Furni Team
2026-05-05T22:10:44+02:00

How long a sofa should last – and what determines whether it's 4 years or 15. Frame, foam, fabric and maintenance explained honestly by Furni, factory-direct sofa manufacturer.
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How long should a sofa last? What affects lifespan and what to look for

The honest answer: anywhere between four years and twenty. The difference comes down to four things: frame construction, foam quality, fabric choice, and maintenance.

Average sofa lifespan by tier

Budget (£300–£600): 3–5 years

Mid-range (£600–£1,200): 7–10 years

Quality (£1,200+, or factory-direct): 12–18 years

Factor 1: The frame

Solid hardwood or engineered hardwood laminate with reinforced corner joints. Particleboard and MDF fail under daily load. All Furni sofas – Merlot, Malbec, Barolo – use Scandinavian wood frames.

Factor 2: Foam density

HR foam minimum 35 kg/m³ for seats. Below 28 kg/m³ compresses permanently within 12–18 months. Sit and stand – if the cushion springs back fully, density is adequate.

Factor 3: Fabric durability

Martindale rub test: minimum 20,000 rubs for domestic use, 30,000+ for heavy use. Our Retro Bliss bouclé is rated above 30,000 rubs.

Factor 4: Maintenance

Weekly vacuum, immediate blotting of spills, monthly cushion rotation, seasonal stain treatment, no direct prolonged sunlight.

The modular advantage

Our Merlot and Malbec collections are permanently stocked – order a single replacement module five years later in the exact same fabric.

Browse our full modular sofa range and order free fabric samples.

Free fabric samples · Free EU & UK delivery · 30-day returns · 2-year warranty