Pictured above: Lala Sofa in Mahonia Sand fabric
Nap spot, movie marathon retreat, guest bed, work space, trampoline? However your sofa functions in your home, this high-traffic area needs good bones to withstand the rigors of daily life.
Investing in a sofa is a big decision — and sometimes, people will drop serious bucks on a living room centerpiece without understanding what goes into well-made furniture, while others settle for low-quality pieces that need to be replaced every few years. We think that’s a bummer, so we put together some advice to make sure you’re investing in a high-quality, durable sofa (and not just an expensive one).
So, how do you choose a sofa that will last? The secrets lie in these five components: fabric, cushion filling, frame, suspension, and finish work. If you ensure each of these are up to par, you’ve found yourself a keeper: let’s explore!
#1: Life-proof fabrics
Durable, cleanable fabrics will keep your sofa from needing to be replaced every few years.
Durability: In general, tight-weave fabrics with a high rub count stand up best: look for a rub count of 30,000 and above, as this is considered commercial grade. A lower rub count works well if you’re considering a performance weave, which tends to be synthetic.
Oh—what is rub count, you ask? It's exactly what it sounds like — a back-and-forth motion that simulates someone sitting down and standing up from your sofa. Rub count testing involves machines doing this thousands of times to see how fabrics hold up against pilling and wear. The higher the rub count, the more durable the fabric is: but for residential use, we’d suggest a rub count ranging from 50,000 - 75,000 double rubs.
If you’re up for it, leather can also be a great option: leather can weather years of use, and scratches and scuffs are viewed as a natural patina building character and softness.
Synthetic v. natural fabrics: Synthetic fabrics are generally easier to clean (and keep clean) when compared with natural fibers, making them a great option if you have kids or pets. Synthetic fabrics at Medley are Greenguard Gold Certified or OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified, meaning they’ve been tested for VOC emissions and high product safety.
If you’re looking for a natural weave, we’ve got options there, too—from durable, airy linen to cozy cotton slub fabrics (if you’re wondering, “slub” is yarn that has thick and thin areas to create a natural, textured look). Natural fabrics without any treatment are more prone to forever spots, but can age beautifully with the proper protection and maintenance. Many of these are also machine washable—woo!
Color & Tonal Variation: Darker colors are usually a safer choice if you want to ensure a sofa’s maximum lifespan. Deeper shades like dark blues, forest greens, or moody taupes can create a stunning focal point, while still maintaining practicality for real life at home. In addition, tonal variation not only creates depth and texture, it can also camouflage dirt and minor stains. Choose a fabric that can hide potential stains well and still complements your home’s style, as well as changes in seasons and decor — start by ordering fabric samples to test in your space.
Stain-resistance: For homes with clumsy occupants, the greatest threats to your sofa’s long and happy life could be chocolate, wine, ketchup, or whatever’s for dinner! If you’re set on a lighter shade, you might consider opting for a synthetic fabric with stain-repellant features. On Medley’s fabric swatches page, you’ll find many options that incorporate a plant-based water repellent to lock out liquids.
*Tip: look for the durability icons on our swatches page to head straight for our most durable, family-friendly fabrics.
#2: Resilient cushion fillings
All about foam: let’s get squishy (but not saggy) with it!
Any sofa might look great on day one, but if the cushions sag within a few months, you’ve got a problem. Many sofa seat cushions on the market are made of foam, but that foam varies greatly in quality. High-resilience foams are known for their comfort, responsiveness, and ability to retain shape over time. At Medley, we offer two versions of high-density foam: Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)-certified, plant-based organic natural latex foam wrapped in wool for softness, as well as a poly foam certified by CertiPUR-US® (the cleanest synthetic choice we can find on the market)—keep reading for a breakdown on both types.
GOLS-certified organic plant-based latex: The word "latex" sounds plasticky and artificial, but it’s one of the most natural, breathable, durable, and sustainable materials available for cushion foam. Harvesting latex is simple and typically requires no harsh chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides. It comes from the sap of rubber trees and features an inherent, durable spring-back to maintain its shape for 20+ years. It's also naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mites and, unlike many other types of foam, does not absorb moisture or heat.
All in all, natural latex is one of the most durable, eco-friendly, resilient materials available for foam—and a wonderful alternative to standard synthetic, petroleum-derived cushion foams on the market. Sounds pretty good, right? The goodness keeps going: get to know all our other materials here.
