How long should a sofa last? How often do you replace?

[Lovemusic33]

Bought my sofas 3.5 years ago, they were middle range, not the cheapest but not really expensive, leather 2 and a 3 seater. One has broken where I tend to sit in the same place every day (I am not overweight but springs have gone). The other sofa is as new due to it not getting much use other than my dog lying on it. I’m not sure if I can contemplate buying a new one to replace the old one after only 3.5 years, if I did I would probably have to replace the other one too or I would have odd sofas?

How long should a sofa last? How often to you replace?

Harveys brown leather top of the range, 15 years and counting...

about 10 years
though ours (next sofabed) is starting to go wonky after 7 years and the bed part is more like a hammok. tbf we have very heavy guests sleeping there regularly.

10.5 years and have just ordered new. Mine were from halo so quite expensive brand. The fabric is tired and the base of one is broken from the kids playing plus constant use. They’ve done well I think, don’t begrudge new after 10 years.

My mums sofas are 25 years old and still great. They were v v expensive and she had them reupholstered and the cushion inners replaced after maybe 15. That was expensive. But the frames are amazing and have also had 10 years of my kids rough play on them.

3.5 years isn’t long in my view

See, I was hoping it would last 7-10 years, it’s the first new sofa I have bought, my ex husband was really tight and we only ever had 2nd hand, I bought these ones when he left. I can’t really afford to buy new at the moment. I think I shall just make do for another year or so, my dog is elderly and I don’t think getting a new sofa would be practical until she has gone (she sleeps on the sofa).

I bought these online and paid just under £900 for both of them which I guess is quite cheap?

Ours are ten years old and we are considering replacing this year. Will budget £2k and hope for another ten years.

Get a quote to get it fixed!
You might be surprised and save quite a bit of money!

They are totally usable, just one seat that has springs gone, I have switched the sofas over so the dog now sleeps on the broken seat. There are a few bits of wear and tear on the leather but over than that they are in good condition. Just annoyed that the springs have gone in one after such a short time

10-15 years here. My last sofas were replaced because they were 8ft long and I downsized but they were fine. They had 100% cotton drill covers, I bought a spare set and had them professionally dyed twice when they needed it (baby and toddler years).

I think product quality was better 15 years ago. So a similar cost now wouldn’t be anywhere near as good quality at that price point, can’t really compare.

I got rid of my next ones after 15 yers there was nothing wrong with them just ugly!

deary that’s a good idea, I will see how much it will cost to get fixed.

My first sofa set cost me £1200 (a 3 piece and 2 arm chairs) and lasted 6 years but started looking and feeling awful after about 4. I wasn't too happy as it was well cared for and I have no dc that climbed all over it or anything. The set I have now I won second hand on eBay for the bargain price of £240 three and a half years ago, the guy said it cost £2000 new and he had it 18months. It still looks in excellent condition now and I love it. I would definitely look to ebay again the day this one finally wears out.

Mine have been going for 29 years now, but they came from a child free home which will have seriously aided their lifespan I think. They are looking more tired in the 2.5 years service to this household than from their previous 27...

My parents' sofas must be what, 15, 20 and 25 years old. The covers look pretty sure on the 25 year old one, but it has been living in a conservatory for a decade so I think that's fair enough. The others still look basically new.

I think I will go for fabric next time, maybe it’s harder wearing then leather?? I bought these as I thought they would be pet and child friendly which they kind of have been. I could always just replace the broken one with a 2nd hand 3 seater, only problem being the sofas are red leather so it would be hard to find something to match it.

Our last ones only lasted 4 years but they were cheap. Probably would have lasted longer with some care but I was sick of the sight of them and we bought a house and I wanted new ones! Hoping for longer from these (a year old and look good as new so far).

I think leather (unless very expensive) can look tired and worn quickly. ours is curdoy fabric in a forgiving colour (mix of brown/red tones) and the surface looks like new. and the whole cover can be taken off and washed if needed.

We have had ours for about 12 years, and they were about 8 years old when we were given them second hand. Probably mid price leather. They are pretty knacked now though, and we will have to replace them this year.

I have had one leather sofa for 16 years, it is fine but worn. I have had another fabric sofa for 6 years. It’s very dirty. I don’t recommend fabric if you have kids. I would have though a sofa shouldnlast about 20 years but maybe I am old school!

We also have 15 yr + old brown leather sofa from Harvey's- cost about £4000 originally I think. We have a 2 and 3 seater, they have coped with 3 children ( from newborn) and 3 puppies and very frequent houseguests and people sleeping on them!
Only just beginning to look and feel their age - trouble is we can't find anything comparable to replace them with...

Watching with interest... Ours are 4.5 years old, not cheap but not super expensive. Structurally they are fine but the covers are looking a bit shabby. DH keeps going on about getting new ones but I'm reluctant as our DCs are still young. I'd rather keep the old ones a bit longer and be more relaxed about spills/damage.

Our DFS brown leather sofas are 9 years old and beginning to look tired. They're not broken at all, just starting to look their age. We've recently got two kittens though so holding off on replacing till they're over the scratchy stage.

Ours needs replacing, 5 years old, fabric, v damaged from child related nonsense.

It was very cheap though.

I bought our family room two seater in the JL sale in 2001. The children then were about 6 and 3. It has been bounced on and generally abused. Dark terracotta fabric cover. When we moved in 2015 it was beyond tired. I got a chap round to quote for new cushions/loose covers and he persuaded me it was on such a solid frame it was worth re-upholstering. Re-upholstery cost £1000 and it's fab. Could have bought a new one for that but couldn't let the memories go.

Conversely a sofa I paid £1400 for in JL sale about three years ago looks shabby.