Talk to me of sofas and beds please

[msfreud]

1. Sofas - I've only ever had cheap sofas that are foam filled and the seat cushions/backs lose their shape and sag in the middle. Is it fair to assume that quality sofas (looking at Loaf and sofa.com) that are feather filled will not sag/lose their shape?

1. Beds - I really like the look of metal beds but wondered how sturdy the headboard side is i.e. is it ok to rest pillows against it to read in bed? Looking at the new metal beds Warren & Evans has so hopefully they are of reasonable quality?

I also like the look of some of the upholstered beds Loaf sells but would that be madness with a cat in the house? I imagine it's one of those things that looks lovely for the first few weeks and after that it's just a pain to hoover all the cat hair/dust off and any damage to the fabric will pretty much ruin the whole thing?

Feather seat cushions will require regular plumping and can pose a problem for people with allergies. Personally I prefer the seat cushions to be made of foam, wrapped in wadding.

I have both at the same time, and.. Neither is better than the other. The feather one sheds feathers, slowly, systematically. It's not a problem but it happens.

Both sofas need plumping. The foam stuff slides into the wrong position from prolonged body pressure and has to be 'remodelled' as do the feather sofa cushions. I get the children to put all the sofa cushions in the floor and roll about on them! It gets them all straight again.

Honestly, neither is better than the other, just different. Do some sitting in showrooms and just go for what you personally like.

The only plump free sofa is a chesterfield. I miss my chesterfield, and would definitely get one again.