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Original poster

how long have you had your sofa??

120 replies

MacarenaFerreiro · 31/01/2019 11:58

SIL has just been on the phone discussing her new sofa. She has got a bargain in the sales, apparently. She has had her previous sofa for 3 years. She asked us when we'd be replacing ours.

We've had our furniture - a large 3 seater sofa and a smaller 2 seater one - for 16 years. I remember it vividly as it was delivered when DS1 was a newborn and he's just had his 16th birthday. It's still comfortable. It's brown leather which I know some people think is desperately naff but it's stood up to 3 kids and still looks fine. We had the cushions refilled and some stitching redone about 5 years ago. SIL is horrified. She's had at least 4 sofas in the time we've had ours.

On the other hand, I'm not a fan of chucking out and buying new just because someone has decided that fashion has changed. Surely you keep things until they fall apart or are no longer fit for purpose rather than buying new "just because"?

(And it's not a money thing, we could afford a new one if we wanted to. But we don't).

OP posts:
MariaNovella · 31/01/2019 12:36

Our sofa is 13 years old. I would like to redye the covers, which are a bit faded, and the seat cushions will need replacing one day soonish, but I can’t see me ever replacing it.

Jackshouse · 31/01/2019 12:37

We have two in the living room - the 3 seater we have had at least 7 years but it was second hand from PIL. When we moved 5 years ago we got a two seater and matching new covers for the 3 seater.

The sofa in the playroom was from my parents and about 19 years old.

Babdoc · 31/01/2019 12:37

20 years.
It was a cheap online one with washable covers, which I replaced, after ten years of a particularly scratchy cat.
My present Madam is a ruthless killer, but surprisingly respectful of furniture, so I hope the sofa will last to reach its 40th birthday!

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MariaNovella · 31/01/2019 12:38

However, I have had other sofas that were far less good quality that looked tired after 3 years.

DaedricLordSlayer · 31/01/2019 12:44

oh just the thread! after 20 years we have just ordered a proper nice new sofa. I still feel guilty about it, but it's So fucking lovely and comfy. I kept having to tell myself it's ok as lots of other people pay this amount for sofas all the time.

Previously our sofas(currently have 3) have been second hand or really cheap n cheerful (not uber trendy cheerful) but not built to last, of eBay.

Our best one so far is second hand with big squishy cushions and feather back cushions it's around 15 years old, was a year old when we bought it for £40!. We had a cheap small comer sofa last about 8 years and was totally knackered when we replaced it with another cheap small corner 2 years ago.
The one which we are replacing now, was sort of past on to us(couldn't really say no) and is ugly, uncomfortable and cold, no one wants to sit if they can help it, we've had it about 7 years but it's probably about 12 years old.

I honestly can't wait for the new sofa Smile it's seems such an indulgence though.

bigbluebus · 31/01/2019 12:46

We replaced our 25 year old suite last year. It was quite expensive when we bought it. There wasn't really anything wrong with it other than it was a dark green fabric with a gold pattern - which was all the rane back then! It was still really comfortable and in excellent condition - I'd just got bored with the colour/pattern and wanted something more modern.
Went back to the same independent retailer to buy the new one and said I hoped this one lasts as long as the last one! The old one went to a charity furniture store.

SagelyNodding · 31/01/2019 12:51

We've had it for 6 years. Bought 2nd hand from friends who had had it for one year. The fabric has gone shiny, and it has a child's handprint of god knows what on one side... But it's the most comfortable sofa I have ever had!
We won't change it until we move house, then I am going to insist on a convertible L-shaped one which we will keep until it falls apart. I'd never change sofas every 3-4 years-so wasteful!

snoogans · 31/01/2019 12:51

I've had mine for 6 years. Cream was a bad choice....
I'd get loose covers but seems pointless at the moment with 2 dogs. I'll get round to it one day.

My parents bought a second hand sofa about 45 years ago and got a red velour covers removed and it recovered. They then had loose covers made for it about 10 years ago (to update it more than anything) and it's still going strong. God knows how old it actually is!

Tattybear16 · 31/01/2019 12:52

16 years and still going strong, it’s a leather chesterfield. It’s now starting to look really fabulous and suits my lounge.

BigusBumus · 31/01/2019 13:01

We had 2 made from Sofa.com about 5 years ago and will not look to replace them for at least another 5 years I should think...

