Decide on a couch for me

[countthestars]

We need a new couch for our living room. The current one is disgustingly stained. We planned to wait until the kids were bigger and less destructive, but I can't handle it anymore and I am willing to be a little more strict about snacks on the couch and also somewhat flexible with the kids (i.e. not freak out about a minor stain). We were thinking that an in-between couch ($600 or less) would be better than what we're currently living with. See reply for photos of my current space.

My walls are Revere Pewter and my cabinets are white. Floors dark brown. Adjoining sunroom has a new white/off white couch that the kids do not eat on. Sunroom gets tons of natural light, living room does not. We are considering adding 2 more recessed lights to help with that. I tend to prefer grays to browns, and I think the room would lend itself ok to a gray couch. Open to other suggestions, though! I am aware that my current couch is hideous, so no need to match it or anything. Bonus points for free delivery, or at least delivery within the budget. Ikea is far, but delivery is actually only like $30 - I'm just not sure I like my options there. We don't love the skirt on the Ektorp.

Here are some couches I'm considering:
1) $470 www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/brayden-studio-baugh-sofa-brsd8329.html?piid=16953899


2) $470 www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/andover-mills-serta-upholstery-nordberg-sofa-andv2416.html

3) $437 www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/andover-mills-deerpark-sofa-adml1469.html


4)    $476 www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/benchcraft-gilman-sofa-bnct1454.html

[mbcdefg]

Random question - do you have cats? Our guys destroyed our original couches because they liked scratching the ribbed fabric material, but they leave our current couches alone. So consider the fabric before buying, is my tip.

[smock]

I'm also in the market for a couch. I'm digging #4, so definitely report back if you buy that one!

[countthestars]

[countthestars]

Jan 17, 2018 14:04:24 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Random question - do you have cats? Our guys destroyed our original couches because they liked scratching the ribbed fabric material, but they leave our current couches alone. So consider the fabric before buying, is my tip.

No pets! ☺️

[shortstax]

I have #3 in sectional form. I like it. It's comfortable, easy to clean, and looks great. However, I never realized how much I liked to lay leaning against the arm of a sofa, and it's impossible to do without being uncomfortable. Pillows mitigate that (but your own--the pillows that come with it with the text on there are a scratchy fabric.)

HTH!

[origami]

I prefer the kind with roll arms because I think they’re better for naps.

[sju1982]

Looks alone, I like #1 and #4 best.

They looks similar to a couch we bought last year for our playroom, and we hate it! It looks nice but it's just not comfortable. The seat is 23" deep, and it's too shallow.  Sitting upright is ok, but you can't really curl your legs up. I hate taking naps on it.  The boxy arms suck, too. 

At that price point, I would definitely go with the Ektorp from Ikea. I know a couple of people who have them and they are very comfortable.  The covers are washable/replaceable, which is a nice feature with kids. I like the chaise version, but you can get just a regular sofa. 

[scm1011]

I like #1 or #4 best.

[icedcoffee]

I know you said you don't like the skirt on the Ektorp, but I would still strongly consider it. I can't speak for any of the brands you're looking at from Wayfair, but in my experience with a couch I hate (from Bob's) you truly get what you pay for. I used to have an Ektorp that I actually bought used and it still looked almost new when i got rid of it like 5 years later. My Bob's couch looks like actual crap after 3 years. I LOVE that you can wash the slipcovers on the Ektorp. I'm actually considering getting rid of my $1,000 Bob's couch and getting an Ektorp again. Getting rid of my Ektorp was one of my worst home decorating decisions I have ever made.

[icedcoffee]

Also---I want your house.

[countthestars]

Jan 17, 2018 14:32:33 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Also---I want your house.

Thank you! Although this is what it usually looks like lol

[expectantsteelerfan]

I feel like one that has some brown in it will go better with your rug, which is why I picked #2. I like big comfy arms, and they all look pretty non-squishy in the arm department. But overall they are all nice-looking! Hard to pick a couch without doing a sit test and lay down test. I bought a love-seat from Wayfair though as an accent piece (armless), but it is comfy and has held up well.

[noodleoo]

Jan 17, 2018 14:27:33 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I like #1 or #4 best.

Me too. I voted #4 because the arms look more comfy to lean on, which is how I mainly sit on the couch.

Your house is beautiful!

[scm1011]

Jan 17, 2018 15:12:26 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Jan 17, 2018 14:27:33 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I like #1 or #4 best.

