What is the life span of a couch?

blondbomber23

We've had our couch/loveseat for a little over 5 years and I feel like we need new ones. I'm sure the lifespan of a couch is supposed to be longer than this though.

Thoughts?

IU_baby

It absolutely depends on the quality of the materials and where you purchased your furniture.  If you purchased your couch from Ashley, Value City or any of the other several "discount" furniture stores, 5 years sounds like a pretty good lifespan.  Even PB and C&B don't have the best quality on all of their pieces, despite the prices.

My ILs only buy custom furniture (and pay way more than I can imagine for it), but their sofas are now 10+ years old, still cushy and comfortable as ever and don't even look worn. 

We tend to buy furniture from the discount stores just because I like to switch things out more than I care to admit.  Our sofas are almost 3 years old and they're definitely showing their wear.  Our previous ones lasted us about 4 years.

blondbomber23

IU_baby:

It absolutely depends on the quality of the materials and where you purchased your furniture.  If you purchased your couch from Ashley, Value City or any of the other several "discount" furniture stores, 5 years sounds like a pretty good lifespan.  Even PB and C&B don't have the best quality on all of their pieces, despite the prices.

My ILs only buy custom furniture (and pay way more than I can imagine for it), but their sofas are now 10+ years old, still cushy and comfortable as ever and don't even look worn. 

We tend to buy furniture from the discount stores just because I like to switch things out more than I care to admit.  Our sofas are almost 3 years old and they're definitely showing their wear.  Our previous ones lasted us about 4 years.

That was my thinking as well. Ours is from Gerdt and they're quite $$ (though we got a great deal during a tent sale). They're still very cushy but the fabric attracts stains easily. I feel like I frequently have to clean them in order for them to look good. I'd like something that doesn't require so much maintenance.

Val&B0604

We got ours at Sofa Express about 5.5 years ago.  They are definitely showing their wear.  I don't think they would look as bad if our dog didn't sleep on the back of the cushions.  We will probably make them work for another year or so.

I can only think of 2 couches my grandparents have had in my life and I can think of 4-5 my mom has had.  

IndyGirl02

blondbomber23:

I feel like I frequently have to clean them in order for them to look good. I'd like something that doesn't require so much maintenance.

Leather!

mrs.conn23

Our couch is about 12 or 13 years old (hand me down).  It's a maroon microfiber sectional and requires vacuuming about once a month or so.

blondbomber23

IndyGirl02:

blondbomber23:

I feel like I frequently have to clean them in order for them to look good. I'd like something that doesn't require so much maintenance.

Leather!

That's what I've been thinking. It's so cold though, lol. The softer leather is warmer though, so we would get that. I also worry about our animals being on it (1 dog and 2 cats). DH says it would be fine.

Val&B0604

blondbomber23:

That's what I've been thinking. It's so cold though, lol. The softer leather is warmer though, so we would get that. I also worry about our animals being on it (1 dog and 2 cats). DH says it would be fine.

When the IL's got new living room stuff a few years back the sales guy told them the upholstery would look worse than leather if you have animals.  I have to say the leather chair looks way better than the couch at 6 years later. 

lemen99

I don't know!

Doesn't ikea have a 10 yr warranty?  Not sure about that

My parents have had their leather couch for 15 years I think...it really needs to be replaced.

amstep

My grandmother's couch is from the 70s, has been reupholstered once in the 90s, and is still gorgeous, sturdy, and pristine.  Of course, the springs are hand-tied, the frame is all hardwood, and no part of it was ever made in China.  The cushion is down-filled, and actually attaches to the bottom of it with little metal chains, so it is never out of place.  It's sitting in my mom's 2nd floor in a hallway.  I'm thinking it needs to come to my house when I get the gym equipment out of the living room. 

We had an Ashley sectional that didn't make it 4 years.  We now have leather, and I will have to say that I will never ever have a fabric couch again.  Our other old couch (now in the playroom) takes soooo much upkeep with one dog.  The leather takes abuse after abuse (can we say dog and toddler have tag teamed it multiple times) and still looks great.

lemen99

p.s. we have a couch in our basement that is probably 60 years old.  It's in pretty good shape except for the fabric itself is in shreds :-) ha.  The support is still comfy though. Best napping couch ever!

IndyGirl02

blondbomber23:

IndyGirl02:

blondbomber23:

I feel like I frequently have to clean them in order for them to look good. I'd like something that doesn't require so much maintenance.

Leather!

That's what I've been thinking. It's so cold though, lol. The softer leather is warmer though, so we would get that. I also worry about our animals being on it (1 dog and 2 cats). DH says it would be fine.

We're always wrapped up in fleece blankets on our couch, year round... so if it's cold, we don't notice.    I really don't think it is, though.

We don't let our dog on the couch.  I know people with pets and leather couches who do, though -- but I'm worried about scratches.  He has an old fabric couch and a microfiber chair that we let him on.

lemen99

IndyGirl02:

blondbomber23:

IndyGirl02:

blondbomber23:

I feel like I frequently have to clean them in order for them to look good. I'd like something that doesn't require so much maintenance.

Leather!

That's what I've been thinking. It's so cold though, lol. The softer leather is warmer though, so we would get that. I also worry about our animals being on it (1 dog and 2 cats). DH says it would be fine.

We're always wrapped up in fleece blankets on our couch, year round... so if it's cold, we don't notice.    I really don't think it is, though.

We don't let our dog on the couch.  I know people with pets and leather couches who do, though -- but I'm worried about scratches.  He has an old fabric couch and a microfiber chair that we let him on.

ditto!