Sofa, couch, whatever you call it, mine had seen better days. I am not sure what the average lifespan of a sofa is but ours started to give up the ghost years ago. This sofa was 14 years old. Shane was still finishing up his architecture degree and we really couldn’t afford a leather couch but when we were looking we found one on clearance. The middle slat of the frame had broken so we got it for a song. I sandwiched the broken piece between two 1x4s and secured it with long screws. It worked great!
Fast forward to a few years ago… The brown leather sofa started to show its age. Holes started forming and the fabric portion of the seats ripped. The center board broke again when about a dozen boy scouts jumped on it all at once (boy mom life, right?). Then another part of the frame broke. It was not only ugly but uncomfortable to sit on. I really wanted another leather couch but we had major medical bills at the time from my son’s surgery and really couldn’t afford one.
Sorry for the bad quality photo. I couldn’t find the good ones I took so I had to screenshot this from my instagram stories.
There’s a saying in our church that goes like this:
“Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” – Boyd K. Packer
I obviously couldn’t do without a sofa, but I could make it do until I had saved the money up for a new one. I draped throw blankets on it and arranged pillows so that most of the holes were covered. The little ones got photoshopped out.
See how the center sags? It would touch the floor is anyone sat on it and creek loudly!
The first brown leather sofa I had my eye on three or four years ago got discontinued so I started searching for an alternative. I fell in love with the clean lines of the Hamilton sofa from West Elm. I kept hopping on the site hoping it would go on sale. One magical day, it went on sale for $900 off!
The family spoke up and had a few requirements for our new sofa. Shane wanted to be able to lay all the way down. The boys wanted to be able to get things easily that went under the couch instead of having to move the entire thing everytime. I wanted it to be super sofa and comfortable. I wanted to be able to have throw pillows on it and still have it be deep enough. Isn’t it the worst when you have throw pillows and then you either have to sit on the edge or take off all the pillows? I also didn’t want it to be shiny.
Because of the large round arms on the last sofa, it made the actual seat area small. This one is the same length as the old one but has 11″ more seat space. Shane, all 6 foot 3 inches of him, can lay flat on the sofa!
I wanted a sofa where you could take the cushions off if needed. These velcro on.
I think this gal was worth the wait. And waiting so long, only makes us appreciate this new sofa so much more.
What is one thing that is on your wish (or should I say wait) list?
Marty Oravetz says
August 5, 2018 at 5:16 amIt really is a beautiful style and color. I think you made a great choice. I am waiting on two new recliners.
Deb says
August 5, 2018 at 5:37 amIt is an amazing sofa! I still have a sofa with foot wide curving arms and dream of sleaker lines like these. Congratulations! I bet it feels like winning the lottery!
Sarah S Vogel says
August 5, 2018 at 5:54 amCongratulations!! We identify…we lived with and loved our sofa for 30 years and (mostly) did not see the imperfections….it was like part of the family!! When we finally took the plunge and bought a new one, (also on sale), it was like Christmas 10 times over! You picked THE PERFECT COUCH, and we hope your family will treasure it for many decades to come!!
Jane says
August 5, 2018 at 9:21 amI love your story! Our sofa (a sleeper sofa) is more than 15 years old. It came to us, when it was about 15-20 years old. It already had a board in it to hold up the center! Dogs, kids, cats..our house and the one before….have shredded arms and cushions. The sleeper part is no longer used and hasn’t been in some time. I’m looking for a replacement but every time i find one I like,, and a sale, it becomes discontinued! I like your choice. I have to say, countless small items and toys, have been swallowed by this sagging beast! I’m looking for one like yours, up off the floor!!! You picked a beautiful sofa!
Danita says
August 5, 2018 at 11:13 amYou have a beautiful NEW sofa! It really is perfect!
I have room size restrictions in my living room and need just one more chair. However, my husband disagrees. But, whenever we have another couple over that same thing ALWAYS happens. Uh where does the fourth person sit? We have had this discussion for about 6 years now. What he fails to remember is that BEFORE we replaced our last furniture which was ancient and huge…there were TWO pieces. A couch and a chair! Hmmm? And what we bought new was the same size couch (much smaller) with a chaise on one end. No chair. So my wish list is for either a chair that I can makeover, or a new one that is super comfy that I can sit in when guests are over! I know I am asking the world here! ;-)
Robin says
August 5, 2018 at 1:35 pmCongratulations on your new sofa. For me it is Carpet. It is 26 years old, it is not doing quite as bad as your sofa but it has seen better days. It is not only a big expense it also means tearing up the whole house to get it replaced. Aughhhh!
Danna Frank says
August 5, 2018 at 1:44 pmI love, love your new couch!!! Congratulations! So super jealous. I have 3 things on my wait list and it will be a long wait because of medical bills. I need a new couch and recliner (actually I want a wing back chair). Our couch and recliner is 18 years old. They are still in good shape but the couch is starting to get little tears in it. And I want a different color. The other thing on my want list is new cabinets in my kitchen. The ones in there right now are 31 years old and I have never liked them. My husband keeps telling me there is not a single thing wrong with them. Male opinion, even though I love him so very much.
Patty says
August 5, 2018 at 4:04 pmI raised three sons. Right before the last one got married I bought a white sofa. We have two dog and two cats so I still put a quilt over but I LOVE the sofa.
Rosanna says
August 5, 2018 at 5:19 pmWaiting on a new dishwasher!!Mine only works as a very large dish “drainer”!!So far it’s been almost two years….?
mia says
August 6, 2018 at 12:07 pmI love this story. It seems so appropriate for your blog—creatively making do with what you have. You had us all fooled. I admire you for saving sensibly for the replacement. Seems like you got just the right sofa–or couch. I use both words interchangeably. I remember when we lived in the mid west, many years ago, a friend told a story about a davenport and I didn’t know what she was talking about. Since, I’ve learned it’s another term for this furniture.
Sarah Roberts says
August 11, 2018 at 2:53 pmcongratulations,
she is really worth the wait! I’m happy for you. I am waiting or wishing to have a great fine set of charger plates!