CertiPUR-US®-certified poly foam: this one’s made from polyurethane, a porous synthetic resin with an open cellular structure that allows it to be flexible and lightweight. This foam is among the cleanest synthetic foams on the market, with low VOC emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million). It is also consistently screened for relevant chemicals, including fire retardants that are classified as carcinogens, mutagen, or reproductive toxins and harmful to human health. This cushion provides a medium-sit and holds its shape for ten years plus.
Down + Feathers: Down filling is popular for creating a luxe look and feel. Keep in mind that it’s normal for down filling to shift, and that the cushions will need to be fluffed on occasion to keep their shape. Check that your sofa cushions are constructed with baffling, a design that uses vertical walls of fabric to regulate the movement of the down filling and help keep it in place.
#3: Kiln-dried, hardwood frames
If your sofa is the artwork, then your sofa’s frame is the canvas.
Rule #1: long-lasting sofa frames should be made with kiln-dried hardwood or engineered plywood like oak, ash, alder, or beech. Drying the wood in a kiln removes up to 95% of the moisture, which prevents the frame from warping or bowing. Cheaper frames made from softwoods like pine can’t help but warp over time, and frames made of particle board, plastic, or metal are prone to cracking and deforming: avoid!
It’s also important to note that while solid wood sofa frames are popping up as a high-quality alternative to mass-produced furniture, solid wood can warp over time due to changing humidity levels and seasonal changes, so the use of engineered hardwood (AKA plywood) has been a successful replacement upgrade. Engineered hardwood maintains its structural integrity and is also lighter than solid wood — great for rearranging your living room! At Medley, we use a blend of solid wood, plus engineered hardwood for stability and strength, including formaldehyde-free PureBond® hardwood plywood on our natural latex and wool furniture.
Joint construction also contributes to frame durability. Look for frames made of wooden dowels, metal screws, or brackets, plus “corner blocks” (these are extra pieces of wood placed at an angle and screwed into place on the sofa frame’s corners for extra stability). Staples or nails may be present for extra reinforcement, but you’ll want to avoid sofas held together solely by staples, nails, or glue.
Lastly, Medley sofa and sectional frames are always made with 100% domestic FSC-certified, kiln-dried hardwood. FSC certification ensures that materials come from sustainable, responsibly-managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. It not only protects our planet, it also feels good.
Oh, and: our frames come with a lifetime warranty against cracking, breaking, or warping, so you know you’ve got a friend for life.
#4: High-quality suspension systems
To make sure you’ve really got a keeper of a sofa, you’ve got to pop the hood!
When you sit on a nice, comfy sofa, you’re not only enjoying the cushy seat, but the joys of a well-crafted suspension system. The best sofa suspensions include: hand-tied (the gold standard), sinuous (S-shaped) springs, and/or webbing systems with high tension. The springs of a couch not only absorb shock, but also determine the comfort and firmness of the sofa seat.
Medley's hand-tied, arch suspension system expands on traditional sinuous spring systems by using higher quality heavy gauge springs as a foundation. We then nod to traditional 8-way, hand-tied coil spring systems by using twine to hand-tie our springs together in a unique pattern, creating a suspension system that offers optimal support. Medley uses this proprietary technique on all our frames to provide a truly supportive, comfortable structure that prevents sagging and squeaking.
#5: Craftsmanship details and finish work
The finishing touches may seem minor, but they signal quality and attention to detail.
Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal: look for tight, even stitching, well-fitted cushions and seams, pattern alignment (especially stripes and florals), and durable, screw-in legs.
What makes a sofa good quality?
A high-quality sofa that’s been thoughtfully constructed by professional craftspeople uses durable fabrics, resilient cushion fillings, kiln-dried hardwood frames, and high-quality suspension systems. Other things to consider include meticulous craftsmanship details and finish work.
A good quality sofa looks and feels amazing from top to bottom—no question there. Every piece at Medley is handcrafted in the USA and made to order using top-of-the-line materials. You’ll always find unique, handcrafted details from the inside out on our products, like the tailored piping on our Kirnik collection.
We hope you'll love these details forever—and to back up that claim, we offer several warranties: a lifetime warranty on our frames, a 10-year warranty on fillings, and a 5-year warranty on fabric upholstery.
