IKEA FRIHETEN sleeper sectional downsized into a chaise

Our cats had basically destroyed this poor couch (see the photo of sidearm below). We decided that it was time to change it. I had even posted it free on Craigslist.

BUT …

I loved the storage and the couch and chaise were both still very comfy.

friheten chaise-arm
Before couch destroyed by cats | Photo Credit Kate

Related: FRIHETEN sofabed /couch Hack – Add bass to your couch for ultimate movie experience!

So I decided we could just keep the chaise. I uninstalled it to make it easier to transport and realized that the chaise was ideal if we put it against the wall.

At first, I thought about chopping the back so the chaise would have a back, but decided that the pillows against the wall were sufficient for the time being.

Maybe one day, I’ll build a back for it, but for now, it’s all good. And the space we placed it in, the hacked FRIHETEN chaise is perfect for a reading nook. 

IKEA items used: 

  • FRIHETEN sectional sofa sleeper
FRIHETEN sleeper sectional
FRIHETEN Sleeper sectional | Photo Credit IKEAcom

Other materials and tools: 

FRIHETEN sleeper sectional disassembly instructions: 

frihehten sofabed to chaise
Photo Credit IKEAcom

Just uninstall the chaise from the sofa part.

Move the chaise to a place against a wall.

Save the pillows to use as a back. 

FRIHETEN sleeper sectional to chaise lounge
Photo Credit Kate

Order furniture covers from Amazon. The one we ordered — color and fit are almost perfect matches.

How long and how much did it cost?

Took about 30 minutes. 

I had the sleeper sofa already. So the only cost for this was $30 for cover from Amazon.

What do you like most about the hack?

It has storage and makes a comfortable reading nook. 

What was the hardest part about this hack?

Disassembling the sofa section piece.

What to pay special attention to?

FRIHETEN sleeper sectional to chaise lounge
Photo Credit Kate

There will be a space in the back where the back of the full sofa usually is, but the pillow will cover it.

friheten chaise side
Photo Credit Kate

A part of the side will be exposed (see photo above), but the slip cover covers it easily.

~ by Kate