To get a new sofa after only 3 years?

[Twixes]

Three years ago I bought a sofa from made.com that's a pain in the arse. It's already saggy and after EACH time you sit on it you have to plump it because the cushions are stuffed with feathers. I hate it. It looks like a sad old man. Plus my kids have wrecked it with milk spillages.

Damn you instagram for cheating me into thinking this sofa was the business.

I know it's incredibly wasteful but DFS are in sale and they've some great 0% finance offers...

Old one is way nicer but like others have said needs restuffing or get new foam innards made for back cushions. New one is OK though, just a little bland IMHO. I'm a tight-arse and know I always go off things so I wouldn't get a new one.

Regardless of taste, comfort and so on - if you don't like it, it's fine to get rid, and fine to either sell or donate.

Why be uncomfortable? That's the main thing - I'm sitting on a sofa that used to have covers on it to protect it for special occasions and now has covers on it cos the cats have trashed it, but it's comfy as can be. DFS 1990s. We had IKEA previously - lasted 3 years.

If you make sure it goes to someone on Freecycle or similar, not to landfill, why not? It's a gorgeous colour and fabric but that slumping would drive me nuts. Give it away and get one you love.

In the trade here. Go to a good local upholsterer, and get them to measure your cushions and order fibre refills. We usually allow 1" or 2" extra on the side to side and top to bottom measurements per cushion to give a better fill and they will then soften down after a few weeks to the perfect fit. You won't need to plump them with fibre, it's soft but holds its shape better. Average cushions cost around £40 to £60 each but will last years if they come from a decent supplier.

If you can afford to then yes.

But I like the old sofa better - it's way nicer than the DFS one. Can you not get it cleaned and re-stuffed?

Haha, BlueCorsihPixie 'white’ actually makes sense in that context!

Interesting to see a few others have the same sofa and also find it crap.

Thank you to everyone who likes it, I’ve decided I’ll get them re-stuffed and cleaned. Will report back when it’s done.

You need one with a proper, solid back that supports the cushions. We spent a whole day looking (and sitting on) tonnes of sofas across about 5 shops and eventually settled on a G-plan one with high backs. More expensive but we got it on 0% finance over 3 years. 3 and a half years later and they're in just as good condition as they were when we bought them!

Ok so if made.com are not good and dfs are crap who are the decent furniture sellers nowadays?

We are soon going to replace our 15ish year old sofa once our old lady cat dies but I have no idea what would be considered a decent seller/brand.

I don't have a preference in name but I want it to last as it's a big purchase so I'd be very disappointed if after a couple of years it was falling apart.

I'd also be interested to know what's considered quality, sofa.com, loaf?

I have a halo chesterfield sofa from John Lewis and that is amazing quality, it’s not really for slouching around on though. It was nearly 5k for the two of them.

Made is not good quality, I’ve had a few things from them as I like their designs but nothing lasts, I’ve had wardrobes, drawers and a bed from then( all bought st the same time when furnishing new house) and 2 years later I’ve had to buy new everything.

You need shape retaining foam in the back cushions. That way they won’t go squishy.... also I don’t think the quality of DFS is very good - we had one where the seat had basically gone after only a year...

Getting them re-stuffed/foam fitted or even a mixture would be cheaper than a brand new sofa, inc a professional clean.

It's a lovely sofa and a new one isn't going to prevent milk spillages.

Love the old one. Please post pics of the revived one!

For a decent sofa, you need a solid hardwood frame and coiled sprung unit inside as opposed to MDF and zigzag springs. A decent base will last a lifetime, and only need recovering every 10 to 15 years depending on wear and tear.

I have a sofa.com sofa think it cost about a grand 4 years ago - it’s not velvet but needs constant puffing, drives DH mad. I never realised you could get the cushions restuffed - so thanks for this thread!

DH would get a new sofa but I actually find ours really comfy despite its saggy appearance!

Gah! I'm getting a Made sofa delivered in a few weeks. It's velvet too, but the cushions are foam. Should I be worried (I'm 38 and it's my first ever new sofa)?

Mine isn’t velvet clever but it’s insanely comfortable and no sagging at all (no feather cushions though)

@HappyNOTdriving

They don’t arrive till Monday so can’t say how well they’ll wear, but I’ve bought a sofa and chairs from a local independent furniture shop. Shop has been in business for over 100 years, so they must be doing something right! I always thought their furniture would be too dear for me, but prices went from very reasonable to eye-wateringly expensive.

I’d had already priced up similar on DFS and John Lewis, and independent was significantly cheaper - by about a third.

I am very against buying new when what you have can be salvaged. Especially big items like sofas. As others have said if you find an upholsterer they can sort the cushions out for you and they will be just how you want them.

We had loose covers made for our very old sofas, the only thing wrong with them was the upholstery was tired and dated. We could have easily got a whole new suite for less money but these sofas are in such good condition, comfortable and well made I just couldn't justify getting rid of them. Plus I don't think we would have found a match in quality that would stand the test of time like these have without spending a lot more. They just don't make sofas to last anymore unless you spend big money. If you buy something from DFS I guarantee in a few years you'll be looking to replace again and so it goes on.

Hi @Seeingadistance where is your independent shop? I thought they all Got them from the same places...

The shop I went to is in Kilmarnock, but they get their furniture from various different manufacturers.

We have some sofa workshop sofas which are about 14 years old and, whilst then covers are knackered, the insides have only recently started to give up the ghost.

Seeingadistance I go away for a few days on Monday so I won't be on mn much next week but do come back and post once they come and tell us how you like them once you have them in place and have a little bit of sitting time on them!

I'd like a picture so I can be happily jealous of your lovely new furniture too

Restuff the cushions and can you use a carpet washer with the extension to clean it. Then use that waterproof spray on it