3 Common Reasons Why Your Best Quality Couches Isn't Performing (And How To Fix It)
Getting the Best Value Out of Your Couches
A sofa can have a significant impact on the mood of the room. But with so many variables, finding the right one to meet your needs and budget can be difficult.
Forbes Vetted recruited a panel of furniture experts who have kids and pets to test the best couches on the market. Their findings considered durability, comfort and value.
Comfort
A high-quality couch must be comfortable enough to be able to sit for long periods of time. A quality couch should help your back, without making it sore. This is particularly crucial if you suffer from a back issue that is chronic or other health issue, like osteoarthritis. Selecting the right sofa material is another important factor to consider. cheap couch sets are more allergenic than others, so be sure to read the labels on any couches you're considering purchasing.
The best quality couches are made from solid hardwood frames that have been kiln dried or kiln-dried because they are stronger and last longer than wooden frames made from plywood or manufactured wood. They won't bow or sag after heavy use. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty for their upholstery and frames, while others provide warranties that last up to 10 years. It is important to consider how often you will use the couch. If you intend to use it for frequent family gatherings, you should consider a sectional that can seat many people comfortably.
This 7th Avenue model is among the top-scoring couches we tested. It has a durable, performance fabric that is stain-resistant and water-resistant. It also has removable and machine washable covers. Another benefit is that it is available in more than 75 different colors and fabric choices and styles, including pet-friendly ones. The fabric is thick and durable. The color complements our tester's style well.
This sofa was the most comfy of all those we test. The test participants rated it 9 out of 10 for a good nap. It's a foam-filled sofa that is stiffer than the other top choices however, it still offers plenty of support. It was also surprisingly sturdy and held up well to regular abuse by toddlers and jump tests. The back cushions were a little more firm however they did soften after six months of testing.
Sixpenny's couch is great for families. It offers a huge seating area and can accommodate two adults or three children. During our tests, it was very comfortable for everyone and even let one of our testers to take an easy catnap without being sore. The fabric and frame have a high-quality construction and solid wood constructions and durable upholstery. They've held up to several spills and scratches. The cushions are also thick and firm, giving it an incredibly comfortable and cushiony feel.
Durability
A couch that can stand up to everyday wear and tear should feel solid and be well-made. A solid frame is constructed of solid hardwoods or kiln dried wood, not plywood. It should not bow or creak when stretched out. The upholstery should be well-made as well, with no loose threads or pilling. It's also important to consider the number of cushions your couch needs, depending on the size of your room and how much you want it to expand to accommodate guests.
A sofa's durability is determined by a variety of factors, including its upholstery material and the degree of abuse it is able to take from kids, pets and other household members. Panelists inspected couches by jumping on them and noting the sound of creaks and springs. They also slept on them, using their pillows as backrest, and assessing whether or not the couch caused neck or back pain. When you purchase a couch online look through reviews to learn how it stands up to family usage.
Leather, which is usually more expensive than fabric, is often considered a better choice to last longer. It is less scratch-resistant than other materials, and it is able to resist odors and stains more easily. It's easy to clean, and is an ideal choice for allergy sufferers because it doesn't accumulate pet hair or dust.
This model is an excellent choice for those looking for a stylish and durable sofa that will last for years. Its sleek modular design is customizable to the space you have and can expand with your family. It's upholstered in water-repellent and stain-resistant performance fabric, with removable covers that can be washed in the machine. During tests, this couch could accommodate three to four people on it often and showed no indications of wear or tear.
Another great option is this sofa from Allform that offers the ability to customize every aspect of the couch including the color of the upholstery, leg finishes, and size, and more. The assembly is a bit more difficult than other couches, and at a minimum two people are required. The end result will be a fashionable and comfortable couch which can be easily moved to meet your needs.
Style
A couch is an expensive investment. To make the right choice, you must be able to balance style, comfort and durability. Forbes Vetted invited panelists to test 19 couches over a span of months. In the course of their time, the testers napped on sofas, employed from home and hosted movie nights, making detailed notes about how they performed in everyday use. They also noted any joint discomforts, how easy the cushions were to adjust and how many people could comfortably fit on each sofa.
It can be a challenge to find all the couch specifications in the market, particularly from traditional brands and direct-to-consumer (DTC) retailers. Certain retailers offer a wide variety of options for customization including upholstery fabric, cushion material, Martindale abrasion ratings, and the type of joinery or springs.
Before you begin considering color and fabric options, you may be thinking about the type of couch you're looking for. If you're looking for something that's sturdy, stain-resistant, and comfortable, choose a polyester sofa instead of one made of linen or cotton. Polyester is more resistant to stains and wrinkles. Both linen and cotton are more susceptible to staining.
A couch's appearance in your home is another important consideration. If you're looking for a modern style, choose modern shapes and a soft neutral fabric. If you're drawn by traditional designs, you might prefer an old-fashioned, tailored look and a soft, dark material.
Once you've narrowed down your options, you should check if the couch comes in multiple widths, so that you can choose the best option for your space. It's also worth checking whether the sofa you're interested in comes in multiple colors. Some retailers allow you to filter by sofa width or collection of couches, which can be helpful when you're trying to find the top high-end couches.
When you are ready to buy the item, ask your retailer whether they provide white-glove delivery. This is typically an extra-cost upgrade that includes in-home assembly, placing and removal of the packaging. This service was easy and quick to use in our tests. If you're not able to afford white-glove, you can select standard delivery, which generally comes with a flat rate but does not include assembly or the removal of boxes.
Price
The durability and quality of the frame, the filling and the upholstery will determine the value of your couch. The frame should be constructed of kiln dried wood with mortise-and-tenon joinery. The cushion filling should be composed of spring coils, soft fiber or down. Performance fabrics with rub counts of 50,000-150,000 are long-lasting, but you may want to consider a fabric which can be cleaned or covered when it becomes dirty.
The life expectancy of a couch depends on its material and construction, according to Margaret Carroll, who oversees Better Homes & Gardens' sofa-testing laboratory in North Carolina. She says that a low-quality couch will last only three to five years. A high-end, hand tied couch will last for as long as twenty years.
If you're pressed to time, or you aren't knowledgeable about upholstery, buy your couch at a furniture sale. These tend to happen during the holidays and towards the end of winter and can offer discounts up to 30 percent. We found that the sofas from Article's new collection of fabrics were priced very well.
Another place to find great discounts on couches is Pottery Barn, which offers an extensive selection of in-stock and customizable pieces. On their website you'll find a broad range of options for size, depth and color (the 93" two-seater sofa we looked at offered seven length options). The white glove delivery service includes assembly and placement for $99 however there is a 10% charge on exchanges and returns.
Pottery Barn has a similar policy, however they may require a bigger initial investment. For instance, 7th Avenue allows customers to return any product within ten days of delivery for a full refund however, its upholstered pieces typically ship direct from manufacturers and may take longer to arrive. Similarly, the online retailer Universal Home showcases collections from several furniture brands and offers free swatches. The majority of its top-scoring sofas are available as special orders, which means you will need to wait for something immediately.