do you have a sofa which you've used every day for 10+ years and is still in good condition

[UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme]

We want to stop buying "disposable" furniture which needs to go to landfill after 5 years. Sofas are the biggest culpret in more ways than one.

But do sofas which remain comfortable for decades exist? I understand, of course, thst they'd need restuffing or something...

If a sofa would really, genuinely, last a life time we do have money to spend on it, although we don't usually splash out. So if money were no object, what would you recommend?

I've had mine over 7 years now, cheap ones from argos. They need a good clean but are structurally sound

Our sofa and armchair are 18/19 years old now and although the arms are slightly worn (ie the waffle weave of the fabric has flattened) they're still fine. Much as I'd like new, I can't justify getting rid of them and as the sofa is a sofa bed it's still handy even though we rarely need it. I think the make is Alstons, but would have to check.

We inherited our sofa and arm chairs. They are incredibly comfortable and every time I think of changing the suite, I cannot find one that is a better quality.

I’ve got two. One is about 27 years old. It’s been recovered a couple of times and had new seat cushion inserts, but still looks good. The other is a leather one from John Lewis - about 15 years old and is in perfect condition. It doesn’t get sat on as much as the other one, though.

I’ve still got my sofa from DFS had it about 11 years. Still very good condition. Pillow back so cushions not as plump still very comfortable and it’s a corner sofa.

A buttoned back 3 seater mahogany coloured hide chesterfield.About 30 yrs old. Immaculate.
Twice a year it gets washed with saddle soap then polished with some cream or another (can't be bothered to look atm.) and then rubbed over with a soft cloth every so often.
Friends have slept on it.
Don't remember how much I paid for it or where I bought it, but it was definitely my Best Buy EVER.

My M&S sofas.
The problem is the quality might have dropped a lot since I bought them 12 years ago?

DFS sofas... now 25 years old...
I am just about to replace the foam cushions and get new covers. They are spectacularly comfortable and have withstood a babies, teenagers, dogs, cats and another baby... they are possibly the best thing I have ever bought.

Collins and Hayes sofas here have lasted us about 19 years. Replacing because the bit my husband sits on has become uncomfortable and the covers are a bit tatty (cats) Have replacements on order from Parker Knoll. We sat on loads in lots of shops before making our choice.

John Lewis fabric sofa was fine after twenty years. Got two Parker knoll chairs which are 75 years old and still going strong.

Tetrad one bought from John Lewis in 2000. Still looks new! Plumped every day and vacuumed every month or so.

My mum's is SCS I think - must be well over 20 years old. She's had it reupholstered just as the colour it was done in had become... well... of a certain era and she'd always coveted a cream suite - so when we all moved out she went for it (and then it's permanently covered in sofa throws anyway so I tend to wonder what the point was).

Ours is Sofology and it's bloody knackered after 5 years (we've just ordered a replacement one as the lead times are so long). Granted ours don't have an easy life with the fact DD2 cannot physically sit still but I'm seriously narked about how badly it's fared.

www.fira.co.uk/consumer-guides/upholstery-buying-guide

Can I recommend this link to the Furniture Industry buying guide. especially the cushions section. A lot of cushions are filled with cheaper interiors & come with just a one year guarantee.

Basically, if you want it to last, it needs to be manufactured with quality materials.

IKEA Erktorp sofa has done 8 years so far and still as good as new. All the covers come off and easy to wash.

I've seen a few Ercol studio couches on the thread - I have another. It will outlast me. The cushions, covers and webbing are all replacable and the wood frame will go on forever.

Our Collins and Hayes sofas are still sound after 16yrs, the covers are filthy and mice chewed a hole in the back. But structurally they are good, no sagging or wear, they just need a good clean and the mice weren't the manufacturers fault.

We bought two black leather sofas in the Selfridges sale in 1992. They still look good and have been through a lot with babies, toddlers etc. The seats aren't as plump but they're fine. I was wiping them down the other day thinking - that's nearly 30 years of different houses and family wear and tear!

Ours is DFS. Not 10 years old yet but just to add their stain protection is a good value. We paid for 5 years cover and they came out to fix stains a few times.

We bought ours in 1996 and it is still going strong. We had done some house renovations and also decided to replace our suite which was only 10 years old but was nearly done. I saw one when out with my dm and fell in love. It was leather and £2200 in sale which was half price but still very expensive. Dh thought it was too dear when told about it but came and looked anyway. It was love at first sight. The guy showed us the leather samples and it was really thick Italian leather. We bought it and reckon it will last another 10 at least or maybe 15. Then we might have to find one which might be easier for our elderly bodies to get up from🤣🤣 Dh cleans it with special leather cleaner. The sofa is wide and deep so very comfy to lie on and sleep on looking at you dh

Current sofas are from M&S. They are approx 2 years old and don't need to be replaced for a good while yet. Previous ones were cheap from Tesco, immediately after we got married. They lasted about 8 years I think and they were real cheap ones, as it's all we could afford. Would have got second hand, but was scared of bed bugs! My dad tried to donate some sofas a few years ago, as he was replacing them. He had bought them secondhand in the 80s . He didn't use them every day though. They were in his good room.

Paid £295 for a 3 seater fabric sofa from sofasofa about 9 years ago and still going strong... Pretty good value I'd say!

Our sofa is over 15 years old. Still good condition except for the hole made by dc stabbing pencil or something.

Ours is 18 years old. From BoConcept, they still make the same model. It’s not particularly comfortable, but still looks good.

What are people using to care for leather sofas?

I have a truly vile brown corduroy sofa that I bought 14 years ago when I was quite skint for £100. It was "brand new without labels" from a catalogue returns company on ebay (possibly a studio catalogue reject). Twice now I have bought gorgeous new sofas from dfs to replace it and twice the bloody thing has stayed as an additional sofa at the insistence of the family as it's so comfy. I was due to have it taken away last spring, but lockdown happened. The teenagers have now got it in their room. I am resigned the sofa will last longer than I will.