Check the Frame
A sturdy frame means a long-lasting sofa. Soft wood, such as pine, is low-cost, but it may warp or wobble after five years. Pricier hardwood (kiln-dried oak, ash, or beech, for example) is more durable. Avoid frames made of particleboard, plastic, or metal; they may warp and crack.
If it is made from quality materials, it will last longer than others. The best high-end furniture is made from natural wood and steel. These materials will last longer than those made from MDF & aluminium. If the materials are cheap, you will likely find them peeling off or flaking after only a short time.
Sofas and armchairs are universally agreed to be worth a bit of investment–you'll spend a lot of time on them, after all. "I would try not to skimp on your sofa," says Anna. "Like your mattress, this is an item that should last you a lifetime if you get it right.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Don't Be Afraid to Haggle
While you probably won't have much luck negotiating furniture prices at chains, independently owned shops are usually more open-minded.
So here's your first tip: anything under $699 is considered an inexpensive sofa. $799–$1,999 is the average you'll pay for one sofa. Any sofa within the $2,000–$3,000 is considered “higher-end”.
“You can spend $4,000 if you want a high-quality sofa, but in reality there are lots of companies where you can get a $2,000 sectional that will look good in five years' time,” she says. Here are a few things to look out for to be sure you're getting the most bang for your seating-area buck.
You get better value for money when buying a firm sofa than you would when buying a soft sofa that will quickly sag. These are likely to need replacing every few years. You get great support for your back and legs, as opposed to the comparative lack of support you might get from a soft sofa.
The best times of the year for buying furniture is at the beginning of the year or toward the end of summer. This is because furniture retailers tend to have significant markdowns on old stock during these periods so they can make room for the new product releases.
Cheaper sofas may have frames made from particleboard, plastic, or metal, but a good-quality couch will have a solid hardwood frame—preferably a "kiln-dried" hardwood frame made of oak, beech, or ash. Pine frames are economical, but they often begin to warp and wobble within five years or so.
Consider the two thirds rule
A sofa that's the full length of the wall in front of which it is positioned could prove overbearing in a room scheme. But it's also the case that a sofa can look too small. One approach to getting the right proportions is to aim for a sofa that's about two-thirds of the wall length.
The term "couch," believed to be derived from the French word "couche," is used to describe "a piece of furniture with no arms used for lying." On the other hand, Merriam-Webster defines a "sofa" as "a long, upholstered seat usually with arms and a back, and often convertible into a bed."
Plan Your Home Decorating Budget
For example, if you're buying a 2,000 square-foot home, you may choose to budget 10% to 50% of the purchase price for furniture. That means a $250,000 home would give you a furniture budget of $25,000 to $125,000.
U.S. household expenditure on sofas 2007-2021
In 2021, the country's average expenditure on sofas amounted to 207.56 U.S. dollars per consumer unit.
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.
To put it briefly, you should vacuum your sofa at least once a week or whenever you clean. You can stretch to once every six months or once yearly if only there are no pets or young children in the house. With pets and children, getting the fabric at least deep cleaned three to four times a year is safe.