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”.
$400-$900 for low-end. $1000-$1500 for mid-range. $1500-2000 for mid to high-end. Over $2000 for high-end luxury couches.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your new sofa may not last more than five to ten years (more if you take good care of it), but it should provide a comfy starting point for your family. 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.
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.
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.
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.
One rule of thumb you can use to set a furniture budget is figuring your baseline monthly spending needs and multiplying that figure by three. For example, if your regular budget after buying the home will total $4,000 a month, you'd multiply by three to get $12,000.
'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.
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.
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.
Typically, used furniture will sell for 20-50 percent of its original sale price. This is higher for some pieces and lower for others. A couch that is noticeably worn will sell for less than a desk that still has a fashionable style and lacks any damage.
A standard size sofa, or three-seater sofas, is about 90 inches wide in the seating area, 38 inches deep, and 34 inches high. However, this can vary from brand to brand. In this guide, we'll help you find the perfect new sofa for your living room.
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.
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.
Storing a couch standing up on its side might seem like an effective way to save space in your storage unit. However, because the furniture does not support weight in this fashion, this will likely cause structural damage. You want to do whatever you can to store the couch upright.
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.
As Brianna Untener has commented above, couches that are raised off the ground can actually help a room feel bigger by creating more space. Interior designer, Jeanette Fusco, also supports this and says, 'a couch with legs or a raised base can create the illusion of more floor space. '