Me too. I voted #4 because the arms look more comfy to lean on, which is how I mainly sit on the couch.

Your house is beautiful!

I voted #4, too

[countthestars]

Thanks everyone! I think I will go with #4. Now that you have seen my kitchen in it’s current state anyway, what would you put on this big blank wall?

[pennylane]

Ha! We have that same couch and I hate it. I want to get a new one so bad. But I’m waiting until the baby stops projectile spitting up everywhere. #4 looks great!

[vtdiamond]

countthestars, I love the painting over the fireplace, where did you find it?

[countthestars]

Jan 17, 2018 15:50:34 GMT -5 vtdiamond said:

countthestars , I love the painting over the fireplace, where did you find it?

Thanks! It was super cheap from Homegoods a couple of years ago.

[jennistarr1]

I would put a giant clock there...maybe one of the ones where all the numbers are separate

or a mirror

I'm really basic though

[ssmjlm]

I would probably do a mixed gallery wall. Some art, some photos, maybe a clock.

[starryfish]

Jan 17, 2018 14:29:31 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I know you said you don't like the skirt on the Ektorp, but I would still strongly consider it. I can't speak for any of the brands you're looking at from Wayfair, but in my experience with a couch I hate (from Bob's) you truly get what you pay for. I used to have an Ektorp that I actually bought used and it still looked almost new when i got rid of it like 5 years later. My Bob's couch looks like actual crap after 3 years. I LOVE that you can wash the slipcovers on the Ektorp. I'm actually considering getting rid of my $1,000 Bob's couch and getting an Ektorp again. Getting rid of my Ektorp was one of my worst home decorating decisions I have ever made.

This times 1000. I got rid of my Ektorp and would love it back!!! SO So easy to wash the covers. 

[hbomdiggity]

I don't have personal experience with ikea, but what about a skirt-less one, like this:


I have a similar setup with the chaise and LOVE it. I also like how this could bring in some color from the art but still neutral.

As for the wall, maybe a command center with a framed chalk board, wall rack, clock, etc.

[just]

Jan 18, 2018 11:02:20 GMT -5 hbomdiggity said:

I don't have personal experience with ikea, but what about a skirt-less one, like this:


I have a similar setup with the chaise and LOVE it. I also like how this could bring in some color from the art but still neutral.

As for the wall, maybe a command center with a framed chalk board, wall rack, clock, etc.

We have this one and all of the fabric is removable and machine washable including the back and the arms and everything. Also new covers are less than $200, so we just bought a new one to change up our look, but have a 'spare' grey one for when we need one.

With dogs, it's a god send.

[oswin]

I would never buy a couch without sitting on it first. This is mostly because I feel like many of the couches I've tried sitting on in stores sucked to sit on. We have four couches, and they came from IKEA, Sam's Club, Goodwill, and the former owners of an apartment we moved into years ago (they left it behind). We've loved some sectional couches that they have at Costco (we love going to Costco), but we've never been in the market for a sectional. That's probably not super helpful, just wanted to caution you about buying a piece of furniture you would be sitting on all the time without actually sitting on it first.

[countthestars]

Thanks for all of your thoughts. I ended up ordering #1 against your wishes because H preferred it, but then I fell asleep on the couch this morning and I'm already regretting not getting one with better arms. We shall see!

I also appreciate the input on the large wall. Do you guys think it's weird to have pictures/clock/etc on that wall without something under it anchoring it and making sure people don't bump into it? I feel like looking down the room from the entryway (last picture with kitchen on right), it might be weird with anything sticking out from the wall? I think I'm overthinking this haha.

[ssmjlm]

Put the stuff on the wall. If you feel like you need a table or shelf you can always add it later.

[L]

I liked #1 best...to be fair I hate rolled arms so #4 was my least favorite. I hope it works out & is comfy. I was going to suggest a Radley couch from Macy's--it's comfy & cheap. We are getting the sectional version for our family room. On the wall I'd probably put a mirror.

[dragon's breath]

Jan 17, 2018 14:15:22 GMT -5 origami said:

I prefer the kind with roll arms because I think they’re better for naps.

#4 for exactly this reason.

[jj]

I would add a large world map to that blank wall. Keeping with the IKEA theme, IKEA used to sell a large canvas world map that I really liked. I’ve just never had a wall big enough for it. I like maps a lot though, so that might not fit your tastes. I also prefer the idea of one large thing on a wall vs lots of little pieces all together.