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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think you get what you pay for with sofas?

62 replies

bbcessex · 26/08/2015 15:38

Not a very controversial AIBU, granted, but I need to choose new sofas, and I am worried about style over substance.

Our current sofas are 15 years old. They are hand made, cost a fortune, still really fabulous overall but the covers have almost past it and it would cost as much to re-cover each sofa as it would to buy new ones from mid-range retailers.

Can you share your experience of your sofa purchases if you've had them a while? I've seen some sofas in Next that I like the look of, and they are a great price but I'm worried about paying out and finding them shabby in a year or so.

I haven't even been to DFS etc. yet.. is it worth going? I know all sofas look great when they're new, but has anyone had their sofas for a few years and are still delighted with them?

OP posts:

Flopper · 26/08/2015 21:38

I am astounded at the prices being paid for sofas. For a while now we have bought a variety of sofas from EBay. Best bargain were two matching 3 and 2 seater lovely soft leather sofas - one was £30 and the other was 99p. We also have a three seater and a two seater matching Tetrad sofa, which I think cost about £40 each. Granted we had to pick them up but it was no hardship one evening. They are all in excellent condition.

suitsyousir79 · 26/08/2015 21:48

We paid over Â£3000 for a named brand recliner sofa set (3 and 2) from scs 3 years ago. they are awful. we wouldn't normally spend so much but as we'd had cheap ones in the past that didnt last thought going for a named brand would be a better option. the recliners are are really clunky and noisy. weve had the repair guy round once six months after they arrived but he couldn't find anything wrong. I wished we'd pushed it further at the time as its about Â£70 to call them back again now they are over a year old. we are going for cheap argos or similar as soon as the finance is up on these and just replace them when they break.

LumelaMme · 26/08/2015 21:59

We had a cheap sofa from a magazine ad many years ago: skint, DC small and messy. It didn't last long: the foam on the arms went flat and you could feel the frame.

One of our current sofas is about 12 yrs old and still feels like new when you sit on it, though the covers are looking a bit tired. It was pricey, but worth it.

The other sofa came from eBay - Laura Ashely, almost new, very cheap, total bargain.

Bunbaker · 26/08/2015 22:04

"I've seen some sofas in Next that I like the look of, and they are a great price but I'm worried about paying out and finding them shabby in a year or so."

We have had our next sofas for a couple of years and the one we always sit on (3 seater) already looks like it has had many years of wear.

Our previous sofas lasted for 23 years and the 3 seater really did need replacing. We have kept the two seater and put it in the conservatory, and it looks in better nick than the Next 3 seater

imwithspud · 26/08/2015 22:46

Cost is obviously a factor but I also think the design and style of the sofa plays a part in how long they last.

Our first sofa was a 4 seater chaise style sofa from DFS, cost around £700 in the sale, within a year it was looking tired and battered and the springs had gone, the stitching had also gone in places and we had to get someone out to fix it a couple of times in the short time we owned the sofa. Went for a more traditional style this time from Harvey's with pocket springs, cost around £1k for a 2 and a 3 seater (again in the sale) and they are a lot comfier and although it's still early days they seem much better quality and like they will last a while. Only time will tell though.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 26/08/2015 23:45

Your sofa cost a fortune. Well done you. How sweet, but please be mindful. Not everyone has a fortune

Dancingquality · 26/08/2015 23:50

My leather sofa is from DFS and looks like new after 5 years. I chose a design that was comfortable in every way by supporting my back, head and had just the right armrests for arms and to rest head on. I chose leather because of the practicalities.

If you like your sofa for comfort then I'd get them reupholstered.

mandy214 · 27/08/2015 09:15

If the sofa shape is something you like, then I would get them recovered.

To answer your question, I have had a Next sofa and was very impressed with its quality and durability.

Moopsboopsmum · 27/08/2015 09:44

I would also recover. Nothing you can get now will be the same quality as something 10 plus years old.

Caboodle · 27/08/2015 11:34

YANBU - hand made sofas in room 1 going strong after 8 years a 3 DCS; one did break last year (DCs are allowed to jump and climb on them at will) but the company came and picked it up, fixed it and brought it back for free - good quality often means good service too. Lazyboy sofa from Costco not so good - looking worn after only a couple of years.

Squooshed · 27/08/2015 11:54

Your sofa cost a fortune. Well done you. How sweet, but please be mindful. Not everyone has a fortune

What's your problem?

Is no one allowed mention the cost of anything in case it offends someone who has less?

Original poster

bbcessex · 27/08/2015 13:43

Thanks for your feedback everyone :-)

I think the overall consensus from the thread is that although you can be lucky and pick up something with longevity, the handmade sofas are generally going to far outlast the mainstream suppliers.

I'm now leaning toward re-covering the existing 2, and also buying one of the smaller sofas from Next as a contrast. Best of both worlds :-)

Thanks all.

OP posts:

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