Buying a Mustachian Chair/Loveseat

[jeroly]

My sweetie has decided that she wants to buy a new chair or loveseat to replace the twenty-year-old one that has been totally destroyed over the years by the cats and her now 18-year-old son (when he was younger - he only destroys our hopes and dreams these days lol j/k).  We went to La-z-boy to look at their stuff, and in my eyes, it was appalling... there were incredibly ordinary chairs, not particularly well made by the looks of them, 'on sale' or 'final sale' etc... for $1,300 and even more!

I told her that this can't possibly be a smart financial decision - that they seemed WAY overpriced, and she repeated her previously stated opinion that good furniture costs a pretty penny and that's just the way it is... and I told her that I thought that I could find her something at least as nice for under $600 (but I'd like to spend about half that!).

As things transpired, she didn't see anything in particular she liked, so I have a time window to come up with cheap and good alternatives; while my sweetie could easily pay for a pricey chair, she in fact doesn't like to spend more than she has to and I think if I come up with something she likes for less, she'd be quite happy to not pay the big bucks.

So, hive mind... where should I look?  We're looking for something in neutral colors like beige or gray, without decorative flourishes, fabric not leather. I've seen some stuff on Wayfair that looks at least as nice as what we saw at LZB, but I'm unsure of the quality as well as whether it's really fairly priced.  Any opinions on Wayfair?  Anyone get bargains out of furniture outlets in North Carolina or elsewhere?  Other ideas?

Thanks in advance!

[Trifle]

Craigslist is my favorite place for furniture shopping.  I used to be opposed to buying upholstered furniture 'used' until I discovered that, with some patience and hunting, you can get basically new furniture at a fraction of the price. 

Example -- our living room couch cost us $125.  It was unused, from a single guy/nonsmoker/no pet home.  The guy bought it, then discovered it was just a little too low for his liking, and wanted to unload it quickly.  It was probably a ~$1500 couch new.  Our other couch (downstairs in the family room) was over $3000 new and we got it for $500.  Same deal -- light use, no kids, nonsmoker, no pets.  Oh -- and look for ads from people that live in pricey neighborhoods.  They tend to be consumerist 'bougie' types who don't need the money and just want to sell something quickly. 

[nereo]

+1 for buying furniture used on CL or FB or local classifieds.  There's probably no greater deal than large pieces of furniture, as people are constantly moving, splitting up, joining together and passing away.  People buy furniture to fit a specific space and then they have no use for it in a new space/setup.  It's not uncommon to find pieces in excellent condition at 10% of new.


At the opposite end of the spectrum is to find a local upholstery shop and/or furniture maker who builds/uses real-wood frames with your choice of fabrics.  That's going to give you the best quality but can easily run north of $2k for a loveseat.

Or... do the hybrid approach.  Find some *quality* upholstered furniture (hand-crafted wood frames with decent joinery) that needs to be re-upholstered, and spend your money on the re-upholstering. Often these are giveaways as the fabric looks very tired and few people bother spending $500-800 to reupholster a chair, but it will give you everything you seek.

[Cranky]

And if you aren’t comfortable with second hand soft furniture (and some people really aren’t) I’ve had good luck with IKEA. I’m stretched out on a loveseat right now that we’ve had for 10 years, and I think I’m going to buy new covers for it.

[aloevera1]

Sometimes people sell brand new furniture on CL or Facebook market place. You may be able to snag even that if you keep an eye on the listing all the time or set up a notification to notify you of new listings. These things go fast!

[Metalcat]

Agree with above, either buy used or go with Ikea.

[jeroly]

Thanks for the Facebook Marketplace suggestions - there's some good free and cheap stuff available on it in my neck of the woods.  Now to find the one that my sweetie likes... this could take a while...but there's not really a rush, its predecessor has been falling apart gradually over 20 years!

[SunnyDays]

My local Craigslist equivalent is overflowing with decent sofas.  No need to buy new at all.  In fact, older pieces tend to have better quality frames.  Everything can be reupholstered if you don’t like the fabric.  Even the shape can be changed within reason.

[Brystheguy]

I feel like people are underestimating how much it costs to actually reupholster something. Might as well buy a new couch at that point.

[nereo]

I feel like people are underestimating how much it costs to actually reupholster something. Might as well buy a new couch at that point.

For us it’s about the total impact. Yes, we realized the reupholstering costs roughly as much as a new chair from wayfair or ikea, but that doesn’t mean newer = better. What we wind up with is of superior quality, in the exact fabric we want, while supporting a local shop and generated far, far less waste.

[Metalcat]

I feel like people are underestimating how much it costs to actually reupholster something. Might as well buy a new couch at that point.

Except that older furniture is made infinitely better, so the value is much, much higher.

I would sooner find an old 70s piece of soft furniture and have it redone than buy most new furniture, which literally falls apart.

[reeshau]

Since OP was about Lay-Z-Boy, I have a story to share.  Our furniture was mostly hand-me-downs, except for a zero g chair (mine) and an oversized LayZBoy that is DW's.  She got it circa 2002.  When DS was on his way, we thought we should upgrade, as we expected more visitors to see him, and we wanted things that would...resist his messes.  We liked the chair, so bought LayZBoy for the living room.  We even bought a new chair--same model, but in a matching color.  (We did not dispose of the old chair; it went to the library / movie room)

Long story short, new chair was a hangar queen.  The left side main structure kept breaking.  Despite repeated (free) repair attempts, it kept recurring.  LayZBoy would not take it back, and we didn't want more of the same.  On closer inspection, the solid wood of the old chair was replaced with plywood, which kept splintering.

