Getting the Best Value Out of Your Couches
A sofa is a costly piece of furniture that can greatly impact the overall look of the room. Finding the right sofa that fits your needs and budget is difficult with so many variables.
Forbes Vetted recruited a panel of furniture experts with kids and pets to test the best couches available. Their findings considered durability, comfort and value.
Comfort
A good couch should be comfortable enough to be able to sit on for long periods of time. A quality couch should support your back without making it sore. This is important for people suffering from chronic back pain, or other health issues such as osteoarthritis. Selecting the right sofa material is another important factor to consider. Some fabrics are more allergenic than others, so make sure to read the labels on any couch you're considering buying.
The most comfortable couches are made of kiln dried or solid hardwood frames. These are stronger and last longer than wooden frames made of plywood or manufactured. They won't bow or sag even after prolonged use. Some companies offer the guarantee of a lifetime for their upholstery and frames, while others offer warranties up to 10 years. It is important to consider the frequency of use for the couch. If you intend to use it for a lot of family gatherings, think about an area that can hold many people comfortably.
This 7th Avenue model is one of the best-scoring couches we've test. It features a durable, performance fabric that is stain and water-resistant. It also comes with removable and machine-washable covers that are simple to clean. Another benefit is that it is available in more than 75 different colors and fabric choices that include pet-friendly styles. The fabric feels heavy and durable, and the color was a perfect match to our tester's style well.
This sofa was the most comfortable of the ones we test. Testers rated it nine out of 10 for a good nap. It's a foam-filled sofa that is more rigid than other top models however it offers plenty of support. It was also surprisingly sturdy and held up well to abuse from toddlers and jump tests. The cushions on the back were a little too firm, but they did soften after six months of testing.
Sixpenny's couch is great for families. It has a large seating area and can seat two adults or up to three children. Our tests showed that it was very comfortable for all and let one of our testers take a catnap without feeling uncomfortable. The frame and the fabric are both top-quality with a sturdy wooden frame and robust upholstery that has stood up against several scratches and spills. The cushions are thick and firm and give it a supportive, cushiony feeling.
Durability
A sofa that stands up to everyday wear and tear should be solid to sit on and be well-constructed. A quality frame is made of kiln-dried wood or solid hardwoods, rather than plywood. best sofas should also not have visible creaking or sagging when you sit on it. The upholstery should be well-made as well, with no loose threads or pilling. It's also important to consider how many seat cushions your couch needs depending on the size of your living space and how much you want it to expand to accommodate guests.
The durability of a sofa is determined by a variety of factors, including its upholstery material as well as the degree of abuse it is able to endure from pets, children and other household members. Panelists tested couches by jumping on them, listening for creaks and springs. They also slept on them using their pillow as a backrest and assessing whether or not the couch caused back or neck pain. When you purchase a couch on the internet and read reviews, you can find out how it holds up to the use of your family.
Leather, which is generally more expensive than fabric, is often considered to be a better option to last longer. It is more resistant to stains and odors and less prone to scratch. It's easy to clean, and is an excellent choice for those who suffer from allergies since it doesn't hold pet hair or dust.
If you're looking for a sturdy, stylish couch to last for years we suggest this model from 7th Avenue. Its sleek, modular design is customizable to your space and will grow with your family. It's upholstered in an anti-stain, water-resistant fabric with removable cover that is machine washable. This couch was tested with three people frequently sitting on it, and showed no signs of wear.
Another great option is this couch from Allform that offers the option of customizing every aspect of the couch, including the color of the upholstery, leg finishes, and size, as well as more. The assembly process is a little more challenging than other couches, and at a minimum two people are required. The result will be a chic and comfortable sofa which can be easily moved to meet your requirements.
Style
A couch is a significant investment. To make the best choice, you must balance style, comfort, and durability. Forbes Vetted invited panelists to test 19 couches over the course of months. The panelists made detailed notes on how the sofas performed in everyday use, napped on them, sat at home, and hosted movie nights. They also noted any joint pains, how easy the cushions were to readjust and how many people they could comfortably accommodate on each sofa.
It can be difficult to sort through all the couch specifications that are available including classic brands and direct-to-consumer (DTC) retailers. Certain retailers offer a wide selection of options for customization, including cushion material, upholstery fabric, Martindale abrasion ratings, and type of joinery or springs.
Depending on the material it can be helpful to determine what kind of sofa you'd like before you begin looking at fabric and color options. If you want something robust, stain-resistant and comfortable, go with a polyester couch instead of one made of linen or cotton. Polyester is more resistant to stains and wrinkles. Cotton and linen are more prone to staining.
Another important consideration is how the couch looks in your home. If you're looking for an aesthetic that is more contemporary, consider selecting a contemporary design and choosing an easy, neutral fabric. On the other side, if you're attracted to traditional designs, you might prefer a more classic elegant, tailored style and more luxurious, dark fabric.
Once you've narrowed your search, check if the couch is available in various sizes, so that you can pick the most suitable option for your space. It's also worth checking whether the couch you're looking at comes in different colors. Some stores let you sort by collection of couches or couch width, which is helpful when looking for the most comfortable couches.
When you are ready to buy the item, ask your retailer if they offer white-gloved delivery. This is usually an additional cost upgrade that includes at-home assembly, placing and removal of the packaging. In our tests, this option was quick and easy. If you're unable to pay for white-glove, you could always opt for standard delivery, which usually comes with a flat rate but doesn't include assembly or removal of boxes.
Price
The quality and durability of the frame as well as the filling and upholstery will determine the value of your sofa. The ideal frame should be made from the kiln dried wood that has mortise and Tenon joinery, and the cushion fill should consist of spring coils that support and soft down or fiber. Performance fabrics with rub numbers of between 50,000 and 150,000 are durable, but you'll want to consider a fabric that can be recovered or slipcovered later on should it get dirty.
A couch's life expectancy also is dependent on the material used and design, according to Margaret Carroll, who oversees Better Homes & Gardens' sofa-testing lab in North Carolina. She says that a low-quality couch will last only three to five years. A high-end hand-tied sofa can last up to twenty years.
If you're pressed for time or don't have time for upholstery details, try to purchase your sofa during furniture sales. These sales typically occur around the holidays or at the end of winter season and provide discounts as high as 30 percent. In our tests we discovered that the sofas in Article's latest line of fabrics were especially 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 their website you'll find a broad variety of options in terms of dimensions, depth and colors (the 93" two-seater that we looked at had seven length options). The white glove delivery service includes assembly and placement for $99 but there is a 10% fee on returns and exchanges.
Pottery Barn has a similar policy, but they may require a greater upfront investment. 7th Avenue, for example allows customers to return an item within 10 days of delivery and receive a full refund. However its furniture is shipped directly from the manufacturer and could take longer. Similarly, the online retailer Universal Home showcases collections from different furniture brands and offers free samples. Most of its top-scoring couches are made-to-order however, so you'll have to wait if you need something urgently.