Recommend me somewhere to buy a lovely sofa

[RiderGirl]

We are thinking about buying a new corner sofa, but don't even know where to begin, we've never ever bought a brand new one! Has anyone got any recommendations where to look? We are on a budget but want something that will last, have heard conflicting reviews on DFS, would consider IKEA if any good, don't want argos rubbish. Happy to look outside the box at smaller companies etc

Really like our M&S one, but when they have 20% off furniture.

What is your budget?

I had Ikea sofas for years (and they do last years), but thought I'd upgrade and went to John Lewis. The JL one sinks in the corners and while it looks great, it's terrible to sit on. They did eventually send someone out but they said that was the style?! I'm now looking at going back to Ikea, something like the Gronlid, it's not sexy but it's comfortable and it's not going to swallow me up. Plus it's a quarter of the price of the JL one!

DFS and Sofology are the same company, the reviews are shockingly bad.

Here's an old link about people's experiences with Ikea sofas.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/home_decoration_pictures/4043923-Are-IKEA-sofas-worth-it#prettyPhoto

M&S - there's a 30% sale atm

I would always recommend SofaSofa sofasofa.co.uk/

I'd also recommend sofasofa if you see something you like there.

Had I not bought one from ikea(nockeby) I'd definitely have bought the Houghton from Next. Really, really confortable and supportive. I think it comes in a corner version too.

Also love Bo Concept sofas - now you're talking. Low though and would suit a minimalist decor. I fantasise over those sofas (obviously need to get out more but hey ho).

You need to remember that DFS has a lot of customers and only the ones who had shit service often leave a review. Everyone I know bought their sofas from DFS (including me) and they have lasted well over 10 years. My sister’s fabric settee still looks brand new and it’s well over 15 years old. You need to know what you’re doing when buying sofas from picking the right fabrics / stuffing to knowing how to clean them & knowing which style will suit your home. You also need to consider your weight and the combined weight of the people who will use the sofa at the same time as there are usually limits to how much a sofa can take before it starts sinking.

[quote Orf1abc]What is your budget?

I had Ikea sofas for years (and they do last years), but thought I'd upgrade and went to John Lewis. The JL one sinks in the corners and while it looks great, it's terrible to sit on. They did eventually send someone out but they said that was the style?! I'm now looking at going back to Ikea, something like the Gronlid, it's not sexy but it's comfortable and it's not going to swallow me up. Plus it's a quarter of the price of the JL one!

DFS and Sofology are the same company, the reviews are shockingly bad.

Here's an old link about people's experiences with Ikea sofas.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/home_decoration_pictures/4043923-Are-IKEA-sofas-worth-it#prettyPhoto[/quote]
Thanks for that about DFS and Sofology being one and the same!

We are a pretty lightweight family, also no young children so sofa won't get jumped all over, and the dog isn't allowed on there. I will check out the retailers mentioned and also IKEA ones, I'm not bothered about a premium brand as long as it lasts and is comfortable. Our current sofa is a corner one from next that we picked up second hand, it's OK comfort wise but the fabric has bobble terribly on the seats, and the cushions tend to slide off from under you when you're sat on it!

We've always had tetrads, bit pricey but last for absolutely ages. They're stocked all over the place so I imagine you could find some good sales or outlet prices.

Another vote here for Next Sofas and Chairs, and if you wait until they are clearing out the last seasons stock, they sell their ex-display furniture for very decent prices indeed. We have a selection of seating from their Sherlock range, DH loves his Grande Chair and foot stool. We have two standard chairs and a Snuggle, plus a big contrasting recliner.

We gave out last pair of settees to our daughter, we bought them from Harvey’s furniture chain and when they arrived they were of a totally different quality and had far thinner upholstery than the ones on display in the shop. It was difficult to prove though, as the time it took between ordering and delivery ment that the originals were no longer on display.
The seating was lower to the floor, the reclining mechanism used to jam in the up position, making it impossible for me to get up off without a pull up by my DH. DD elderly Dog didn’t complain though, she still sleeps on the two seater in the garden room today!

We looked round every single sofa/furniture shop in Bristol and Bath 18 months ago when we'd moved house and wanted a corner sofa. We couldn't find anything we liked (all too low and squashy or big and brandy), until we went into an independent in Bath who had the Softnord range displayed. Instantly loved it but ended up buying online from here as got a better deal - www.nuastyle.com/corner-sofas/1425-isla-corner-sofa-by-softnord.html they have quite a few corner styles. Ours is really comfy and still looks great despite being in use by two young children and a dog (and husband!). The company were great to deal with too and sent me lots of free fabric swatches.

Look at high end local stores. Mine was from Collingwood and Bachellor.