How to Choose a Sofa That Lasts Twenty Years

A sofa is the single piece of furniture you will touch every day, so it is worth understanding what separates one that sags in two years from one that outlives the room around it.

Start with the frame

Kiln-dried hardwood is the only frame material worth paying for. It has had its moisture driven out under controlled heat, so it will not warp, split or squeak as the seasons change. Ask what the frame is made of; if the answer is vague, keep walking.

Then the suspension

Eight-way hand-tied springs remain the benchmark, though a well-made sinuous spring system is perfectly good and much lighter. What matters is even support across the whole seat, with no dip when you sit at the edge.

Fabric is the part you replace

Upholstery wears out long before a good frame does, which is why a removable, cover that can be reupholstered is such a sensible investment. Look for a rub count above 30,000 for a family sofa.