Signs That It's Time to Replace Your Sofa
If there’s one thing we all agree on, it’s that our homes would be incomplete without a sofa. This, in addition to being a meeting place, is the perfect refuge after a long day at work. Therefore, you should be aware of the signs that it’s time to replace your old sofa with a new one.
Six signs that you should replace your sofa
In general, the useful life of this type of furniture can be between seven and fifteen years. However, there are signs that it might be crying out for a change. Some of these signs are the following:
1. Creaks every time someone sits down
Structural damage is usually detected by creaking and grinding sounds when someone sits on the sofa. The most common damage includes a weakening of the springs.
For this reason, if your sofa is old or if it’s a family heirloom, the recommendation is to change it. After all, repairing structural damage and reupholstering can be just as expensive as buying a new sofa.
2. The cushions have lost padding and lumbar support
When your rug becomes more comfortable than your sofa for napping, it’s time for a change! Over time, the cushions lose their padding and lumbar support, which prevents the furniture from fulfilling one of its main functions.
However, you should keep in mind that if the rest of the upholstery is in good condition, it’s not always necessary to completely replace your sofa. It can be solved by simply removing it momentarily and refilling the cushions.
3. It’s time to replace your sofa if it smells bad or makes you itchy
You may be a diligent person when it comes to cleaning and caring for your sofa, but if you have pets, children, and teens around the house, then your upholstery and padding have likely taken on unpleasant odors.
Now, while it’s true that regular vacuuming and steam cleaning can help, there are times when the smell is much stronger. This could make the air in the room smell musty and stale, even after cleaning, which is a clear indicator that you should say goodbye to your sofa.
On the other hand, there are fabrics that can cause itching. But if this isn’t the case and every time you sit on the sofa you feel an irrepressible urge to scratch or you’ve got red bumps on your legs, it may be infested with bed bugs. One more reason to change it immediately!
4. It doesn’t adapt to your room
Moving can generate several scenarios. Maybe you chose a place to live where your old sofa fits perfectly, but there are cases where it may be too big or too small for your new living room.
Fortunately, small sofas can be moved into a bedroom or study. The problem is when these are too large for any of your rooms, as they can block the view from the windows or sit too close to other furniture. Placing furniture too closely together can cause friction every time someone sits or lies down, and eventually, it’ll wear down the upholstery or the frame.
5. Replace your sofa when your decorating tastes have changed
If you no longer feel comfortable with the style, color, and pattern of your sofa, then it’s time to find a replacement. Over time, tastes change and this is totally understandable. If you can buy a new sofa, why not get rid of that old piece of furniture that no longer makes you happy?
6. The upholstery isn’t what it used to be
There are many factors that make the upholstery of your sofa take on an unattractive appearance that detracts from the room in which it’s located. In general, these can range from constant use to accidents caused by children and pets.
For example, discoloration is usually the result of placing the sofa in front of a window that receives direct sunlight. This not only alters the color but also weakens the fibers of the fabric.
For its part, stains are caused by spills and sweat, among others. While it’s true that these can be fixed if they’re cleaned as soon as the accident occurs or with a deep clean, there are cases that go beyond repair. This is when a replacement should be considered.
Of course, if the sofa has no damage to the structure or is a decorative piece with sentimental value, you can consider reupholstering it. However, it’s necessary to bear in mind that new fabric is expensive, and if you also have to hire an expert, the whole process could be just as expensive as buying a new sofa.
Dear sofa, it’s time to say goodbye!
Surely you’ve made fond and happy memories with your sofa; you sat and saw the movie that became your favorite, you were able to take a restful nap after a long day, and it was there at the gatherings armed with your friends.
However, it’s not like it was before. Its color has changed, its smell has become unpleasant and every time you sit down, a terrible backache appears. All of this demonstrates that it’s time to replace your sofa, but not before thanking it for the company.