DFS ‘Match Made’ event feedback thread - non attendee? Chance to win £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 11 Mumsnetters who attended an exclusive DFS event in London to be matched to their ideal sofa.

Here’s what DFS has to say: “We know that choosing a sofa that’s right for you is something which everyone wants to get right, but it can sometimes feel like a challenge. At DFS, we have nearly 50 years of experience designing and hand-making sofas and want to make the sofa buying process as simple as possible. ‘Match Made at DFS’ was a chance for Mumsnetters to see how simple sofa shopping can be, when you consult those in the know.

On Wednesday 19th July we invited 12 Mumsnetters along to be ‘Match Made’ to their ideal sofa. During the match making process the Mumsnetters and DFS sofa experts chatted in detail about their sofa requirements. From colour and style, to product protection and financing, the Mumsnetters put the know-how of the DFS experts to the test. At the end of the match making process, the Mumsnetters were given the chance to choose the right sofa to meet their needs and suit their lifestyle.”

See the DFS 'match-making' process in action with their 'Ultimate Sofa Buying Guide' video here:

Attendees, please answer the following questions on your experience at the event

• What did you enjoy most about the ‘Match Made’ event?
• Do you think that DFS has a good selection of sofas?
• What did you think of DFS before attending the event?
• Did your view of DFS change after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?
• Would you recommend DFS to a friend after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?

Non-attendees, please answer the following question to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher.

• What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Quality ! 100%, I would rather save for longer etc and have a great item than something that doesnt feel or look good, Grandma taught me lol !

Non-Attender: When shopping for sofas when buying our first home, we forgot to measure the sofa and doors!! Luckily the sofa just fit, otherwise we'd have been in a mess. So my tip would be to measure before buying!!

NON TESTER:

• What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

*Measure the space you've got! I've been caught out on this more than once ... it's so important to remember it's supposed to last for a few years, I really wish I had thought more before buying my last sofa....2 years on from when we bought it, my 3 kids have killed the sofa and it just hasn't lasted well at all

Size of the sofa is important if you are a tall family, it took us ages to choose ours as some are too low and some don.t have enough depth to sit comfortably, so you have to try before you buy

non attendee - most important thing: that we have four Wild children at home, and sofa needs to be able to withstand den making, jumping and roly polys and sticky hands and split drinks.

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?
the size of the room the sofa is going in is important to remember. It's easy to lose perspective when viewing in a large showroom as df discovered trying to fit what seemed like an average sized sofa in the showroom into her pocket sized lounge.

Non-tester

• What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

For me, I like to redecorate a lot so I need a sofa which is pretty neutral colours so I can match it with different decor. And of course, it has to be comfortable!!

Non attendee - for me, the most important thing is practicality. With two big dogs, 2 cats and intermittently foster puppies, a fabric sofa just isn't going to work!

Non attendee

How hard wearing is it. Life is tough for furniture in our living room.

You've got to remember to make sure the sofa not only look greats but feels great too, nothing worse than a sofa which looks amazing but is really uncomfortable.
Something I loved about our sofas from DFS was the care kit we got with it, we bought very light grey sofas and someone dropped their dinner on the sofa I was gutted because the mark it left was awful but after using the care kit you couldn't tell it had happened. So no need to go for a dark sofa to avoid stains etc.

Non- attendee
What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

I think it's comfort for me. I spend a lot of time on my settee so like it to be supportive.

wear and tear with those pesky kids xx

• What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

That everything else is pointless if you can't get it into your house!

Non-attendee
as someone on the tall side I say never buy a sofa online tv adverts use smaller people seating on there sofas how often you see a guy 6ft or over so the sofa looks bigger then it really is, go in and see them for real

Non-attendee

Most important thing for me is, are the covers machine washable or easy to clean.

can you actually get it into your flat!

Non attendee

Have recently purchased 2 for living kitchen and still need new setters for the sitting room. I found the most important thing was visualising them.in my space. We went to a retail park and went in 5 or 6 places in one outing. Some of them have amazing 'sets' with fabulous drop chandeliers etc ....take the surroundings away and the settees look so different. No one can really live with a huge chandelier 30cm above their coffee table after all!

Non-attendee:
Sit on it in the shop and make sure it's comfortable. My parents bought a sofa once because it looked nice, but it was th emost uncomfortable thing I've ever sat on!

The most important thing to me when buying a sofa was remembering how big my living room is.

I needed a sofa of no more than 205cm width, with the maximum sitting space within that (so no big pretty scrolled arms).

Very disappointed that nobody yet has said

PIVOT!

NON-TESTER:

The most important thing to remember when buying a sofa is... will it fit through the front door???
Also... is there enough room for the tallest in your home to comfortably sleep on it?!
Lastly... is it comfy to sit on?? When i got our current lot, i spent ages sitting on the sofas and lounging as i usually do to see which was best.
The sofa should also match the colour scheme in the room and be durable if you have kids/pets!

Non- attendee.
That it will fit in the room- exact measurements are important.
That you've thought how the material suits your lifestyle- for example- with kids, leather is actually awesome, as it doesn't stain, easy to wipe etc..
Will it date- do you want to keep it for 10 years- if so, really think about the styling, so it doesn't look dated really quickly.

Non attendee:
Comfort is definitely top priority - make sure it fits you because I'm rather short. Wipe clean is perfect for children (we love leather but this isn't great if you have pets.) Also, pick a style that will last with time and won't date.

Non-attendee - the most important thing for me is how well/easy the sofa will wash, and how well it disguises pet fur!