The Best Quality Sofa Brands & What to Look For – Welsh Design Studio
A sofa is often one of the most expensive furniture purchases you’ll make for your home, so it’s natural to want to do your research and buy the best quality sofa you can afford. You also want a sofa that is going to be comfortable and durable enough for watching movies with your family, lounging with a good book, snuggling with your pet, or just hanging out with friends. So, in this post, I’m going to answer all your burning questions, like who makes the best quality sofas, what to look for, and where to shop.
While it’s true that you may have to spend a little more for a high quality sofa, you may actually end up saving money in the long run. That’s because low quality sofas don’t tend to last more than 3-5 years, which means you’ll have to replace it in just a few years. On the other hand, a high quality sofa can last 8-10 years, and often even longer. So, paying a little more upfront for a longer lasting sofa could be your best bet.
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Features of a High Quality Sofa
What should you look for when buying a sofa? There are several key features that will tell you whether or not the sofa is high quality. These include:
- the frame
- the suspension system
- how it’s joined together
- the cushions
- the fabric
1. The Frame
The best quality sofa frames are made from dense kiln-dried hardwoods, like walnut, maple, oak, or ash. These also tend to be the most expensive type of frame construction, but these sofas will last the longest, so the expense is worth the investment.
Some sofa frames are made from softer woods, like pine, and these tend to be more affordable. However, pine is not quite as strong, and doesn’t tend to last. In other words, your pine-framed sofa could have structural issues within just a few years.
Metal sofa frames are super durable, and are great for sofas that will get extra heavy use, but can often be more expensive than hardwood frames. Also, not all metal frames are created equal, and some metal frames could warp or bend.
What to Avoid: Any sofa frame made of particleboard, fiberboard, cardboard, or plastic should be avoided (trust me)! It won’t last. and won’t be comfortable…a waste of your money.
2. The suspension system
The suspension system consists of springs to support the seat cushions, and they are critical to the overall comfort of the sofa. The gold standard for high quality sofas is eight-way hand-tied springs. This is the most comfortable and durable suspension system you can buy, but it also tends to be the most expensive.
Another common suspension type is sinuous springs. These are sometimes referred to as serpentine springs, and are constructed with heavy-gauge wires that snake and twist into S-shaped coils. Sinuous springs are a comfortable and affordable option. The best sinuous spring systems will have wires that are at least 8-gauge, and will have lots of small turns versus larger S-turns.
What to Avoid: Pocket coils, drop-in coils, and polypropylene webbing are all less desirable suspension methods. They may be more affordable, but don’t do a good job of distributing weight evenly and/or are uncomfortable to sit on.
3. How it’s joined together
How the frame is joined together is an important factor in the quality of the sofa. Mortise-and-tenon (tabs of wood inserted into holes) is considered the premiere method of joinery for the longest-lasting frames. And, yes, you can expect this to result in a higher overall cost.
More commonly, you’ll find frame construction that uses screws, reinforcing corner blocks, glue and dowels in a great quality sofa frame. When looking at a sofa, check out the corners where pieces of wood are joined together. If you see little blocks of wood in the corners or triangles screwed in place to reinforce the corner, you can feel good about the quality of the frame construction.
What to Avoid: If the sofa frame is held together with a combination of nails, staples, and glue, then you’re looking at a low quality sofa frame. These materials can be used to help reinforce a sofa frame, but shouldn’t be the only joining methods used.
One good way to test for solid frame construction is to lift and jiggle the sofa. If you can feel the frame move, rather than it feeling like a heavy, solid unit, walk away. This is a sure sign the construction quality is poor, and the sofa won’t last.
4. The cushions
The best quality sofa seat cushions are typically made with a high-density foam core that is wrapped with either a layer of polyester batting or down blend. At home, I have a sofa with cushions that have a memory foam core wrapped with down blend, and they are fabulous!
Seat cushion density and firmness is a personal preference – some people love the feeling of sinking into a sofa and others love a nice firm, supportive seat. Be sure to test different seat cushion options to see which ones you like best.
Back cushions tend to be made of polyfiber/microfiber fill or down. Great back cushions will have channels sewn into them to ensure that the filling doesn’t move around. This is really important if you don’t want your back cushions to look saggy. You can check for this by unzipping the back cushions and looking to see if the channels are present.
What to Avoid: Seat cushions that are all-foam, or only made of down. The all foam cushions are less expensive, but usually not very thick or comfortable. Cushions that are all down are sometimes found in expensive sofas, but they don’t have enough structure to them, and will flatten out in no time. Down cushions also need to be fluffed and turned regularly to maintain their shape.
5. The fabric
Fabric choice often comes down to choosing something that will work best for your lifestyle. A great quality sofa brand will have a variety of fabric materials, colors, and textures to choose from, including performance fabrics.
Natural fiber (cotton, linen, wool, etc.) and synthetic (polyester, nylon, microfiber, etc.) fabrics can both be very durable. Natural fibers are readily available in a wide array of patterns, weaves and colors, but they can be more susceptible to staining and damage. Synthetic fabrics are great at resisting stains, but some can wrinkle or attract dirt and pet hair.
There is no single fabric choice that is best for everyone. I recommend microfiber as a great option for families because it’s both durable and easy to clean (machine washable). I also recommend going with a performance fabric, as they are engineered to last. Some of the best performance fabrics in the industry today are made by Crypton, Revolution, and Inside Out.
