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”.
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.
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.
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.
Sofas last from seven to 20 years, though most cap out at roughly 15. The same goes for loveseats, sectionals and sleepers. Couches with solid wood frames (even better if it's kiln-dried) and reinforced joinery hold up the longest. Genuine leather upholstery has a longer lifespan than fabric.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
Research the Value of Your Items
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.
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.
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.
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. Haggling is an art form in its own right, but there are a few tricks anyone can successfully apply to their furniture-shopping experience.
Feel the Padding and Cushions
If you can feel the frame, the upholstery may wear down quickly, and your couch will not be very comfortable to use. Seat cushions should be firm and resilient and fit snugly within the sofa frame. The cushions should regain their shape after you press down and let go.
The quality of the frame, suspension, cushioning, and upholstery are what separate a sofa that will last 10 to 20 years from one that will start to wobble or look dingy after only a few.
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.
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.
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.
Unfortunately, there's no blanket timeline that determines the average lifespan of every sofa. However, Paige Gray says that pricepoint can serve as a guideline for how long your couch will last. “A good quality couch should last between five to ten years depending on how you care for it and use it,” she said.
'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.
The time it's taken to rebuild the factories has disrupted the furniture industry so greatly that you can expect delays anywhere from 60 days to a year for foam reliant pieces. Once again, people are still needing new furniture, so demand is up, product is low, so prices go higher.