Thinking about getting a new couch? Hold up! Before you haul your old couch to the curb, consider whether it’s really worth replacing your sofa. It’s possible that your couch still has many years of life left in it – while some people replace their couch every 5 years, many good quality sofas are built to last at least 15 years. There’s no point splashing out on new furniture if you don’t truly need it. Here are some signs that it could be worth keeping your couch for a few more years.
It’s still comfortable
Comfort is key when it comes to determining whether to keep onto a couch. If your sofa is causing you back pain or making you fidget every five minutes, then yes – you probably should consider getting a new couch (or at the very least reupholstering it). But if your sofa is still cozy, why bother buying a brand new stiff sofa that will have to be ‘broken in’ anyway? It’s okay for a cushion to have a dip in it or for the fabric to be slightly worn, provided it doesn’t cause you any discomfort.
Fixing it is cheaper than replacing it
It’s possible to get many couch issues repaired. Cushions can be refilled, loose springs can be put back in place, and wobbly legs can be sturdied. A professional upholstering company will typically charge between $100 and $500 for repairs. This might sound like a lot of money – but, in many cases, it’s a fraction the cost of a new sofa (you typically can’t get a decent new couch for anything less than $800). Heavily worn sofas will cost more to repair and may not be worth the investment. But you shouldn’t throw away a sofa because of minor damage.
It just needs a bit of cleaning
If your sofa is stained or giving off a musty smell, you might be tempted to swap it out for something clean or fresh. However, it’s also possible you may be able to get your sofa looking brand new again just by giving it a spring clean. A thorough vacuum may be able to get rid of the dust and crumbs, while various sofa cleaning products can be bought to help sterilize odors and lift stains. You can also hire upholstery cleaning experts to deep-clean your sofa. This is likely to cost less than buying a new sofa and could have the same result.
It’s still fit for purpose
Personal needs can change. If your family is growing and you’re regularly inviting around more guests for game nights, then it might be worth trading in your compact loveseat for a larger multi-person couch. However, if no more extra people are using your sofa, consider when you really need to go bigger? You should similarly ask yourself whether it’s worth buying a new sofa for gimmicks by leg rests or cup holders. Do you really need these features when it may be cheaper to just buy a separate footrest and an armrest cup holder attachment (or even make your own)?
