How Much Should I Spend On A Couch?

“How much should I spend on a couch?” Prices for a good couch start at $300 and go up to $4,000+. There’s a wide range because a couch’s price depends on several factors, such as size, material, brand, style, and craftsmanship. This guide will help you figure out how much to spend to meet your needs.

Table Of Contents

• How Much Should I Spend On A Couch? Budget Ranges for Buyers
• Choose Your Upholstery
• Choose Your Size And Shape
• Chose Your Sofa Style
• Solid Wood Frame Vs Metal Frame
• Buying Sofa Cushions
• FAQs
  • How Expensive Are Fabric Sofas Vs Leather Sofas?
  • How Often Should I Clean My Sofa?
  • How Much Does A High-Quality Sofa Cost?
  • What Is A Fair Price For A Sofa?
  • How Many Years Should A Couch Last?
  • How Can I Make A Sofa Last Longer?

How Much Should I Spend On A Couch? Budget Ranges for Buyers

Let’s find out how much a sofa costs today. While exact pricing can vary, there is a common price range across manufacturers:

• Budget Sofa. A $300-$1,500 sofa is typically a two- or three-seater with poor (often mass-produced) craftsmanship. Although your new sofa will not last for more than five to ten years (if it is well-maintained), it should still be a comfortable starting point for your family.
• Mid-Range Sofa. Mid-range sofas can be found with velvet, polyester, and leather upholstery at prices ranging from $1,500 to $3,000. These will typically be three or four-seater-sectionals and sleeper sofas. 
• High-End Sofa. A $3,000 or higher budget allows you to buy the most expensive, plush, extra-long sectionals and power-reclining sofas. They are often made-to-order and have premium materials.

It’s important to note that this pricing structure isn’t the final word. There are still high-quality sofas available for less than $1,500, while some premium leather sofas aren’t worth their price. But this range is a good rule of thumb for your price shopping.

Choose Your Upholstery

Upholstery has a huge effect on the look, feel, and price of a sofa and other upholstered furniture. For example, faux leather or standard polyester is much cheaper than genuine leather or stain-resistant performance fabrics. In the mid-range are fabrics like twill, linen, and velvet.

Here’s a chart that breaks down upholstery types for different sofa price ranges:

To save money, you can buy a sofa with budget upholstery and customize it with a sofa cover made of luxury fabric.

Choose Your Size And Shape

Size and shape are two more factors that impact a sofa’s price. Two- or three-seater sofas are typically easy to find in budget or mid-range prices. You’ll pay more for a sofa that seats four or more people.

Apart from their size, couches come in a variety of shapes. Common “straight” couches and corner sectionals are the most popular shapes. You can find extra-long standard sofas, but they’re usually shorter than sectionals, which include two or more sections, typically in a U or L shape. Sectionals are generally more expensive than standard sofas.

Chose Your Sofa Style

Chesterfield, Hollywood Regency, or Art Deco designs can be very expensive due to their higher quality upholstery and intricately carved details. However, minimalist and mid-century modern styles are cheaper to manufacture and will typically cost you less.

Solid Wood Frame Vs Metal Frame

Metal sofa frames tend to last longer than wood frames, and they’re not susceptible to termites or fire. In general, metal frames are more expensive. However, wood frames that are handmade, made with expensive wood like mahogany, or made with mortise-and-tenon joinery can also be expensive.

If you have guests over often, you’ll probably want a sleeper sofa, which almost always means a metal frame. And if you have rambunctious kids, you may also want a metal frame that can withstand kids jumping and playing on it.

Buying Sofa Cushions

When buying sofa cushions, pay attention to:

• Foam density: High-density foam (1.8 and above) will have a firmer feel than low-density foam (below 1.8).
• Removable vs. non-removable cushion covers: Removable covers let you wash them to get rid of stains and dust. With non-removable covers, you can only spot clean stains instead of thoroughly washing the fabric.

FAQs