For me it’s relevant to the foam inside the seating pads. It will go softer with use so get a firm foam. l replaced mine even though it was new with cold cure as recommended by the seller when l noticed the existing foam was becomming too sloppy. lt’s been in place now for a couple of years and l’m hoping it’ll last several more yet.

I agree with colourhappy. My son got a virtually new DFS French Connection 4 seater sofa from Facebook for £350 as the owner didn’t like the colour! I bought a lovely retro made.com sofa from eBay for £150 as a temporary additional Xmas sofa and still love it 6 years later. I sold my practically new leather sofa for peanuts as it was just too small for the space we had.

Lots of second hand bargains around and I’ll be looking to do buy another couple of used sofas once we finally extend and renovate.

By the way lots of people will give away perfectly decent sofas if you are prepared to collect them as they can’t be bothered to either sell or take it to the recycling depot.

I was also about to say eBay but others got there first! If I have a rough idea of what I want, I always look on there. It’s especially good if you’re not in a rush - if you can’t find the perfect thing this week, it might be there next. I find that there’s different types of bargains - those that are preloved from people who are moving house or redecorating and also those that are from companies selling “returns”. There are quite a few of those for sofas from John Lewis and Loaf. They are more expensive than preloved, but still bargains.

Thanks, we have been looking on ebay, but we've not seen anything in the right colour in the right size that's in a new or near new condition. We will keep looking though, typically one will come up a few days after we place an order!

Have a look at Furniture Village, they do quite a good range of modern and traditional sofas, and you can actually try before you buy, unlike all these online companies. John Lewis are pretty good too.

Thanks, we actually went there the other week. Great service from the salesman, but unfortunately they didn't have a sofa we found comfortable in the right colour. (Not to mention we got a few free cookies)

Cookies? Was that at Furniture Village? 😂

It certainly was furniture village. We did look at John Lewis too, they had a nice collection, but the one we liked had awful reviews. They had another that was more expensive, but everything about it seemed to suggest it was from the same supplier, which isn't necessarily an issue but nobody in shop or on the phone could tell me the difference between the two versions!

I have a feeling that most of the sofas in these shops are made in the same few factories. Certainly John Lewis has really gone downhill and don't seem to stock many that are good quality or get good reviews. Loaf ones seem particulalry bad in terms of reviews. That's why ebay can be good for quality sofas that are expensive new.

Long Eaton on the Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire boarder is the sofa manufacturing capital of the UK. If you live anywhere close, maybe go for a visit - you can buy direct from one of the many factories and they will personalise it to your requirements.

When picking a sofa, consider the size for your space, choose a style that matches your decor, think about functionality (e.g., lounging or sleeper options), assess material for comfort and durability, check construction quality, set a budget, and try it out in person if possible to ensure comfort and suitability for your space.

Hi! Choosing the right sectional sofa was not an easy task for me, especially with so many styles and materials available. When I was searching, I focused on durability, comfort, and how well it would fit into my space and how easy it would be to clean since I have a cat. After testing several options, I settled on the calnita 2-piece sectional with chaise. The chaise makes lounging so much more comfortable, and the fabric is both stylish and easy to clean. If you are considering a sectional sofa, this one is worth a look – it is cozy, elegant, and perfect for both lounging and entertaining!

You might find it interesting to read my blog article on choosing the perfect sofa. I also cover some of the best furniture shops, recommended by Which? magazine, to help you find the ideal piece for your space.

https://www.cinnamonspace.com/post/10-things-to-consider-when-buying-the-perfect-sofa-for-your-home#viewer-j4xx960660