Getting the Best Value Out of Your Couches
A sofa can have a significant impact on the mood of an area. With so many options choosing the best one for your requirements and budget can be a challenge.
Forbes Vetted recruited a panel of furniture experts with kids and pets to evaluate the top couches available. Their findings focused on the durability, comfort, and the value.
Comfort
A good couch should be comfortable enough to sit on for long periods of time. A quality couch should support your back without causing it to be sore. This is important for people who suffer from chronic back pain or other health issues like osteoarthritis. Selecting the right sofa material is also an important consideration. You should always read the label on any couch you are considering purchasing. Certain fabrics are more allergenic than others.
The most comfortable couches are made of solid or kiln-dried frames. They are more durable and last longer than wood frames made from plywood or manufactured. They won't break down after prolonged use. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty on their frame and upholstery and some offer warranties that last up to ten years. It is also important to think about how much you plan on using the couch. If you intend to use it for frequent family gatherings, think about a sectional that can seat many people comfortably.
This 7th Avenue model is among the highest-scoring couches we test. It features a durable, performance fabric that is water-resistant and stain resistant. It also has removable and machine-washable covers that are simple to clean. It is also available in a variety of more than 75 colors and fabrics, including pet-friendly options. The fabric is strong and durable, and the color is a match to our tester's decor well.
This sofa was the coziest of all those we tried. The test participants rated it 9 out of 10 when they slept. It is made of foam and fiber filling that was more rigid than our other top picks, but nevertheless, it was able to provide plenty of support. It was also extremely durable and held up well to regular abuse by children and jump tests. The cushions on the back were a little too firm however they did soften over six months of testing.
This sofa from Sixpenny is ideal for families as it has a large seat and can easily accommodate three adults or two children. During our test it was extremely comfortable for everyone to sit on and even allowed one of our testers to take a catnap in the middle, without feeling sore. The frame and fabric are both top-quality and feature a solid wood construction and robust upholstery that has stood against a variety of spills and scratches. The cushions are also thick and firm, providing it with a a supportive and cushiony feel.
Durability
A couch that is durable and well-built will feel solid to sit on. A good frame will be constructed from kiln dried wood or solid hardwoods, not plywood. It should also be free of visible creaking or sagging when you sit on it. The upholstery should be well-constructed as well, with no loose threads or pilling. It's also important to determine the number of cushions your couch requires depending on the size of your room and how much you want to be able in order to accommodate guests.
A sofa's durability is determined by a combination of factors, including the upholstery material as well as the amount of abuse it can take from kids, pets and other household members. Panelists who tested couches for this roundup jumped onto them and listened for springs or creaks. They also slept on them using their pillows as a backrest, and assessing whether or not the couch caused back or neck pain. When you shop for a couch on the internet, read reviews to discover how it stands up to family usage.
Leather, which is typically more expensive than fabric, is often thought to be the better choice to last longer. It is less scratch-resistant than other materials, and it will resist stains and odors more readily. Leather is also easy to clean and is a more suitable option for people with allergies, as it doesn't accumulate dust or pet hair.
This model is a great choice for those looking for a stylish sturdy sofa that will last for many years. Its sleek modular design can be adapted to the space you have and can expand with your family. It is upholstered in a stain-resistant, water-resistant fabric that has removable, machine washable covers. This couch was tested with three people who were frequently seated on it and showed no signs of wear.
This couch from Allform is another excellent option. It lets you modify almost all of it, including the leg finishes, upholstery color, and its size. It's more time-consuming to assemble than some of the other couches on this list and you'll require at least two people. The result will be a fashionable and comfortable sofa that can be rearranged easily to meet your requirements.
Style
A couch is an enormous investment, and choosing the right one requires balancing style, comfort, and durability. Forbes Vetted invited panelists to test 19 couches over a period of months. The test participants took detailed notes on how the couches performed during normal use, slept on them, worked at home and even arranged movie nights. They also noted any joint pains as well as how easy it was to readjust the cushions and how many people could comfortably fit on each sofa.
It can be difficult to figure out the numerous couch specifications, particularly when dealing with classic brands or direct-to-consumer sellers. Some retailers offer a broad range of customization options including upholstery fabric, cushion material, Martindale abrasion ratings, and the type of joinery or springs.
Before you start looking at fabric and color choices, you might think about the kind of couch you are seeking. If you are looking for something that is robust, stain-resistant and comfortable, go with a polyester couch instead of one made of linen or cotton. 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 prefer a modern style, go for modern shapes and a light neutral fabric. If you're drawn to a traditional style, you may want an old-fashioned, tailored look and a luxurious dark fabric.
Find out if the couch is available in different sizes so you can select the right option for your space. It is also important to determine if the couch you are interested in comes in a variety of colors. Some retailers make it easy to sort sofas by width or couch collection this can be helpful when you're looking for the highest quality couches.
If you're looking to purchase take a look at whether your preferred retailer offers white-glove delivery. This is usually an additional cost and includes assembly at home, the placement of the packaging, as well as removal. This service was simple and easy to use in our tests. If you're unable to afford white-glove, you can select standard delivery, which generally includes a flat fee but doesn't include assembly or removal of boxes.
Price
Getting the most value of your couch will depend on the quality and durability of its frame, fill and upholstery. The frame should be constructed of kiln dried wood with mortise-and-tenon joinery. The cushion filling should be a mixture of supportive spring coils, soft fiber or down. Performance fabrics with rub counts of 50,000-150,000 are durable however, you should look for a fabric that can be cleaned or replaced in the event that it should get dirty.
The life expectancy of a couch depends on the materials used and construction, says Margaret Carroll, who oversees Better Homes & Gardens' sofa-testing lab in North Carolina. She says that a sofa of poor quality will last three to five years, whereas the best quality, hand-tied couch can last as long as 20 years.
If you're pressed to time, or you aren't familiar with upholstery, you can purchase your sofa at an auction for furniture. They usually occur around the holidays and at the end of winter and may include discounts up to 30 percent. In our tests, we found that the sofas in Article's latest collection of fabrics were affordable.
Another option to find fantastic deals on couches is Pottery Barn, which offers the largest selection of stock and customizable pieces. On the website you'll find a broad range of options for size, depth and colors (the 93" two-seater that we tested included seven length options). The white glove delivery service includes assembly and positioning for $99, but there's an additional 10% charge for returns and exchanges.
Pottery Barn has a similar policy, however they may require a bigger initial investment. For example, 7th Avenue allows customers to return any item within ten days of delivery for a full refund however, the upholstered items ship directly from the manufacturer and can take longer to arrive. Similarly, cheap couch sets 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.