A sofa is often one of the most expensive furniture purchases you’ll make for your home, so it’s natural to want to do your research and buy the best quality sofa you can afford. You also want a sofa that is going to be comfortable and durable enough for watching movies with your family, lounging with a good book, snuggling with your pet, or just hanging out with friends. So, in this post, I’m going to answer all your burning questions, like who makes the best quality sofas, what to look for, and where to shop.
While it’s true that you may have to spend a little more for a high quality sofa, you may actually end up saving money in the long run. That’s because low quality sofas don’t tend to last more than 3-5 years, which means you’ll have to replace it with a new sofa in just a few years. On the other hand, a high quality sofa can last 8-10 years, and often even longer. So, paying a little more upfront for a longer lasting sofa could be your best bet.
Features of a High Quality Sofa
What should you look for when buying a sofa? There are several key features that will tell you whether or not the sofa is high quality. These include:
- the frame
- the suspension system
- how it’s joined together
- the cushions
- the fabric
1. The Frame
The best quality sofa frames are made from dense kiln-dried hardwoods, like walnut, maple, oak, or ash. These also tend to be the most expensive type of frame construction, but these sofas with durable materials will last the longest, so the expense is worth the investment.
Some sofa frames are made from softer woods, like pine, and these tend to be more affordable. However, pine is not quite as strong, and doesn’t tend to stand the test of time. In other words, your pine-framed sofa could have structural issues within just a few years.
Metal sofa frames are super durable, and are great for sofas that will get extra heavy use, but can often be more expensive than hardwood frames. Also, not all metal frames are created equal, and some metal frames could warp or bend.
What to Avoid: Any sofa frame made of particleboard, fiberboard, cardboard, or plastic should be avoided (trust me)! It won’t last. and won’t be comfortable…a waste of your money.
2. The suspension system
The suspension system consists of springs to support the seat cushions, and they are critical to the overall comfort of the sofa. The gold standard for high quality sofas is eight-way hand-tied springs. This is the most comfortable and durable suspension system you can buy, but it also tends to be the most expensive.
Another common suspension type is sinuous springs. These are sometimes referred to as serpentine springs, and are constructed with heavy-gauge wires that snake and twist into S-shaped coils. Sinuous springs are a comfortable and affordable option. The best sinuous spring systems will have wires that are at least 8-gauge, and will have lots of small turns versus larger S-turns.
What to Avoid: Pocket coils, drop-in coils, and polypropylene webbing are all less desirable suspension methods. They may be more affordable, but don’t do a good job of distributing weight evenly and/or are uncomfortable to sit on.
3. How it’s joined together
How the frame is joined together is an important factor in the quality of the sofa. Mortise-and-tenon (tabs of wood inserted into holes) is considered the premiere method of joinery for the longest-lasting frames. And, yes, you can expect this to result in a higher overall cost.
More commonly, you’ll find frame construction that uses screws, reinforcing corner blocks, glue and dowels in a great quality sofa frame. When looking at a sofa, check out the corners where pieces of wood are joined together. If you see little blocks of wood in the corners or triangles screwed in place to reinforce the corner, you can feel good about the quality of the frame construction.
What to Avoid: If the sofa frame is held together with a combination of nails, staples, and glue, then you’re looking at a low quality sofa frame. These materials can be used to help reinforce a sofa frame, but shouldn’t be the only joining methods used.
One good way to test for solid frame construction is to lift and jiggle the sofa. If you can feel the frame move, rather than it feeling like a heavy, solid unit, walk away. This is a sure sign the construction quality is poor, and the sofa won’t last.
4. The cushions
The best quality sofa seat cushions are typically made with a high-density foam core that is wrapped with either a layer of polyester batting or down blend. At home, I have a sofa with cushions that have a memory foam core wrapped with down blend, and they are fabulous!
Seat cushion density and firmness is a personal preference – some people love the feeling of sinking into a sofa and others love a nice firm, supportive seat. Be sure to test different seat cushion options to see which ones you like best.
