High Quality Sofa / Couch

[thyme4change]

First off, I don't know the difference between a sofa and a couch.  They seem the same.

I have bought some cheap couches in my life, and I have hated so many of them.  The ones I didn't hate, didn't last very long - so, I ended up hating them.  I want a higher quality couch now.  

My first instinct was Ethan Allen.  My Mom has only Ethan Allen, and she just bought her first replacement sofa - after 45 years.  Granted - she got that one recovered several times, and my parents are ridiculously meticulous - so the furniture is treated much, much better than whatever will spend a single day in my house.  But, if she can get 45 years - I should be able to get 15.  But, I have seen some complaints about the decreasing quality of EA.

Any suggestions on where else I should look?  All the major known brands seem to be too inexpensive for me to believe I am getting high quality.

[milee]

If you like contemporary/modern, Ekornes Stressless is very high quality. Comfy and durable. Not cheap, though.

[thyme4change]

Crap - am I the only person that doesn't have room for a 80"+ couch?  

[mmhmm]

Michael Amini is another manufacturer you could look at.  Again, quite pricey but very well made.

[Deleted]

Check out Bassett.  They have a line specially made for small spaces like condos, townhomes and my 1950's house.  Solid quality too. Not super cheap but not get a second mortgage either.

[cyanne]

I just ordered a new couch last night. I spent a lot of time looking because I also want a high quality piece that will last awhile. I looked online at ratings of various furniture manufacturers and Ethan Allen had some negative reviews. Many furniture manufacturers that were once regarded highly have outsourced production and the quality has suffered.  I ended up ordering a couch from Stickley. It was pricey but I like the fact that it is made in the USA and it seems to have good reviews.

[thyme4change]

Sept 17, 2015 18:03:15 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Michael Amini is another manufacturer you could look at.  Again, quite pricey but very well made.

Nice!  But, I must be the only person that doesn't want a leather sofa?  I guess rich people only want very long leather couches - because that is what they all seem to be.  

[justme]

I really like my laz e boy couch. I've had it for five years and the people I bought it from had it for 2. They got the strain treatment on it which is amazing. Anything will come off with soap and water. Anything.

[mmhmm]

Sept 17, 2015 18:25:08 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Sept 17, 2015 18:03:15 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Michael Amini is another manufacturer you could look at.  Again, quite pricey but very well made.

Nice!  But, I must be the only person that doesn't want a leather sofa?  I guess rich people only want very long leather couches - because that is what they all seem to be.  

No. Amini does have upholstered furniture in other than leather. Pretty sure Wayfair.com would have the product. 

[mmhmm]

Here ya go, thyme4change. Here's a link that appears to have the entire Amini line (all collections): Amini

[plugginaway22]

We just got a LazyBoy sectional and so far Love it!

[resolution]

Stickley is very high quality plus they are made in the USA.

[Anne_in_VA]

Mmhmm -love the customizable Jenny sofa on that site!  I may just have to look at new furniture sometime soon.  But first, I need to pull up the carpet, get the floors refished, etc., etc. etc.

[Deleted]

Check out Smith Brothers of Berne, made in Indiana.  My sofa is super comfortable and it is holding up well. 

[mmhmm]

Sept 17, 2015 19:17:18 GMT -5 resolution said:

Stickley is very high quality plus they are made in the USA.

I'd forgotten about Stickley! Another in that same vein is American Leather (They don't only upholster in leather. You get your choice.) Both are high quality and allow a lot of customization.

[mmhmm]

Sept 17, 2015 19:18:52 GMT -5 Anne_in_VA said:

Mmhmm -love the customizable Jenny sofa on that site!  I may just have to look at new furniture sometime soon.  But first, I need to pull up the carpet, get the floors refished, etc., etc. etc.

It is pretty, isn't it? I just redid my living room a couple of years ago and am now considering downsizing my living space, so now is not the time for me to go furniture shopping! It sure is tempting, though! 

[mmhmm]

Sept 17, 2015 20:12:07 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

I will be looking for a good sofa bed after Christmas.  I understand that is an oxymoron, but my sister visits in the summer.  DH and I can't sleep in the same bed any more because of his back.  My movement irritates it.  

Last summer KILLED my back as I slept on a LazyBoy sofa.  It was not a sofa bed.  So a non-reclining one might be ok.  I ended up on a 10-year-old one in the sunroom that we've been wanting to replace  It was better, but we decided to get a decent sleeper sofa for the sunroom regardless.  That furniture looks good, but it is simply worn out.

