Where / what is the cheapest way to purchase a leather sofa?

[talulabelle]

I need a leather sofa for my family room. A local furniture store had sent a sale flyer and I loved the sofa that was pictured so I went to the store to find out the price. Turns out it was a custom sofa and to do it in leather it would cost.....$19,000 !!!!!! yes you read that correctly. Now, I know real leather is expensive, but that is insane. I came home to search the web for some cheaper (much cheaper) alternative.. I'm not even that picky, it could be a leather blend, it doesn't have to be top grade leather, I have young kids and I expect to have to replace it in 5-8 years, so I really don't want to invest a huge amount. (I would be more comfortable in the $3000 range)

I live in Maryland and know a lot of people drive to North Carolina to the factories to buy discounted furniture. Can anyone point me in the right direction of the best places to go? Or to look at online? I have a specific shape wedge sofa in mind, and know what size I need, and am not picky about the shade of leather, I just want brown. Has anyone had a good experience buying furniture in North Carolina?

 

[talulabelle]

this is the shape Im looking for... [GALLERY=]
[/GALLERY]

 

[talulabelle]

or this...

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[goodeats]

If you are a Costco member they sometimes have nice looking leather couches.

Furniture that lasts is one of my "splurges". Not $19k of course, but I don't think it's cost effective to buy cheap furniture. We bought the Pottery Barn Manhattan Leather sofa right after we were married 10 years ago and it still looks and feels brand new. It was between $3 and $5 I think. They are made by one of those NC places.

 

[jedijill]

I go to American Lifestyle Furniture. They are local here in Colorado but have a website and ship nationwide.

https://www.afwonline.com/

I've been happy with everything I've purchased there and prices can't be beat.

Also, Big Lots has leather furniture every once in a while.

Jill in CO

 

[arminnie]

I bought a custom high grade leather sofa (not bonded leather) at a high end furniture store for about $3000. Try to avoid the bonded stuff. I bought 4 bonded leather chairs after Katrina, and they have virtually disintegrated. $19000 is off the wall ridiculous.

The store I bought from was Hurwitz-Mintz in New Orleans.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I need a leather sofa for my family room. A local furniture store had sent a sale flyer and I loved the sofa that was pictured so I went to the store to find out the price. Turns out it was a custom sofa and to do it in leather it would cost.....$19,000 !!!!!! yes you read that correctly. Now, I know real leather is expensive, but that is insane. I came home to search the web for some cheaper (much cheaper) alternative.. I'm not even that picky, it could be a leather blend, it doesn't have to be top grade leather, I have young kids and I expect to have to replace it in 5-8 years, so I really don't want to invest a huge amount. (I would be more comfortable in the $3000 range)

I live in Maryland and know a lot of people drive to North Carolina to the factories to buy discounted furniture. Can anyone point me in the right direction of the best places to go? Or to look at online? I have a specific shape wedge sofa in mind, and know what size I need, and am not picky about the shade of leather, I just want brown. Has anyone had a good experience buying furniture in North Carolina?

If you interested in learning abut how quality leather furniture is made, this is an amazing forum: http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/forum.php

It is sponsored by the owner of The Keepin Room, a retail store in Alexandria, VA. His furniture is not inexpensive, but the quality is amazing. We bought from him even though we are in California. Our aniline leather sectional is amazing. -- Suzanne

 

[PatMcDuck]

I use High Point Furniture Sales in NC. Just got a leather sectional, media room type, with recliners and wedges with cupholders.. (Hooker is the brand). Saved quite a bit of $$, we have ordered from them before. If you know the exact item you want, you can call for a price quote. They work with most manufacturers.

We have used them for bedroom sets, and other couches etc.

 

[elphaba91]

Definitely avoid bonded leather! After years of our old fabric couches we bought some gorgeous red bonded leather couches - the girl in the storw assured us the quality was as good, if not better than leather. The 3 seater lasted less than a year, the 2 seater which was used less lasted a few months longer. We bought leather couches from a discount furniture store for under $1,000 each and couldn't be happier with them!

 

[Vernie822]

I know nothing about furniture so take this for what it's worth. I bought a $700 leather sectional in dark brown, from Big Lots, when I got my first apartment. It is in amazing shape and I get so many compliments on it. I don't have kids or pets so the wear and tear may not be as bad as if I did. But seriously I LOVE this couch! My dad is an avid Big Lots shopper and I believe as part of the rewards program you get 10-20% off every now and then. I used that coupon and got my couch and nice end tables/coffee tables!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

We bought our 3 piece leather living room set from Carson Pirie Scott (Bon-Ton in other states and possibly Berners or Younkers) about 12 years ago and it still looks great. We have a dog and kids, but we also take very good care of our furniture and don't allow the kids to jump all over it. As others have said, definitely avoid bonded leather. Several salespeople assured us the quality was just as good and we bought a recliner a few years after the living room set that ended up looking like a spotted cow because the "leather" peeled off. Fortunately we went with real leather for the rest of our furniture.

 

[talulabelle]

Thanks everyone! I will look into the places mentioned. Even if I won the lottery I wouldnt spend $19,000 on a sofa! For that money, it better have wheels, windows and an engine attached!

 

[disneyember]

Where I live the best place is Nebraska Furniture Mart. Their website is NFM.com. They also have stores in Kansas and Texas. It is a very large furniture and electronics store. If you happen to own Berkshire Hathaway stock you can get a shareholders discount during the annual shareholder meeting if you get the meeting passes. There is not a certain percent off, you have to ask for the shareholder pricing.