Compared to a hexagonal side table or even a pair of accent chairs, the couch is not only the centrepiece of a living room, it's also the wear-and-tear workhorse. That's why most design experts will tell you it's one item to splurge on.
Invest in a couch that you can use for years to come.
"Even though there are cheap options for lounging areas in your space, a couch is one piece of furniture that, if you want to keep it for a long time, you should definitely spend some bucks on," they told Insider.
Mid-Range ($1,500 to $3,000).
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.
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”.
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.
Average cost of sofas
A small budget loveseat costs as little as $300, while a larger sectional sofa could run up to $2,000. Classic leather couches, customized to your liking, could cost $3,000, while luxurious pieces made with expensive fabrics, hardwood frames, and intricate details may cost up to $10,000.
“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.
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 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.
However, generally speaking, a sofa should last between 7-15 years, on average. For something that typically costs a big sum of money, this might not seem like a particularly long time. That's why it's absolutely crucial to choose wisely when buying a new sofa and invest in a company you fully trust.
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.
Material costs: Sofas are typically made from high-quality materials, such as leather, suede, and premium fabrics. These materials can be expensive, which drives up the overall cost of the sofa. Manufacturing costs: The manufacturing process of a sofa can be complex and time-consuming, which can add to the cost.
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.
Secondly, even though they encourage socialization and interaction, sofas offer little room for privacy. It means that, when sitting on a sofa, you share the space with several other people and you don't really have your own space.
Living rooms and sofas are a pair you don't see broken up too often, but, seriously, WHY NOT? A decent couch is super-expensive most of the time, and if you live in a studio or a tiny apartment, your "living room" probably barely fits one anyways.
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.
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.
New Year & Winter Sales
Retailers tend to clear out stock of unwanted furniture to make way for new products. Additionally, winter sales are often held in January, so prices on popular items will be lower than usual.
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.
Unfortunately while most owners expect that their swanky new couch should last them between 7 to over 30 years, the reality isn't that pleasant. In a survey by Rowe, the average American sofa is only 6 years old. That means sofas are either not built to last anymore, or people simply are throwing their old ones out.
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.
'If your sofa is the only thing that fits or it blocks the natural flow of traffic – it's too big. Let your room dictate the scale of your furniture, not the other way around. Smaller seating is nice for occasional use, or smaller rooms that are tight on space.
Overall, yes.
From my extensive research and personal experiences with the brand, I feel confident telling you that Wayfair is legit. I've had some problems with items on back order and getting in touch with customer service, but in the end, I received my items and paid hard-to-beat prices.
In August 2022, Bloomberg revealed that the amount of unsold furniture in inventory is 2.06 months, up from 1.43 months in the fall of 2020, setting a record for the furniture industry. And yet prices have remained stubbornly high. Forecasters expected that since inventories are too big, prices should have declined.