your initial configuration, verify that the dimensions and connection points correspond before finalizing the purchase.

Can a module be added to an existing configuration?
Yes. This is precisely the principle of the system. You can disconnect an armrest, add a 1-seater module, and re-bolt everything. Allow an hour for the operation.

Are third-party M8 feet really compatible?
Yes, without exception for serious brands (Prettypegs, Bemz, etc.) which specify SODERHAMN compatibility in their product sheets. M8 is an industry standard — there are no proprietary traps here.

Are Bemz or Comfort Works covers easy to install?
Yes. These providers know precisely the SODERHAMN templates. The covers slip on like the originals, sometimes with better tension thanks to thicker materials. First installation: allow twenty minutes per module, the time to get your bearings.

Does IKEA still provide SODERHAMN spare parts?
Yes for standard hardware (connectors, bolts), orderable free of charge from customer service with the part number on the instructions. For structural parts (frame, support bars), availability depends on the age of your configuration and IKEA stock. Check directly in store or on the website.

Is the SODERHAMN suitable for use with children or animals?
The low seat is an advantage for children (easy access) and animals (less impact when relaxing). However, the standard fabric covers are permeable to scratches and deep stains. Investing in a cover made of treated material (Comfort Works offers resistant fabrics) is particularly relevant in this context.