VIMLE IKEA: Complete Guide to Spare Parts, Modules and Sofa Covers for the High Back Sofa

The VIMLE is not a sofa to choose by default. It is a deliberate choice. That of a high-end sofa in the IKEA universe, designed to last, designed to evolve, designed so that you never have to start over if your living room changes in size or configuration. Since its launch in the 2010s, the VIMLE has become the best-selling modular sofa of the brand in its category — and it remains so today. This guide covers the essentials: how it is designed, what configurations exist, what parts to monitor as a priority, and how to get the most out of it in the long term.

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Anatomy of the VIMLE: what distinguishes it physically

The first thing that strikes you about the VIMLE is the height of the backrest. Where models like the SODERHAMN focus on a low profile and a very low seat, the VIMLE fully embraces a more generous vertical profile — the backrest reaches a total height of 83 cm. It is designed to support the neck, not just the lower back. A difference in philosophy that is visible and felt.

The structure rests on a frame made of particleboard and metal, covered with seat cushions made of high-resilience polyurethane foam. The back cushions, on the other hand, are padded with polyester fibers — soft, enveloping, with the natural tendency of any fiber cushion to settle slightly over several years of intensive use.

The legs are made of plastic with a standard M8 thread — a technical detail that is important, we will come back to it. They measure approximately 8 cm in height, which positions the seat at a comfortable and conventional height, unlike the very low seat of the SODERHAMN.

The connection system between modules works with through connectors — bolts that solidify two adjacent sections by passing through the internal structures. It is robust when tightened correctly. It is the weak link when it is not.

The armrests are themselves modular — this is a specificity of the VIMLE that slightly complicates assembly but offers a rare configuration flexibility at this price. Two types of armrests coexist in the range: the standard armrest and the wide armrest, which offers a surface sufficient to place a telephone, a remote control or a bowl. It is not just an aesthetic detail — it is a functional difference that also impacts the overall dimensions of the sofa.

The covers are removable and machine washable. The seams are strong, the closure is discreet. The range of fabrics offered by IKEA covers a wide spectrum, from neutral beige to anthracite gray.

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VIMLE configurations: from 2-seater to large corner sofa

The VIMLE is a modular system. What you buy in store or online is a preconfigured configuration by IKEA — but the reality is that each configuration is built from the same basic blocks. Understanding this logic is understanding what you own and what you can evolve.

The basic modules

• 1-seater module: approximately 71 cm wide, 98 cm deep, 83 cm high. The unit block, used at the end of a configuration or as a separate armchair.
• 2-seater module: approximately 141 cm wide. The intermediate block, often used for compact configurations or in combination with a chaise longue.
• 3-seater module: approximately 211 cm wide. The central block of large configurations.
• Chaise longue module: approximately 81 cm wide for 164 cm deep. The element that transforms a sofa into an L-shaped configuration. Its depth is designed to fully stretch out — it is a module dedicated to rest, not just to sitting.
• Corner module: approximately 93 x 93 cm. The pivot of U-shaped configurations or large open corner sofas.
• Armrest: sold separately. It attaches to the end of the module. The wide armrest, more recent in the range, modifies the overall dimensions of the sofa and changes the visual appearance significantly.
• Footstool with storage: an autonomous block, often purchased as an addition. It integrates a storage space accessible by lifting the seat. Practical, but its opening mode requires placing the cushion on the floor to access the storage — a point to consider depending on the layout of your living room.

The most common pre-assembled configurations

IKEA offers preconfigured packs to simplify the purchase, but their main interest is to have a clear vision of the final result and the overall price:

• 2-seater sofa: the most compact configuration. With standard armrests, it measures approximately 185 cm wide. With wide armrests, slightly more.
• 3-seater sofa: approximately 241 cm wide. The best-selling configuration in a straight version.
• 3-seater sofa with chaise longue: approximately 252 cm long and 164 cm deep on the chaise longue side. The entry-level L-shaped configuration of the system.
• 4-seater sofa with chaise longue: approximately 322 cm long. The large format — you need a living room that deserves it. A few centimeters of margin on each side are essential to avoid suffocating the space.
• Corner sofa: the pivot configuration, for living rooms that allow it. Several combinations possible depending on the modules chosen.

