Best place for decent sofa

[vinnie83]

Hi all, bit of advice required.

I need to buy some sofa's - a 3 seater and 1 single.

1st question:

Where from? I want something good quality that will last whilst looking good. The plan is to get it on interest free credit so need somewhere that offers this.

2nd question:

I like the look of suade - how easy is it to keep looking good? I am just a little worried that they will start looking a little tired after a while.

Oh, and I live in Leicester so somewhere localish would be better!

Edited by vinnie83 on Sunday 6th February 23:25

[Driller]

mycultsofa.com

[vinnie83]

Driller said:

mycultsofa.com

Some nice stuff there, but I think you'd need a posh city apartment or a really big house to pull those designs off... not to mention they look bloody expensive!

Must admit I do prefer their models to the usual DFS/MFI models!

[Cogcog]

I have bought 2 pairs (one pair of leather chesterfields 8 years ago, and 2 small fabric ones 11 years ago) from Thomas Lloyd. With the exception of the castors, which are 2 part and plastic which fall apart when the first fat sod flops on them they have been great. I replaced the castors with metal ones and got some wooden rests made. In fact there are so good I haven't been able to bring myself to spend money on new ones as it would just be for a change.

I also have a Laura Ashley one which is very robust but in a velvet finish it is a bugger to keep clean with dogs.

[aceparts]

We have a natuzzi and it's absolutely sexy

[Fittster]

What's your budget?

[vinnie83]

Well if I can get it on an interest free then it seems like £2k should do the job for decent leather jobbies...

[Toilet Duck]

I guess it depends on your personal taste, but anything from this place, particulary their Heirloom range, will last a lifetime. The quality is amazing:

https://www.chesterfields1780.com/

[Zippee]

aceparts said:

We have a natuzzi and it's absolutely sexy

+1

[cjs]

What you do need to ask yourself is how long are you intending to keep them? Any trendy/fashionable stuff will be un-trendy/un-fashionable in a few years, will you then be changing it? If so why buy quality only to throw it out after a few years.

[andye30m3]

I bought mine from John Lewes around 7 or 8 years ago and they're hardly showing any signs of wear at all.

[vinnie83]

cjs said:

What you do need to ask yourself is how long are you intending to keep them? Any trendy/fashionable stuff will be un-trendy/un-fashionable in a few years, will you then be changing it? If so why buy quality only to throw it out after a few years.

I plan to keep them until they need changing, so you are right that I shouldn't get something particularly trendy, but more of a simple and classy design.

I have seen the following online - opinions?

http://www.csl-sofas.co.uk/checkout/index/Mezzator...

I like that one due to the fact it looks simple, yet slightly different.

http://www.dfs.co.uk/sofas/leather-sofas/alonzo/

I like that one because I have a thing for black and red, and being a petrol head black with red piping must be cool right? But my concern about this one is as you mentioned - will I still like it in 2-4 years time?

Both of the above (3 seater + 1 seater + footstool) take it only very slightly over £2,000 but they both seem to offer 4 years interest free credit so won't even be noticeable.

[matc]

If you want the interest free then you are pretty much limited to the usual 'retail park' lot, not much point in looking elsewhere.

They're not all bad though, most of them are offering reasonably long warrenties on their sofas now, so they should last for as long as they in fashion. Most of this stuff is just disposable furniture now though, it's not like you're going to be keeping it for future generations to enjoy!

FWIW I've had a leather sofa from DFS for the last 8 years and the leather is still showing no signs of wear, the base is the only part letting it down.

[Harry Flashman]

To buck the anti DFS trend, I bought one 7 years ago, as it was exactly the design I wanted; modern, sleek, and in brown leather. It has taken 7 years of abuse with no complaints whatsoever from the leather, padding or base. I have cleaned and treated the leather every year with Liquid Leather, though.

All my other sofas are Habitat, and have similarly lasted very well, although the fabric one needs replacing or at least recovering (the leather ones are absolutely fine).