Couch Recommendations

[MissPeach]

My couch is squeaking and I'm needing to move anyway so I'm going to find it a new home and get a new one after I move.

Does anyone have any brands or models they would recommend for longevity in a house with a messy older child?

I have bought two from Macys and they look nice but didn't last long (including the current one). I've bought one from Ikea (karlstad) which probably lasted the longest but had issues with the cushions and they aren't stocking any styles I like currently in my local store. I've tried a few other large retailers in the past and had issues with frames or cushions not lasting more than a few years each.

I've heard about room and board being good quality and have have looked into them but the reviews seem really positive or negative on the couch quality which makes me nervous with their price points.

I'm willing to be a spendy pants on this one if it means it's likely to last 5-10+ years. Any ideas?

[facepalm]

When you say " messy older child" do you mean "strews tings" or "spills things?"

The merchandise sold at Macy's IKEA and similar stores are all sold to meet a specific price. You can usually get 5 years, if you are lucky. One dead giveaway is sewn in cushions, especially on leather couches. Another is the cushions proper. Cushions on a good couch will be SUBSTANTIAL.

Better brands are Ethan Allen (EA), Restoration Hardware (Resto) (I don't like Pottery Barn). I worked for Ethan Allen about 20 years ago, and have family that worked for Resto. Their couches generally have much better construction overall than the low to mid market stuff. Better quality fabric, solid cushions, substatial frames. Couches that can be reupholstered. My couch is from EA and is going on 15 years. It has been through three moves, and still looks fantastic. But I'm not as happy with EA as I used to be--I think they are going downmarket on some of their lines now and it shows in pricing.

 I would not buy new, if at all possible. Resto stuff turns up on craigslist all the time. A friend found a 4,000 Resto couch (we looked it up) on Craigslist and paid about 1,000 for it. Owner simply tired of it and wanted something new.

Another option is consignment stores, if you live in a HCOL area. You can occasionally find nice stuff on consignment.

[KBecks]

Agreed on secondhand.  Look on Craigslist or see if there is an upscale consignment furniture store in your area.

[Greystache]

I am writing this while sitting in a leather recliner that I bought from my local thrift shop. It looked brand new and I asked the staff where it came from.  They told me it was a floor sample from Costco. It might be worthwhile to find out where the furniture stores liquidate their samples. Even if you have to pay retail, this chair from Costco has been great. I have only had it for six months, so I can't really say how durable it will be.

[jrhampt]

I've enjoyed our Raymore and Flanagan couches.  We have a cat, but no kids though.  I think we've had this one for about 4 years now and no plans to replace it any time soon.  We also have a la z boy recliner that has been with us over 15 years and the only reason we're donating it now is that we're downsizing and just don't have room for it.

[achvfi]

I second laz a boy recliner too. They are expensive but comfortable and last a long time.

[RExplorer]

Look at Hallagan.  You’ll need to find a local retailer, but you can see the options online.  Sunbrella is one of the fabric options.  We’ve been very happy with ours.  So much that we just ordered another sofa and chair.  There are options to do some customization.  Not cheap, but ours is wearing well. 

[clarkfan1979]

If you think you might move multiple times, I really like the couches from Costco that detach into individual seats. One person can move them by themselves and they can fit into a hatchback car. The entire couch can't fit all at once, but it is possible to move by oneself.

[K_in_the_kitchen]

We had a Bernhardt sofa, chair, and ottoman for 15+ years, and they were awesome.  When we bought furniture for the family room we went with made in the USA La-Z-Boy (sofa, chair and a half, armless chair), and it has been solid as well -- 8 years and no rips and tears despite daily use.  Unfortunately, a few years back we switched things around (our house doesn't really have a family room -- we were using the main bedroom as one) and could only keep one set of furniture, so we let the Bernhardt go.  But really, it was so well made.  The upholstery was worn, but not ripped, and the wear was mostly from a dog climbing up -- it was a chenille type fabric.  I'd be happy to buy La-Z-Boy again as well.

[bmjohnson35]

We've had good luck with Lazy Boy, but I would suggest leather.  They are costly new though. I 2nd the notion to find a good quality used couch.  I wonder if upholstery businesses sell used furniture?  We have a leather Lazy Boy that's 20 yrs old.  I cut up a mattress topper and "rejuvenated the bottom cushions about a year ago.  It has been moved 4 times, once across state line.  It has a few minor scratches, but has held up well.  Five grandchildren, so it has seen its share of abuse.  We place a single size mattress protector over the bottom cushions when the small ones are over.  It was $2500 20 yrs ago, so not cheap. 

BJ

[Fishindude]

My take on padded furniture is that the run of the mill stuff sold by outfits like Ashley furniture is that it looks pretty in the showroom and is probably fine for light weight people but won't hold up to larger sized teens or adults for long.   I'm 220 lbs and our couch like this is now real 'saggy', you sink down in it, so it's not comfortable.

Will probably look at a top end one to replace it, something heavy duty, possibly something like Ethan Allen.

[MissPeach]

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah my experience with a lot of couches is they look great in the show room but don't hold up. I'll look into these brands. I would also appreciate anything with more modern aesthetics. I don't tend to find a lot of that at places like Lazy Boy and Costco.

To answer some of the questions posted:

Will be closing on a house soon so I don't plan to move for awhile. 6-10 years minimum. I'm not too worried about moving it.

The kiddo is messy in that they tend to sneak food over to the living room and get crumbs and such on the couch, in the cushions, etc. Kiddo is also starting to experiment with makeup and sometimes gets it on their fingers. I have leather right now which is great to be able to wipe things up but am not sure if I will get leather again.

I'm not opposed to second hand if I can see where it's coming from but I find a lot of options seem overpriced compared to new on a sale. Some of the pricing I'm seeing are about the same as retail with a good sale (which is probably coming for Labor Day or Black Friday). Also I don't have a way to transport it without renting something. Still could be worth it to save lots of money. Also I've noticed selling things people tend to be quick and aggressive for anything good which is harder to do with having to coordinate a rental. I have several thrift stores nearby and what they tend to sell isn't my style so that avenue is possible but unlikely.

[afuera]

I was able to find two used Basset sectionals off craigslist for $400-700.  I loved them both!  The first one was destroyed when our house flooded and the second one we have had for 2.5 years and still looks great.  Super comfortable couches with surprisingly stain resistant fabric, they both survived my dogs jumping on them constantly with muddy paws to bark at people out the windows.