How long do your family room sofas last?

You know your budget better than we do. If not satisfied with what you currently have, then attempt to sell it while it still has value rather than waiting until it is completely worn out. Another person’s “trash” is another person’s treasure.

If money isn’t a issue sell them or donate to them to charity. I’m sure there is a battered woman’s shelter in your city that would love a new couch.

If you can afford it you might as well get what you want. As long as you don’t burn them I’m not really seeing a problem. Someone else has a much worse couch and would love to have yours.

We have 2 black leather sofa. He had them here when I moved in over 5 years ago. We clean them once or twice a year and they look brand new afterwards.

@Headhurts Mine are in rather good condition. They have slight stretching or warping I guess, where people sit the most, but barely noticeable. I think I notice only because I live with them, no one else would.

We have one smaller sofa which I can just about lay down on. The other is very long, about 6’. I used to prefer material sofas but I think they show up dirt more. With children around, leather might be the better option.

@Headhurts I agree other fabrics can show more wear fastee, but this isnot about the wear, it is about getting rid of them when they still look good. I hate leather sofas because they areso cold in the winter, and can be hot in the summer, and don’t feel cozy in general, even though mine are very comfortable from a soft standpoint, and the shape is comfortable as well, except I do wish they were longer for when both my husband and I are relaxing together. They are a typical legnth though, maybe 7’? 6’ in the sitting area I think.

@Pied_Pfeffer @johnpowell You are making sense to me. Helps me feel better about what I want to do. I grew up in a house where we never got rid of something that was still working. Generally my hisband and ai function that way except for his car obsession that you might remember. Being able to afford something is usually not the big determining factor in buying new things for the house when we already have items that are functioning. We have the money, just a matter of whether I want to spend the money. I like to squirrel money away.

That is all up to you. I’m a pretty firm believer in giving yourself a nice treat once per paycheck. My treat is a pizza that didn’t come out of my freezer. Maybe a new couch is your treat.

As long as you aren’t sucking dick behind a 7/11 for a new couch I say go for it.

You made me realize I almost never treat myself to anything. When I was a young adult I did not have much money, and always tried to live within my means. As my income grew, I should say our income, we did not increase much spending. Except for his cars, and my house is bigger and more expensive. But, I don’t spend more on food, clothing, hardly anything. I eat frozen pizza usually :). A little more on travel, slightly better hotels, when we stay in a hotel, but I still look for bargains. I’d like to change more than just those sofas, we have talked about getting new bedroom furniture for years. There are other items also. The family room affects me most though.

At my house, my couches live ‘forever’. When it is time to change furniture, >20 years, they go to my son or to friends.
My son has cats. That is where furniture goes to die.

if you ever think about changing your flooring in the new house, I know a guy. Just saying…

I used to feel the way you feel, @JLeslie, about TV’s. I felt like why get rid of the old TV when it works just fine? This past Christmas I bought a new 40 inch Samsung for my bedroom. it’s big, it’s clear, it’s great and I wish I did it sooner.

It’s nice, now and then, to change up furniture just for a new look. Most of the furniture in my house I won’t be changing, because it’s good and I’m emotionally attached to it. Couches are different, IMHO. A new couch makes all the difference in the look of a room, and especially if the couches you have now do not suit you and your needs, If you can afford it, go for it.

Oh, to actually answer your question, my present couch is about four years old and my previous one was about ten years old before I replaced it.

@Seek_Kolinahr Good to know.

@jca I know what you mean that it depends on the item. I still have my dining room table that I think would be best if I changed it, but can’t bring myself to do it. I loved it so much when we bought it when I was first married. I have had 3 buyers of my various houses want to buy it. I just can’t part with it, even though it doesn’t really go with my decor anymore and I wish I had bought 8 chairs instead of 6. Plus, it is terribly heavy and costs a lot of money every time we move.

Our brown family room leather sofa is 25 years old and looks terrific. It’s very thick, strong leather.

Decide how much discretionary income you have or are willing to spend, then make a list of your priorities. Then do what makes you happy and don’t second guess your decisions.

If you want to lie down rather than sit, fine. If your dining room furniture is too heavy, buy something lighter. If you want coordinated decor, then do it.

I give you permission to not feel bad, horrible, guilty or remorseful. You can find happy homes for everything you discard.
I have had a leather sofa in my family room for 28 years; it’s great. We occasionally sponge it off and vacuum under the cushions.

When my kids left the nest, I did a thorough spring cleaning, sold all the stuff that had suffered severe wear and tear and slowly purchased only things I loved. I still love them.

@gailcalled :)

I have given away old furniture to happy homes (I always say it is a mitzvah) we did a lot of it right before we moved, and sold a couple pieces. But, you are right that I am wallowing in indecision a bit and worried about regret.

We move enough that sometimes I think I should buy mostly average quality furniture and just get rid of it when we move, rather than move it all and sometimes pay lots of money in storage.

there might also be a local jelly looking for furniture in a couple of months, when she finally moves out of this place. Just saying.

I agree with you about leather furniture. It’s cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I hate the way it sticks to your skin if you’re wearing sorts.
Therefore, I would take the leather couch to a resale shop. Someone will love it, if it’s priced right. We’ve had our fabric covered couch over 40 years. Had it recover once , after the kids were older, with a more textured fabric and it looks good for another, who knows, long period. Smooth fabrics wear faster than textured. Sectionals are good for rearranging furniture for different seating arrangements.
I’d go for it.

My kids are using the sofas that we got shortly after we got married 22 years ago.
Would you feel better if you donated them to a women’s shelter for someone trying to get their life back together after escaping an abusive situation?

@Judi I have donated clothes in the past to women in that situation. Suits to help them dress for interviews, clothing like that. I think I would try to sell them before donating, see how that goes, someone would hopefully get very nice sofas for a great price, and I make a little to help me feel better about buying new ones.

Funny you ask. I just lugged my entire living room set down to the Salvation Army yesterday for donation. Seventeen years old.

New set gets delivered this week.