Making The Best With What I’ve Got isn’t always easy. Years ago I needed a sofa for my living room. I bought a really well madeused custom sofa in a pretty off white color for $100. The fabric wasn’t my favorite, it was a cut velvet, but the style of the sofa was classic and it was really confortable. It has served me well for about 12 years, however after years of use, it was really starting to show it’s wear. The poor thing was getting harder to cover up all the worn spots.
What to do. I had a really pretty newer one in the family room that I didn’t want to get ruined, so I swapped the two sofas. The cut velvet went to the family room and the pretty newer contemporary one went to the living room. I really wanted to get a new sofa, but this would have to do for a while.
With two dogs and more daily use, it didn’t take long before I needed to do something. Slipcovers to the rescue. I found a set for only $65 since I wasn’t sure about slipcovers at all. I am amazed that they have held up as well as they have. I bought these in September and they still look half way decent.
I really loved having a white sofa in here, but the gray hasn’t bothered me at all. It’s the same color as the leather chairs, so it blends.
I’m also really amazed that it doesn’t make the room look all that much smaller or darker either.
I love the look of this white sofa and the contemporary style in here. I think this is such a pretty look for this room.
I have been looking for a new sofa and I just can’t seem to find anything practical. I need something that works for two dogs, my son and my grandsons. They all like to lay on the sofa and white velvet is beautiful but not practical on a daily basis. I need leather. Not sure what I want. It could be a new sofa or it could even be a new sectional. I keep looking at sofas like these.
Love the style and love the luggace leather. Not sure how that would work with the gray recliners.
Or I could go with an l-shaped sofa like this one and do away with one of the recliners. This would seat a lot more people when we have all the family together.
I just can’t seem to make up my mind. What would you do if it were you?
Good for you being patient and making it work ’til you can’t any longer. I’m not always that clear minded, so I’ve “wasted” some $$ over the years. I agree that leather is a good choice for kids and dogs. I have leather recliners that are the only pieces that don’t suffer from my very sheddy dog. I hope you can find a leather sofa (rather than the sectional) in your choice of colors, though gray and camel are working for me, thanks to a rug (Amazon) that has both those colors in it. Regards–
Buying a sofa is really problematic for me. I need a short seat and a taller straight back. My prrvious sofa was hard on my neck and back. All of the newer sofas are for really big people with deep seats and low backs. After searching for three years, I bought a cream colored sectional sofa at a thrift store. After all that, I found a furniture store that sold traditional furniture. Years ago. I had a leather sofa with nail heads that was expensive at the time. The cat shredded the arms. I do not envy your search. Maybe find some one who is moving and doesnt want to pay for moving furniture.
Leather would be a great choice. Be sure to go with quality construction that minimizes seams in the middle of seats! I think the caramel color would be so pretty in there and I love the modern look to it!
You found a great solution with the slipcovers! We now have a sofa, loveseat and two comfy chairs (not recliners) that are working really well in our small living room.
I do miss our former leather sectional though. It was wonderful to have lots of seating options and our family felt it was super comfortable for naps. Very easy to maintain.
The only downside to our corner sectional was the loss of an end table and lamp, but we placed end tables and lamps st either end.
I don’t mean to sound contrary, but if I were you I would look for an L-shaped leather sofa to satisfy both requirements. Hugs, Barbara
I live in Wisconsin and had leather recliners, hated them ,cold in winter and sticky in summer. Just saying.
Where did you get the slipcovers? My son comes with his two large, shedding dogs, would love to use slipcovers for when he comes.
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I found these on Amazon. They look good but the dogs hair sticks to the fabric really bad. I would’t recommend them.
How about getting your current sofa restyled and recovered? Leather sofas are cold in winter and hot in summer……just sayin’~~~~~
You live in a hot climate. Think about leather sticking to skin in hot weather. Not sure about leather.
Just wanted to pop in and say hi – I have been scouring the internet trying to find a small apartment size super tv-viewing time comfy sofa. It’s a tough decision. One I still haven’t made. I will give my thoughts on your dilemma. I think your charcoal slip covers looked better than you expected due to the fact it “grounded” the space. I also believe L shaped sectionals look so much “cleaner” and less cluttered vs. a sofa and two chairs. That’s what I would do. I grew up with a leather sofa in my childhood years and def don’t care for feel of them – always used a throw so I wouldn’t get cold (north coast) or sticky hot (rest of year.) You there in AZ would most likely love it though. Good luck, Marty. I’ll be rooting for you!
Hi Marty, I have been following you for years and I never knew you had two dogs. I have never seen them in your posts. I have two small “teddies” Bichon/ Shitzu. They weigh about 20 lbs each, one male and one female. Being small lap dogs they are up on our sofas all the time. I have gone with lighter heavy duty fabric sofas. I do use sofa covers and change them often. It seems most furniture stores these days offer very durable lighter colored material. Hope your recovery is going well from your heart surgery. and hope you find the right sofa for your space very soon.