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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:
BlackPrism · 31/01/2019 14:31

6 months, got rid of our old one after 18mo because it was uncomfortable

BlackPrism · 31/01/2019 14:32

Our second cost £75 off gumtree though

OutPinked · 31/01/2019 14:35

Five months since we moved into new house. I previously had a corner suite that really hadn’t stood the test of time at all, think I had it a year and half and all the zips had bust on the cushion covers so it looked beyond naff. It was also sagging and looked dirty despite being washed multiple times (just the colour of it I think). Was glad to see the back of that.

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Home improvement
ChairinSage · 31/01/2019 14:47

The current sofa is 4 years old, it's the first I've ever owned from new in my life (and I'm well into my forties!). It replaced a second hand eBay "it'll do for now" sofa that ended up lasting 13 years before collapsing.

Mulberryandthyme · 31/01/2019 16:56

One is ten years old, stinks of dog and when we don't have he dog anymore it will be got rid of. Another is four years and really uncomfortable. I expect that will go at the same time.

Brightpinktulip · 31/01/2019 17:08

Three years. It is leather and from DFS and not the best quality to be honest, the leather has started to fleck off at the stitching. Not terribly noticable but it bugs me. We plan to move in a couple of years and won't be bringing the sofa with us. Will spend more next time. Our last one was also a cheap leather one, we kept that five years.

WhentheDealGoesDown · 31/01/2019 17:15

We usually change ours about every 8-10 years, generally mid priced sofas, current one is from Harveys and about 7-8 years old

WWlOOlWW · 31/01/2019 17:17

12 years and still going.

Hadalifeonce · 31/01/2019 17:20

23 years, I have them cleaned regularly, have had the cushions re-stuffed, they still look brilliant (not just my opinion). They were very expensive when I bought them, they have survived 3 house moves & 2 children. I have recently noticed that one of the cushions has started to tear, it lives in a very sunny part of the house, so am considering getting them re covered.

HildaZelda · 31/01/2019 18:03

Had our first one for about 15 years and it was still in pretty good condition. DH's brother helped himself to it (major freeloader Angry) so I'd hate to imagine what kind of condition it's in now.

It was a fabric one and we bought a new one a couple of years ago. The new one is leather and the cat is now banned from the front room unless we're in there too. Claws y'know!

Piewacket · 31/01/2019 18:44

My Aunt gave me her leather suite 30 years ago when she bought a new one. It's still really comfortable so I haven't changed it. (Mind you, it should really have been replaced ages ago but a few throws hide how decrepit it is.)

WhatwouldCJdo · 31/01/2019 18:48

Big sofa 16 yrs

Small sofa is 10 yrs old. Got it second hand off my friend.

My parents had her sofa and arm chairs for 32 yrs. Had them re-covered twice to match house move decor. They can"t find anything as comfy.

PoutySprout · 31/01/2019 18:51

DH had just finished 3 years finance on his sofas when we met. That was 18 years ago.

Had the cushions re-made with special foam last year - looks and feels brand new.

AfterSchoolWorry · 31/01/2019 18:54

About 7/8 years. It was a cheap one. It's like sitting in Quicksand. 😐

New one coming soon. Can't wait.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 31/01/2019 18:57

The two in our sitting room 13 years. Brown leather from John Lewis sale, looking fab. One on the landing is cheaply leather from IKEA, must be 18 years old but hardly gets used so really good nick. Futon in the den must be 10 years old, again in good nick.

It's the old Sam Vimes boot scenario isn't it?

Ifangyow · 31/01/2019 18:58

Mine is 2 years old. A two and a three seater black leather John Lewis one and barely been sat on. I've given it to one of the kids in favour of two black leather lazy boy chairs. Which we will probably never sit on either 😂

Missingstreetlife · 31/01/2019 18:58

Mine was bought in 1988 and was reupholstered in 2005, just thinking about having it done again or replacing. My aunt has armchairs bought in 1950 and given new covers 10 years ago. Still comfy.

MsAwesomeDragon · 31/01/2019 19:00

We've had ours for 13 years. The neighbour who have it to us had had it for about 6 years before that but was downsizing so didn't have room for it in her new flat.

I think the seat cushions could do with some new foam, but for now we just keep turning them over and plumping them regularly. I can't imagine buying a new suite, this one will keep going til we die. We might have to get it recovered or something at some point though.

Milly90 · 31/01/2019 19:02

Our 3 seater and chair are 7 years old and have been sold to our new house buyers. They suit the house and size of the room perfectly

So I have just bought a new 3 seater 2 seater and a chair today but hoping they will last me around 10-15 years

Peeko · 31/01/2019 19:03

24 years, a three seater and a two seater in leather.

They've lasted well, but the larger one is starting to look a little shabby.

DH wants to replace them, but I'm not that bothered. And we could afford it, but I don't want to contribute to landfill any more than is absolutely necessary.

I reckon we have another 5 years left in them, and I'm prepared to wait / use throws for a while if needed.

Ribeebie · 31/01/2019 19:03

We've had ours 6 years and got it second hand from my dad, I reckon it's about 14 years old.

dollybird · 31/01/2019 19:03

17 years. We bought our three piece suite when I was pregnant with DS who'll be 17 in May. Everyone told us we were mad as it's cream but has coped with two children. We just used a throw on the sofa when they were tiny. DH vaxes it once a year and it looks as good as new. Won't be replacing it any time soon. Four sofas in 16 years is crazy and wasteful.

Missingstreetlife · 31/01/2019 19:03

Don't think Sam vines, necessarily, just some people are a bit silly about having new everything all the time. I'd rather have a nice holiday or pay off something more useful

Angelinthenight · 31/01/2019 19:04

3years, we want a new one next year due to colour changes,we dont buy expensive ones we get them on sale at dfs always about £700 a corner sofa.

Kemer2018 · 31/01/2019 19:07

15 years. Cream leather, looks a bit battered.
I can afford new but wouldn't be able to relax on it and I'd be telling dd and dh don't do this, don't do that. I don't want to be that uptight.

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