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Original poster

Sofas- who to avoid- and has anyone bought from J Lewis lately?

56 replies

SwingingPonytail · 25/05/2024 12:19

Help!

I've been looking for sofas for ages and am stuck.

The issue is that so few companies have real stores with ALL the models.
I was looking at Swoon, Barker and Stonehouse , M&S and even cheaper stores like Dunelm, but no models I'm interested in to sit on.

I like the style of Jl Clover and Otley.
I've sat on those but Clover is too firm and Otley is so deep I can't get out of it.

I quite like Jl 'Sloane' and that gets mixed reviews.

This is a big purchase- had my current sofa for over 20 years and it's still okay-ish (just a bit dated and the seat cushions are a bit soft. I've had them replaced once.)

OP posts:
rosegoldwatcher · 26/05/2024 12:57

We went to a Darlings of Chelsea showroom to choose our new sofa bed.
The Richmond, Whinfell and Evelyn range look like they could be your style OP.
Quite pricey though!

They have 4 showrooms - Birmingham, Surrey, Hertford and London. Are any of these accessible to you?

Miriad · 26/05/2024 12:59

We found it was impossible to sit on the sofa we wanted to buy. So we went with a respected brand and crossed our fingers that it would be ok.

It is ok. If I’d been able to sit on it I probably wouldn’t have picked it. It’s too hard and the arm is too low. But it’s bearable. I don’t know what else you’re supposed to do when you can’t sit on them before buying?

Borborygmus · 26/05/2024 13:01

Personally I'd avoid M&S, very poor quality IME.

NoIdeaWhyNow · 27/05/2024 19:22

I feel your pain. I'm having the same issue. Looking for something that's firm/medium so it doesn't go too squishy and soft over time. Think I like the Myers range from Barker & Stonehouse, but came across the Swyft Model 10 in JL the other day and that may also fit the bill. But not purchased 'box' sofas before so not sure how it's going to last. Think I need to go back to JL to have a proper sit down on it and revisit B&S too. I wish there were ratings for firmness of sofas like there are for mattresses!

LMMuffet · 27/05/2024 20:13

I can’t help specifically on JL sofas, but I would never buy a sofa without sitting on it first. I nearly did once because I loved the look of it, but managed to get to the showroom - it was so uncomfortable!

PermanentTemporary · 27/05/2024 20:18

Sofas [sigh]

I have an ikea sofa that is SO uncomfortable. It is a great colour and shape though.

I think JL sofas look fab but I sat on so many and not one gave me the feel I was looking for. Dp and I walked into a big Next, and they had one sofa on display, I sat on it and we bought it. It is not the most beautiful sofa in the world, but it is a nice classic style, and it is currently holding me in a firm but deep embrace.

skippy67 · 27/05/2024 20:26

We bought our sofa from JL 2 years ago. It's the Barbican. Really comfy and looks as good as new.

CJ0374 · 27/05/2024 20:29

If you give us an idea of what you are looking for, we might have recommendations OP.
I was shocked to be told there was a 3-4mth wait! We want leather, and Italy goes on holidays in Aug, so that is an additional month, unless we get material sofa or a non Italian one. Our last one was Harveys, but they went defunct a few years ago.

ScS had one we liked and could sit on, but I have no idea what they are like?

Boriswentcamping · 27/05/2024 20:39

Bought the John Lewis draper recently, I love it and think it's really comfy :) went to the John Lewis I bluewater which had a big showroom and it was one if the only ones we liked. I would also be wary of buying one I hadn't tried as lots of them were really uncomfortable...

MisunderstoodWitch · 27/05/2024 20:44

We have a store called Lucas Furniture about 45 minutes from us. Very large store with so many brands to sit and try out.

CanyonMoon · 27/05/2024 20:46

I recently bought the Swyft Model 04 - large size sofa bed - and I’m very pleased with it. I sat on it for 20 minutes in John Lewis (I have no shame!) and lay down too but didn’t test the whole pull-out mechanism

The box delivery worked well and I put it together myself although it was tricky lifting the back into place. Having tested it in JL I ordered it direct from Swyft as they had earlier delivery dates and some reductions for a few days. They sent some fabric samples which was helpful to see the colours in situ

21andon · 27/05/2024 20:49

Don’t buy from Loaf. Oh how I lusted after that sofa…We ended up selling it after 2 years because it was just so uncomfortable.

