Nobody will disagree when I say that the average life of a couch is very crucial while purchasing one.
Moreover, none of us will be willing to buy a couch if its life expectancy is very short.
But did you ever wonder how long should a couch last?
Well, it depends on a lot of factors. The main one being how much money you’re willing to spend on it- on buying and maintenance.
Here is a quick overview on how long does a sofa last based on its actual cost:
- Highly Expensive Couches ($2500 and above): 20+ Years
- Expensive couches ($1500-$2000): 15-20 Years
- Mid-range couches ($1000-$150): 10-15 Years
- Lower midrange couches ($500-$1000): 5-10 Years
- Inexpensive Couches (less than $500) : less than 5 Years
We will see what are the other factors that decides when you should replace a couch.
Factors that Determine How Long Should a Couch Last
It may be hard to imagine anything other than your toothbrush or that packet of milk powder coming up with an expiry date.
Most of us will be shocked to know that even the couch in our home also have an expiry date.
While many agree with the average 7-15
Let’s look at the different factors which influence its expiry date:
- Frame
- Fabric
- Seating support
- Filling
- Nature of use
Factor 1 : The Frame
The saying ‘the first impression is not the best impression’ has never been more true! The quality of a sofa goes way beyond its appearance. And it all starts with its frame.
That’s right! The sturdier and more sound the frame, you can rest assured that yours’ is a good bargain.
The different types of material normally used are plywood, Softwood, and hardwood. The best bet is kiln-dried hardwood, as the process removes all moisture from the wood, which will help it to stay in shape and be sturdy for a long time.
Softwood can bend or break easily, while green wood and knotted wood are prone to more cracks. Be wary of plywood frames which do not have much layers to it. A 11 to 13 layer frame would be a best bet.
Finally, particle board frames are a strict no-no. Last but not the least, how the pieces are joined together also matters. The joints should be perfectly glued, dowelled and screwed, rather than being just stapled together.
Factor 2: The fabric
You may have probably heard a lot about leather on sofas because that is one of the most preferred and most durable. But it is not the only one! Some fabrics are expensive and well maintenance but have its own advantage.
If you are a beginner, let’s first go through the basics. Sofas come furnished in two kinds of fabrics-natural and synthetic.
We have linen, wool, cotton, silk and leather under the former category while polyester, Nylon, Olefin, Acrylic, and Vinyl fall into the latter.
Wool and leather are the best natural fabrics to ensure a long lasting couch which is as resistant to staining, wrinkling, fading, and pilling. While cotton and linen are great choices, they are not as resistant to staining or wrinkling.
Polyester is the most commonly used when it comes to synthetic fabrics., mostly blended with other materials.
In case you are not that into sofa fabrics, it’s always easy to have a look at what the fabric of your couch is. Long story short, the more durable and more quality the fabric is, the more years it will stay in your living room.
Factor 3: Seating support
In fact, seating support and sofa fabric complements each other. If you are someone who is looking at purchasing a good quality couch, this is one of the things along with the fabric which you will check most probably.
If you already have one, ask yourselves the following questions.
Does the couch support your weight? Does it get back to its old shape once you release any weight? Does the back support feel comfy enough?
The spring system gives you a better idea of the seating support. It could either be an S-type spring system or eight-way hand tied. If the support feels great, then you can expect a long lasting buy.
Factor 4: Cushion fillings
The quality of cushion filling goes beyond its ability to lull you to sleep! If you have already been reading everything on couches, you probably know that polyester, down, feather and foam are the most preferred filling materials.
Foam is the best and most preferred stuffing you can use on cushions since they not just give you comfort but also a level of support.
You can expect that comfortable ‘sink in’ feeling with the other materials, but they are more high maintenance and require frequent fluffing and refilling.
Factor 5: The kind of use
You can’t expect something which is treatedmore like a trampoline by the kids and the dog to last more than seven years. Likewise, you can certainly expect a not so regularly used sofa to lastprobably eight years or more.
How to Make Your couch Last Longer?
You may just be new to sofa aesthetics, but that’s fine! You don’t need to be an expert or have the perfect couch to make yours last longer. With these easy-to-do maintenance tips, you can easily change even your mediocre quality couch into a longer lasting product!
a. Cleaning
b. Refilling the cushions
c. Flip’em often!
d. Checking the frames periodically
e. Painting
a. Cleaning your couch
If you are not cleaning your couch often, don’t expect it to be spick and span. Being the most prominent furniture in your living room means it gets not just loads of attention but also dust and dirt.
Vacuum and clean your couch thoroughly, at least once in 2 months. If you have a bunch of kids and a dog, then it’s best to make it more often.
Pre-cleaning
- Use the upholstery attachment on the vacuum cleaner to suck up the dust and dirt from places you can’t reach.
- A lint roller or a bristle brush can help dislodge stubborn dirt, lint, hair or fur which is stuck to the sofa fabric.
- Last but not the least clean the exposed wooden or other parts of the sofa with a specific solution for it.
