As Apartment Therapy’s Executive Home Director, I head up our decorating, trends, and designer coverage. I studied Media Studies at UVa and Journalism at Columbia and have worked in media for more than a decade. I love homes, heels, the history of art, and hockey — but not necessarily in that order.
There’s something special about stepping into an IKEA. I always leave with plenty of design inspiration — and a cinnamon roll, of course. It’s also where I scored my most-loved piece of furniture: the EKTORP sofa.
The EKTORP has survived three moves with me thus far and is still living its best life. Over the years, I’ve sat on countless couches and scoured plenty of pricey furniture stores, contemplating an upgrade — but honestly, none held a candle to EKTORP. Even after six years of sleepovers and full-on couch potato days, the cushions are still so plush and comfy.
I’m a firm believer that your sofa can make or break a room. Too big and bulky, and it’s overwhelming; too small, and it doesn’t make enough of a statement. The perfect sofa should be aesthetically pleasing, but also comfortable enough for movie nights, wine and chill sessions, and the occasional afternoon nap. The EKTORP checks all of those boxes and more, hence why I won’t be trading her in any time soon.
The best part, though? EKTORP’s slipcovers are machine washable, so my most-used room is always extra fresh and crisp. Since I work from home and the couch is essentially my “office,” this is essential. While most might shy away from a white couch, I welcome it with open arms. The color is bright and inviting, providing a neutral palette that enables me to swap out my throw pillows each season for a fun new look, while still sticking with my overall cottage-coastal style.
My EKTORP has always looked beautiful and right on trend in each place I’ve lived in — but its spot in my newest space is my favorite one yet. It’s situated in my sun-drenched family room and faces my white marble fireplace, which provides a warm and cozy ambience throughout the winter. The kitchen and family room have an inviting open-concept layout, so the sofa truly sets the tone of both spaces.
While IKEA has unfortunately since discontinued the EKTORP, there are other just-as-good options to consider. The UPPLAND sofa is IKEA’s closest alternative. Almost identical, the three-seater sofa comes in 12 colors — including Blekinge White, like my EKTORP — and starts at just $899, a major steal for such a timeless sofa.
If you’re not an IKEA shopper, though, we also found this similar version from Wayfair. The classic rolled arm looks similar to both EKTORP and UPPLAND, and it comes in a wide variety of colors, too.
For those who, like me, already have and love the EKTORP, Amazon also sells slipcovers in a variety of colors for both the three-seater and sectional to give your look a total refresh.
When you go grocery shopping, you’re usually looking for items to put in your refrigerator. It’s hard to imagine a kitchen without one, which means it’s easy to forget that those chilly chambers had to come from somewhere. But sometimes life gives you a clear reminder — maybe your fridge breaks, or starts to feel far too small for your family. Or maybe you move somewhere with a garage and can finally get a second fridge just like your grandparents always had. Whatever the circumstances, sometimes you just need to upgrade your fridge, and this cool (sorry, I had to) new Costco convertible freezer may be just what you’re looking for.
Available now at Costco, the HiSense Frost Free Convertible Upright Freezer is a slender, tall appliance that can function as either a refrigerator or a freezer. It retails for $549.99 online (and $429.99 in-store, according to the Instagram account @costco.twins) and measures approximately 22 inches wide, 25 inches deep, and 68 inches tall.
It’s Energy Star-certified, has “no-frost technology,” and contains three shelves and three drawers, all of equal size. It’s also “garage ready,” which essentially means it can operate safely in a wide range of outside temperatures — 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, to be specific. The fridge door is reversible, so you can open it to the left or to the right, depending on your preference. This may seem like a small thing, but it could also be the customization you didn’t know you needed in your life.
On the Costco website, reviews are generally positive: “I am so happy with this freezer,” one customer wrote this week. “It is tall and thin and industrial looking … I am happy with all the drawers to departmentalize my food plus enough shelves too. Perfect in every way for me!”
Costco is popular, but not everyone lives near one or has a membership. If you’re one of these people, that’s OK, because you can still get your hands on a slim, cool, freezer-fridge.
Over at The Home Depot, the stainless steel Vissani Convertible Upright Freezer checks a lot of the same boxes. It’s about the same size, garage-ready, and can be either a fridge or freezer. Online it retails for $649, but is currently 26% off, which brings the price down to a comparable $479.
As a blogger turned journalist, I love tapping into curiosity that drives us to curate spaces that truly embody our vision. I test products for a living, which puts me at the forefront of trendy and innovative gadgets and gizmos to make life at home more fun and efficient.
I cover all things shopping, from cleaning and organizing finds to decor and furniture that’s worth every penny. Your home says a lot about you, so I’m always curious about the things people choose to bring into their space — and aim to make it easier to find those things! I’ve written home and lifestyle content for Well+Good and Design Milk.