Chances are your sofa is the most expensive piece of furniture in the living room. It is also the one that tends to get the most use, as it is the spot your family naturally flocks to for watching TV, playing video games, browsing on laptops, and taking naps. So choosing the right couch from the beginning, protecting the upholstery from damage, and learning to replace worn out foam is vital to extending its lifespan and putting off a new purchase for as long as possible. Here are some expert tips on how to make your couch last longer.
- Start with a quality product: We all love bargains, but the difference in longevity between a couch made from quality materials and one made from the cheap stuff is significant. Sofas crafted out of solid woods or genuine leather might be costly investments, but they’ll last many more years than something made from particle board or laminates.
- Protect the upholstery: One of the most common reasons for having to replace a couch is damaged upholstery. From rips and tears to unsightly stains and deeply embedded dirt and grime, once the upholstery goes, your entire living room aesthetic is ruined. Protect the upholstery by banning eating and drinking on the couch or by placing a blanket or towel over the cushions when food is being consumed. In addition, clean the upholstery weekly according to the recommended care guidelines for the specific material, and give it a professional cleaning at least once a year.
- Purchase a neutral color: Bold colors are fun in the showroom or in a magazine spread, but they rarely hold their appeal over time. Tastes and trends change, so purchase your couch in a neutral color, and then add decorative accents that reflect your current sense of style. After all, it’s much easier and cheaper to swap out a few throw pillows rather than the whole couch.
- Replace the foam cushions: If your couch has foam cushions, they will likely start sagging or compressing after a few years of ordinary use. Instead of replacing the entire couch, try replacing the foam first. You can buy seat and cushion foam in different densities from FoamByMail.com, and follow online DIY tutorials to re-stuff the cushions. Just be sure to use zippered covers to make repair and replacement as easy as possible.
By caring for your couch as described in these tips, you’ll get many extra years of service out of the biggest furniture investment in the living room, so start right now!
I replaced the foam cushions on my favorite sofa and it is amazing and like new! I followed the very simple instructions and I literally saved myself hundreds of dollars! Thank you!
We were about to spend $2,400 on a new sofa and loveseat due to sagging cushions and backs. Fortunately they were out of stock so we bought the highest density foam cushion replacements for our sofa and loveseat. Also, the shredded foam for the backs. (We also purchased some zippered pillow covers for the foam to stuff into the backs.) It has made all the difference in the world! Our sofa set looks like new and we saved over $2,100 dollars!! Highly recommend using best foam replacement one can afford! Thank You!