DFS sofa - really that bad if treated well?

[Thertza]

I'm struggling to find a sofa - it's just me, no DC so no one is going to be using my sofa as a trampoline.

Places like John Lewis and Darlings of Chelsea seem to stock almost exclusively low back sofas which aren't comfortable to me.

Although, at least on MN, DFS has a poor name I'm considering it as I just want something comfortable and not extortionatly priced and there seems a little more choice.

For those of you with DFS experience, do you think DFS could work for me?

Ours is only a few months old but it seems well made, is really comfy, and delivery was earlier than they said it would be.

I currently sitting on a DFS sofa I bought in 2016. The only thing wrong with it is it’s a bit grubby and has few pulls from the cat claws.

I've just had a new DFS sofa as I didn't want a low backed one & we found the perfect high backed one there. Its so comfortable!
I wasn't worried about it though as my last suite was DFS & it lasted a good 15 years of very heavy usage.

I love my DFS Chesterfield sofa. Had it for a few years and with regular cushion turning still looks like new.
The Dog likes the arm for window gazing!

Our DFS sofas must be 12 years old or so now and wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. Still very comfortable, seat pads and backs still going strong.

I've had about 5 DFS sofas and they've been great. We have lots of kids and dogs and haven't been particularly careful with them and never had a problem.

I don't think DFS has a bad name? I think people raise their eyebrows at the constant sales and interest free purchase culture, but I've never seen the quality questioned.

I've owned 3 sets of sofas from DFS, first one for 15+ years (from my parents) second around 5 years and current 5 years +, only got rid of the earlier iterations due to house moves and different living rooms. Each one has been excellent quality and even at 5+ years look brand new.

Get the foam cushions and coating protection if the range you like does it.

Get the sturdier foam cushions and they are fine. We have had 2 (over 30 years) and they were great. Our third one isn’t quite as comfy, because I ordered one with standard cushions 🤦‍♀️ so I’ll be replacing that sooner.

We have a 12 year old DFS leather sofa which replaced a really old one.

At first I was disappointed. It had a fault (small hole they sent someone to repair and I got some money back). I can't find it now. I also felt the leather wasn't great but the repair guy said none would compare to an old one as they are not allowed to use the same stuff to treat them anymore.

In the time we've had it my in laws bought a much more expensive leather one from a fancier place and it has been and gone as kept really badly.

Ours has been absolutely abused by multiple kids and a house move where it was reassembled and is still going strong. It looked a bit odd when it first started to wear but now it has even wear it looks better.

I initially said I wouldn't buy another one there because we had a few early issues but they did sort them and it's outlived my expectations. In fact I'd like a new one which would look more stylish but DH loves how comfy it is and won't part with it.

DFS sell credit plans, the sofas are secondary. Avoid.

A friend of mine is a store manager for dfs and has been for 15+ years

he won’t buy a dfs sofa and actively talked us out of doing so, and has done for many friends.

as a company they are not interested in quality and spend more money on advertising per sofa sold than they do on the sofa itself (according to him)

i’d avoid them myself

We have used DFS for 2 different sets of sofas, the first was 22 years or so ago, and the last sofa was bought about 2 years ago. I would use them again.

Our first sofa from DFS we had for 10 years then gave it to son and he had it for 5 years it's now with grandson.
Second sofa we've had for 18 years.
Both leather.
The first one had a problem with an arm DFS recovered it no problem.

We bought a DFS sofa for a room that needed dressing for a house sale. We took the sofa with us to two further houses and it was as well loved as our Collins and Hayes sofas.

Our last sofa was DFS and it was great.

It might depend on the particular sofa you go for. But I’ve got one that is 25 years old and it’s still extremely comfortable. I had it recovered by Plumbs a couple of years ago as the cover was looking a bit tired. Same time that I had two MultiYork sofas recovered. They probably cost three times as much each but the DFS is still the comfiest.

Other than being a bit grubby, our 10 year old DFS sofa is actually wearing really well (despite my username!). I regularly turn the cushions to try and keep them sat on evenly but no maintenance other than that. I’d definitely consider another one from there. The biggest issue I’ve got with newer sofas is that they all seem to be massive! Who has rooms big enough for these giant sofas?! Or do folks have just a sofa and TV in the lounge now? I can’t think there’s much room for anything else…

Our last few sofas have been DFS and they’ve been great! No issues. Lots of use with messy kids etc etc. We’ve always used their 0% interest option and find it an easy way to spread the payments. Would definitely buy from them again.

I had a good experience with DFS.
I thought the sofa was really good value (one of their cheaper ones) and lasted really well.

id been more disappointed with a John Lewis one we paid loads for

I'm sat on a 3 year old DFS sofa which has gone horribly flat on the cushions, despite paying extra for the upgraded foam cushions. It's a corner sofa, so not really able to turn the cushions as the L shaped bit is only one side and the cushion is shaped. It went very flat within 6 months of daily use and DFS have just said to plump up the cushions regularly, which I do, but makes little difference. I've resorted to a memory foam pillow under the "main" flat bit. Very disappointed with it if I'm honest.

@JBJ I'd be looking into that as that doesn't sound like the foam cushions, foam cushions don't sag at all, ours are as firm as the day we got them years ago as were the ones on our 10+ year old sofa. My mum didn't get the foam cushions and they sagged very quickly, it was horribly uncomfortable as a result.

We've had a dfs sofa for 6 years and it still looks great. I regularly punch the loose cushions and switch around the base and back ones.

I've been backwards and forwards with DFS for 3.5 years now and have got nowhere. They say it says in the care instructions to regularly plump up and turn cushions and even suggested I maybe sit at the other end of the sofa for a bit to rest it - shouldn't I be able to sit where I want without the sofa going flat? Never had an issue with previous sofas! I've given up now and will replace the foam myself at some point, but wouldn't be in a rush to buy from them again.

@JBJ really sorry to hear that, that's very frustrating. No it absolutely shouldn't be going flat at all. It's the cushions that make the price tag worth it for me so I'd be fuming if they went flat, I don't even turn them.

I spent £1250 a good few years ago on a Dfs sofa and it was utter shite it fell apart I would not recommend them