IKEA offers an online design tool dedicated to the VIMLE to visualize its configuration before purchase. It is a real tool, not a gadget — it allows you to assemble the modules, choose the covers, and see the total price in real time.

Available colors

The range evolves regularly, but the references that consistently return:

• Gunnared beige and Gunnared medium gray: the two most common neutrals, warm and versatile
• Hallarp beige and Hallarp gray: slightly cooler tones, for more contemporary interiors
• Darker variations appear punctually in the catalog

The colors are linked to the covers, not to the structure. A VIMLE module purchased in one color can be re-covered in another — this is where the ecosystem of third-party covers comes into play.

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Identifying your configuration to order the correct part

Before looking for a VIMLE spare part, you must answer a simple question: which module is concerned? The answer is not always obvious on a modular sofa where several blocks coexist.

Identify your module. A 1-seater module and a 3-seater module do not have the same cushions, the same covers or the same internal structure dimensions. The part to be ordered directly depends on the faulty module — not the sofa as a whole.

Find the assembly instructions. Each VIMLE module comes with its own instructions. The number on the bottom of the page is the product reference number. This is the number you pass on to the IKEA customer service for any order of structural part (connector, internal bar, replacement foot).

Check the type of armrest. Standard armrest or wide armrest — it is not the same cover, not the same template. If you order a replacement cover from a third-party provider, this distinction is mandatory to obtain the correct size.

Note the year of manufacture. The label under the frame of your module indicates the date of production. Useful if you contact IKEA, or if you want to add a module to an existing configuration: the interface connection dimensions have remained stable over the lifetime of the VIMLE, but it is better to check before buying.

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VIMLE assembly: step-by-step guide

The VIMLE is more complex to assemble than the average IKEA. The high backrest, the modular armrests and the inter-module connectors require a certain organization. It is not difficult — it is just particular.

The tools

IKEA provides a tool in the box. Keep it. You will need it for the annual tightening. A standard Allen key is sufficient for the bolts connecting the modules. No specific tools beyond that.

Step-by-step

1. Step 1 — Prepare the space. Clear an area on the floor large enough to work flat. VIMLE modules are bulky and heavy — it is better to assemble on the floor and then straighten out. Plan an assistant for the final tipping.
2. Step 2 — Assemble the armrests. This is where the VIMLE differs from simpler sofas. The armrests are structural elements that are assembled before being fixed to the main module. Follow the instructions step by step — the assembly plan is in the third package (the package of covers and armrests). Do not skip any steps.
3. Step 3 — Screw in the legs. Each leg screws in M8 directly into the insert provided in the frame of the module. Screw in by hand until you feel resistance, then add a quarter turn. Do not force — the resin of the thread saturates quickly and you risk blocking a leg in an imperfect position.
4. Step 4 — Connect the modules to each other. This is the step that conditions the long-term strength. The inter-module connecting bolts are inserted laterally between two sections. Tighten them firmly with the tool provided. Leave no play. Even a minimal play will amplify with use.
5. Torque of inter-module bolts: IKEA does not publish an official value. The empirical rule validated by user feedback: tightened by hand + half a turn with the key. No more. You need friction, not metal deformation.
6. Step 5 — Install the covers. The seat covers are slipped on from below, the back covers from the back. Take the time to center them before closing the zippers. A misaligned cover creates unsightly folds and accentuates uneven wear.
7. Step 6 — Wait 72 hours. The back cushions come compressed. They need time to regain their shape. Do not judge your comfort before this delay — the VIMLE is not the sofa it will be after 72 hours of decompression.

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Critical parts and upgrades: what the community does

The VIMLE benefits from an active customization ecosystem. Three intervention posts come back systematically.

The feet: the first upgrade

The original feet are black plastic. Functional, discreet, but without personality — and their M8 thread is entirely standard. This standard opens the VIMLE to an entire market of compatible replacement feet, identical to those available for the SODERHAMN or other IKEA sofas.

Bemz and Comfort Works both offer replacement feet specifically compatible with M8, in wood (oak, walnut), in metal (matte black, brass, chrome). The modification takes ten minutes, requires no specific tools, and radically transforms the visual appearance of the sofa.

A point of attention: changing the height of the feet modifies the seat height. If you go from 8 cm feet to 15 cm feet, the seat rises by 7 cm. On a high-back sofa like the VIMLE, this is a modification that can improve comfort for tall people — or create a visual imbalance if the living room does not have the ceiling height to match.

