Best place to buy a sofa? And places to avoid?

[ShirleyPhallus]

Looking for recommendations thanks, I love fabric sofas, currently have an olive green velvet sofa which I love but looking for recommendations of good, hard wearing sofas

I don’t want leather or Laura Ashley style ones, but more modern looking one.

Anywhere to avoid?

TIA

I have a Grönlid from IKEA - you can build it only any combo you like, and all covers can be just pulled off and washed. They say not to tumble dry, but I have done that several times as well (many pets and kids), and there has been no damage or shrinkage.

My last two 'main' sofas have been DFS. Service and delivery was brilliant and my older sofa is 15+ yrs and still going strong (albeit now the kids sofa...)

Also got a little one from IKEA which has done alright, but the cushion was damaged when we got it and service/delivery was a bit shit (had a newborn at the time and didn't quite get around to changing the cushion).

Avoid DFS. Our one the colour all came off it after a few weeks. We eventually got them to replace it but their customer service is dreadful.

I am delighted with my next sofas, so much I have got them in three rooms. Good fabric, cushions look great three years on.

Their customer service was excellent when there was a problem with a fixed seat cushion one week in. They collected it and gave me a new sofa of my choice within seven days.

Avoid JL: www.theguardian.com/money/2019/apr/03/john-lewis-makeover-customer-service

We looked in a lot of places and then went with M&S a couple of months ago. We got 40% off as we waited for another discount round to make an appearance. Their sofas come in a range of firmnesses (if that's a word!) and actually came really quickly. Too soon to say how long they will last though.

Boconcept or b&B Italia sofas last a lifetime and age very well imo. Plus look gorgeous.

M&S. Ours is at least 10 years old and still looks good as new.

We chose one with foam cushions rather than feather so no regular plumping needed!

We’ve bought from SCS twice and opted for the upgraded seats and also paid for sofa care. All 4 sofas have lasted years; they’re extremely comfy and with sofa care if anything happens to the seats they will clean or replace. They’re excellent value for money and delivered quickly. They don’t just sell cheap options either, there’s something for all budgets.

Well like posters on this thread we trod the well worn path from made... Not comfy... Etc and ended up in ikea. We chose a sofa bed. Very comfy in store but once we home and built its too high! My feet dint touch the floor! I can't understand what's happened.

We had one made by a local upholsterer it cost a bit more but that was 13 years ago and not one bit of wear or sag or anything like that. We wanted a high back and at that point lots of sofas seemed to have very low backs.

We bought ours from a large local independent furniture store. 26 years ago when we moved to this area, it was recommended to us by a neighbour. They sell all the well known brands of good quality furniture. Our 3 piece suite which we bought has only just been replaced. It was still in excellent condition and very comfortable but the colour was dated and I wanted to update the living room. I went back to the same store for a replacement - I hope it lasts 25 years too! If you are in the North Midlands, Cheshire or N Wales they have stores in those areas,

Avoid Loaf. They look lovely but disappoint.

We have a G plan from furniture village and it seems very strong and well made. Ours are leather but same model comes in fabric

@IloveJudgeJudy it looks like a moleskin fabric. We have a handmedown DFS sofa of that fabric. If you smooth it one way its lighter than if you do so the other way.

I think when we come to buy a new sofa and armchairs, we will try to see them in person so we can try them out. I love the look of the sofas by Loaf and similar places.

We got ours from DFS 6 year ago and it's still in fab condition. Quick delivery too.

Our armchair from Sofa.com is covered in Smart Cotton & has just withstood a full glass of red wine being thrown over it - no marks at all after it was mopped up. Excellent service when we bought it.

Had no problems with DFS. Last one lasted 14 years and only got rid of it because the dog peed on the leg. 😳

We went everywhere looking for one and ended up back at DFS. No problems and looks great.

I hoping for IKEA ektorp. Measurements online made it look massive. So opting for a small one.

We just bought one from West Elm and I love it. It's this one
www.westelm.co.uk/harmony-sofa-taupe-h2480

So comfortable.

@longtompot Moleskin! That's it! Thank you. It's very hard wearing and forgiving.

Sofa.com - wd def recommend

We have also had Sofa Workshop but not sure if they are still going, but our sofas from there lasted 16 years

My four seater fabric sofa has totally washable covers. Ive laundered it regularly as its white and had no wear or shrinkage and still as good as new
It is 16 years old
It was 2.5k when purchased new from Barker and Stonehouse but turns out to be a real bargain after all these years of use

For anyone in the North / Yorkshire I highly recommend Lola Rose Interiors. They source sofas direct from the same factories that supply many higher end retailers but at a fraction of the price. The sofa, snuggle chair and footstool below came to only £1,100 and the quality is great.....

Our sofology sofas are more or less the same as new 2 and half years later. Granted only two of us and visitors but no complaints and really comfy. We had no issues dealing with them at all. Everyone will have tales of good and bad service/ quality from most places though

Barkers & Stonehouse are excellent (they have a few outlet stores). We've had ours from there for 18 years & it's only just starting to see better days & we've just bought another for a different room from there. Not cheap but you definitely get what you pay for.