Don't Believe These "Trends" About Best Quality Couches
Getting the Best Value Out of Your Couches
A sofa can have a significant impact on the mood of the room. With so many options to consider, choosing the best sofa for your needs and budget can be a struggle.
Forbes Vetted recruited a panel of furniture experts, including children and pets to test the best couches available. Their evaluations focused on durability, comfort, and the value.
Comfort
A good couch should be comfortable to sit on for extended durations of time. A great couch should be able to support your back without making you feel uncomfortable. This is essential for those with chronic back pain or other health issues like osteoarthritis. The right fabric for your sofa is also essential. 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 solid or kiln dried frames. These are stronger and last longer than wooden frames made of plywood or manufactured. These couches won't sag after heavy use. Some companies offer a lifetime guarantee on their frame and upholstery as well as warranties that last up to 10 years. It is also important to think about the frequency you use the couch. If you plan on using it for frequent family gatherings, consider an area that can hold many people comfortably.
One of the top-scoring couches we've tested, this 7th Avenue model is made of an extremely durable and robust fabric that's water-resistant and stain-resistant. It also comes with removable and machine washable covers. It's also available in more than 75 colours and fabrics, including pet-friendly options. The fabric is thick and durable. The color is a match to our tester's decor well.
This sofa was the coziest of the ones we test. Testers rated it nine out of 10 for napping. It comes with a foam and fiber filling that was more rigid than our other top choices, but still gave plenty of support. It was also quite sturdy and stood up well to regular abuse by toddlers and jump tests. The cushions on the back were a bit on the firmer side but softened over six months.
This sofa from Sixpenny is ideal for families, as it has a large seat size and can easily accommodate three adults or two kids. In our tests it was extremely comfortable for all to sit on and even allowed one of our testers to enjoy a catnap in the middle without feeling uncomfortable. The fabric and frame are made of top-quality materials and solid wood constructions and durable upholstery. They have held up to a variety of spills and scratches. The cushions are supple and firm and give it the feeling of cushiony, supportive.
Durability
A sofa that stands up to wear and tear should be sturdy to sit on and well-made. A good frame will be constructed of kiln-dried or solid hardwoods, not plywood. It should also have no noticeable sagging or creaking when you stretch on it. The upholstery should be well-made as well, with no loose threads or pilling. It's also important to determine the number of seat cushions your couch requires in relation to the size of your living space and how big you'd like it to be able in order to accommodate guests.
The durability of a couch is determined by several aspects, including the upholstery material, as well as how much abuse it is able to take from pets, children and other household members. Panelists who evaluated couches for this roundup jumped onto them and listened for springs or creaks. Sofas & Couches slept on them, using their pillows as a backrest and evaluating whether or not the couch caused back or neck pain. If you're considering buying a couch online, make sure you read reviews to find out how the sofa performs to family use.
Leather is generally more expensive than fabric but is often regarded as the best option for durability. It is more resistant to odors and stains and less likely to scratch. It is also easy to clean and is a better option for those with allergies since it doesn't gather dust or hair from pets.
If you're looking to buy a durable elegant, stylish sofa that will last for years we suggest this model from 7th Avenue. Its sleek, modular design can be adapted to the space you have and can expand with your family. It's upholstered with water-repellent, stain-resistant performance fabric. It comes with removable covers that can be washed in the machine. During tests, this couch was able to hold three to four people on it often and never showed any indications of wear or tear.
Another option that is worth considering is this couch from Allform that allows for the ability to customize 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 difficult than other couches, and at minimum two people are required. The end result is a sleek and comfortable sofa that can fit in with any style of decor and can be easily moved to meet your requirements.
Style
A couch is an expensive investment. To make the best choice, you must be able to balance style, comfort and durability. Forbes Vetted invited panelists to test 19 couches over a period of months. In the course of their period, the test participants slept on sofas as well as employed from home and hosted movie nights, making detailed notes on how they held up to everyday use. They also noted any joint discomforts, how easy the cushions were to adjust and how many guests they could comfortably fit on each sofa.
It can be difficult to figure out the numerous couch specifications, especially when dealing with traditional brands or direct-to consumer retailers. Some retailers offer a wide range of customization options including upholstery fabric, cushion material, Martindale abrasion ratings, and the type of joinery, or springs.
Depending on the material it can be helpful to determine what kind of couch you want before you start looking at fabric and color options. If you're looking for something that's sturdy, stain-resistant, and comfortable, choose a polyester couch instead of one made from cotton or linen. Polyester is more resistant to stains and wrinkles. Linen and cotton are more susceptible to staining.
Another important consideration is the style of the couch in your home. If you prefer a modern style, choose a contemporary shape and a lighter neutral fabric. If you're drawn to a traditional designs, you might prefer a classic, tailored shape and a soft dark, dark fabric.
After narrowing your search, make sure the sofa is available in different widths, so you can pick the most suitable option for your space. It's also worth checking whether the couch you're interested in is available in a variety of colors. Some stores allow you to filter by sofa size or couch collection that can be useful when you're looking for the highest high-end couches.
If you are ready to purchase, ask your retailer whether they provide white-glove delivery. This is usually an upgrade that costs extra and includes the installation at your home, the positioning of the packaging, and removal. This service was simple and quick to use during our tests. If you're not able to pay for white-glove, you could choose standard delivery, which usually comes with a flat rate but does not include assembly or the removal of boxes.
Price
The durability and quality of the frame along with the filling and upholstery will determine the value of your couch. The frame should be made of kiln dried wood and 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 long-lasting, but you'll want to look for a fabric that can be cleaned or re-used later on should it get dirty.
The lifespan of a couch depends on the materials used 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 for three to five years. A top-quality, hand tied couch can last up to twenty years.
If you're pressed to time, or you aren't familiar with furniture, consider buying your couch at an auction for furniture. These sales usually occur during the holidays or towards the end of winter season and offer discounts up to 30%. We discovered that the sofas in Article's latest collection of fabrics were priced very well.
Another option to find fantastic discounts 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 we tried included seven length options). The company's white glove service includes assembly and positioning and is available for $99, however returns and exchanges are subject to a 10 percent fee.
Pottery Barn has a similar policy, however they might 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 upholstered items are shipped directly from the manufacturer and may take longer. Similarly, the online retailer Universal Home showcases collections from different furniture brands and offers free samples. The majority of its top-scoring sofas are available as special orders, which means you'll need to wait if you want something immediately.