My sofa fabric is shot..what should I do?

[WeirdEyes]

My sofa is a Lay-Z-Boy that I bought 4 years ago for around $1200. The fabric on it is already shredding...literally. I contacted Lay-Z-Boy and they said my fabric warranty had expired. My question is: should I get it recovered by someone I trust ($300 for labor) or just buy a whole new sofa? It will NOT be Lay-Z-Boy so it won't cost as much. I also need to mention that the sofa matches the rest of the great room furniture so I'd have to find a fabric or sofa that compliments the set. This is such a headache. Thanks for your suggestions & advice!

 

[Cruise04]

Being someone that just has been shopping for furniture, it's expensive even for just one piece unless you can find some good, decent, reliable discount furniture places.

My suggestion would be to think about slipcovers if that is possible. Of course it depends on what you actually have to cover. I've seen some great slipcovers that look like that is actually the furniture.

Good luck is all else I can offer.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I tried a slipcover because it is WAY cheaper, but I never could get it to fit right. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[KiminChicago]

Is the sofa itself in good condition, i.e. no sagging cushions or broken springs? If so, then I'd probably pay to get it reupholstered rather than buy a new one. A new one will still cost you more than the $300 to get it recovered.

 

[WeirdEyes]

The $300 is for the labor only. It doesn't include the fabric and I need to get two cushions replaced. We're looking at paying at least $600-$700 just to get re-upholstered.

 

[mickeyboat]

This thread reminded me of a sofa we had when I was small. The thing was brown and green with rounded cushions that came off. My dad was a security guard at the reformatory and the inmates had an upholstery shop there. My dad had the sofa recovered, bright orange! The cushions were cream colored with brown and orange flowers. They bought a picture of a ship that was brown and orange to hang over the sofa. It was hideous!

Don't do that.

Denae

 

[MagicalMom]

OMG! I was so shocked to see this post! We have a lazy boy that we paid 1200 for too! The fabric around the back is ripped. We paid way to much for this set to just replace it. I think we are going to get it reupholstered. It's the comfiest furniture in the world, I just want it to look new again. I can't find a slip cover to fit it. We ordered the high back sofa & loveseat. Even if we could find a slipcover to fit, then we couldn't use the recliner part. It's ashame that they wear out so quickly, but it makes me wonder how long cheaper furniture would have last. We probably would have had to buy a new set every year with the monkeys we have living here!

 

[WeirdEyes]

mickeyboat, I wouldn't dare do that! Too funny!!!

MagicalMom, I guess we're in the same boat. What makes me made about Lay-Z-Boy though is that they knew the fabric was defective and discontinued it, but won't replace mine. I'm leaning towards getting it recovered because finding a new sofa to match, etc. is going to be a pain in the rear. The whole thing just makes me ill!

 

[pjlla]

I think it really has to do with the grade of fabric that was put on the sofa. LazyBoy has a good reputation. In my office I currently have a lazyboy recliner that is approximately 30 years old. It was reupholestered once after about 10-15 years because the cat clawed up the fabric. It was handed down to me about 12 years ago. I reupholestered it (my first attempt at doing that) about two years ago because I was sick of the fabric. But it is still the most comfortable chair and works great. I did have the handle of the recliner part fixed once for free at a LazyBoy store.

ANYHOW.... I bought an entire living room set (couch, chair, ottoman) right after we were married (12 years ago) for under $900 (English/Corsair brand??) at Jordan's Furniture. I WISH that the fabric had worn out about 5 years ago because I was so sick of it!! I finally managed to talk my DH into replacing it when we finished a playroom for the kids and finally had a place to put the old sofa!! And that darn fabric is still going strong!! My point is, if you do make the decision to recover, spend the extra on a better grade of fabric.... it will last much longer. And yes, if you like the shape/size of the sofa it will probably be cheaper in the long run to reupholster it.................P

 

[WeirdEyes]

Thanks, Pjlla! I appreciate your advice.

 

[Saffron]

I swear, every time I read this thread's title I read, "My fabric softener is shot ... what should I do?" and I just had to peek to see what everyone was telling you to do!

 

[Dan Murphy]

We have two LZB sofas (one a sleeper) and 2 LZB recliners in our family room. Have had for years (Marie might say too long, LOL), still look like new. Very surprised to read about your wear.

 

[tastelikecandy]

Maybe it's time to buy a new one. Shop around for what you like and look for the best prices. You can find something that matches your taste.

 

[jrydberg]

IMO depends on whether you like the "feel" of the couch. If you do, have the work done on it. But if you haven't been particularly comfortable with it, get a new one (hey, if I'm not buying money is no object... lol).

 

[WeirdEyes]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice. DH has made the decision for me. He said we're getting a new sofa. I guess that makes the most sense. Hey, if he wants to cough up the money..fine with me!

 

[cats7494]

Congrats on the new couch! That is always fun to pick out!

 

[WeirdEyes]

I love to shop for the house so, yes, it should be fun. What is not going to be fun though is trying to get a sofa that matches the other furniture. I guess I'll be taking a pillow with me for the swatch.