How Much Should I Spend On A Sofa?

Furniture is the heart and soul of any home. Unfortunately, choosing the right heart and soul (and sofa) can be overwhelming when you look at the many options and price points.

With so many sofas to choose from, it can be hard to know what a fair price is and whether you're getting a good deal.

You may have asked yourself: "How much should I spend on a sofa?". Though there is no one size fits all answer, there are many factors to consider, all of which we'll discuss in-depth in this sofa-buying guide.

How Much Should You Expect To Pay For Sofas?

A new sofa is essential to a forever home, but most of us woefully under or overestimate the price of a sofa. Luckily, sofas come in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and just as many quality options. The price range also mirrors this diversity.

Let's take a look at the average sofa cost you can expect when browsing for your dream couch.

Low-End Couches

A typical catalog's lower price ranges will be between $300 and $900 for a couch. These are the most affordable option but are not the best quality. A new sofa in this price range won't be your dream sofa and won't last a lifetime, but it'll do in a pinch.

What to expect from low-end couches:

• Frames built from cardboard and particle board. They won't be very sturdy.

• No matching throw pillows or pillows made from low-density, chopped foam. The seat cushions will also have low-quality filling that doesn't retain its shape for long.

• The fabric choices will be limited. They also won't be quality materials, so wear and tear will show up quickly.

• Seating coils will be thin or non-existent. The new couch won't be very comfortable and will only worsen with time.

Mid-Range Sofas

Mid-range sofas cost anywhere from $1000 to $1500. They're a better sofa option than low-end couches and will have better quality features. They're a great option if you need a quality budget option or need a quick, practical furniture option for a small space.

However, these are still not the couches you would buy if you want a sofa that will last decades or one that'll maintain its form. You'll also have to forego the customization options that you would get with higher-end couches.

What to expect from mid-range couches:

• The frames on mid-range couches are sturdier than low-end ones, but not by much. You can expect frames made from plywood or a mix of particle board, plywood, and cheap wood. The addition of the wood will make the couch last a little longer.

• The seat cushions will be well-tailored, and the couch may have matching throw pillows. They'll also have better-quality stitching.

• Mid sofas will still only have standard fabric options like neutrals or solids. The fabric couch customization options will also be limited or not available at all.

• The coil suspension system will be more advanced, comfortable, and last longer. However, the comfort will wear away with time.

High-End Sofas

With a high-end price, you can expect a high-quality sofa. High-end fabric couches range between $1500 and $3000 and are the type of couch you can comfortably buy for your forever home.

What to expect from a high-quality sofa:

• Expect the entire frame to be hardwood. The solid wood frame and wood finish will ensure the couch lasts longer than the previous options.

• The sofa will have higher-quality seat cushion fill and tailored throw pillows. However, always check with the company what the interior of the couch is. Don't settle for shredded or cheap foam filling at this price range. You'll want high-density foam filling.

• The fabric colors will be the second most diverse on this list. High-end sofas come with more customization options, which is great if you want a specific fabric or pattern that matches your interior design.

• More suspension options, including sinuous springs and webbed suspension. You'll have comfortable seating for much longer than mid-range options.

• Carpenters also reinforce these sofas. It will have better joint work and will easily last a decade or two.

Luxury Sofas

Luxury sofas cost $3000 and beyond and are commonly referred to as heirloom quality sofas. You get these couches if you want a sofa that will last decades, maybe even a few generations. They provide the most customization options.

What to expect from luxury sofas:

• Kiln-dried hardwood or hardwood and plywood frame mixes. These couches are super sturdy and will easily last decades. They are also reinforced by carpenters and adjusted according to client specifications.

• Seat cushion core interiors are customizable. Most of them are high-density foam that retains its shape years down the line.

• Expect down-filled throw pillows. This is also customizable.

• The fabric choices will be virtually unlimited. You'll also have the option to install performance fabrics or other durable materials. You can do everything from top-grain leather to waterproof fabric with a custom pattern.

• Customization goes beyond just upholstery choices. You can make smaller changes like trim, fringe, or other accents. This is the way to go if you want to match your sofa to your sitting room down to the smallest details.

• All of the cushions will be plush. Even the armrest filling will be plush.

How To Buy A Sofa In Your Budget

Now that you know what to expect from the different price points and their defining features, use the below considerations to find the perfect sofa within your budget.

Decide On A Price Range

Of course, determining what you can afford to pay for a sofa is the first step. The best way to do this is to consider what you want from the sofa.

Ask yourself:

• How long do I want this sofa to last?

• How much can I comfortably pay without going beyond my means?