So what is anyone's suggestion for a sleeper sofa

I know American Leather makes them. I think Stickley does, too.

[Malarky]

I just sent my 1920's chesterfield ( I always thought it was a camel back sofa) out to be reupholstered.  Not counting fabric which I bought a few years ago...$1,800.  To be restored with original tufting, strapping and cotton batting.  

I have never found a couch equal in quality and comfort.  

I have a friend who is having a much more modern piece (1960's) sleek, modern, not my taste at all, recovered.  Costing a lot less with the lack of frou frou involved.  

Have you thought about a classic, well built piece, recovered in a fabric you like?  

[sarcasticgirl]

we got a la z boy sectional about 3-4 years ago and i really am not impressed with it. I mean, I do like it, but it has broken down and gotten "worn in" a lot faster than I expected. And the fabric pills so bad. I have to use one of those sweater shaver things on it regularly. I have had sofas that cost only a couple hundred dollars and i didn't have to upkeep the fabric like this. SO annoying. However, we just just get the basic fabric. the same fabric that the floor model had. 

With that said... it is nice and big and comfie. We can get quite a crowd on it when we have football/sports parties. 

And the warranty is nice. The foot board on one of the recliners cracked a few weeks ago and they shipped out the parts to replace it. it was pretty easy- DH had it done in under half an hour. 

[Malarky]

Just a note, the sofa I'm having recovered lasted more than 25 years between reupholsterings.  The basic structure is sound.  

I can't say the same for the piece of crap I'm sitting on, waiting for my real couch to come home.

[Sharon]

I got a flexsteel sofa several years ago and love, love, love it.  I selected the style I wanted and the fabric I wanted then ordered it in the length I wanted.  Several of the styles could be ordered in different lengths.

[busymom]

I've got an Ethan Allen diningroom set. I LOVE the wood, but it appears they're using cheap hardware now, as a couple pieces have actually snapped off.

I used to work for the furniture industry.  I'd be reluctant to recommend any brand, as it's been some time since I left. But the saying in the industry back then was that for good, quality furniture, you want a frame that is "glued & screwed". Cheaply built frames on upholstered furniture break down quickly.  You want something strong enough to reupholster someday. 

[weltschmerz]

Sept 17, 2015 17:44:14 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

First off, I don't know the difference between a sofa and a couch.  They seem the same.

I have bought some cheap couches in my life, and I have hated so many of them.  The ones I didn't hate, didn't last very long - so, I ended up hating them.  I want a higher quality couch now.  

My first instinct was Ethan Allen.  My Mom has only Ethan Allen, and she just bought her first replacement sofa - after 45 years.  Granted - she got that one recovered several times, and my parents are ridiculously meticulous - so the furniture is treated much, much better than whatever will spend a single day in my house.  But, if she can get 45 years - I should be able to get 15.  But, I have seen some complaints about the decreasing quality of EA.

Any suggestions on where else I should look?  All the major known brands seem to be too inexpensive for me to believe I am getting high quality.

Don't forget to cover it in some nice plastic. It will last much longer that way.

[Works4me]

I have a futon in my office/guest room that is over ten years old and still very comfortable - the secret is to buy a top of the line innerspring mattress and turn it regularly. Steelcase makes great sofas and a dear friend swears by Macys. However, keep in mind that re-covering one can be very costly. 

I recently purchased a new small sectional from Penny's on line for well under $900 - it was originally $3995 and various discounts saved me more than half the clearance price. It is leather but comfortable and durable so far. FYI - I looked for well over 5 years and actively shopped it for at least a year. 

[bobosensei]

I have two broyhills.  I got them 8 years ago and they been through  3 moves including 1 international where they were placed sitting up on their ends for 6-8 weeks which is not good for the frame.  They are still in great condition.  But if I had to do it again I wouldn't get microfiber because the dogs fur is such a pain with them.  But the sofas get a lot of use, and cushions have no lumps.  I paid about 600 for the loveseat and 800 for the couch.  I got them at a regular furniture store.

I think these will last at least another 5 years as long as they survive the next international move and whatever amount of storage time.  I am interested in leather flexsteel for the next stuff I buy.  I wanted flexsteel the last time, but couldn't afford 3-4k for it.

