New Sofa.... with a newborn and 2 year old?

Pepperoni

Hi All,

We desparately need a new sofa as ours is in a right state. We have been shopping around but it's made me think about what to do for the best.

Our options are to buy a sofa as would normally, i.e. a 'normal' sofa budget for us (have around £1,200 - £1,500 for this).

Or, buy a cheap sofa (£500 - £600), given the newborn and 2 year old! But I'm not sure at what age they would need to be for us to feel confident in replacing that with something better and it not being ruined? As if it's not for another 6 years, it's unlikely a cheap sofa would hold out that long?

Just incase anyone has it, its the DFS Revive sofa that I'm considering for the cheaper option. Dearer option is still being hunted down!

Thanks

WeAreGhosts

Can't comment on the children part, but I've had a cheap (in the sale) M&S sofa for nine years and it's not on its last legs, but looks a bit manky (a few stains and the cats has scratched it). Admittedly it hasn't been our main sofa, but has had use every day. I'm replacing it with the Revive (which is only £264 at the moment, not £500-600) and it seems like a good buy.
Don't let them con you into adding removable arms to it if you don't need them (an extra £25 ... but I suppose it would be worth it if you had to get it through a narrow door). Our sales assistant added it on without even asking!

Pepperoni

Thanks WeAreGhosts. It is a lovely sofa - to be honest I had to read the price tag several times to register how 'cheap' it was!

Hubby sat on one side though and felt like it was sinking, which obviously concerned us and made us question the quality That's my only gripe. Hubbys other gripe is that it's made with Polyester fabric, but since then he's learned many sofas are (including the more expensive ones too!).

Ames

I bought a sofa from DFS a year ago and it's already a bit wobbly with gaps in the back corners of the seat. I can't see it lasting six years.

WeAreGhosts

It was quite soft, but that's how I like them. I didn't feel like I was sinking too much though. Perhaps there had been many ample bottoms sat on the one in your store The back cushions on the one in my local store looked a bit worse for wear, but I was assured that it was due to how long it had been in the store. If mine arrives looking tatty it'll be going straight back!

I didn't even clock the fabric tbh. I think my current one is polyester, and so is the more expensive main one. I'm not a fan of leather, so that's the alternative I s'pose

glentoran99

Normal sofa - with insurance would be my advice,

meer53

You'll have more problems with the kids when they're older, the newborn isn't going to pose much of a problem for a while ! Although i've never worried about kids/furniture, mine were always told off if they were doing anything they shouldn't ! We had cream leather when they were small, it lasted 10 years. How about looking for a second hand one ? Facebook/Schpock/Gumtree etc.

I've had 2 DFS sofas now for 13 years, no problems, one is leather the other is fabric.

LilElvis

I've got a 12 year old DFS leather sofa and it still looks great, despite our 5 year old's best efforts. Had it not been leather it would have been destroyed by sticky fingers, spilt drinks and the odd crayon adornment. I would go for leather every time.

mgdavid

If the frame is sound had you considered having removeable covers made for your current sofa? We went this route with good results.

fairandreasonable

Happy Christmas,


We have 5 very little ones and a big thing to think about is material.


We used to do only leather but then went for fabric. Have to be honest and say we are forever hiring Carpet Cleaners to clean them (and the floors).


Little one's just make a mess, generally. :-)


Leather is easier to clean but hot in summer.

lemontart

get one from the British Heart shops, lot cheaper and will help out the charity, then wait till children grown and left home for expensive new one.