Leather is another great upholstery option for sofas. Not only does it look fantastic, but it’s very easy to clean and holds up well. However, a quality leather sofa will cost you quite a bit more than a fabric one. When it comes to leather, it’s best to choose a high-quality option…you don’t want to go low-quality on leather. Even though there are some low-grade and faux-leather sofas out there, these options don’t typically last. If you’re shopping for a leather sofa, be sure to choose one that is described as top-grain or full-grain. These leathers are made from the outermost layer of the hide, which is the strongest part.
What to Avoid: Bonded leathers, low-cost synthetic fabrics, silk or velvet (if you have kids)
The Best Quality Sofa Brands
The following list was created based on personal experience sourcing and buying sofas, a ton of research, and input from other interior designers. I wanted to separate out the very best sofa manufacturers from the rest of them, so that you can shop local or shop online with confidence in the quality.
Let me first talk a little about the categories. The categories are based on a combination of quality, lifespan, reputation, and price. I’ve also included a link to brands that you can shop online, where applicable.
- OK – these are sofas that tend to be very affordable, but do not always have the best quality construction. Compared to other low-budget options, however, these brands offer better quality sofas. They will tend to last about 3 years, on average.
- Good – these sofas are average to good quality, with a typical lifespan of about 3-5 years
- Better – medium to high quality construction with an average lifespan of about 7-10 years or more
- Best – highest/heirloom quality with an average lifespan of 10+ years
OK Quality Sofa Brands
These brands are not the best in terms of quality. However, they tend to be very affordable, and can be a good temporary option. My advice is to always be wary of inexpensive sofas – they don’t tend to last more than 3 years with heavy use, which means you may need to invest in another sofa in just a few years. Buying two sofas within 3 years could end up being more expensive than investing in one higher-priced, better constructed sofa that will last 7 years or more.
Good Quality Sofa Brands
These sofa brands are of average to good quality, meaning you can get a better quality sofa that will last longer. In addition, some of these “Good Quality” brands are quite pricey, and the price is not justified due to their lower quality construction. Sofas in this category will typically need to be replaced, reupholstered, or re-stuffed within 5 years. The good news is that most of these brands are available for purchase online and offer some customization. For the other brands, I’ve indicated if you’ll need to find a local retailer.
Better Quality Sofa Brands
These brands are considered medium to high quality, and can be more affordable than some of the top quality sofas listed in the next section. They can also be more affordable than some of the “Good” quality sofas in the previous section! Many of these brands offer online purchase and customization, and I’ve noted other cases where you will need to visit the manufacturer website to find a local retailer near you. You may also be able to find select styles (without customization) on Wayfair or Perigold.
Best Quality Sofa Brands
While it’s true that there can be a correlation between the best quality sofa brands, and the most expensive sofa brands, it’s not always the case. Many of these high quality sofa brands are reasonably priced, when you consider the very high quality you’ll get, and how long they will last. These brands are typically only available from a local retailer or through an interior designer, but some select styles can be found on Wayfair or Perigold. Use the retailer search feature on their website to find a local retailer near you.
Where to Shop for Quality Sofas
When it comes to shopping for sofas, there’s a distinction to be made between shopping at a retail store, and shopping for a specific sofa brand. Online retail and local furniture stores often carry several different sofa brands. Some stores carry known, high-quality brands, while other stores may carry their own exclusive brand, and some carry a mix of both.
In the retail world, it really doesn’t really matter so much where you buy the sofa from…what truly matters is the construction of the sofa. You might have some great luck finding high quality sofa brands at your local furniture store, so don’t hesitate to take the list above and shop local.
All that being said, here are some online retailers where you can buy the high-end sofa brands listed above:
- Wayfair
- Burke Decor
- Perigold
- Crate & Barrel (look for, or ask salesperson for sofas made by Lee Industries)
- Chairish (used and vintage furniture, some high quality sofa brands available for resale)
Tips for Saving Money When Shopping for a Sofa
When you’re ready to make your sofa purchase, here are a few tips for saving some cash.
Online Retailers
Online retailers typically offer already reduced prices for sofas, and rarely provide discounts for furniture pieces, even when having a sale. However, you may be able to score free shipping or delivery during a sale. Here are a few more tips:
- Look for sales around major holidays. This is often your best chance for furniture savings.
- Compare prices at different online retailers. Retailers can set different prices for the exact same item, so be sure to shop around for the best possible price
- If the online retailer also has a storefront (like Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware), ask the sales associates if there are any available discounts. They may not, and you will have lost nothing, but you might get a pleasant surprise, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Local Furniture Stores
Local retailers and furniture stores often have more flexibility in setting prices for their merchandise. Always ask for a discount when shopping at your local furniture store. They may be able to offer you 10% off right on the spot, or another savings like free delivery. Here are a few tips when shopping local:
- Shop around major holidays for big sales and great savings (Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving/Black Friday, and Memorial Day are great times for furniture shopping)
- Ask for a discount! You might be surprised how willing they are to work with you to make the sale.
- Be sure to ask about the construction of the sofa, especially if they recommend a brand not on the lists above.
Buying a sofa for your home is a significant purchase, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. It can be one of the most expensive furniture items you’ll buy for your home, so it’s important to do your homework and make sure you buy a quality piece. If you need a sofa that can stand up to daily use, be sure to buy the best quality sofa brand you can afford. The higher upfront investment is worth it in the long run, because the improved quality tends to last much longer than a lower quality sofa.
If you need some more tips to have the living room of your dreams, grab a copy of my Essential Living Room Checklist. It’s FREE!
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