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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want a new sofa?

18 replies

StrongCoffeAvalanche · 14/04/2022 14:09

Our sofa is about 5 years old. It wasn't cheap but looks haggard. We have kids aged 8, 5 and 3. So it's been put through the ringer with a lot of day to day use.

Husband says it's too soon for a new sofa.

How long do your sofas last? AIBU to want to replace it this soon?

OP posts:

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 14/04/2022 14:10

I kept mine for 10 years and just disguised the worst bits with a throw. It depends on your income though if you can afford to replace it sooner.

carefullycourageous · 14/04/2022 14:11

I would not replace until it was structurally fucked, so I guess I am with your DH. Buy a nice throw and cover it up. The next one will just get fucked anyway, your kids are still younger but getting heavier!

FWIW mine is more than ten years old, and I got it from my parents. I have bought new cushions and covers, it is fine.

TheFairyCaravan · 14/04/2022 14:15

Our sofa is 9yrs old. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s got no marks or stains but I don’t find it very comfortable so we’ve just ordered a new one because we’re moving house and I didn’t want to take it with us. A young lady is picking it up for her first home on Saturday.

Chasingsquirrels · 14/04/2022 14:16

Mine is about 12 or 13 years old.
I've just today taken all the covers off the seat and back cushions and put them through the machine (doesn't say washable but I do them a couple of times a year).
The frame is fine, the seat cushions are compacted and each have a couple of pillows in them - ideally I'd have had foam but they only did the model I wanted in fibre.
The non-removable fabric really needs cleaning and I keep saying I'll get someone in to do it and the carpets but then don't.

My first one was about 15 years old when I got rid of it. The (foam) seat cushions were like new but the fabric was worn and the frame was broken.

Original poster

StrongCoffeAvalanche · 14/04/2022 15:24

Sounds like I am being a bit premature... thank you for the replies!

OP posts:

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 14/04/2022 16:12

When mine got to 20 years old I had it recovered!

Blossomtoes · 14/04/2022 16:16

We’re about to have a very old one reupholstered too. Our two leather ones are at least 12 years old.

GingerFoxInAT0phat · 14/04/2022 16:21

I got an Ikea sofa and have bought new covers from Etsy for it twice. They are about £250 and always feels new. The bones of the sofa are still as perfect as when we bought it about 5 years ago.

Crankley · 14/04/2022 16:28

Mine is over forty years old. the seat and back cushions are filled with feathers, not foam which I prefer and they are difficult to find these days. It has been recovered a couple of times and since I couldn't have children, it has not been trashed.

Winter2020 · 14/04/2022 16:31

If you feel your sofa has had it perhaps you could find a second hand one that is better than yours? That might be a compromise. Then later when the children are a bit older and more careful get a brand new one.

NightmareSlashDelightful · 14/04/2022 16:43

Yeah I second getting a quote for having it reupholstered and recovered. Sofas should last longer than five years though, even factoring in ChildBounce.

HallyWell · 02/05/2022 03:34

Look up online for some custom slipcovers, the good ones fit like a gloves and will completely transform a tired couch. It'll be a few hundred quid of an investment though

Bedsheets4knickers · 02/05/2022 08:27

We need a new sofa but planning to buy a house later this year so I don't want to get one just yet as we don't know what sizes We'l need . I have been eyeing up those stretchy covers .

Slowgrowingelm · 02/05/2022 08:33

17 years, the same as my eldest. It definitely needs recovering and to be reupholstered but it’s in excellent condition structurally (which it should - it was very expensive!) and the shape still suits my home. I wouldn’t bother with a new one until your kids are far older. Get some covers for it.

Staynow · 02/05/2022 08:33

We bought a couple of chesterfield's from Thomas Lloyd 20 years ago and they're still going - it's funny because when we bought them someone said we'd be sick of them before they wore out! Fortunately I still like them.

Frazzled2207 · 02/05/2022 08:35

Ours is 10 years old. We are getting a new one but not getting rid of the current one which has plenty of life left in it. It is going to be put in the conservatory.

yabu to want to replace a sofa after 5 years unless it’s literally falling apart.

Greatoutdoors · 02/05/2022 08:36

Mine’s 20 years old. I’d quite like to replace it but I have a scratchy cat and an autistic DS who says he’ll leave home if I get rid of his beloved sofa 🤣

Afrodizzyak · 02/05/2022 08:47

Our sofas are about 20 years old. They are made of leather and were made to order. I have dogs, so cover with small rugs (IKEA) over arms and cover seats with throws and cushions.

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