Where do people find the great sofas?

[OneDayIWillLearn]

Hi - we need a new sofa and have a budget of up to £2k (could stretch for the perfect one but would be also happy to pay less). I would love something along the lines of the one in the picture - it’s got to be really comfortable, something you could sink into, ideally deep red or burnt orange colour though could be a nice rich dark blue or green. Natural fabrics much preferred (cotton velvet, cotton, linen). Not something that shows every mark or where you have cushions constantly slipping down. Something that’s going to last us.

Anyone seen anything along these lines or got a sofa which is like this?

Based on this thread, I've just paid a visit to the vintage sofa company and bought two new sofas! Thank you for the tip!

They have got some absolutely gorgeous squashy velvet sofas in fabulous colours. The shop is amazing and they gave us free coffee and cake! Definitely worth a look.

Sofasofa are south wales based and British made

https://sofasofa.co.uk/collections/velvet-sofas

I have one from DFS that was slightly less than 2k and 3 years in is still good as new. It gets a lot of use as there’s always someone at home (pet free home though).

Thanks @EleanorMc67 for the Bemz recommendation. I've been considering replacing my ikea ektorp but structurally it's still fine after 20 years, still comfortable and a classic shape - it's the cover that's tatty (I've replaced it once already) and the replacements ikea currently has are very uninspiring. I think I'm now resolved to get bemz covers too and keep the sofa - as you say, so much more sustainable (and also much less hassle!)

The quality of the fabrics, & the fit, are both very good. I spent more on the covers than I did on the sofas (as I bought them through Gumtree), but had no regrets. My only regret since then is that our new cat has shredded them!!

Cat clawing is one of the reasons the current batch need replacing so I'll be having strong words with the furry housemate!

I'm planning on new covers at some point - & will put a cat scratching pole near each arm, plus get spare arm covers made. I've been told that a water pistol is effective in training them not to scratch - but I don't think I could do that to her!!!

It's well worth looking at G-Plan, John Lewis and Furniture Village (amongst other outlets) sell them. Loads of options as to size, recliners, fabric or leather. They're made to order (10 weeks order to delivery iirc), though you may be able to get an ex-display model. It is still possible to get the ones I've had over 10 years, just rather more expensive now.

Loaf sodas are rubbish. I’ve got a lovely dark blue velvet one from Sofa.com that’s in its 7th year and still looks like new despite having had a baby who’s now nearly 7 - with all the sticky fingers and spills - in the interim.

Interesting thread. I’ve just ordered two sofas - from Next. It’s an 8 week lead in time, but I phoned them and have asked them if they could deliver for Xmas - no promises but they have noted this.

Having read this thread, the Barker & Stonehouse sofas sound great - but I’ve missed that boat and they are probably too pricy for me anyway.

Having just gone through this process, my advice is… to be very specific.

Work out the measurements of your room, and decide how wide you want your sofa to be. Find out what depth of sofa is comfortable, and what back height, I bought sofas I hadn’t sat in, but only after trying many sofas and so knowing what width, height, depth, firmness etc was comfortable for me.

Furniture village was great but ultimately I préfèrred Next / Laura Ashley.

House and Garden are recommending Dusk for affordable sofas. And I like the look of a new brand Schplendid, which is too new for me to have tried but they look very nice (more expensive than Dusk, for sure) and I would consider them next time around.

@OneDayIWillLearnexactly what I’m looking for too!

We replaced our ancient sofas this summer. After looking at what seemed like every single sofa in every single store, my husband spotted a sofa in the window of Next. I was skeptical, but we ended up buying these - lovely size and soft, but not too soft.

We went for a navy and a green one, but they have many colours, and also different choices of feet. They were less then £1500 each, so well within budget. The colours are much richer than they appear in my picture.

We’ve had them for 6 months and they are still good as new, but I can’t yet speak to how they will be in 5, 10 or 15 years time.

www.next.co.uk/homeware/sofas-chairs/parker-buttoned-back/size-3-seater-small-sofa-fabric-luxe-chenille-dark-green-feet-high-metal-chrome

Loaf?

I wish you all the luck with this. I'm upthread as the person who ordered a sofa from Next in early August, quoted 11 weeks lead time and we are still waiting on the sofa. Last week I was literally told by Customer Services that the sofa was on track for "delivery tomorrow" (27th November). Then when I contacted customer services at the end of the day to ask what was going on I just got "it's on delay again". They won't even give me a new date. At this point we're at 24 weeks.

@FallingIsLearning Thanks for posting, those sofas are so lovely and exactly what I'm after, right down to the colours you've chosen 😂Can I ask, which fabrics did you go for? And how sturdy do they feel? (I have a six year old.)

Thanks for letting me know @mummabubs.

Are you not tempted to cancel the order out of a point of principle?

I’m worried now, I tried to persuade them that they should clear my order before the Boxing Day Sales begin! My final delivery date is Feb 6th.

I bought from the Kingston range.

Good luck too!

The navy was fine chenille and the dark green was luxe chenille.

we chose the dark wood feet.

Yes, I would say they are sturdy.

Just be aware that there can be a long lead time.

Thanks @FallingIsLearning . That's interesting, they look like velvet.

They do have velvet options

I take it your sofa still hasn’t arrived, @mummabubs ? I’m worried now - maybe I should start shopping around, under MyAccount it’s marked that I can still cancel!

That sofa the OP has posted looks like Tetrad, they have brought back those 'shabby chic' designs maybe only one??

I have different Tetrads one called Rugby (forgot the other name) all now 31 years old seat pads just going and the cotton starting to wear on 2 seats, I am loathed to get rid as I cannot find anything else I like. Good solid frames and other than the 2 things above wearing they are perfect still.

May just get them refurbished

The Vintage Sofa Company. Their furniture is beautiful and extremely well made. If you follow them on socials they always have sample or end of line items at reasonable prices.

They were much cheaper than DFS!

We have a sofa.com sofa, would recommend them

Whatever you do, don't go to Next.