Anyone got any advice on buying sofas?

MrCheeseman

I'm looking to buy two sofas, one three seater and one two seater, but I'm wondering if anyone's got any advice as there seems to be a lot of choice.

Money wise, I'm looking to spend maybe £600 tops, for a fabric sofa, though preferably lower than that. I'd really like to get one with washable covers, not just the cushions but being able to wash the whole sofa cover as well.

I've looked at a few so far - two seem to stand out so far.

The Gedved from Jysk - https://jysk.co.uk/living-room/sofas/sofa-gedved-3-seater-grey at £300 - though if it's anything like the one I had last, you can't take the cushion covers off which would make it much harder to clean.

The Ektorp from Ikea - https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/ektorp-3-seat-sofa-hallarp-grey-s89400679/ - does have replacable covers, though it would require assembly and I've heard mixed things about how comfortable they are.

Any advice would be appreciated.

tacpot12

A sofa that doesn't fit your body shape will be uncomfortable from day 1, so it is wise to test the sofa by actually sitting on it for 10-15 minutes. Cheaper sofas will have materials that will become less supportive over a short period of time; the only way I can think to detect this is to read the reviews of the sofas (and others from the same maker at the same price point).  

[Deleted User]

For that budget I’d go second hand. When they’re open again scour the furniture charity shops like British heart foundation. I would go for a quality leather sofa like Chesterfield. 

If you want brand new then IKEA is your best bet but there are serious bargains to have in charity shops. 

MovingForwards

Definitely look at charity shops as £600 for two sofas won't get quality new ones.

MrsStepford

My tips are:
1. Measure the room and when you look at sofas online and in store, measure them too. At home, if you have an empty room, you can use paper or cardboard, to make sofa shapes, so that you can try different positions. May mean that you get more chices, or that there's really only one place for it/them. 
2. Bookmark anything you really like and look out for offers and sales. Husband wanted Chesterfield style Havana leather (as used for bridles for show horses) and they were hugely expensive. Then he spotted an ad in local paper for 0% finance and a holiday offer in Evening Standard for BOGOF on home stuff. He went local branch and after checking the small print, they allowed BOGOF and the 0% over 2 years, which saved us several thousand. Ten years on, still as good as new. 
3. If youare going for something vry cheap, suggest it's a really good idea to try before you buy. 

jonesMUFCforever

Make sure that the 3 seater fits through the door and if gets through that - you have enough room to manoeuvre it into the room that it will end up in.
Onour last move we had 2 choices - remove a window and put it the wrong room or leave it outside with a notice 'Please take me' - nobody did! Had to pay in the end for somebody to take it away. 

gboy25

I went with furniture and choice. You can get a 2 seater and 3 for 600. I went for ones that are 700. They're coming on friday so cant say for sure what they're like yet. 
They have free delivery though and have been a good company customer service wise. They have 30 days money back too if you dont like them. Might be worth a look 

MrCheeseman

MrsStepford said:

My tips are:
1. Measure the room and when you look at sofas online and in store, measure them too. At home, if you have an empty room, you can use paper or cardboard, to make sofa shapes, so that you can try different positions. May mean that you get more chices, or that there's really only one place for it/them.

3. If youare going for something vry cheap, suggest it's a really good idea to try before you buy. 

I'm sure the sofa will fit in the room - it's basically a dining room and lounge knocked together - but it didn't occur to me that I might not get it through the door.

I certainly would try some, but I figured I'd have time to go to actual shops.. then lockdown 2 hit. I do hear Christmas is a good time to go second hand as people are donating their previous - but hopefully still decent - sofas.

cymruchris

You seem very sensible - but I'll say it anyway, just in case you get tempted by their 2983 month interest free credit deals - don't buy a sofa from DFS.

gazman100

cymruchris said:

You seem very sensible - but I'll say it anyway, just in case you get tempted by their 2983 month interest free credit deals - don't buy a sofa from DFS.

Can you elaborate on why not please? I've never used them and obviously the 'ending soon!' sales are nonsense, but keen to understand if there are specific reasons.

twopenny

The cheaper ones can be very hard at the edge to the seat you sit on though it's covered with cushion.

Try to find one that's well padded in that area or it can get uncomfortable under your knees and when you get up.