How to Buy a Sofa That Will Last

A practical interior designer’s guide to making a smart long-term investment

Buying a sofa is one of the biggest furniture decisions you’ll make for your home. It’s where real life happens: movie nights, guests, naps, pets, and everything in between. And while it’s easy to focus on fabric and style first, the sofas that truly last are built well on the inside.

As an interior designer, I help clients choose sofas they’ll still love years down the line. This guide breaks down what actually matters when buying a sofa—in clear, practical language—so you can shop with confidence whether you’re buying online or in-store.

Start With the Frame

The frame is the foundation of the sofa. Everything else depends on it.

What to look for

• Solid hardwood, or hardwood combined with quality plywood

• Kiln-dried wood (this reduces warping and loosening over time)

• A frame that feels sturdy and substantial—not lightweight or hollow

  
  

You may see terms like solid wood, engineered wood, or mixed materials. These aren’t dealbreakers on their own. What matters is clarity. A description that explains how the frame is built and reinforced usually signals better quality.

A note about engineered wood

Engineered wood isn’t automatically bad. High-quality plywood and laminated hardwood can be very stable and durable. The concern is when “engineered wood” is used to mean particle board, which typically does not hold up well for daily use.

Why Joinery Matters

Joinery simply refers to how the pieces of the sofa frame are connected.

Strong joinery helps:

• Prevent creaking and wobbling

• Keep arms and corners firm

• Stop the frame from loosening over time

  
  

Higher quality sofas often use reinforced or interlocking joints combined with glue and corner support. Lower quality sofas may rely mostly on staples or nails. You don’t need to memorize construction terms, just look for descriptions that explain how the frame is held together.

Cushion Construction and Foam Quality

Cushions affect both comfort and longevity. What feels amazing in a showroom doesn’t always hold up at home.

Foam is the key ingredient

Good sofas use a supportive foam core that helps cushions keep their shape. Some cushions are wrapped in fiber or a down blend for added softness.

• Dense foam (no wrap): structured, supportive, low-maintenance

• Wrapped foam (fiber or down blend): softer and more relaxed, may need fluffing

  
  

Neither option is “right” or “wrong.” It depends on your lifestyle and comfort preference.

How to tell if foam is good when specs are missing

• Sit down, then stand up—good foam springs back quickly

• Press firmly with your hand—it should feel supportive, not squishy

• Look at floor models—if they already look sagged, that’s a red flag

Down and Down-Blend Cushions

All-down cushions feel very soft, but they require frequent fluffing and can lose shape more easily. Down-blend or fiber-wrapped foam cushions are a popular middle ground: soft, but still structured.

From a designer perspective, a foam core with a soft wrap tends to work best for everyday living.

The Support System Under the Cushions

Most well-made modern sofas use sinuous steel springs under the seat cushions.

These springs:

• Support weight evenly

• Help prevent sagging

• Work well with foam and wrapped cushions

Eight-way hand-tied springs are traditional and high-end, but they’re not necessary for most homes. Webbing alone can be fine for sofa backs, but it’s less ideal for main seating long-term. Look for descriptions that clearly mention a real support system—not vague phrases like “supportive foundation.”

Bench Cushions Versus Individual Cushions

This choice is more about how you live than durability alone.

Bench cushions

• Clean, modern look

• Great for lounging across the sofa

• No cushion gaps

• Wear can concentrate in favorite spots

Individual seat cushions

• Easier to rotate and maintain

• Wear is distributed more evenly

• One cushion can be replaced without replacing the whole seat

• Slightly more traditional look

Both options can last beautifully when well made—choose based on maintenance preferences and daily use.

How Cheaper Sofas Are Typically Made

Lower priced sofas save money somewhere—usually in lighter frames, lower density foam, or simpler support systems. That doesn’t make them “bad,” but it does mean they’re designed for lighter or shorter-term use.

Red flags in descriptions

• Lots of comfort language with no construction details

• “Wood frame” with no explanation

• No mention of cushions or support system

Clarity is often the difference between a value sofa and a disposable one.

A Simple Sofa Buying Checklist

Before you buy, ask yourself:

• Does the description explain how the frame is built?

• Are the cushions described beyond just “plush” or “soft”?

• Is there a real support system mentioned?

• Does this sofa fit how my household actually lives?

If most answers are yes, you’re likely choosing a sofa built with intention.

Designer Picks

Well-made sofas from major retailers to consider

These are retailers I often reference when sourcing sofas for real homes because they tend to offer reliable construction, solid materials, and styles that age well.

Crate & Barrel

A great place to start if you want that balance of structure + comfort. Look for sofas made with hardwood frames and supportive foam or down-wrapped foam cushions.

Pottery Barn

A strong choice for classic silhouettes, family-friendly upholstery options, and well-documented construction. Focus on kiln-dried hardwood frames and supportive seat cushions.

Bernhardt

A higher-end option with elevated tailoring and strong craftsmanship. If you want a sofa that feels more “investment piece,” Bernhardt is worth exploring—especially for refined silhouettes and durable build quality.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need perfect specs or insider access to buy a good sofa. A solid frame, strong joinery, supportive cushions, and a real support system will always matter more than trends or buzzwords.

Take your time. Read descriptions carefully. Sit, press, and observe when you can. Choose a sofa that fits your life, not just your inspiration board.

That’s how you buy a sofa that truly lasts.