How Often Should You Buy a New Sofa?

Since it's one of the most used pieces of furniture in your home, how often should you buy a new sofa?

Generally, a well-constructed fabric sofa should last anything between seven to fifteen years before you need to replace it. Quality leather designs can last two to three times as long.

The timeframe will depend on, among other things, the materials used and how well you care for the sofa. We will discuss these factors and also share tips on what to look for when shopping for a new one. 

A sofa is a big purchase and should last for years

A sofa is one of the biggest purchases you will make for your home. As such, you don’t want to worry about replacing it every couple of years.

Furniture experts agree that when well maintained, you shouldn't start to notice any faults or flaws with a well-built sofa for at least a decade. After that, minor defects may start to appear, but these should relate to the fabric and not the main frame.

Ideally, you should only start to consider buying a new sofa after 10 to 15 years. 

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How often you should buy a new sofa depends on how often you use it

As expected, the lifespan of your sofa will largely depend on how often you use it and what types of usage it’s exposed to. You may remember your grandmother keeping her sofas wrapped in plastic and reserving them solely for adults.

We are a lot more liberal with our furniture now. Perhaps your children frequently jump on your sofa or there are people who sleep on it, pets who lie on it, etc - all this will play a role in determining how long it will stay in great shape.

A lack of proper cleaning and the build-up of stains and dust will also affect how the upholstery will stand up to wear and tear. If you are constantly having to do harsh cleaning to remove stubborn stains, you will no doubt weaken the fabric.

Leather sofas can last longer than fabric sofas

If it's the longevity you are after, it doesn’t get better than a leather sofa. A good quality set will last three to four times as long as a faux leather or fabric sofa. The material also ages gracefully, developing a charming look over time. A tip for leather sofa buying is to choose those that are made from full-grain or top-grain leather.

Unfortunately, most of the ones advertised as “genuine leather” or “bonded leather,” are made from scraps that have been glued together. They resultantly disintegrate easily.

Since it’s a durable, non-absorbent material, leather will not fray easily, and any spills can be wiped away without causing damage. That being said, lighter-coloured leather sofas may be stained by red wine or curry, for example.

There are many factors to consider when buying a new sofa

There are no shortcuts when it comes to buying sofas. The trick to owning one that will stand the test of time is to invest in a quality build.

The Sofa Frame

A cheap frame will start to give under the weight of all the activity happening on the sofa. Choose a frame made of metal or hardwood and stay away from designs that use particle board or plastic. These will crack or warp after a while.

Cushion Density

When it comes to foam, a firm seat does not translate to better quality. For a long-lasting sofa, look for designs that are made with foam that has a density of at least 2.0 but preferably 2.5 and foam cores of more than 12cm.

Springs

The best springs are those that are packed close together so as to make the seat feel firm. You should not be able to feel them through the sofa’s upholstery.

Value

Be careful of deals that sound too good to be true. Chances are the seller has used low-quality materials that will deteriorate very quickly. Rather consider value for money instead of just comparing price tags.

Shop around and compare prices before making a purchase

By all means, do not rush the buying process. Take time to compare prices across different sites. You will soon get a sense of what a good sofa should cost on average. That way you will not fall for scams or pay an exorbitant price. This exercise might also result in you discovering sales and discounts.

At FCI, we have a Clearance section where sell ex-display sofas at heavily discounted prices with quality assured. We will ensure clear and precise delivery times, solid warranties and reviews on Trustpilot that you can bank on. If in doubt, chat with one of our designers for advice. Not only are we able to assist you with choosing the right sofa, we can also help you with the layout and design of your living room.

In Conclusion

As we have seen, there’s really no definitive answer to the question–how often should you buy a new sofa? It depends on its original quality, how you use it and how well it is cared for.

Generally, you can expect to enjoy your purchase for at least ten to fifteen years before you need to set aside money for a new one. If you’re looking at your current set and thinking it is due for a replacement, browse our collection of top Italian sofas for inspiration.