Getting the Best Value Out of Your Couches
A sofa is a big-ticket item that can significantly affect the overall vibe of the room. But with so many variables to consider, choosing the best sofa to meet your needs and budget can be difficult.
Forbes Vetted recruited a panel of furniture experts, including children and pets to test the best couches available. sofas and couches Sofas & Couches considered the durability, comfort, and value.
Comfort
A quality couch should be comfortable enough to sit for long periods of time. A good couch will support your back without making it sore. This is particularly important if you have an ongoing back problem or other health issue such as osteoarthritis. The appropriate material for your sofa is also crucial. Some fabrics are more allergenic than others, so be sure to look up the labels on any sofa you're thinking of buying.
The best couches are made of solid or kiln dried frames. These are stronger and last longer than wood frames made from plywood or manufactured. They won't bow or creak after heavy use. Some companies offer a lifetime guarantee on their upholstery and frame as well as warranties that cover up to ten years. It's also helpful to consider how much you plan on using the couch. If you plan to use it for family gatherings often select a sectional that has enough space to accommodate many people.
One of the top-scoring couches in our tests This 7th Avenue model has an extremely durable and robust fabric that's stain-resistant and water-resistant. It also features removable and machine washable covers. Another advantage is that it is available in more than 75 different colors and fabric options and styles, including pet-friendly ones. The fabric is thick and sturdy, and the color matches our tester's interior style well.
During our testing this sofa was the most comfortable of all of them, with testers giving it as nine out of ten for napping. It is filled with foam and fiber that is more rigid than other top models however, it still offers plenty of support. It was also quite sturdy and stood up well to abuse from toddlers and jump tests. The back cushions were a little on the firmer side but they softened after six months.
Sixpenny's sofa is ideal for families. It has a large seating area that can comfortably accommodate two adults or three children. During our tests, it was extremely comfortable for everyone and allowed one of our testers take a catnap without feeling sore. The frame and the fabric are constructed of high-end materials with solid wood constructions and sturdy upholstery. They've held up to a variety of scratches and spills. The cushions are also plump and firm, giving it the comfort of cushiony and supportive.
Durability
A sofa that stands against wear and tear should feel solid and be well-constructed. A solid frame is constructed from solid hardwoods or kiln dried wood, not plywood. It should also be free of noticeable sagging or creaking when you stretch out on it. The upholstery must also be well-made and free of threads that are loosened 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 will expand to accommodate guests.
A sofa's durability is determined by a variety of elements, including its upholstery material and the amount of abuse it can take from kids, pets and other household members. Panelists who tested couches for this roundup jumped onto their couches and listened for the sound of springs or creaks. They also slept on them using their pillows as a backrest and evaluating whether or not the couch caused back or neck pain. When you purchase a couch online and read reviews, you can find out how it holds up to the use of your family.
Leather, which is usually more expensive than fabric, is considered a better choice to last longer. It is more resistant to stains and odors and less likely to scratch. It's easy to clean and is an excellent choice for allergy sufferers because it doesn't collect dust or pet hair.
If you're looking for a sturdy elegant and stylish sofa that will last for years, we recommend this model from 7th Avenue. Its modular design can be customized to suit your space and grow with your family. It's upholstered in a water-repellent, stain-resistant performance fabric that has removable covers that can be washed by machine. During testing, this couch could accommodate up to three people on it frequently and never showed any indications of wear or wear.
Another great option is this sofa from Allform, which offers the ability to customize every aspect of the couch, including colors of the legs, upholstery color and size, as well as more. The assembly is a bit more difficult than other couches, and at minimum two people are required. The end result will be a stylish and comfortable sofa that is easily rearranged to meet your needs.
Style
A couch is an enormous investment, and deciding on the right one requires balancing style, comfort and durability. That's why Forbes Vetted invited a team of panelists to test 19 couches over the course of months. In the course of their time, they slept on their sofas as well as at home, and hosted movie nights, taking detailed notes on how they held up to everyday use. They also tracked any joint aches and how it was easy to adjust the cushions, and how many people could fit on each sofa.
It isn't easy to understand the various specifications for a couch, especially when you're dealing with classic brands or direct-to-consumer retailers. Some offer tons of customization options, including upholstery fabric cushion fill material, Martindale Abrasion Rating and the type of springs and joinery.
Based on the material you choose, it may help to decide what type of couch you'd like to have before you start looking at the color and fabric options. If you are looking for something that is sturdy, stain-resistant, and comfortable, go with a polyester sofa instead of one made from linen or cotton. Polyester is more likely to resist stains and wrinkles, while cotton and linen can be susceptible to pilling and staining.
The style of your couch in your home is another important consideration. If you're looking for an aesthetic that is more contemporary look at a modern style and choosing an easy, neutral fabric. On the other hand, if you're drawn to classic designs you may prefer a classic style, streamlined silhouette and more luxurious, dark-colored fabric.
Once you've narrowed your search, check if the couch is available in various widths, so that you can pick the most suitable option for your space. Also, make sure to confirm whether the couch you're interested in is available in different colors. Some retailers allow you to filter by couch collection or sofa width, which is beneficial when you're looking for the most comfortable couches.
If you are ready to purchase, ask your retailer whether they provide white-glove delivery. This is usually an additional cost upgrade that includes at-home assembly, placement, and removal of the packaging. In our tests, this option was quick and simple. If you don't have the money to pay for white-glove deliveries you can opt for standard shipping, which usually comes at a flat fee but doesn't include assembly or removal of boxes.
Price
The durability and quality of the frame, the filling and the upholstery will determine the value of your sofa. Ideally, the frame should be made of dried and kiln-dried wood, with mortise and tenon joinery and the cushion filling should be a combination of supportive spring coils and soft down or fiber. Performance fabrics with rub counts of 50,000-150,000 are durable however, you should think about a fabric that could be cleaned or re-used in the event that it should get dirty.
Margaret Carroll, who runs Better Homes & Gardens North Carolina's sofa-testing laboratory, says that the life expectancy of a couch is also affected by the material used and construction. She claims that a cheap couch will last only three to five years. A top-quality, hand tied couch can last for up to twenty years.
If you're pressed for time or don't have time for upholstery details, try to purchase your couch during furniture sales. These usually happen during the holidays and at the end of winter, and can offer discounts of up to 30 percent. In our tests we discovered that sofas in Article's newest collection of fabrics were priced well.
Pottery Barn is another place where you can find great bargains on couches. They have a huge range of stock pieces and customizable options. There are plenty of sizes and depth choices as well as color options on the site (the two-seater measuring 93 inches that we tested offers seven length options). The brand's white glove delivery includes assembly and placement and is priced at $99, however returns and exchanges are subject to a 10 percent fee.
Other furniture stores online have similar returns policies to Pottery Barn, but may require a larger initial investment. For instance, 7th Avenue allows customers to return any product within ten days of delivery for a full refund, but its upholstered items typically ship directly from the manufacturer and may take longer to arrive. Universal Home, an online retailer, provides free swatches and showcases furniture collections from multiple brands. The majority of its top-scoring sofas are available only as special orders, which means you'll need to wait for something today.