Getting the Best Value Out of Your Couches
A sofa can have a huge impact on the mood of an area. The right sofa for your needs and budget can be difficult with so many variables.
Forbes Vetted recruited a panel of furniture experts with kids and pets to evaluate the top couches on the market. Their notes considered durability, comfort and value.
Comfort
A quality couch must be comfortable to sit on for long periods of time. A good sofa will support your back without causing it to be sore. This is essential for those suffering from chronic back pain, or other health issues, like osteoarthritis. The best material for your sofa is also essential. Some fabrics are more allergenic than others, so be sure to check the labels on any couch you're considering purchasing.
The most comfortable couches are made of solid or kiln-dried frames. They are more durable and last longer than wooden frames made of plywood or manufactured. They also won't sag or creak after heavy use. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty on their upholstery and frame as well as warranties that last for up to 10 years. It's also helpful to consider how much you plan on using the couch. If you plan to use it for frequent family gatherings pick a sectional with enough room to seat many people.
One of the best-scoring couches in our tests The 7th Avenue model has an extremely durable fabric that's stain-resistant and water-resistant. It also comes with removable and machine-washable covers that are simple to clean. It is also available in more than 75 different colours and fabrics, including pet-friendly options. The fabric is thick and sturdy, and the color matches our tester's interior style well.
This sofa was the most comfy of all those we tested. The test participants rated it 9 out of 10 for a good nap. It has a foam and fiber filling that was more rigid than our other top picks, but still offered plenty of support. It was also quite sturdy and stood up to regular abuse by toddlers and jump tests. The cushions on the back were a bit more firm, but they softened over the course of six months.
This couch from Sixpenny is perfect for families, as it has a large seat size and can easily accommodate two adults or three kids. In our tests, it was very comfortable for everyone and allowed one of our testers take a catnap without feeling sore. The frame and fabric are both of high-end quality and feature a solid wood frame and a sturdy upholstery that has stood against numerous spills and scratches. The cushions are also plump and firm, which gives it the comfort of cushiony and supportive.
Durability
A couch that is sturdy and well-made will feel solid to sit on. A quality frame is constructed from kiln dried wood or solid hardwoods, rather than plywood. It should also not have visible creaking or sagging when you stretch on it. The upholstery should be well-constructed as well, with no loose threads or pilling. You should also think about how many cushions your couch will require, based on how large your room is and how far it will expand to accommodate guests.
The durability of a sofa is determined by various factors, such as the upholstery material, and the amount of abuse it can endure from pets, children, and other household members. Panelists evaluated couches by jumping on them, listening for creaks and springs. They also slept on them, using their pillows as a backrest and evaluating whether or not the couch caused back or neck discomfort. When you purchase a couch online and read reviews, you can learn how it stands up to family usage.
Leather, which is typically more expensive than fabric, is often considered to be a better option to last longer. It's less scratchy than other materials, and will resist stains and odors more readily. It's easy to clean, and is an ideal choice for those who suffer from allergies since it doesn't collect pet hair or dust.
This model is a great option for those looking for a stylish, durable couch that will last for many years. Its modular design can be customized to fit your space and grow with your family. It's upholstered in water-repellent and stain-resistant performance fabric, with removable, machine-washable covers. The couch was tested with three people who sat on it, and showed no signs of wear.
Another excellent option is this couch from Allform that offers customization of just about every aspect of the couch including leg finishes, upholstery color and size, and more. The assembly is a bit more challenging than other couches, and at minimum two people are required. The end result will be a chic and comfortable sofa that is easily rearranged to suit your needs.
Style
A couch is a significant purchase, and picking the best one is balancing style, comfort, and durability. This is why Forbes Vetted invited a team of panelists to test 19 couches over the course of months. During the period, the test participants slept on their sofas, employed from home and hosted movie nights, taking detailed notes about how they held up to everyday use. 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 a challenge to navigate all the couch specifications, especially from classic brands and direct-to-consumer (DTC) retailers. Some offer numerous customization options, including upholstery fabric, cushion fill material, Martindale abrasion rating, and the type of joinery and springs.
Depending on the material it can be helpful to choose the type of couch you want before you start browsing the color and fabric options. For instance, if you're looking for something sturdy and stain-resistant, but still comfortable, look for couches made of polyester instead of cotton or linen. Polyester is more resistant to wrinkles and stains. Linen and cotton are more susceptible to staining.
A couch's appearance in your home is another important aspect to consider. If you're looking for an aesthetic that is more contemporary, consider selecting a contemporary style and choosing an unfussy, neutral material. If you're drawn to a traditional design you may prefer an elegant, tailored design and a luxurious, dark material.
Find out if the couch is available in different sizes so you can choose the ideal option for your space. Similarly, it's worth double-checking whether the couch you're looking for is available in a variety of shades. Some retailers allow you to filter by sofa size or couch collection this can be helpful when trying to find the best quality couches .
If you're ready to purchase, consider whether your preferred retailer provides white-glove delivery. This is usually an additional cost upgrade that includes at-home assembly, placing and removal of the packaging. In our tests, this service was simple and quick. If you're not able to afford white-gloves, you can select standard delivery, which usually comes with a flat rate but does not include assembly or the removal of boxes.
Price
The best value of your couch will depend on the quality and longevity of its frame, fill and upholstery. The frame should be made of kiln dried wood and mortise-and-tenon joinery. The cushion filling must be composed of spring coils, soft fiber or down. Performance fabrics with a rub count of 50,000-150,000 are durable, however you may want to think about an option that can be cleaned or covered in the event of it becoming dirty.
Margaret Carroll, who runs Better Homes & Gardens North Carolina's sofa-testing laboratory. She says that the life expectancy of a couch is also affected by its material and construction. She claims that a cheap couch will last for three to five years. A high-end hand-tied couch can last up to twenty years.
If you're pressed for time or don't have time for the details of your furniture, try to buy your couch during furniture sales. These sales typically occur during the holidays or towards the end of the winter, and may provide discounts as high as 30 percent. During our testing, we found that sofas in Article's newest line of fabrics were especially well-priced.
Pottery Barn is another place where you can find some great deals on couches. They have a large assortment of pieces in stock and a variety of customizable options. On the website you'll find a broad selection of options for dimensions, depth and colors (the 93" two-seater that we tried included seven length options). The white glove delivery service includes assembly and installation for $99, but there's a 10% fee on exchanges and returns.
Other furniture stores online offer similar returns policies similar to Pottery Barn, but may require a higher upfront investment. For instance, 7th Avenue allows customers to return any product within ten days of delivery to receive a full refund, however, the upholstered items ship directly from the manufacturer and may take longer to arrive. Similarly, the online retailer Universal Home showcases collections from various furniture brands and provides free swatches. Most of its top-scoring couches are available for special order, however, so you'll need to wait in case you require something right away.