Back cushions tend to be made of polyfiber/microfiber fill or down. Great back cushions will have channels sewn into them to ensure that the filling doesn’t move around. This is really important if you don’t want your back cushions to look saggy. You can check for this by unzipping the back cushions and looking to see if the channels are present.
What to Avoid: Seat cushions that are all-foam, or only made of down. The all foam cushions are less expensive, but usually not very thick or comfortable. Cushions that are all down are sometimes found in expensive sofas, but they don’t have enough structure to them, and will flatten out in no time. Down cushions also need to be fluffed and turned regularly to maintain their shape.
5. The fabric
Fabric choice often comes down to choosing something that will work best for your lifestyle. Top sofa brands will have a variety of high-quality materials (fabrics), colors, and textures to choose from, including performance fabrics.
Natural fiber (cotton, linen, wool, etc.) and synthetic (polyester, nylon, microfiber, etc.) fabrics can both be very durable. Natural fibers are readily available in a wide array of patterns, weaves and colors, but they can be more susceptible to staining and damage. Synthetic fabrics are great at resisting stains, but some can wrinkle or attract dirt and pet hair.
There is no single fabric choice that is best for everyone. I recommend microfiber as a great option for families because it’s both durable and easy to clean (machine washable). I also recommend going with performance fabric options, as they are engineered to last. Some of the best performance fabrics in the industry today are made by Crypton, Revolution, and Inside Out.
Leather is another great upholstery option for sofas. Not only does it look fantastic, but it’s very easy to clean and holds up well. However, a quality leather sofa will cost you quite a bit more than a fabric one. When it comes to leather, it’s best to choose a high-quality option…you don’t want to go low-quality on leather. Even though there are some low-grade and faux-leather sofas out there, these options don’t typically last. If you’re shopping for a leather sofa, be sure to choose one that is described as top-grain or full-grain. These leathers are made from the outermost layer of the hide, which is the strongest part.
What to Avoid: Bonded leathers, low-cost synthetic fabrics, silk or velvet (if you have kids)
The Best Quality Sofa Brands
The following list was created based on personal experience sourcing and buying sofas, a ton of research, and input from other interior designers. I wanted to separate out the very best sofa brands and manufacturers from the rest of them, so that you can shop local or shop online with confidence in the quality, and end up with the perfect sofa for your living space.
Let me first talk a little about the categories. The categories are based on a combination of quality, lifespan, reputation, and price point. I’ve also included a link to brands that you can shop online, where applicable.
- OK – these are sofas that tend to be very affordable, but do not always have the best quality construction. Compared to other low-budget options, however, these brands offer better quality sofas. They will tend to last about 3 years, on average.
- Good – these sofas are average to good quality, with a typical lifespan of about 3-5 years
- Better – medium to high-quality construction with an average lifespan of about 7-10 years or more
- Best – highest/heirloom quality with an average lifespan of 10+ years
OK Quality Sofa Brands
These brands are not the best in terms of quality. However, they tend to have affordable prices, and can be a good temporary option. My advice is to always be wary of inexpensive sofas – they don’t tend to last more than 3 years with heavy use, which means you may need to invest in another sofa in just a few years. Buying two sofas within 3 years could end up being more expensive than investing in one higher-priced, better constructed sofa that will last 7 years or more.
Good Quality Sofa Brands
These sofa brands are of average to good quality, meaning you can get a better quality sofa that will last longer. In addition, some of these “Good Quality” brands are quite pricey, and the price is not justified due to their lower quality construction. Sofas in this category will typically need to be replaced, reupholstered, or re-stuffed within 5 years. The good news is that most of these brands are available for purchase online and offer some customization. For the other brands, I’ve indicated if you’ll need to find a local retailer.