When we moved to Ireland, we had to downsize.  Old chair actually went with us, even though it is comically large for an Irish sitting room.  (So was the 50" TV.  Looked like a drive-in theater screen)  New chair went to donation; whether they did something with it, or threw it out, we don't know. (Problem was disclosed to them--not passing along problems.  Would have trashed it, otherwise)

We reupholstered old chair 2 years ago.  Yes, it cost nearly as much as a new chair, because all the cushioning has to be replaced, too.  But it is something we can depend on, and we are very happy with it.

Now, if only we had discovered this before we gave away the super comfortable, large-enough-for-me-to-stretch-out-on, orange paisley 1970's couch we got from DW's parents.  That would be something I would love to have back.  And reupholster.

To be fair to them, we have not had any problems with the two couches we also got from LayZBoy.  The love seat has crossed the Atlantic twice, and been none the worse for the wear.

[Metalcat]

My step dad inherited his dad's old Lay-Z-Boy recliner chair, so it's a bazillion years old. Many years ago my mom decided to surprise him with a brand new one and she took the old worn one. They love having their matching chairs.

Only, the new one fell apart. They've gone through 3 new ones since then and the old one just keeps on truckin'.

[SunnyDays]

New furniture is not built to last more than 5 years, because people always want updated things.
You really can’t beat the older stuff that was made to last.  Then you can customize it however you want.

[kite]

Our bed and one upholstered chair in the house were purchased new.
Everything else is inherited, hand-me-down, bought at auction or picked up off of the curb. Frequently done the reupholstery thing. Both DIY and paying someone who knows what they're doing.

If I were in the market for a store-bought chair, it's going to be a Stressless chair.  Maybe someday Santa Clause will bring it.  A relative inherited one from an in-law and I love sitting in it when visiting.  I've really never enjoyed a chair so much.

[SunnyDays]

Our bed and one upholstered chair in the house were purchased new.
Everything else is inherited, hand-me-down, bought at auction or picked up off of the curb. Frequently done the reupholstery thing. Both DIY and paying someone who knows what they're doing.

If I were in the market for a store-bought chair, it's going to be a Stressless chair.  Maybe someday Santa Clause will bring it.  A relative inherited one from an in-law and I love sitting in it when visiting.  I've really never enjoyed a chair so much.

I have a Stressless chair!  Not cheap by any means, but it’s the most comfortable chair I’ve ever sat in.  I’ve had it about 10 years and expect to own it the rest of my life.  Best money I ever spent.

[jeninco]

Our bed and one upholstered chair in the house were purchased new.
Everything else is inherited, hand-me-down, bought at auction or picked up off of the curb. Frequently done the reupholstery thing. Both DIY and paying someone who knows what they're doing.

If I were in the market for a store-bought chair, it's going to be a Stressless chair.  Maybe someday Santa Clause will bring it.  A relative inherited one from an in-law and I love sitting in it when visiting.  I've really never enjoyed a chair so much.

I have a Stressless chair!  Not cheap by any means, but it’s the most comfortable chair I’ve ever sat in.  I’ve had it about 10 years and expect to own it the rest of my life.  Best money I ever spent.

Ours is probably 30-years old. The scale of it is wrong for the size of our house, but when MrInCO has a sore back that's the only comfortable sitting/lying option for him. Which is priceless!

[Greystache]

I am writing this while sitting in one of two matching recliners that I bought from my local thrift shop about 5 years ago. When I saw them in the shop, I thought they looked new. I don't remember how much I paid but it was less than $300 each. As I was paying, I asked the cashier where the chairs came from and she said they were floor samples from the local Costco. So, if you are looking for chairs, check out Costco and while you are there, you can try to find out how they liquidate their floor samples.

[jeroly]

I am writing this while sitting in one of two matching recliners that I bought from my local thrift shop about 5 years ago. When I saw them in the shop, I thought they looked new. I don't remember how much I paid but it was less than $300 each. As I was paying, I asked the cashier where the chairs came from and she said they were floor samples from the local Costco. So, if you are looking for chairs, check out Costco and while you are there, you can try to find out how they liquidate their floor samples.

More than a year after starting this thread, we're still rolling with the OG of couches. There's been a lot going on in our lives, so replacing it has been a low priority, or rather even lower than its usual low priority... plus we're both cheap - I mean Mustachian.

The Costco idea is cool, and if I remember I might ask, provided I see a floor sample that I am interested in.

Check out secondhand options like estate sales, Craigslist, or thrift stores. You can find solid wood or well-built pieces for way less than new. Reupholstering can also be a great option.

I stop at estate sales whenever I see one and have the time. I've also started looking at Facebook Marketplace on occasion.

[Zikoris]

Other people have given some good purchasing ideas, but I think it's worth giving serious consideration to going couch-less altogether. Having a couch very strongly encourages couch-potato behaviour in your day-to-day life, which has health and time consequences.