I bought the IKEA Backsalen sectional twice. First time, I had to return it. Not because it's a bad sofa — it's actually decent for the price — but because I measured the room wrong. I measured the width, I measured the depth, but I forgot to measure the chaise length. That single number decides whether this thing works in your space. I'm writing this so you don't make the same mistake.
The Chaise Length Trap
Backsalen is a chaise sectional. The chaise is the long part where you put your legs. It's longer than you think. On the Backsalen, that chaise runs about 55 inches from the corner of the sofa. I assumed it was shorter, maybe 45. So I cleared a 50-inch gap for it. When the boxes arrived and I pieced it together, the chaise ate the walkway. I had to shuffle sideways to get to the balcony door. That's when I knew it had to go back.
If your living room has any door or path right at the end of where you'd put the chaise, measure that distance first. Pull out a tape measure, mark 55 inches from the corner of your planned layout, and stand there. Imagine walking past that every day. If it feels tight, it is tight.
What I Actually Measured After
Second time around, I measured three things before buying:
1. Chaise length — from the corner to the end of the chaise, about 55 inches.
2. Full depth — back to front, around 33 inches. That's the seat plus the back cushion. It sticks out more than you'd expect.
3. Seat height — 17 inches. That's lower than standard. If you have bad knees, getting up takes a bit of effort.
Also, the sofa comes in a few pieces, but the chaise is one solid chunk. It's heavy. Two people can carry it, but don't try solo. I did and nearly threw my back out.
The Sofa Itself
Backsalen uses a plastic frame. I was skeptical, but it's held up fine for the two years I've had it now. No creaks, no sagging. The cushions are dense foam with some fiber — they've kept their shape, though one corner shows a bit of flattening where I sit every night. That's normal for this price range.
The cover is cotton and polyester. It feels like a heavy canvas. Stains wipe off if you catch them fast. I spilled coffee once, and it blotched up easy. Just don't let red wine sit overnight.
You can remove the covers for washing, but honestly, it's a pain to get them back on. I did it once and it took an hour. If you have kids or pets, consider a washable throw blanket.
The chaise has storage underneath. It lifts up with a gas strut. I keep board games and an extra blanket in there. It's handy, but the gas strut is stiff. You need two hands to close it, otherwise it slams. First few weeks, it smacked my fingers twice.
How It Compares to the Uppland
If you're torn between Backsalen and the Uppland sectional, I've written about the Uppland's width trap. The Uppland has a bigger footprint overall, but the Backsalen's chaise is the catch. Uppland's chaise is about the same length, but the whole sofa is wider. In my smaller apartment, Backsalen fit better once I measured right. Uppland would've overwhelmed the room.
The One Factor That Decides the Buy
Measure the chaise length first. Not the sofa width, not the overall dimensions — the chaise. I know, it sounds obvious now, but plenty of people (me included) grab the total width and call it done. That's the wrong number. The chaise is what reaches into your walkway, your TV stand, or your bookshelf. Get that wrong and you'll be doing what I did: disassembling the thing on a Sunday afternoon to haul it back to the store.
If you've got the space for the chaise, the Backsalen is a solid buy. It's not fancy, but it's comfortable, the storage is a bonus, and the price is right. Just measure the chaise first. I promise, it'll save you a headache.
For more on IKEA sofas, check out More guides in Sofas & Sectionals.