- Ballard Designs
- Benchmade Modern
- Crate & Barrel
- Flexsteel (buy from a local furniture retailer)
- Joybird
- Klaussner (buy from a local furniture retailer)
- La-Z-Boy
- Poly & Bark
- Pottery Barn
- Restoration Hardware (overpriced for the quality)
- Room & Board
- Rowe (buy from a local furniture retailer)
- TOV
- West Elm
Better Quality Sofa Brands
These brands are considered medium to high quality, and can have more reasonable prices than some of the top quality sofas listed in the next section. They can also be more affordable than some of the “Good” quality sofas in the previous section. Many of these brands offer online purchase and customization, and I’ve noted other cases where you will need to visit the manufacturer website to find a local retailer near you. You may also be able to find select styles (without customization) on Wayfair or Perigold.
- American Leather (some styles available on Perigold, well-known for their comfort sleeper sofa)
- Arhaus
- Bassett Furniture
- Bernhardt (buy from a local furniture retailer, or at Wayfair or Perigold)
- CR Laine (buy from a local furniture retailer)
- Decor-Rest
- Design Within Reach
- Ethan Allen
- Four Seasons (slipcovered sofas, buy from a local furniture retailer)
- Interior Define
- Kravet (some styles available on Perigold, or find from a local furniture retailer)
- Lee Industries (available at Crate & Barrel sold as the Axis, Keely, Briarwood, and Mansfield styles)
- Lexington (buy from a local furniture retailer)
- Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
- Palliser (great for theater seating, some styles available on Wayfair)
Best Quality Sofa Brands
While it’s true that there can be a correlation between the best quality sofa brands, and the most expensive sofa brands, it’s not always the case. Many of these high quality sofa brands are reasonably priced, when you consider the very high quality you’ll get, and how long they will last. These luxury brands are typically only available from a local retailer or through an interior designer, but some select styles can be found on Wayfair or Perigold. Use the retailer search feature on their website to find a local retailer near you. You’ll also find that many of these manufacturers are based in North Carolina, where some of the best quality furniture in the world is made.
- A Rudin
- Alder & Tweed
- Baker
- Bradington-Young (leather sofas, some styles available on Wayfair and Perigold)
- Century (some styles available via Perigold)
- Craftmaster (some styles available on Wayfair and Perigold)
- Fairfield Chair (some styles available on Perigold)
- Hallagan Furniture
- Hancock & Mooreย
- Hickory Chair
- Hickory White
- Holly Hunt
- Hooker (some styles available on Wayfair and Perigold)
- Massoud
- Maiden Home
- Miles Talbot
- Precedent (some styles available on Perigold)
- Sherrill
- Taylor King
- Temple
- Vanguard (some styles available on Perigold)
- Wesley Hall
Where to Shop for Quality Sofas
When it comes to shopping for sofas, there’s a distinction to be made between shopping at a retail store, and shopping for a specific sofa brand. Online retail and local furniture stores often carry several different sofa brands. Some stores carry known, high-quality brands, while other stores may carry their own exclusive brand, and some carry a mix of both.
In the retail world, it really doesn’t really matter so much where you buy the sofa from…what truly matters is the construction of the sofa. You might have some great luck finding high quality sofa brands at your local furniture store, so don’t hesitate to take the list above and shop local.
All that being said, here are some online retailers where you can buy the high-end sofa brands listed above:
- Wayfair
- Burke Decor
- Perigold
- Crate & Barrel (look for, or ask salesperson for sofas made by Lee Industries)
- Chairish (used and vintage furniture, some high quality sofa brands available for resale)
Tips for Saving Money When Shopping for a Sofa
When you’re ready to make your sofa purchase, here are a few tips for saving some cash.
Online Retailers
Online retailers typically offer already reduced prices for sofas, and rarely provide discounts for furniture pieces, even when having a sale. However, you may be able to score free shipping or delivery during a sale. Here are a few more tips:
- Look for sales around major holidays. This is often your best chance for furniture savings.
- Compare prices at different online retailers. Retailers can set different prices for the exact same item, so be sure to shop around for the best possible price
- If the online retailer also has a storefront (like Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware), ask the sales associates if there are any available discounts. They may not, and you will have lost nothing, but you might get a pleasant surprise, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Local Furniture Stores
Local retailers and furniture stores often have more flexibility in setting prices for their merchandise. Always ask for a discount when shopping at your local furniture store. They may be able to offer you 10% off right on the spot, or another savings like free white glove delivery. Here are a few tips when shopping local:
- Shop around major holidays for big sales and great savings (Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving/Black Friday, and Memorial Day are great times for furniture shopping)
- Ask for a discount! You might be surprised how willing they are to work with you to make the sale.
