Getting the Best Value Out of Your Couches
A sofa is a big-ticket item that can drastically alter the overall look of the room. However, with so many variables, finding the right one to meet your needs and budget can be a struggle.
Forbes Vetted enlisted a panel of experts in furniture with pets and children to try out the top couches available. Their findings considered the durability, comfort and value.
Comfort
A good couch should be comfortable enough to sit for long periods of time. A good couch should be able to support your back without making you feel uncomfortable. This is important for people who suffer from chronic back pain or other health issues like osteoarthritis. Selecting the right sofa material is a crucial aspect to consider. You should always be sure to read the label on any couch you are considering buying. Some fabrics can be more allergenic than other.
The best couches are made from solid or kiln-dried hardwood frames because they are stronger and more durable than wooden frames made from plywood or manufactured wood. These couches won't sag when used for a long time. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty for their upholstery and frames and some offer warranties that last for up to ten years. It is also important to think about the amount you intend to spend using the couch. If cheap couches planning to use it for frequent family gatherings pick a sectional with enough room to seat many people.
This 7th Avenue model is among the highest-scoring couches we've have tested. It is made of a tough, performance fabric that's stain-resistant and water-resistant. It also has removable and machine-washable covers. It is also available in a variety of more than 75 colors and fabrics, with pet-friendly options. The fabric is strong and durable and the color matches our tester's decor well.
This sofa was the most comfortable of all the sofas we tested. Testers rated it nine out of 10 for a good nap. It has a foam and fiber filling that was a bit stiffer than our other top choices, but still gave plenty of support. It was also surprisingly durable and held up to tests of jumping and the regular abuse of toddlers. Its back cushions were a little more firm, but they did soften over six months of testing.
Sixpenny's sofa is ideal for families. It has a spacious seating area and can seat two adults or three children. During our test, it was extremely comfortable for all to sit on, and even allowed one of our test subjects to have a catnap right in the middle, without feeling sore. The frame and fabric are both top-quality with a sturdy wood construction and durable upholstery that has held against numerous scratches and spills. The cushions are plump and firm and give it an incredibly comfortable, cushiony feel.
Durability
A couch that is durable and well-built will feel sturdy to sit on. A solid frame is constructed from solid hardwoods or kiln dried wood not plywood. It should also not have obvious creaking or sagging when you stretch out on it. The upholstery should be made well as well, and not have loose threads or pilling. It is also important to consider how many cushions your couch will require, based on how big your space is and how far it can expand to accommodate guests.
The durability of a sofa is determined by various factors, such as the upholstery material, as well as how much abuse it is able to take from pets, children and other household members. The panelists who analyzed couches for this roundup jumped on their couches and listened for the sound of springs or creaks. They also slept on them, using their pillow as a backrest and evaluating whether or not the couch caused neck or back discomfort. If you're shopping for a couch online, ensure you read the reviews to determine how the couch performs to family use.
Leather, which is typically more expensive than fabric, is considered to be a better option to last longer. It's less scratchy than other materials, and it can withstand odors and stains more readily. It's 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 for a sturdy, stylish couch to last for a long time, we recommend this model from 7th Avenue. Its sleek and modular design can be adapted to your room and can grow with your family. It's covered in water-repellent and stain-resistant performance fabrics, and removable cover that is machine washable. This sofa was tested by three people who sat on it, and did not show any signs of wear.
This sofa is made by Allform is another great option. It allows you to customize almost all of it, including the leg finishes, the color of the upholstery, and its size. It's a bit more difficult to put together than the other couches on this list, and you'll need at least two people. The end result will be a stylish and comfortable sofa that is easily rearranged to meet your needs.
Style
A couch is a costly investment. To make the best decision, you need to balance style, comfort, and durability. Forbes Vetted invited panelists to test 19 couches over a period of months. The panelists made detailed notes about how the sofas held up during normal use, slept on them, sat at home and even arranged movie evenings. They also noted any joint pains, how it was easy to adjust the cushions, and how many people could fit comfortably on each sofa.
It can be difficult to navigate the many specifications for a couch, especially when you are dealing with traditional brands or direct-to-consumer sellers. Many offer a variety of choices for customization, including upholstery fabric, cushion fill material, Martindale abrasion rating and the type of springs and joinery.
Before you begin looking at fabric and color options, you might think about the kind of couch you're searching for. If you're looking for something that's robust, stain-resistant and comfortable, choose a polyester couch instead of one made of cotton or linen. Polyester is more likely to withstand wrinkles and stains, while cotton and linen can be susceptible to staining and pilling.
Another important aspect to consider is the way your couch appears in your home. If you have a more modern taste look at a modern silhouette and opting for an unfussy, neutral material. If you're drawn by traditional design you may prefer an old-fashioned, tailored look and a soft dark, dark fabric.
Find out if the sofa is available in different widths so you can choose the ideal option for your space. Also, make sure to confirm whether the couch you're interested in is available in a variety of colors. Some retailers allow you to sort by collection of sofas or sofa width, which is helpful when looking for the most comfortable couches.
When you are ready to buy, ask your retailer if they offer white-gloved delivery. This is typically an additional-cost upgrade that includes at-home assembly, placement and removal of the packaging. This service was simple and easy to use in our tests. If you're not able pay for white-glove, you could always opt for standard delivery, which usually is a flat cost but does not include assembly or the removal of boxes.
Price
The durability and quality of the frame as well as the filling and upholstery will determine the value of your sofa. The ideal frame should be made from kiln-dried wood with mortise and tenon joinery and its cushion fill should be a combination of supportive spring coils and soft down or fiber. Performance fabrics with rub counts of 50,000 to 150,000 are long-lasting however, you should think about a fabric that could be cleaned or replaced later on should it become dirty.
A couch's life expectancy also depends on the materials used and design, according to Margaret Carroll, who oversees Better Homes & Gardens' sofa-testing lab in North Carolina. A sofa that is of low-quality can last only three to five years, while an expensive, hand-tied sofa can last up to 20 years.
If you're in a hurry or don't have an eye for details on the upholstery, you might want to purchase your couch during furniture sales. These usually happen during the holidays and towards the end of winter and can offer discounts up to 30 percent. In our tests we discovered that the sofas in Article's latest collection of fabrics were particularly priced well.
Another place to find great discounts on couches is Pottery Barn, which offers the largest selection of stock and customizable pieces. On the website, you'll find a wide variety of options in terms of size, depth and colors (the 93" two-seater sofa we looked at had seven length options). The white glove delivery service includes assembly and positioning for $99 but there is a 10% fee on returns and exchanges.
Other furniture stores online offer a similar return policy to Pottery Barn, but may require a higher upfront investment. For example, 7th Avenue allows customers to return any item within ten days of delivery for a full refund but its upholstered items typically ship direct from manufacturers and could take longer to arrive. Similarly, the online retailer Universal Home showcases collections from several furniture brands and offers free swatches. Most of the top-scoring couches are special order however, so you'll have to wait in case you require something urgently.