[sarcasticgirl]

Sept 18, 2015 7:12:24 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Sept 17, 2015 20:40:57 GMT -5 sarcasticgirl said:

we got a la z boy sectional about 3-4 years ago and i really am not impressed with it. I mean, I do like it, but it has broken down and gotten "worn in" a lot faster than I expected. And the fabric pills so bad. I have to use one of those sweater shaver things on it regularly. I have had sofas that cost only a couple hundred dollars and i didn't have to upkeep the fabric like this. SO annoying. However, we just just get the basic fabric. the same fabric that the floor model had. 

With that said... it is nice and big and comfie. We can get quite a crowd on it when we have football/sports parties. 

And the warranty is nice. The foot board on one of the recliners cracked a few weeks ago and they shipped out the parts to replace it. it was pretty easy- DH had it done in under half an hour. 

My Lazy Boy sofa also has pilled horribly.  I've never had a sofa, even a cheap sofa, do that.  I think it's micro-fiber or whatever instead of the types of woven upholstery used in the past.  I won't buy another one.

I hate that it happened to you too, but I am glad to hear that I am not the only one. Quite annoying for something you dropped several grand on.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using proboards

[gooddecisions]

My woven crate and barrel sofa pilled badly within weeks. It is very comfortable and I like the design, but I am dissatisfied. I wish I got a smoother, softer microsuade.

Good luck on your search. I think it is nuts how expensive couches are and how difficult it is to find the right one.

[CCL]

Sept 17, 2015 20:40:57 GMT -5 sarcasticgirl said:

we got a la z boy sectional about 3-4 years ago and i really am not impressed with it. I mean, I do like it, but it has broken down and gotten "worn in" a lot faster than I expected. And the fabric pills so bad. I have to use one of those sweater shaver things on it regularly. I have had sofas that cost only a couple hundred dollars and i didn't have to upkeep the fabric like this. SO annoying. However, we just just get the basic fabric. the same fabric that the floor model had. 

With that said... it is nice and big and comfie. We can get quite a crowd on it when we have football/sports parties. 

And the warranty is nice. The foot board on one of the recliners cracked a few weeks ago and they shipped out the parts to replace it. it was pretty easy- DH had it done in under half an hour. 

We used to love our La-Z-Boy sofas and chairs. The ones purchased in the last 10 years did not hold up well at all, lots of issues: broken arms, terrible fabric, flattened cushions, etc. They wouldn't honor their warranties for me. I'm not even very demanding about my upholstered furniture. After a couple years, I sold them on craigslist.

[CCL]

Sept 18, 2015 7:12:24 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Sept 17, 2015 20:40:57 GMT -5 sarcasticgirl said:

we got a la z boy sectional about 3-4 years ago and i really am not impressed with it. I mean, I do like it, but it has broken down and gotten "worn in" a lot faster than I expected. And the fabric pills so bad. I have to use one of those sweater shaver things on it regularly. I have had sofas that cost only a couple hundred dollars and i didn't have to upkeep the fabric like this. SO annoying. However, we just just get the basic fabric. the same fabric that the floor model had. 

With that said... it is nice and big and comfie. We can get quite a crowd on it when we have football/sports parties. 

And the warranty is nice. The foot board on one of the recliners cracked a few weeks ago and they shipped out the parts to replace it. it was pretty easy- DH had it done in under half an hour. 

My Lazy Boy sofa also has pilled horribly.  I've never had a sofa, even a cheap sofa, do that.  I think it's micro-fiber or whatever instead of the types of woven upholstery used in the past.  I won't buy another one.

I'm with you on that and I paid extra for "upgraded" fabric lol. I won't be buying another one either!

[thyme4change]

Sept 17, 2015 20:12:07 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

I will be looking for a good sofa bed after Christmas.  I understand that is an oxymoron, but my sister visits in the summer.  DH and I can't sleep in the same bed any more because of his back.  My movement irritates it.  

Last summer KILLED my back as I slept on a LazyBoy sofa.  It was not a sofa bed.  So a non-reclining one might be ok.  I ended up on a 10-year-old one in the sunroom that we've been wanting to replace  It was better, but we decided to get a decent sleeper sofa for the sunroom regardless.  That furniture looks good, but it is simply worn out.

So what is anyone's suggestion for a sleeper sofa

We stayed at a condo in a JW and I slept on the sofa-bed.  It was amazing.  It was memory foam, and felt like a regular ol' bed.  I would highly suggest looking for something like that.  It totally changed my opinion of pull-outs.  It was a very thick mattress.  

Maybe something like this one?  

www.tempurpedic.com/Sleeper-Sofas/Sleeper-Sofas.asp

In my memory the mattress was even thicker - but my memory might be glamorizing it a bit.