Long Lasting Living Room Furniture

Long Lasting Living Room Furniture

The other day Julie sent me some reading material: the cautionary tale of a popular West Elm sofa that's notorious for sagging, losing its buttons, and, on occasion, collapsing in the middle of parties. (It has since been taken off the market.) This did nothing for my fear of couch commitment. For years I've avoided buying a couch—even though I'd love to have someplace to read and work besides my bed. I'm afraid of shelling out $2,000 (plus delivery), only to have the couch look like a saggier version of itself when it arrives, or fall apart the first time I move. Not to mention the logistics of getting it back out if I don't like it.

Buying furniture is a bit of a gamble: With big-box retailers mass-producing furniture and disruptors coming onto the scene, it's hard to know what kind of quality you're getting for your money (and, we've learned, more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better). Couches in particular are a problem. Ask anyone who's bought one: It's a big investment—and for some it's the first big purchase they make when they graduate from hand-me-downs or move into a new place.

All of this made us wonder: How can you tell if a couch will lastbeforeyou buy it? What are the most durable materials to look for? And what red flags should make you put away your wallet and move onto the next? To help guide us, we asked London-based designer Rita Konig, who has sourced a few couches in her day, for her rules of thumb. Consult this cheat sheet for making a good—comfortable, lasting—investment.

Above: A "placeholder" Room & Board sofa in Living Large in 675 Square Feet, Brooklyn Edition.

First: What kind of frame is the most sturdy?

Rita Konig: "You can find that sometimes, underneath the upholstery, some manufacturers use chipboard frames, which aren't so strong or sturdy. Make sure your frame is 100 percent hardwood."

(And, we'll note: Even better is "kiln-dried" hardwood. Avoid metal and soft woods. Also consider the joints: It may sound obvious, but avoid any couches held together solely with nails, staples, or glue. Wooden dowels, metal screws or brackets, or "corner blocks"—bolstered by extra glue and nails—are much sturdier options.)

Above: Photograph from On the Market: A Historical House Reimagined for a Modern Family in Stroud, England.

Long Lasting Living Room Furniture

Source: https://www.remodelista.com/posts/how-to-buy-a-sofa-expert-advice/