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Original poster

Are DFS sofas shite? Where did you get your suite?!

81 replies

TerribleCustomerCervix · 09/10/2020 09:52

Currently in the market for a new suite.

I got burnt badly a few years ago when we bought a corner sofa from Harvey Norman. Lovely at first, but quickly began to look like a sack filled with old socks. Totally lost it’s shape and offers zero support. Now I have Furniture Purchase PTSD and I’m a bit stuck where to buy the replacement from.

I’ve seen a Joules armchair from DFS which I love- the rest of their range is nice, ok value and loads of choice so I’m tempted to just go for it.

Has anyone had one from there, do they last a decent period of time and still look presentable?

My backup is M&S but none of them are particularly exciting.

OP posts:
amusedbush · 09/10/2020 09:57

We got our sofas for a steal from DFS and I can see why. They are so uncomfortable - even lounging about on them is impossible because the arms are so rigid they hurt my neck/back. The only saving grace is that they were really cheap so I won't feel bad when they're replaced.

Oldraver · 09/10/2020 10:02

I've had my last two sofas from there

First one lasted about 12 years before the middle started to sag, the piping was worn but the fabric ok

Current one bought in 2008 ish, leather could do with tarting your but the frame is holding out

I worked for a very high end furniture manufacturer and yes the quality was amazing but think the years I've got out of mine very good

ShirleyPhallus · 09/10/2020 10:06

I think part of the problem is buying a suite in the first place. Much nicer (IMO) to have a few sofas / arm chairs that go rather than match one another, then you can also get different ones for different needs.

So we have one with an upright back for more support, one squishy one which is good for napping / relaxing, a love seat good for reading and a nice arm chair which makes DH feel like a proper grown up. Easy then to replace any individual one which has more wear than another.

We got ours from Loaf, Sofa Workshop and Habitat. They’ve all done pretty well and very comfy.

Lots of sofa / furniture showrooms in Tottenham Court Road if you can make it that way.

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ATowelAndAPotato · 09/10/2020 10:08

I always said I would never buy from the Dreadful Furniture Store, but actually we ended up buying from them a few years ago as it was by far the most comfortable one we found, I’ll try to find a link for you.
So far it’s stood up pretty well to 3 kids jumping around all over it, so am really pleased with it

ptumbi · 09/10/2020 10:13

Now I have Furniture Purchase PTSD oh come on!

Seriously, that's not funny, and it's not clever. Please don't minimise and poke fun at people with PTSD.

Original poster
TerribleCustomerCervix · 09/10/2020 10:18

I think part of the problem is buying a suite in the first place. Much nicer (IMO) to have a few sofas / arm chairs that go rather than match one another, then you can also get different ones for different needs.

That’s what I’m thinking as well Shirley, it’s just DFS have such a massive range surely I’m bound to be able to get a cuddler + 2 seater + 3 seater in slightly different styles which compliment each other well?

OP posts:
purpledagger · 09/10/2020 10:20

We have one from DFS, which we have had for a few years now and we haven't had any problems with it. We look at loads of sofas before choosing and I don't think there was much difference in other ones.

MrsMariaReynolds · 09/10/2020 10:23

We're on our second sofa from Next. First was a 2 seat small sofa to fit our tiny terrace. New one is a mahoosive corner sofa to fit the new lounge. Love it!

I know others experiences may vary, but we've had nothing but good things to say about our purchases.

ChaChaCha2012 · 09/10/2020 10:30

There was a thread on IKEA sofas the other day and lots of very positive feedback. Worth searching for it for particular recommendations.

My current one is from John Lewis and it's terrible. You sink into the corners, not so much for a larger person but I look like the sofa is trying to swallow me! Before that I had an IKEA Stockholm (the old shape), I'd give anything for that sofa back.

One useful tip is to search ebay for the model you want, to get an idea of how it will look after a few years. I liked a Loaf model, but they look so raggedy after a while they're really not worth the cost.

zzzebra · 09/10/2020 10:33

Our DFS sofa lasted about 4 years before it was snagging and looking worse for wear.

We passed it onto a family for free, they still have it now, so it's not completely fallen apart. But at 8 years old it definitely needs replacing and they are now looking at new sofas.