- Be sure to ask about the construction of the sofa, especially if they recommend a brand not on the lists above.
Buying a sofa for your home is a significant purchase, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. It can be one of the most expensive furniture items you’ll buy for your home, so it’s important to do your homework and make sure you buy a quality piece. If you need a sofa that can stand up to daily use, be sure to buy the best quality sofa brand you can afford. The higher upfront investment is worth it in the long run, because the improved quality tends to last much longer than a lower quality sofa.
Once you have your dream sofa, it’s time to furnish the rest of your living room. If you need some help creating a stylish design in your living room space, grab a copy of my Essential Living Room Checklist. It’s FREE!
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I never recommend products I don’t wholeheartedly believe in, and all of my opinions are my own. See my Privacy Policy for details.
I donโt see Palliser listed – were they not assessed?
Thanks
That’s a good one to add. I’ll put in on the list. Thanks!
May I ask what you think of King Hickory brand, especially in comparison to Flexsteel? Thank you!!!
What about Stickley?
How about Z Gallerie ? I did the research you also list and found the quality is just as good as some that you list and they have beautiful sofas sectionals. Whatโs your Il opinion ?
Z Gallerie has beautiful items, but they can be hit or miss in terms of quality. They import a lot of their furniture, and not all pieces are of consistent quality. Some people have had sofas from Z Gallerie that they love and have lasted for many years. Others not so much. If you’re considering a sofa from there, be sure to do your research on the construction method for your specific item, or inspect it in person. I prefer Z Gallerie for art and accessories over furniture.
Thanks, there are some sources there I hadn’t seen, although most are pretty traditional. Did you look at direct to consumer sofas like JoyBird, Dream Sofa and Poly and Bark?
Personally I disagree with your premise although I know it is popularly held among designers. I have a leather sofa I bought for $1200 20 years ago and it’s still perfect. I wish it would just fall apart because I was sick of it a long time ago. I also have a blue sofa I bought from Wayfair 8 years ago for $425 delivered, and it is also still perfect. Maybe if people have large families and kids and dogs, or are heavy people it makes a difference. But I am on these sofas for hours and hours a day and they are still in perfect shape. So unless quality has really gone downhill in 8 years, I can’t imagine the need for $5000+ sofa.
That’s fantastic that your sofas have held up so long! You can definitely find great quality sofas at affordable prices,. I was trying to make the point that it’s not so much about price, but rather the quality of construction that’s important. Once we know what to look for, then we can make informed decisions on what to buy to get good quality for our money.
What brand was your wayfair couch that has lasted? Looking for one now! haha
Do you have any personal experience with or comments about the quality of Decor-Rest and Hallagan? I have a specific style of sofa in mind and so far have only found it with these two manufacturers. Thanks.
Iโd also be interested in hearing about Decor-Rest!
I would put Decor-Rest in the “Better” quality category. They have very good construction, and nice customization options. I’ll add them to the list.
I would put Decor-Rest in the โBetterโ quality category. They have very good construction, and nice customization options. Iโll add them to the list. Hallagan Furniture would be in the Best category, with superior construction methods (added to the list).
Great information. Thanks for sharing. Do you have an opinion on the quality of Maiden Home and Benchmark Modern sofas?
Maiden Home sofas are excellent quality…I’ve added them in the Best category. I would put Benchmade Modern in the Good category, based on construction methods.
I have a Maiden Home sofa and it is the worst purchase I have ever made. The sofa came with multiple staples sticking out of it, the cushions sagged immediately and it is horribly uncomfortable to sit on. I love the design and the fabric is nice but I would NEVER purchase from this company again. The sofa looked older than the one I was replacing in about a week.
