Getting the Best Value Out of Your Couches
A sofa can have a significant impact on the mood of the room. But with so many variables choosing the best one to meet your needs and budget can be a struggle.
Forbes Vetted recruited a panel of furniture experts, including children and pets to evaluate the top couches available. Their notes considered the durability, comfort and price.
Comfort
A quality couch should be comfortable enough to sit on for extended periods of time. A good couch should also be able to support your back without causing you to feel sore. This is especially important if you have an ongoing back problem or other health issue, such as osteoarthritis. Choosing the right sofa fabric is another important factor to consider. Certain fabrics are more prone to allergens than others, so be sure to check the labels on any couch you're considering purchasing.
The most comfortable couches are constructed of solid or kiln-dried frames. These are stronger and last longer than plywood or manufactured wooden frames. They won't break down when used for a long time. Some companies offer a lifetime guarantee on their upholstery and frame and some offer warranties that last for up to ten years. It's also helpful to consider the amount you intend to spend using the couch. If you plan to use it frequently for family gatherings pick a sectional with enough space to seat a lot of people.
This 7th Avenue model is among the top-scoring couches we have tested. It has a durable, performance fabric that's water-resistant and stain resistant. It also has removable and machine-washable covers that are simple to clean. It is also available in more than 75 colors and fabrics, including pet-friendly options. The fabric is strong and durable and the color matches our tester's decor well.
In our tests, this sofa was the most comfortable of them, with testers giving it a nine out of ten for napping. It comes with a foam and fiber filling that was more rigid than our other top picks, but still gave plenty of support. It was also surprisingly durable and stood up to tests of jumping and regular abuse from toddlers. sofas for sale Sofas & Couches were a bit on the firmer side but they softened over the course of six months.
Sixpenny's sofa is ideal for families. It has a large seating area that can comfortably accommodate two adults or three children. In our tests, it was extremely comfortable for everyone to sit on, and even allowed one of our test subjects to enjoy a catnap in the middle without feeling uncomfortable. The frame and the fabric are both high-quality, with a solid wooden frame and durable upholstery that has held against a variety of spills and scratches. The cushions are also plump and firm, providing it with a the comfort of cushiony and supportive.
Durability
A couch that is strong and well-made will feel solid to sit on. A solid frame will be made of kiln-dried wood or solid hardwoods, rather than plywood. It should not sag or creak when you stretch it out. The upholstery should be well-made as well, with no loose threads or pilling. You should also think about how many cushions your couch will require, based on how big your space is and how far it will expand to accommodate guests.
A sofa's durability is determined by a mix of factors, including the upholstery material as well as the degree of abuse it is able to endure from pets, kids and other household members. Panelists tested couches by jumping on them, noting the sound of creaks and springs. They also slept on them using their pillow as a backrest and evaluating whether or not the couch caused back or neck pain. If you're looking for a couch online, make sure you read reviews to find out how the couch stands up to family use.
Leather is generally more expensive than fabric, but is often regarded as a better option for durability. It is more resistant to stains and odors and less likely to scratch. Leather is easy to clean, and is an excellent choice for those who suffer from allergies since it doesn't collect pet hair or dust.
If you're looking to buy a durable elegant and stylish sofa that will last for years we suggest this model from 7th Avenue. Its modular design can be adapted to suit your space and grow with your family. It's upholstered in water-repellent and stain-resistant performance fabric. It comes with removable, machine-washable covers. During tests, this couch stood up to three people frequently on it and never showed any indications of wear or tear.
This sofa from Allform is another great option. It lets you modify almost every aspect of it, including the leg finishes, the upholstery color, and its size. The assembly is a bit more challenging than other couches, and at a minimum two people are required. The result will be a stylish and comfortable couch that can be rearranged easily to suit your needs.
Style
A couch is an expensive investment. To make the best choice, you must be able to balance style, comfort and durability. Forbes Vetted invited panelists to test 19 couches over a span of months. The panelists made detailed notes about how the couches performed during normal use, slept on them, worked from home and even arranged movie evenings. They also tracked any joint pains and how easy it was to readjust the cushions and how many people could fit comfortably on each sofa.
It can be daunting to sort through all the couch specifications in the market, particularly from traditional brands and direct-to-consumer (DTC) retailers. Some retailers offer a wide range of customization options including upholstery fabric, cushion material, Martindale abrasion ratings, and type of joinery or springs.
Based on the material depending on the material, it could be helpful to decide what type of couch you want before you start looking at colors and fabrics. For instance, if looking for something sturdy and stain-resistant, but still comfortable, look for a couch made with polyester instead of cotton or linen. Polyester is more resistant to wrinkles and stains. Cotton and linen are more susceptible to staining.
Another important aspect to consider is how the couch looks in your home. If you're looking for a modern style, go for a contemporary shape and a soft neutral fabric. On the other hand, if you're drawn to traditional design you may prefer a more classic, tailored silhouette and a more plush, dark fabric.
Check if the couch is available in various widths so that you can pick the best option for your space. It's also worth checking whether the couch you're interested in is available in a variety of colors. Some stores allow you to filter by couch collection or couch width, which is beneficial when you're looking for the top quality couches.
If you are ready to purchase and are ready to buy, ask your store whether they provide white-glove delivery. This is usually an extra cost and includes the assembly at home, placement of the packaging and removal. In our tests, this option was quick and simple. If you're unable to pay for white-glove, you could choose regular delivery, which typically is a flat cost but does not include assembly or removal of boxes.
Price
Getting the best value out of your couch will depend on the quality and durability of its frame and fill as well as the upholstery. The ideal frame should be made of the kiln dried wood that has mortise and Tenon joinery, and the cushion filling should consist of supportive spring coils and soft fiber or down. Performance fabrics with rub counts between 50,000 and 150,000 are durable, but you might want to consider a fabric which can be recovered or covered when it becomes dirty.
Margaret Carroll, who runs Better Homes & Gardens North Carolina's sofa-testing laboratory, says that the lifespan of a sofa is also dependent on the material used and its construction. She says a low-quality sofa can last only three to five years, whereas a high-quality, hand-tied couch can last for up to 20 years.
If you're pressed for time or don't have an eye for upholstery details, try to purchase your couch during furniture sales. These tend to happen around the holidays and at the end of winter, and can offer discounts up to 30 percent. We found that the sofas from Article's latest collection of fabrics were priced well.
Another place to find great bargains on couches is Pottery Barn, which offers a wide selection of in-stock and customizable pieces. On the website, you'll find a wide range of options for size, depth and colors (the 93" two-seater that we looked at had seven length options). The company's white glove delivery includes assembly and placement and is priced at $99, but returns and exchanges are subject to a 10 percent charge.
Other furniture stores online offer similar returns policies to Pottery Barn, but may require a larger initial investment. For example, 7th Avenue allows customers to return any item within ten days of delivery to receive a full refund, however, the upholstered items ship direct from manufacturers and could take longer to arrive. Universal Home, an online retailer, offers free swatches and furniture collections from multiple brands. The majority of its best-scoring sofas are only available as special orders, so you'll have to wait if you want something urgently.