We replaced it with a Multiyork sofa, which was surprisingly not much more expensive than a DFS one and you can really tell the difference in quality. It's VERY solid, it's 4 years old now, the cushions aren't sagging at all and it looks as good as new. Plus all the covers are removable and dry cleanable which was a godsend with a reflux-y baby.

We also have an ex-display sofa which we brought in the sort of shop that your parents shop in (sells Ercol, Parker Knoll, Stressless, etc). Its not the trendiest sofa, but again the quality difference from that and our old DFS sofa is extremely noticeable. Its 10 years old and probably has another 10 years in it. Although it is in the family room away from sticky fingers and bouncing children.

Sorry that's not much help as Multiyork are no longer and I don't know the brand of the other sofa.

But personally I'd get the Joules armchair you like (cos it'll give you joy), then shop around for a sofa that'll hopefully last longer.

SeasonallySnowyPeasant · 09/10/2020 10:38

I have a suite from DFS. It's 4 years old and still very comfy. No issues here.

Lunariagal · 09/10/2020 11:30

We are on our second m&s Abbey, which we love. Both bought from the factory shops.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 09/10/2020 11:33

We had one from DFS and it was fine. In fact, we sold it for about half the original price after a few years.

TheWindOnTheMoon · 09/10/2020 11:51

Ours came from Next. Really comfortable. Very pleased with them.

FelicityPike · 09/10/2020 11:52

DFS 5 years ago, no complaints.

MadMadMad · 09/10/2020 11:56

We got ours from Harvey's about three years ago but it is not lasting well - we wouldn't buy from there again.

LucyLatimer · 09/10/2020 11:59

Have a joules from dfs sofa. Still looking good so far after 2 years. I think the range is lovely for the price

thesoundofthepolice · 09/10/2020 12:04

Our current sofa is from DFS it's 7years old and still in excellent condition. We've just ordered a new one, again it's from DFS only because we've moved and the room is bigger so our current sofa looks a bit lost in the extra space.

We have always gone for sprung sofas rather that any other filling and the seat seems to keep shape better and always leather just incase of spills. I seem to like more structured sofas which wear better and don't go baggy looking over the arms/backs and avoid the cushion backed sofas for the same reason.

ExclamationPerfume · 09/10/2020 12:09

My parents leather one from DFS lost its colour on all the edges. DFS replaced it and the same thing has happened. Rubbish.

Ours from SCS is 15 years old and still looks great.

Hellohah · 09/10/2020 12:11

I've got a dfs sofa, 12 years old and still going strong... Still comfy, the cats have scratched one side to buggery but it's still comfy and no sagging. Glad because I refuse to buy a new one for the 4 legged blighters to ruin 😂

Peachypips78 · 09/10/2020 12:13

Have a look at Facebook marketplace. Second hand is better for the environment and you can get some beautiful quality pieces of furniture on there for an absolute steal.

I have two two-seater oaks blue sofas from Marks that are so comfy and cost £309

Saucery · 09/10/2020 12:17

The trick is to go for the ones with a ‘proper’ back, rather than the type with the scatter cushion arrangement over the back.
The one in the main room needs replacing because of years (10+) of DS flinging himself on it with wild abandon. Just his side, though. The other side and the matching chair are going strong and the front room one where only sensible people sit (me) is like new under its throw.

None can compare to the chair from the set that is 50 years old which my grandparents bought, but not many modern furnishings can.

GreyishDays · 09/10/2020 12:19

Out two from Habitat lasted twenty years and we’ve just replaced them with habitat again. Six month on and all good so far.

Todaytomorrow09 · 09/10/2020 12:20

I had a sofa from Ikea lasted well over 10 years. We replaced it with a sofa from DFS - I don’t think it will last as long but it’s comfy and so far all ok. We paid extra for the cushions and it wasn’t the cheapest in the shop (mid priced)
No regrets - we had to replace the old sofa and I couldn’t afford the one I actually liked from loaf!

Roominmyhouse · 09/10/2020 12:25

We’ve just ordered new sofas from DFS to replace the ones we bought from them in 2008 which have lasted brilliantly. So no complaints from me currently but I don’t know if the quality has changed in 12 years!