Which sofa and fabric did you purchase? I am considering a purchase from them! Thanks in advance!
Unfortunately, I have the Warren in taupe performance velvet. The fabric and style are great but the construction quality is horrible (though the frame seems solid). Their website makes it seem like they do everything right. I wonder if the pandemic has had a lasting effect on the recent quality of furniture. After things being backlogged for a long time many of the upholstered pieces I’ve received lately are of inferior quality.
Indeed informative and reliable. Thank you for posting this. Great work.
everything is clear to me now after reading this article. Everything was explained and differentiated well, the topic was very useful. Worth to read the article
Hi! As someone who does SEO for a living, I really appreciate how much information you provide along with the “ok, good, better, best” list. In my search for a high-quality sofa brand, I found most websites (e.g. the Spruce) were making lists based on brand hype and style. I’d love to see you do a similar page for other furniture pieces or just furniture brands in general. For example, beds, as I’m currently looking to replace my cheap modern wooden canopy bed with a higher quality version that stands the test of time and doesn’t two years later squeak and shake every time I roll over in it. It can be hard to tell when you’re paying for quality vs a name or trend, especially in the age of buying furniture online.
Thanks for your comment! That’s a great idea to do another post on general furniture pieces.
Yes please please PLEASE ๐ do bed frames + mattresses! Iโve found that itโs almost impossible to find real mattress reviews. Search results for mattress โreviewsโ are almost 100% sponsored content and it drives me crazy.
Great article on sofas btw- easily among the most helpful resources Iโve come across for sofa research.
Agree with you about the mattress reviews! Thanks for your comment.
Henredon? I know it’s classically been thought of as a top brand, is that still the case? I have a sofa from them that I love and a leather recliner that I don’t (although it’s beautiful).
Henredon stopped making furniture in 2013. Their quality was fantastic! You can find used pieces, but no new sofas are being made under this brand name. Although…their website does say “coming soon” so maybe it will make a comeback.
What about Kincaid? Do they fall under Lazboy now?
I too am looking at LB & Kincaid sofas. Did you buy either of them? Your opinion pls. Thanks
I’m looking at a Stanton sofa and loveseat. What do you think of that brand?
What about the Natuzzi group of sofas?
Interior Define went under and we arenโt getting our couch now. What do you think about Apt 2B? I love the high double rub counts since we have 5 cats.
Any thoughts about King Hickory, especially in comparison to Flexsteel? Many thanks for this amazing article!!!
I recently purchased a King Hickory sofa through HOM furniture in Duluth, MN. IT IS THE WORST SECTIONAL SOFA EVER! I wish I could include pictures. I waited nearly 2 years to receive it and wvery 3 months was told, another 3 months. When I finally received it, on delivery day, the staff put it together and we all shook our heads.
The frame sections fit together poorly. The cushions although plush, when pushed together tightly to the corner have a gap of nearly 10 inches on both ends. I have had to substitute the back cushions to fill those gaps. The back panel is not tight and is rippled. I am returning it and have an order in with Stickley. Sorry if this is not news you’d like to hear, but, please beware.
Your thoughts on King Hickory? Iโm looking at their sofas
Where does Robin Bruce/Rowe fall in the quality rating? I am on the hunt for a good quality sofa from a small business in my area. I am looking at a Robin Bruce Madeline with Luxe cushions. Thank you foe such a great & information article.
Appreciate any thoughts you have on Omnia leather sofas.
https://www.omnialeather.com/
Do you have more option brand for better quality sofa from Wayfair?
I would like your hear your opinion about modular sectional? What brand is good?
Thoughts on Smith. Brothers Furniture.?
Did you buy your furniture from Smith Brothers? Iโm looking at them now
Thank you for this article. I was honestly at a loss about what is a GOOD sofa.
What do you think about country willow?
I like that they offer complimentary design services but I wonder about the quality of their furniture.
