6 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Couch

If you look at the number of couches in great condition in consignment shops, second-hand places, and thrift stores, plenty of people decide to replace their couches simply because they want to redecorate. If you look at the number of couches on the curb on trash day, you will see plenty of people who decide to replace their couches when the arms fall off and the cushions explode.

Here's a review of the six warning signs that it might be time to get a new couch.

How Long Should a Couch Last?

The average life span of a sofa purchased today is seven to 15 years. The factors that make it last longer or shorter depend on how much it's used and how well it's treated.

1. The Couch Doesn't Fit the Room Space 

People in a mobile society usually have that first couch they purchased after college for a rented apartment, and now it looks lost in a large family room in their new home. Or, they downsize, and that big couch is crammed into a new, smaller space, blocking the views from the windows.

You can move smaller couches to a bedroom or study. However, for smaller rooms, a sofa should not be jammed between other pieces of furniture or placed so that it is rubbing against another surface each time someone sits or lies down. This will cause excessive wear on the upholstery and could damage the frame. That's when it's time to replace your couch.

2. You Begin to Hear Creaking Noises

If you hear squeaking, popping, or creaking each time someone sits down, those are warning signs that the couch has structural damage. The noises could be a problem with the joints on a wooden or metal frame or the weakening of a metal spring. Older furniture was usually constructed with hardwoods and screws. Less expensive furniture today is put together with manufactured wood, staples, and epoxy.

Unless the couch is older or a cherished family heirloom, repairing the structural damage and replacing the upholstery can cost nearly as much as a new sofa.

3. The Cushions Are Flat and Lumbar Support Is Gone

If the carpet offers more padding and support for your nap than the sagging couch cushions, it's time for a change. If the upholstery on the rest of the couch is still in good shape and can be easily removed from the seat cushions, adding a new filling may give you a bit more life from the sofa.

Seat cushions can be padded with pillow inserts, solid foam cut to the correct size, or loose and shredded foam. To add more support, measure the sofa's length between the side arms and the depth of the seating area. Cut a 1/2-inch thick piece of plywood to fit the space and place it under the cushions.

4. The Odor Is Overwhelming, It's Itchy, or It Has Bugs

Unless you have been diligent about keeping pets, kids with leaky diapers, and sweaty bodies and feet off the couch, odors can build up in the upholstery and padding underneath. Regular vacuuming and steam cleaning help, but eventually, the odors may win. If a room doesn't ever smell fresh, even after cleaning, it may be time for a new couch.

You probably didn't choose a scratchy fabric when you bought the couch, but now you feel itchy after a nap. Do you notice red welts or bug bites on your legs? If you think you might have bedbugs or fleas and are considering changing the couch, this would be a good time.

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5. Your Decorating Tastes Have Changed

How can that huge floral print you loved look so dated now? Understandably, different home styles and tastes change over time. Eclectic is a wonderful decorating style, but sometimes, even that look requires a new sofa.

6. The Upholstery Looks Terrible

There's a difference between a change in decor colors and tastes and upholstery that is frayed, faded, or heavily stained. Daily use, jumping kids, and pets will eventually wear out most fabrics. Some frayed areas can be mended, even on leather; the fabric will eventually expose the padding underneath.

Fading comes from placing a couch directly in front of a window that receives direct sunlight. Not only will the color change, but the sun's ultraviolet rays can also weaken the fibers to the point of ripping.

Stains are inevitable if anyone uses the couch at all. Spot cleaning should be done as soon as spills happen and a thorough upholstery cleaning will brighten the look of the fabric and help with some odors. You can purchase cleaning products, rent a steam-based machine, or hire a professional cleaner.

If the couch is structurally sound or sentimental, you can choose to reupholster it instead of replacing it. Upholstery fabric is expensive, and unless you are very handy with do-it-yourself projects, a professional may be needed. Labor costs must also be added to the bottom line. Perhaps a good slipcover will buy you a bit more time as you decide whether to replace or reupholster.