• What specifics do I want from the sofa? Do I want a sofa that doubles as a sofa bed or a sofa that fits with my current aesthetic?

Once you know what you want, you can weed out the options that don't work for you.

For example, if you're a student looking to take advantage of space-saving furniture while in college, a low to mid-range sofa will be perfect. But if you just bought a home and want to buy sofas that'll last until your kids are grown, consider a price jump.

Select A Shape And Size

The size and shape of your living room are going to be a big determiner when choosing your sofa. As a general rule, the more specifications you need, the more you'll have to pay.

If you have a small space to maximize for a bed and other furniture, sofa beds or sectionals would be best. If you have an atypical living room, you'll have to prepare a budget that allows for exact customizations.

But if you're not too bothered by a specific size or shape, you'll find basic low to mid-range features that work fine in most living rooms and with most budgets.

Choose Your Upholstery

Upholstery will have a big impact on the cost of the sofa.

At the bottom, you have cheap upholstery options like cotton. It's a common, durable material that's also affordable. At the top, you have velvets, silk, and leather upholstery. These are expensive, and they look like it too! They also have the benefit of lasting a very long time.

Consider the following questions when looking at upholstery:

• How long do you want the couch to last? If you want a couch immediately and don't care much beyond its basic durability, a cheaper option will be a great fit. More durable and expensive fabrics like leather would be a better option for a longer-lasting sofa.

• Do you need upholstery that can handle children? If you want a couch that can withstand the stains and rough play of the whole family, you'll have to pay extra for furniture that can handle it. Unfortunately, low-end upholstery options like cotton are prone to staining, and the frames aren't all that strong.

• How much does style matter to you? Mid to low-end options have pre-set couch and cushion upholstery fabric choices. The colors will be basic neutral will little to no customization options. If you want a specific color, pattern, or finish, you'll have to budget for an extra thousand dollars or more.

Pick A Style

Picking a style is so much more than just aesthetics. It's also about your lifestyle.

If you have children, you'll need a sturdy couch. One with a hardwood frame, which also has stain-resistant upholstery. Of course, upholstery like that will be expensive. At the same time, you won't want luxurious upholstery that'll be butchered by rough play.

If you're a student looking to spruce up your dorm room without breaking the bank, a sparky low-end couch will work perfectly.

When you consider your lifestyle and what you need to maintain it, it's easier to decide whether a mass-produced couch, a sturdy mid-range behemoth, or a custom sofa with a luxurious finish is the best option for you.

3 Considerations When Buying A Sofa

1. Custom Vs. Semi-Custom: Which Is Best?

Custom couches are the best if you look at them from a pure style perspective. You can add nail heads, choose from an array of wood finishes, and develop cushions that fit your comfort preference.

But forking out thousands of dollars for a custom couch when you don't have the money for one isn't the best for you. If you can't afford full custom, semi-custom is still a great option.

Besides, a full custom couch is only ever truly necessary if you have an atypical living space, a very specific design, or you need to create identical sofas with the couches or furniture you already have.

2. Is Expensive Always Better?

Couches cost a lot, whether they are custom or semi-custom. As discussed above, custom and high-end couches typically last longer than low to mid-range couches.

However, it's worth noting that more expensive doesn't always mean better. Instead, look for couches that are expensive because they use high-quality materials like solid wood, grain leather, higher-density foam, etc. These are the things that will ensure the couch's longevity.

If you're going to fork out a lot of money for an expensive couch, browse the build materials catalog and ensure you're paying for durability and not just the brand name.

3. Should I try To Restore An Old Sofa? 

If you have heirloom furniture or a hardwood sofa, spend your money restoring the old sofa. Do a wood check and a sit test to see whether the wood is rotting or beyond saving. You can also call a carpenter to see if the couch still has a decent amount of time left.

If the couch frame is still good and fits your space, get a quote on how much re-upholstering and fixing it up would cost. If it's within your budget, fix up the couch.

Not only will you feel a sense of pride when you use the couch, but restoring an old sofa is a much better option for the environment and should work out cheaper than buying a new one.

Make Your Home Yours With Modular Furniture

Now that you know more about sofas and their associated costs, we hope you'll spend your hard-earned money on one you know will brighten up your living room and enhance your life.

Keep this guide on hand when creating your budget and browsing for sofas, and use it to make smart purchasing choices.

Speaking of browsing: if you're on the lookout for the best sofa for the best price, browse Transformer Table's modular transformer couch. Create anything from a three-seater to a full-wall sectional with these high-quality seaters, and optimize your furniture to meet your unique needs.