Check out the title to a recent article from the Wall Street Journal-  “Your New $3000 Couch Might Be Garbage in Three Years.  Here’s Why.”  This upsets me so much- not because WSJ is wrong but because they are right.

People are shelling out thousands of dollars for sub-quality furniture.  This is not only a huge frustration for homeowners but also a growing burden on our landfills.  We’re environmentally conscious with water bottles and plastic bags, we recycle daily, but what about major household items?  Upholstery, such as your family room sofa, loveseat, and chairs used to last 10-15 years.  Over a lifetime, you could reasonably expect to replace them 3-5 times.  Now, consumers are complaining that their furniture is looking worn after as little as 12 months.  That means what we are filling up our landfills at two or three times the rate with used furniture than we did even just a decade ago. 

Fast fashion is already a well-known and documented problem in the clothing industry.  Bringing it into the interior design world is not only hard on your finances but particularly hard for the environment.  What we used to purchase a handful of times in a lifetime is now double or triple that.  Imagine the waste! 

Yes, sometimes they may cost more but I’ve seen too many instances of expensive furniture that didn’t last, so price point is not your key indicator.  Unfortunately, most of what extends the life of your furniture is unseen such as the frame and cushioning but you can ask to see how the piece is constructed.  Here is what you are looking for in upholstery:

• Frame– should be “kiln-dried hardwood”.  If it is anything less than this take a pass.  Even if it says “wood” softwoods do not have the same strength as hardwoods do and will not last as long.  Also, kiln-drying the wood eliminates any pests and removes excess moisture, creating a more stable and long-lasting frame.
• Springs– opt for hand-tied springs; 8 ways or more is best.  You may see a lot of springs that look like a simple row of squiggles; these don’t hold up nearly as long.
• Cushions– high-density foam cushions.  Open up the zipper and look at the foam if you can.  Ask to see a sample.  You will want to see small pores in the cushion, not large ones.  Low-density foam will flatten quickly.  If they aren’t bragging about their cushion composition, I would be suspicious if it will last.
• Fabric– there are so many considerations for this I would recommend talking to an interior designer or furniture expert to ensure your specific needs are met. You can also see this article for more information.
• Leather– look for “top-grain” or “full-grain” cowhide.  Everything else is subpar from a durability perspective. This is because the top layer of the animal hide is the strongest. It is also the most beautiful in my opinion because you will see natural variation in the texture due to scars or the general individuality of the animal. You can also get top-grain leather that is embossed but personally, I prefer to keep it natural. Embossing itself, however, does not affect the durability as long as it is top-grain.

Many times, the best way to make a smaller environmental footprint is to reuse.  Reupholstering timeless, quality pieces is a great way to freshen up your look without creating a lot of waste.  These could be some you have at home or from trusted family members, friends, or antique stores.  If you are adventurous enough you could also buy from a thrift store or local marketplace, but I tend to stay away from used upholstered pieces from unfamiliar sources.  Remember the Big Bang Theory episode where Penny finds the red chair?  I rest my case.

Green manufacturing is a growing trend within home furnishings and if this is a strong consideration for you check out this article- The 9 Best Sustainable Couches For 2024 – The Good Trade or consult with your preferred Interior Designer.

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