Your living room is such a place in your home where you hang out with your friends and family the most. Although every piece of furniture counts, sofas are usually the focal point of one’s living room. Couches set the tone of your entire home and make it easier for you and your loved ones to relax on. As living rooms can be quite busy round the clock, people usually fret about getting their expensive couches stained. But this isn’t a big deal since you can get premium-quality slipcovers for different kinds of sofas at MammaMiaCovers.
The main thing to worry about is how much to spend on a sofa. As you can find both expensive and cheap sofas on the market, you surely don’t want to spend way over your budget. However, it’s important to budget in a way that allows you to keep a balance between style and comfort.
How Much to Spend on a Settee – General Price?
You get what you pay for. This may have started to sound cliché to you, but it’s the truth.
Think of your settee as a long-term investment and if you want to make your money worth it, it’s better to pay more for a couch upfront to avoid replacement costs down the road.
You can find cheap sofas on the market which cost less than $1000, and they are mass-produced in the factory with below-par quality of materials. This is definitely not recommended as you will be ultimately paying more for the repair or reupholstering costs.
If you can budget between $1000 and $3000, you can find a midrange piece of furniture that can last for several years.
Although this may seem quite expensive, having a budget between $3000 and $5000 (or above) can guarantee you use it for generations and this range means you can have it custom-made while using the best materials. If you’d like to have your sofa customised, you can check out the sofa customisation services at Desace.
Now that you know the rough estimate of both high-end and cheap settee, it’s time to know the difference between both and what really makes them “expensive” or “cheap”.
Difference between Expensive and Cheap Sofas
It’s normal for people to come across a furniture shop and wonder why the price of two identical-looking sofas differs too much. The reason why one white sofa can be more expensive than others is due to the materials used both on the outside and the inside, the kind of labor hired, and the construction quality.
Hence, the price of a couch is dependent on the following factors:
Kinds of Materials Used
The materials most of the furniture manufacturers use for couches are hardwood and softwood.
Hardwood like ash, beech, and oak is unique in its looks and is very sturdy. It usually weighs heavier and tends to last generations. That’s the reason why settees made from hardwood come with a hefty price tag.
Softwood such as spruce, pine, and cedar is lightweight but still is able to withstand deformation due to temperature changes. If you are low on budget, this could still be a better option.
Other more common furniture materials used in sofas as well are MDF and even bamboo. You simply can’t expect sofas constructed from these materials to last longer, hence the reason why they are so cheap.
The Fabric Used for Sofas
The fabric of the sofa determines its look, texture, and of course, quality. The high-end sofas generally feature leather, velvet, or another natural material. This not only gives the sofa a luxurious look but also withstands wear and tear to a great extent to prevent reupholstering.
As opposed to this, cheap sofas come with poor quality synthetic fabrics and this is the reason why they start fading and ripping within a short period of time.
Method of Production
You may have noticed that off-the-rack or ready-made sofas are generally cheaper than custom-made ones. Have you ever wondered why?
It’s because custom-made sofas are given more time individually by the workers to ensure the quality and look meet the expectations of the customer. Most custom-made couches are also hand-made, which means more time and effort is dedicated to the production process.
Whereas, on the other hand, ready-made settees are cheap because they are produced in bulk (mass production) and the quality is compromised.
Skilled or Semi-Skilled Labor
Semi-skilled labor is usually paid less, therefore, they try to complete as many jobs as possible to earn more. On the other hand, skilled workers are masters of their work and know techniques for producing a high-end couch.
Now, the real question is how can you tell if the couch is made by semi-skilled or skilled labor?
You can merely tell by the look of it. Uneven edges, poor-quality polish, significantly visible nails, or heavy use of adhesive are all signs of poor quality work and, therefore, such couches cost quite low. They don’t tend to last longer due to the inferior quality of construction.
The Filling
Whether you want a soft and cozy or a firm settee depends on the quality of the filling. Usually, there are three kinds of filling – feather, fiber, and foam.
Feather fill contains mostly duck feathers to make the couch super soft and plump and to ensure it doesn’t sag. It can be costly.
Fiber fill (usually polyester) is an amazing alternative to feathers and still gives “softness” to the seat. Whereas foam fill can be quite firm and cheaper, however, there are modern foam materials that can be quite expensive and comfy.
Seating Support
Extra comfort comes from seating support. Expensive couches are equipped with sinuous springs and eight-way hand-tied springs to make sure they are extra supportive and cozy.
Whereas, cheap settees are constructed with poor-quality web suspension, which isn’t sturdy and may greatly compromise your comfort.
In order to test both seating support and filling, it’s ideal to take a “sit test”. Until or unless you don’t sit and check if the cushioning and support are according to your liking, you may waste your money down the line. As for the construction quality, it’s important to check the “feel” of the couch, as it will give you an idea of the materials used.
Are Expensive Couches Worth It?
Now that you know how a cheap sofa differs from an expensive one in terms of quality, construction, comfort level, and aesthetic appeal, you can already make the right decision for yourself and your family.
Expensive top-notch quality couches can last around 25 years, whereas a cheap substandard settee can last for approximately 5 years.
If you want your investment to be worthwhile and one-off, it’s better to save up and purchase an expensive sofa, as you won’t be buying it every other day.
A chic and elegant expensive couch will not only provide you with years of comfort but also peace of mind.