The one in the Snug is a massive secondhand, chestnut leather one and its probably about 10 years old. Its the one we all get onto with the dogs etc.

MissCalamity · 31/01/2019 13:01

We're hopefully updating our living room this year, our sofa pre-dates our relationship so over 15 years old!
It is definitely due to be scrapped, cream leather & after 2 kids it's probably had quite a few spills on it!

I have seen a new suite I like & it's £2k, we couldn't afford to change every couple of years!

Roomba · 31/01/2019 13:05

I had no idea my brown leather sofas were so naff! I don't care, I like them. Had one for ten years (IKEA, still looks like new) and the other (dirt cheap, ordered online in a rush, but still almost good as new) about four years.

I just calculated my parents have owned their 3 piece suite for 26 years! It's dated looking now but they treat it like it cost ten million quid so it's still looking great 😁. My sister likes to replace all her furniture every few years, then complain she's skint.

Slurpy · 31/01/2019 13:34

Only 2 years with us, but I think our sofa is mid-70's, so its older than me. Treated it to new webbing, foam and upholstery, so it'll probably last another 20 years before it needs looking at again. Its Ercol, and I love it.
Previous sofas were from Habitat, and lasted about 2 years before the arse fell out of them... we limped on with them for another 2 after that. Pretty poor value.

NeedSleepNow · 31/01/2019 13:38

We have brown leather sofas too. Have had them 6 years so far and after a clean (I don't do this as often as I should!) they come up looking like new. With young kids we wanted something easy to clean and hard wearing. I won't be replacing them anytime soon

Yokohamajojo · 31/01/2019 13:41

Around the same time as you OP, it is getting a bit tired actually but suits the room so well so hard to get another one as good! Just replaced our 15 yo fridge freezer though! That felt good Smile

WitsEnding · 31/01/2019 13:46

5 or 6 years and not showing any signs of wear. Previous sofas lasted about 15 years, including most of the DCs' childhood. They were all inexpensive DFS purchases.

Todamhottoday · 31/01/2019 13:55

We have 4 Tetrads, paid quite a lot for them, 2 very large 2 med large all washable removable covers, all feather padded, so comfy and warm. Everyone comments on how comfortable they are, still in excellent condition

One set, 24 years old the other 22 years old. Looked at replacing them for a change and the new Tetrads are not even made half as good, pretty rubbish now really.

mylaptopismylapdog · 31/01/2019 13:56

Large sectional that we’ve had 6 or 7 years, about to renovate the house and both now grown up children have asked us not to get rid of it! I would always freecycle it as the sofa Mum bought when I was ten was then used in my first house and went on to a friends flat. I never liked the fabric but it was comfortable.

Dowser · 31/01/2019 14:07

9 years, black leather
Still like new

Stanislas · 31/01/2019 14:10

Bought 2 settees from delcor in Newcastle when dd2 was 17. Their frames have a 50 year guarantee. So now dd2 is 43 and they have gone to be reupholstered- total refurbishment. Costs a bomb but trying to save the worldGrin

derxa · 31/01/2019 14:12

31 years. Do I win? It's been recovered twice. Some of the sofas in my old farmhouse are 70's cast offs but perfectly good.

RaiderOfTheKitchenCupboard · 31/01/2019 14:16

Coming up to 13 years for ours. It’s brown leather too, not the greatest quality and could do with being replaced, but going to wait until the toddler is reliably toilet trained!

LaurieFairyCake · 31/01/2019 14:16

This one 2 years. The last one 16 years.

Like you I don't believe in replacing things til I really have to.

Cantdecidewhere · 31/01/2019 14:19

13 years so far. It was a really expensive leather suite, the leather is thick and soft. Just the corner seat on the sofa is a little saggy now as it's everybody's favourite spot!
I think it's complete madness to be changing sofas every couple of years, such a waste.

puppymouse · 31/01/2019 14:25

Ours was new 2017 I think? We've had a different sofa in all 4 of the properties we've lived in since we moved in together. But that's because of space and style of property.

Big open plan lounge - massive corner sofa
Newly renovated apartment - uncomfortable as shit modern style square sofa with built in sofa bed as no spare room
Village terrace - lived in looking comfy style
Rented tiny house - cheap end of the range from a local independent

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