The covers: the customization market

When the original cover is worn, stained, or simply too seen, two players dominate the market for the VIMLE:

Bemz offers covers designed specifically for each VIMLE module — 2-seater module, 3-seater, chaise longue, corner section, footstool. The template is exact. The cushions are covered with zippers for the seats and Velcro for the other parts. Dozens of materials available — washed linen, velvet, thick cotton. The price is above the original IKEA, but so is the level of finish.

Comfort Works: similar positioning, with a specialization in resistant materials for intensive use. Their seat covers often include an anti-slip lining — a practical detail that prevents the cushion from gradually migrating under the weight of the body.

These two providers offer online configurators: you select your module, your material, your color. The cover is made to measure. Allow two to four weeks delivery time depending on the period.

The module connectors: the forgotten maintenance

This is the part that no one thinks to monitor — until the day two modules become disconnected. The inter-module connecting bolts gradually loosen, under the effect of the micro-vibrations related to daily use. This is not a design flaw — it is the physical reality of any bolted connection subjected to repeated stresses.

The simple rule: re-tighten all connecting bolts once a year. Ten minutes, the tool provided, no particular skills required. This is the most cost-effective maintenance you can do on this sofa. The first tightening should take place after the first three months of use — this is when loosening is fastest.

If a bolt is lost, it can be ordered free of charge from the IKEA customer service, with the six-digit part number on the assembly instructions.

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Special cases and pitfalls to avoid

The armrest covers of the wide armrests. The wide armrests of the VIMLE have a cover that wraps around a more complex internal structure than the standard armrests. Several users report that the cover is very tight at this level — which is normal, but requires being methodical. Never pull diagonally. Unzip the entire length first before removing.

New covers: the internal envelope problem. Under the outer cover is a thin envelope that protects the foam. This envelope can tear if you remove the cover abruptly, especially if it is the first time. Correct technique: unzip the entire zipper before pulling. Never force.

The chaise longue not bolted. The chaise longue, lighter than the central modules and without a symmetrical backrest, tends to drift if it is not properly fixed to the adjacent module. Always check that the chaise longue-central module connecting bolt is fully tightened — not just by hand.

The legs that unscrew. This is the number one common problem on the VIMLE. The M8 feet gradually unscrew over time, especially if the sofa is regularly moved to vacuum underneath. Check their tightening at the same time as the inter-module connectors, once a year. Some users add threadlocker (Loctite threadlocker low strength) to the thread to counter this phenomenon — a definitive solution, but which makes subsequent replacement more difficult.

Discontinued colors. IKEA regularly renews the colors of the VIMLE range. If you buy a module today to complete a configuration purchased three years ago, the exact color may no longer be available. The clean solution: the third-party covers Bemz or Comfort Works, which offer consistent materials across all modules, regardless of the year of purchase.

The cushion decompression time. The back cushions come compressed on delivery. They appear too small, too flat, not up to the promise. Do not panic — 72 hours after assembly, they regain their nominal volume. This is the standard time for this type of polyester fiber padding.

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FAQ: the most frequently asked questions

Can you add a module to your VIMLE configuration after the initial purchase? Yes, this is precisely the principle of the system. You can disconnect an armrest, insert an additional module, and re-bolt everything. Allow about an hour for the operation. The only constraint: check that the color is still available or opt for a complete re-covering.

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

Are Bemz and Comfort Works covers easy to install? Yes. These providers know the VIMLE templates precisely. The covers slip on like the originals. First assembly: allow twenty to thirty minutes per module to get your bearings, especially on the armrests.

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

Is the VIMLE compatible with the SODERHAMN for mixed configurations? No. The two systems have different connection interfaces and structural dimensions. The M8 feet are interchangeable between the two — but the modules themselves are not combinable.

Can the seat cushions be replaced independently? Yes. The seat cushions can be ordered separately from IKEA. If your sofa is five years or more of intensive use and the seat has sagged, this is the first intervention to consider before thinking about replacing the entire sofa.

Is the VIMLE suitable for use with pets? The high backrest and the depth of the seat are advantages for animals. However, the standard fabric covers do not resist repeated scratches. Investing in a cover made of treated material (Comfort Works offers fabrics specifically tested for this use) is particularly relevant if you share your sofa with a dog or cat.