Bemz Review: The Secret to Upgrading Your IKEA Furniture for Less
Hey there, fellow IKEA lover! If you‘re anything like me, you appreciate the stylish, affordable furniture from everyone‘s favorite Swedish retailer. But after a few years, even the most beloved IKEA pieces can start to feel a bit basic or dated. What if I told you there was a way to give them a total designer makeover without the designer price tag? Enter Bemz.
What is Bemz?
Bemz is a Stockholm-based company that creates custom slipcovers specifically tailored to IKEA furniture. Their mission is to help you personalize your IKEA sofa, armchair, headboard, and more with a perfectly-fitting, high-quality cover in your choice of over 150 fabrics. It‘s a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to replacing furniture pieces that still have plenty of life left in them.
Founded in 2005 by Canadian expat Lesley Pennington, Bemz has built a devoted following of savvy homebodies who love the thrill of the IKEA hack. As an interior design lover and serial furniture customizer myself, I was instantly intrigued.
How Bemz Works
The Bemz ordering process is deliberately designed to be as easy and low-risk as possible:
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Start with free fabric samples. Bemz will send you up to 5 swatches of your choice from their impressive library of fabrics, which includes everything from crisp linens to plush velvets to on-trend patterns. This allows you to see the colors and textures in your space before committing.
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Measure your IKEA furniture. Bemz covers are made-to-order for a precise fit, so you‘ll need to confirm that you have the correct model. They have a handy guide on their website to help you measure.
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Place your order. Select your fabric, add any customizations like a skirt or piping, and provide your shipping details. Most orders are handmade and shipped out in 3-5 weeks.
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Remove your old cover and slip on the Bemz! When your order arrives, simply remove the original cover (most IKEA furniture has removable ones) and follow the instructions to easily slip on your perfect-fitting Bemz cover. Voila – a totally refreshed piece!
The beauty of the Bemz model is that everything is made to order, minimizing fabric waste. They even have a program called Bemz Remnants where they use leftover fabric to create limited-edition products.
Bemz Bestsellers
To give you a taste of the Bemz offerings, here are some of their most popular products:
| IKEA Furniture Model | Bemz Cover Options |
|---|---|
| IKEA Ektorp Sofa | 3-seater, loveseat, sofa bed, sectional pieces |
| IKEA Friheten Sofa | Corner sofa, sofa bed |
| IKEA Jennylund Armchair | With or without piping, range of fabrics |
| IKEA Henriksdal Dining Chair | Long or short skirt options |
| IKEA Malm Bed | Headboard covers for standard and tall models |
These are just a few examples – Bemz offers covers for over 100 IKEA models in their most popular fabrics like Rosendal pure washed linen and Zaragoza vintage velvet.
The possibilities are pretty endless, which is why Bemz has become the go-to resource for IKEA furniture upgrades among design lovers and DIY-ers. Some customers even order multiple covers for the same sofa to swap out with the seasons or for special occasions. Talk about versatility!
Benefits of Bemz Covers
So why choose a Bemz cover over just buying a new sofa or armchair altogether? Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Cost savings: The average cost of a new sofa ranges from $1,000 to over $3,000. Meanwhile, Bemz sofa covers start around $500. That‘s a significant difference, especially if your existing sofa is still in good structural shape. Think of it like a facelift for your furniture.
2. Customization: With Bemz, you can create a look that‘s uniquely yours. Want a velvet accent chair but can‘t find the right color in stores? Bemz has over 20 velvet options. Craving a patterned statement sofa? Browse Bemz‘s designer collections. You can even order extra covers for just the cushions.
3. Sustainability: The home furnishings industry generates a staggering amount of waste, with millions of tons of furniture ending up in landfills every year. By simply updating the cover on your sofa or armchair, you‘re keeping that piece in use and out of the waste stream. Bemz is committed to sustainability through practices like using eco-friendly materials, minimizing fabric waste, and offering a trade-in program for old covers.
4. Practicality: Let‘s face it, life can be messy. From red wine spills to pet hair to sticky kid fingers, sofas take a beating. All of the Bemz fabrics are machine washable, with many featuring stain-repellent finishes. When your cover needs a refresh, simply remove and launder. No expensive deep cleaning required.
As someone who‘s always looking for ways to update my space without breaking the bank or buying all new furniture, I can honestly say that Bemz checks all the boxes. The quality is top-notch, the selection is unparalleled, and the customer service is fantastic.
What Customers Are Saying
But don‘t just take my word for it. Bemz has over 15,000 reviews on Trustpilot with an average rating of 4.6/5 stars. Here‘s what some satisfied customers had to say:
"I was a little nervous ordering a couch cover online without seeing it first, but I am so happy I took the chance. The linen fabric is even more beautiful in person, with a lovely texture. It fits my IKEA sofa like a glove and makes it look brand new!" – Jenna S.
"I ordered swatches first which was super helpful for picking the right color. The cover arrived quickly and was very easy to put on. I love that I could get a custom look at a fraction of the price of a new sofa. I‘ll definitely be ordering from Bemz again!" – Mark T.
"I‘ve had my Bemz cover for about 6 months now and it still looks perfect, even with daily use and a dog. It‘s held up beautifully in the wash and still fits snugly. Fantastic quality and customer service." – Lisa G.
Common themes in the reviews are the exceptional fit, the luxurious look and feel of the fabrics, the ease of ordering and installation, and the outstanding customer support. It‘s clear that Bemz goes above and beyond to ensure customers are thrilled with their purchases.
Cost and Shipping
By now you‘re probably wondering about the cost and logistics of ordering a Bemz cover. Here‘s the scoop:
Bemz offers free shipping on all orders over $150 USD to over 40 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, EU, and Australia. For orders under that threshold, shipping fees vary by region but average around $15.
In terms of cost, Bemz covers are a true spectrum depending on the piece and fabric. Here are a few ballpark ranges for popular items:
- IKEA Armchair Covers: $100-$400
- IKEA Loveseat Covers: $300-$800
- IKEA Sofa Covers: $400-$1,200
While Bemz covers are certainly more of an investment than, say, a $50 Amazon slipcover, I‘ve found that the quality and fit are more than worth the price. They truly look custom made, not like an afterthought. Plus, by extending the life of your existing furniture, you‘re saving money in the long run.
Bemz also offers a 3 year fit guarantee and free returns within 14 days, so you can feel confident in your purchase.
The Final Verdict
In case it wasn‘t obvious, I‘m a huge Bemz fan. As someone who loves to switch up my decor but doesn‘t love the environmental impact (or price tag) of buying new furniture all the time, Bemz is the perfect solution. The quality is outstanding, the customization options are unbeatable, and the mission to reduce furniture waste is so important.
Whether you have an older IKEA sofa that‘s begging for an upgrade or you want to put your own spin on a new purchase, I can‘t recommend Bemz highly enough. Every time I have guests over, they comment on my "new" armchairs, and I love getting to share the Bemz gospel.
So go ahead and order some free swatches to see the Bemz magic for yourself. But be warned – once you Bemz, you may never go back to basic IKEA upholstery again!
Happy decorating!
[Disclosure: While I am a genuine fan and repeat customer of Bemz, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links. This does not affect my opinions or recommendations. Thank you for supporting my blog!]