After you are done with the pre-cleaning, start with a fabric preconditioner, based on the fabric of your couch. You can find out what detergent you can use by simply checking the tag which comes with your couch
- (W): use a water-based detergent with a steam vacuum
- (WS): you can use either a water-based detergent with a steam vacuum or a dry-cleaning detergent.
- (S): use only a dry-cleaning detergent
- (O): Organic. Clean with cold water
- (X): Just vacuum or bristle brush alone, or call a professional service for shampooing
Pre-conditioning
Apply the solution on a rug and first dab it over a surface not easily seen.
Wait for some time and dab with a tissue to see if there is any discoloration.
If not continue dabbing the rug on all portions of the sofa.
Cleaning
- Prepare a mix of water-based solution and water
- Apply it on a rug and test it on a surface as done previously
- If there is no discoloration or damage, pour the fabric shampoo into a steam vacuum
- Apply the nozzle of the vacuum and move it across the sofa in a grid pattern, pressing the button which releases the shampoo
- Releasing the button, move the vacuum across the sofa again, sucking any excess shampoo
- Let the couch dry naturally
You could even get rid of any spots or stains on your sofa by using a dry-cleaning solution purchased online. Just apply it on a rug, test it first and continue dabbing it on the specific areas. It’s best to clean the stain as soon as a spill happens.
Once this is done, your couch should be squeaky clean!
b. Refilling the cushions
Sofa and seat cushions are key for comfort. But once you start sinking in too much, it’s time for action! You can choose your own stuffing- be it down, foam or cotton.
But the best bet for a firm yet comfortable cushion seat is a blend of down and foam. Foam will keep it firm while the former will offer the comfort.
Remove the seat and back cushions
If you plan to refill the cushions with foam as well, take the width, length and height dimensions of the cushions. Cut the foam according to the measurements.
Open the zipper on the back of it.
Insert the foam folded in half and add on top of the existing stuffing.
(Note: In case the earlier stuffing is completely damaged, replace it entirely with multiple stacks of foam folded in half. You can make it just foam or add down or cotton if you want.)
c. Flip the cushions!
Remember the familiar dent on the sofa from sitting too much on a particular sofa? If you don’t want that to happen, it is wise to flip the cushions often.
Doing so would help equalize pressure on all sides so that there’s
d. Check frames and springs
Doing so would help equalize pressure on all sides so that there’s nosagging. Ever thought of this earlier?Check frames
You ought to check the frames once in a while. You may not check it for years, only to find later that it has given away causing the ultimate break down. Now you have no other option than to replace your cozy old couch!
It’s better to be safe than sorry, right? Check the sofa frame for any signs of loose joints. If you feel the need, tighten up those screws. Not just the frames, you need to be sure that the springs are still intact.
The more sturdy the frame and seat support, the more years added to your couch!
e. Painting
Last but not least, give it a makeover! It not only gives a breath of fresh air to your furniture but is also fun!
Maybe it’s already a few years old and the color has started to bore you. Suddenly, you want a brighter looking color. Or, it may be just that the sofa just looks a little dingy despite having a good structure.
In that case, giving it a color makeover is just the solution. Let’s see how.
- After you have decided on the couch to be painted, cover any exposed wooden parts you don’t want to paint by using painter’s/masking tape.
- Prepare the couch for painting. You can either vacuum or steam clean before painting
- Apply a deglazer or preparer on the sofa.
- Prepare the paint. You can either have a mix of exterior paint of your color with 16 ounces of fabric textile medium. You can also make your own chalk paint by mixing 1 cup latex paint, ¼ cup of calcium carbonate and 1/8 cup of water.
- Once the paint is ready, spray the sofa with water before painting.
- Start by applying paint on small sections of the sofa, one after the other. You can either use spray paint or use a brush to apply it evenly. Let the previous coat dry before adding on to the base coat of paint.
- Make sure that there are no clumps of paint stuck on the fabric by rubbing the sofa with a white towel.
- Top it up with a finisher, if required.
(Note: You need to make sure that there is enough ventilation and open space while working with paint)
When to Replace a Couch?
There are times when you have done all these steps and everything you can to add a few more years to your sofa, but nothing seems to work. Then the only way out is to buy a brand new one.
It may be a family heirloom or you may just not want to part with it. But there are certain warning signs which tell you it’s time to chuck it out:
- The sofa gives out a creaking sound everytime you sit on it
- You can feel the frame while sitting on it
- It feels shaky/ It looks ready to give away
- The fabric is torn beyond repair (No amount of painting or refilling can save it)
- It hurts your back
If this doesn’t feel like your couch, then no need to worry at all! Your sofa has many more years to go! You can use a few of the tips above to make it look even younger.
As said earlier, an average lifespan of a couch is 7 to 15 years. So, show some more love to your couch and it will last longer! Till then, happy lounging! What is the Best time of the year to buy furniture? Just follow that link to find out.
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