We have a JL sofa in the kitchen which has held up beautifully (7 years & counting) - I’d happily buy again.

And the loaf sofa was replaced with one from Next which is sooo comfy.

HideTheCroissants · 27/05/2024 20:49

What I will say is DO NOT BUY from Furniture Village. Search “Let Down by Furniture Village” on Facebook to see many examples of why!

MrsApplepants · 27/05/2024 20:52

We absolutely love our sofas from sofasofa. They have a showroom in south wales but nowhere else unfortunately.

TheLostArt · 27/05/2024 20:57

Seconding Darlings of Chelsea. We spent a lot of time looking as we wanted a comfortable stylish sofa and a comfy sofa bed as it's our main guest bed. It was an investment that's for sure (but they have a lot of sales) and they were so helpful. Worth getting to a showroom and trying as many as possible. We spent a (exhausting) day going to all the sofa places and it won hands down. No regrets, best sofa I have ever had and a really good bed.

Houseplantmad · 27/05/2024 21:18

Sofa sofa are great and have a 21 day guarantee ie you can return it if you don’t like it. I’ve brought several from them for rented properties and they’ve all been good. Plus the customer service is fab.
Friends have just spent nearly £4K on Loaf sofas and they’re so uncomfortable. They’re gutted.

ladygindiva · 27/05/2024 21:24

My mum got a lovely comfortable one from Laura Ashley

mitogoshi · 27/05/2024 21:38

I've bought from various companies over the years, the main sofa companies are pretty good as long as you aren't in a hurry, don't trust the order times. Harvey's was fine, DFS, had a JL one in a rental also fine. Currently have Ikea which is ok if you need one quickly

TwigTheWonderKid · 27/05/2024 21:47

We've been very happy with the corner sofa we got from IKEA about 12 years ago. It's as comfortable as when we bought it and has withstood 2 boys using it as a trampoline plus my husband putting his arse in EXACTLY the same place every night for all those years. But we do like a firmish seat cushion and I appreciate the current fashion are those poufy sofas that eat you up...

Ootneg · 27/05/2024 21:47

skippy67 · 27/05/2024 20:26

We bought our sofa from JL 2 years ago. It's the Barbican. Really comfy and looks as good as new.

Same! We love ours.

FairIsleCromartyForties · 27/05/2024 21:51

skippy67 · 27/05/2024 20:26

We bought our sofa from JL 2 years ago. It's the Barbican. Really comfy and looks as good as new.

We've got a Barbican, bought an ex display one and saved about £500! It's very comfy isn't it.

I think the days of sofa lasting 20 years finished when MultiYork went busy. My 25 year old sofa from them is still going strong. Oh and I really wouldn't recommend M & S, the quality isn't great.

Susanlincs · 28/05/2024 08:57

We had a terrible experience with DFS so avoid . Currently replaced with a next one , they are ok and have had one before from them . I don’t think it will last years but adequate .

Original poster
SwingingPonytail · 11/06/2024 08:11

Sorry for the late reply. I thought no one was coming to this- so thanks for all the ideas.

The styles I like at JL are Clover and Otley.

Clover is very hard (have sat on it.)

Otley is too deep (I am short and struggle to get up off it) and the cushions sag according to reviews.

OP posts:
Coaltodiamonds · 11/06/2024 08:16

Also want to say avoid Loaf. We have 3, and imo they are not worth the money, and the cushions are so heavy to plump its a bit of a nightmare! Do you have a FW Homestores near you OP? The one by us is huge and has loads of display models to try.

I'm pleased a couple of people have recommended the JL Barbican, I have my eye on that for when we eventually replace ours.

Original poster
SwingingPonytail · 11/06/2024 08:24

Barbican looks a bit too modern for my style, overall. I want something quite squishy and with rounded arms (I don't like square, hard arms.)

I quite like JL Sloane although it's not 'perfect'.

Clover is the perfect style but it's incredibly firm and you sort of 'perch' on it.

Our current sofa is like JL Padstow (which is quite 'trad' and I'm bored with it.)

OP posts: