Buy one that fits in the room and is long enough for someone to sleep on.

Okay, I know that isn't very helpful, but there are so many factors to consider. How long can the sofa be? That's a function of the size of the living room. Do they want to be able to have a friend sleep over? Then they need one at least 6' long, or a sofa bed. Do they recline as they watch TV or play video games? Then they might want lower arms so they can rest their heads on them. What's the budget?

A leather sofa would probably be more expensive, but more durable. But many of the fabric sofas have various slip covers available, if the cover gets torn or stained.

I'd look at the Scogaby leather sofa and the Kockeby or Kivik fabric sofas. The Kivik also has an available storage ottoman, which could function as a coffee table as well, since in my experience, many young men like to prop their feet up on the coffee table.

The Karlstad sofa might also be a good bet, but I hear rumors that it is being phased out.

Thanks for the recs, x. I'm certain my sister will make sure it is appropriately sized, while I suspect if DN were left to his own devices, it would be wall to wall sofa! :-) I'm equally certain he won't be getting a leather sofa, although I'm sure that would be his first choice. There is a good possibility that he will be transferred to another country in 2 to 3 years so they are shopping the lower end of Ikea. I'll pass your comments along to Sister.

I wouldn't recommend the sofas from Ikea. My daughter has had two. Both did not hold u[ under the usual company of a college student. The arms fall apart for some reason.

The Poang chair is great thought. I would look around for a sofa on sale at a regular furniture store.

I agree that you should get a regular size as kids will be sleeping on it, guaranteed.

Ellendi, I will pass along your comments to Sis. The problem is she leaves town in 4 days and he leaves on a 2 week business trip then too. She wants to get this knocked out before she leaves. They arrived yesterday and headed straight to Ikea. She said people were telling her that the Poangs were comfortable and sturdy. Maybe she ought to buy 6 and line them up around the walls, a la doctor's waiting room style! jk

crl, I suggested the Ektorp. I've sat on them before and thought they were comfortable. I've also read reviews that are all over the map - from "survived 4 boys under 6" to "fell apart after __ months." I suspect some folks are better at assembly than others, and that some are just hard on furniture, leading to the mixed reviews. I think the style is a little too traditional (and maybe "girly") for DN. Sis was concerned that the slipcover would always look like a bunched mess. I can guarantee you that DN would never bother to straighten or wash the slipcover.

I love the Ektorp, but it's kinda countryish, so maybe not quite right for a young male professional.

I'd go for the Karlstad.

It's comfy, sleek and available in a bunch of fabrics with slip cover. Plus, it's been around for a long time. It also comes in leather.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=karlstad+ikea+decorator&ia=images

I personally also really like the Stockholm sofa (in leather), but it's pricier.

My daughter has the Karlstad loveseat and chaise and loves it. The gray is versatile and works well with many colors. We went with her to our "local" Ikea so she could try the sofas. We had a U-haul with us and came out with a bunch of stuff. Take this with a grain of salt because she's a 5'2" female with very neat habits, but her BF seems to enjoy the sofa too!

I just sent Sis a pic of the Karlstad in dark gray that I found on another thread where a young man was furnishing his first apt. I like the Stockholm but I can't find it in leather on the Ikea website. Besides, as you say, it is a bit pricier.

Looks good, BA. DN is 6'4". He tends to lay on a sofa instead of sit - a habit I wish he would break!

I will say the kivik is the best for naps because the arms are low enough to rest head and feet on and the seat is deep. I am a huge kivik fan for comfort and ours has held up well (to two xl adults) over the years. We shopped around in the sub-2k price range hoping to avoid IKEA and just kept coming back to how comfy we find the kivik.

My major issue is the back cushions aren't high quality foam and have gotten schlumpy over the years.

the ektorp is apartment sized so the seats are kinda shallow which is a plus for shorter people.

the soderhamn is weird looking but surprisingly very comfy, but the back cushions are super loose and it is easy to look messy.

For a college boy...Leather kivik would be my choice if in price range.

7 year old kivik (new isunda grey cover)

New kivik

Stockholm in leather --- on IKEA site

Or Landskrona --- costs substantially less

This actually looks like the old Karlstad leather sofa.

If/when DN moves to another country in 2-3 years, he won't be taking furniture with him, which is why Sis is trying to stay on the lower end of Ikea sofas. The leather sofas look great, but they are over budget.

I got a text yesterday that they had narrowed down the choices to Kivik or Karlstad, but they left without pulling the trigger. Wonder which it will be? (Cue the Jeopardy waiting music....)

If he's moving in 2-3 years, I'd seriously look at Craigslist. Mine is full of IKEA sofas, ranging from free to about half price.

NSM, Sis will consider Craigslist for hard surface items that can be wiped down, but not for upholstered items. We aren't exactly germaphobes, but we are ick-aphobes.

I'd go with ektorp for cheap and temporary. Sure, it's not exactly the style for a young guy, but if he's probably not even going to keep it, what does it matter?

Dark gray Kivik won. Along with a black leather Poang chair, espresso Malm bed, and some sort of equally dark bedside tables. My suggestion of colorful pillows ("chair pets" in DN's vernacular) was scoffed at, although he does want some colorful art work.