I almost bought the Uppland sectional IKEA without checking the chaise depth. The website says the whole thing is 129 1/2" wide, and my wall was 130". Fine, right? Except the chaise sticks out 64 1/4" from the back. My living room is 11 feet deep, so that left about 3 feet between the chaise and the TV stand. My dog couldn't walk past it. I ended up swapping the chaise to the other side, which helped, but the lesson stuck: width is only half the story.
Measure the Chaise Depth First
Pull out a tape measure and find the depth of the chaise. On the Uppland sectional, it's 64 1/4". That's not the back cushion depth—it's the actual floor footprint from the wall to the front edge. If your room is under 10 feet deep, you'll feel it. I had a friend who returned one because her hallway was 30" wide and the chaise sections (when separated) wouldn't fit through. IKEA gives you the package dimensions, but they're not obvious on the product page.
Also, the Uppland comes in two main boxes (chaise and loveseat/sofa part). The chaise box is about 48" long and weighs 87 lbs. I carried it with my brother, but if you live alone, plan for a dolly or a strong friend. Delivery brought it to my door, not inside. I've read about people who paid for assembly and still had to help the guys get it up stairs.
The Fabric Is the Real Test
I've had the Uppland (in the grayish cotton blend) for about a year, with a cat and a toddler. The covers have held up better than I expected, but they're not indestructible. The seat cushions have flattened a bit—not saggy, but you can see the shape change. Lint sticks to it, so I keep a roller nearby. If you're worried about scratches, the fabric is woven tight enough that my cat's claws haven't caught it yet. But I'd still put a throw over the armrest where she sleeps.
Pilling? I noticed a little on the back of the chaise after three months, but I shaved it off with a fabric shaver and it hasn't come back. The color hasn't faded, and the covers are machine washable. I washed the cushion covers once (cold, gentle, air dried) and they shrunk just a touch—the seam on one pulled slightly. So maybe dry clean or spot clean instead. IKEA says you can wash them, but I'd be cautious if you care about a perfect fit.
Build Time and a Headache with the Back Bolts
Assembly isn't hard, but it's a full afternoon. I set aside four hours, and it took me three with help. The tools are included, but the Allen wrench got stripped on the last leg, so have a backup. The hardest part was aligning the backrest brackets—they need to click in just right, or the whole back wobbles. I had to redo one bracket after we finished because I'd missed the click. That's an hour of your life you won't get back.
Also, the sectional is modular, so you can move the chaise to the left or right. I started with the chaise on the right, then swapped it. That required taking the whole thing apart again—the connectors on the bottom are just screws, but they're a pain to reach. If you're not sure which side you want the chaise on, measure your room again before you commit.
What I'd Do Differently
I'd measure the hallway and door clearances first. The chaise box is 48" long, but the sofa part's box is even longer—around 93"? I didn't check that, and the box barely made it around my corner. If your stairwell is tight, you might have to disassemble more than I did.
I'd also order a fabric swatch. The color online looks slightly more blue than what I got, but I still like the gray. Swatches are free—I don't know why I skipped that step.
The Only Factor That Decides This Buy
Room depth—not width. If your living room is under 10 feet deep, the Uppland's chaise will dominate. I've got a friend with a 12-foot-deep room, and his Uppland looks like it fits perfectly. Mine feels a little cramped even now. Save the tape measure for the depth, not just the length, and you'll know if this sectional is right for you.
For more real measurements and what to expect with other sectionals, check out Sunbrella Sectional: What You're Actually Paying For (and When It's or Dark Grey Leather Sectional: What Three Moves and Two Kids Taught Me. If you're comparing IKEA sofas, I Bought the Gronlid IKEA Sofa and Got the Measurements Wrong has some helpful notes too.