It would be very helpful to post and article regarding each brand whose quality has taken a dive in the past 5 years. I think some or a lot of the inconsistency in brand impressions comes from the fact that in this day and age, brands make changes to material and construction (and the companies that make the product for them) that significantly alters the quality of their furniture – furniture products driven only by profit margins. The kind of throw away furniture that is the design of the day and fails after a few years. It’s a throw away culture that has creeped into furniture. This is particularly the case with sofas. Almost no one knows how they are made. I am not surprised that Interior Define went under (see above). I lived in LA for years and went to their primary local storefront. Not a single person there could tell me how the models were made or what the frame was made from. I sat on a few and could tell that they were made for brand appeal and instant sales over (even moderate) quality. It was tricky at first because testing the foam/wrap quality on a new couch can be tough to tell when it is new. One couch was obviously really crappy quality and I left. Any brand that sells a really poor couch will have the same crappy construction in other couches, probably manufactured at the same maker (many of which are in east LA). I now trend towards North Carolina manufacturers and check the quality points. I would NEVER buy a couch without turning it over and looking at the frame. You’d be shocked how much crappy low-quality pine (cheap and soft wood) with many knots (not quality furniture-grade white pine) and MDF (ruuuuuun!) is out there. Also, you will find some where the joints are hardly staying glued together, and staples are all over like Dr. Frankenstein made it. ALWAYS ALWAYS turn the couch over and look at the frame immediately. Don’t be embarrassed to do it in the store. Have the store people help you. When you first dodge a bullet this way, you will be super relieved that you didn’t spend your money on that thing. Do the same instant turn over inspection with online furniture, as soon as it is delivered. Make sure NEVER to buy anything that you can’t return in 30 days or more.
Such great advice, and I completely agree!
where would u place Room and Board? thx!
Hello! My mother always had Henredon sofas, and when my husband and I bought our first house, we got one too. It’s been wonderful, and it’s been refurbished once locally in its 28 years with us (maybe 8-10 years ago). I don’t know that we got the best job of refurbishment, but I don’t really know what to expect from that process either. I’m feeling like I wish I could get it refurbished again, because I just LIKE it – the shape, fabric – but the support is just not there anymore. I’ve got 3 bed pillows underneath the main cushion where I tend to sit.
So….I have 2 questions: 1) What is another company that makes this quality of sofa; 2) Can a high quality sofa get continually refurbished, and who could do a really good job of essentially remaking the supports?
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!!
Another great quality sofa manufacturer to try would be http://hendricksfinefurniture.com. Yes, a high-quality sofa can be refurbished and reupholstered. However, at some point, if the frame has lost its structural integrity, you’ll be better off with a new sofa.
Thanks for this post–I’ve been looking for my “perfect” sofa for a long time! Two questions: 1) some comments mention that Interior Define went under and that their quality was suspect, but I see their website is current; they’ve been acquired by Havenly. Do you have any experience with/opinion about Havenly and what this acquisition might mean for the quality of the current Interior Define furniture? Second, do you have any opinion about CoCoCo Home sofas?I have been doing some research on them and it seems that they use high-quality materials (like J. B. Martin velvets, hardwood frames, etc.) and construction, made in the U.S. But I haven’t seen any reviews from deisgners, just a few from customers that were mixed. Thanks for any insights!
Just a P.S.–I know that people have strong feelings about furniture made in China versus in the U.S. On that subject, I see that Interior Define furniture is made in China, whereas Room & Board sofas are made in the U.S. Obviously that’s not the end-all and be-all of the discussion, but it seemed significant, especially given that in this column, Interior Define is more highly rated (“Better”) than Room & Board (“Good”), and I would love to understand what aspects of their products were weighed in those rankings. Forgive me, I don’t mean to be a pest, just anxious about making a decision. There aren’t many (if any) high-end furniture stores in my area, so it’s difficult for me to check out most of these brands in person. Thanks!
Can you say any thing about Massoud?
Massoud is a great quality sofa brand, with hardwood frames, coil springs, and a large selection of fabrics. There have been some complaints about the quality of their cushions, but in general it’s a high-quality brand. They also tend to be more expensive than other comparable brands.
Thanks! So helpful.