Typically more expensive sofas can last a lot longer, potentially even up to 15 years, whereas cheaper sofas made with lower-quality materials will fade quicker. A sofa really is an investment piece so we highly recommend you take your time and do your research before buying one.
While the average sofa should last between 7 and 15 years, signs of wear and tear are likely to appear before then – especially if it's a well-loved sofa. Luckily, there are ways you can make your sofa appear just as beautiful as the day you bought it.
1. How often should you replace a sofa? The common consensus is that an average sofa will remain in prime condition for around seven years, after which a drop-off will begin. A top-quality sofa might even see you through 15 years of family life, but even that will succumb to sagging eventually.
Leather sofas are incredibly durable and only look better with age. Leather is also pretty odor-resistant; cloth can easily wipe up most stains and spills.
Leather is a durable choice, as well as high-quality fabrics. Woven patterns will last longer than printed, and higher thread counts with tight weaves are worthy of consideration. If you have pets, microfiber fabrics are a great choice—they are stain resistant and will last a long time.
How Long Do Couches Last? Sofas last from seven to 20 years, though most cap out at roughly 15. The same goes for loveseats, sectionals and sleepers.
There are a few factors that can help distinguish the quality; for example, the overall weight, frame/foundation, spring system, seat cushion foam and upholstery fabric all play a huge role in the quality of a sofa or chair.
Firm luxury sofas are made from springs or coils, which provide excellent support throughout the entire seat area. These sofas tend to be more durable and last longer than soft sofas.
Vaughan-Bassett. For over 100 years, Vaughan-Bassett has been making furniture that's constructed to last a lifetime.
However, much like mattresses, you get what you pay for, and as sofa is the most important piece of furniture in a living room, it's worth spending on. 'Taking shortcuts or buying a sofa which doesn't offer comfort and joy always makes for a bad investment,' agrees Suzy McMahon, Buying Director at Sofology.
Reupholstering a sofa or buying new both have their pros and cons. Reupholstering tends to be an easier process than buying new, as the cost to reupholster a sofa is often less than buying new and it can save you some time. However, buying new can be desired if you want to try a new style or shape of sofa.
The average life of a sofa purchased today is seven to 15 years, but there are six warning signs before the arms fall off that it might just be time to start looking for a replacement.
The Best Times to Score a Deal on a New Sofa
While the best time of year for buying furniture depends on which type of furniture you're buying, when it comes to sofas and sectionals specifically, the best months to buy and save money are January, February, August and September.
Sofa Price Ranges
You can find a great, high-quality sofa in this range that won't break the bank too much. Mid-Range ($1,500 to $4,000): If you can spend a bit more, then “A solid mid-range price point is somewhere between $1,500 and $4,000,” says Kelly Sohigian.
If both sides of your cushion are to be used, place Memory foam on both the top and bottom of your cushion core. We recommend a center cushion foam firmness of medium-firm to firm. The center foam will perform the expansion necessary to keep the cushion cover tight.
a brand new sofa cushion with a hardness of 200 Newtons will be extremely hard on day one, however after several weeks of use you will find it start to soften off a little; after several years of use it will have softened considerable compared to when it was brand new.
Leather is a thick and durable material that can be easily cleaned and spills can be wiped away with ease, whereas fabric can wear more easily and stain or become tatty easily. Because of this, leather sofas do tend to last longer than fabric sofas and are easier to maintain.
You can find high-quality, mid-range sofas with polyester, velvet, and even leather upholstery for anywhere between $1,500 to $3,000. Even with this material upgrade, mid-range sofas are often larger than budget variants, encompassing pieces like 3-4 seat sectionals and sleeper sofas. High-End ($3,000 to $10,000).
The upholstery of the seats and backs of luxury sofas is of very high quality, while their fillings are dense and compact. Deep and high cushions are characterized by their springiness, yet they are firm enough that when you sit on them you don't feel the wooden structure and the seat doesn't collapse.
Construction: The main reason for why your sofa is expensive is the quality of the materials. You have a full array of components that are tailor made to give you the luxury, support, and style that you want. The materials matter.
An 18th-century design that has never gone out of style, a camelback sofa is characterized by the graceful lines of its dramatically arched back. Camelback sofas are versatile enough that they're well suited for both ornate, classical designs as well as a more modern design ethos, or even a “shabby chic” look.
Leather is a durable fabric for sofa, but the toughest one would be olefin and vinyl.
According to home experts, the average cost of a couch falls between $400–$1,500, but the price depends on a few factors. For instance, what kind of upholstery a sofa is made of. If it's a couch made of cotton, synthetic fabric, or microfiber, you can expect to pay on the lower end of the cost spectrum.