Century or Lee Sofa?

20 years ago

I pretty much decided to buy a Lee Industries sofa and went to a local retail store to look at fabric options. While we were there, my DH and I fell in love with a Century sofa that happened to be on sale. The price difference between the Lee and the Century is about $1000 (Lee priced in NC, the Century based on the local store price which they claimed was 30%off and had some free upgrades)

Is it worth the extra $$ for the Century? The sofa will be in a formal LR that will not have heavy use.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Featured Answer

gochach

6 years ago

I know these posts are quite old but if anyone is thinking that you are getting great quality from Century Furniture when it comes to upholstered furniture, think again, maybe my review will help you to make a right decision. I purchased their leather sofa and fabric chase. The leather sofa cushions are falling apart, the sofa is only 2 years old I care for it fallowing the company recommendation and look it at the picture!!! As I purchased the sofa at Kroungold's furniture store in Marlton NJ as a floor model and I was told that this company has a life time warranty on all their products (here I have to admit, I should have check the warranty rules on Century Furniture company website, well I did not, now I know better, don't trust sells people). Just so you know if you ever buy a store floor model your warranty is void, in my case it really didn't matter because the couch start falling apart after a year or so, the leather quality I should say is questionable. Well before I have notice that the quality was horrible I purchased a chase (expensive must be good, right, the style matched my couch, great!). Before the year was up the seams of my cushion start falling apart in multiple places. I o

rder this time a brand new piece of furniture from Delaware store, great price, no tax and very nice people compare to Marlton NJ store and warranty was good too. I had to fight to get a new fabric cover for my cushion, not to mention the cushion is sinking and I rotate the cushion all the time!!! I was even told that they are not going to replace the fabric and I have to find someone to fix it and if the price is right they will give me money back. Keep in mind we are talking about furniture that is on warranty!!! I have to say I kept pushing on the girl at that Delaware store, I even send her the copy of the warranty from Century Furniture Company. I got the replacement but they cut the corners by cutting the fabric in wrong place so you can see the seam on my cushion.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

john_wc
20 years ago
I don't think it is worth the difference especially in a living room. Century makes good furniture, but IMHO, it is overpriced for the level of quality. Now, having said that, I don't know much about Lee. I have studied their website and they have the familiar hallmarks of a quality upholstery company. Moreover, Lee is a small, family owned company which counts for a lot in my book.

Does Lee not make the same sofa that DH likes?

Do you mind sharing the price of the Lee sofa?
jyyanks
Original Author
20 years ago
Hi John_wc. Thanks for the response. DH and I liked how the Century sofa felt. It was very comfortable for both of us (I'm 5'1, he's 6'2) which was a huge plus. DH and I didn't sit on the Lee sofa as they didn't have the model we liked at the store, they had a different model which had cushions (we want tight back) which was ok but the back cushions had no foam which made a big difference in comfort (hate that sinking in feeling). The price of the Lee came in at about $1500 plus delivery to NYC (and probably tax as well). The Century was $2500 plus tax and delivery.
Related Professionals
Terre Haute Furniture & Accessories · Omaha Furniture & Accessories · Valdosta Carpenters · New Orleans Carpenters · St. Louis Carpenters · Charlottesville Carpenters · Akron Carpenters · West Palm Beach Cabinets & Cabinetry · Houma Cabinets & Cabinetry · Gaithersburg Cabinets & Cabinetry · Bangor Cabinets & Cabinetry · Norfolk Cabinets & Cabinetry · Nashua Cabinets & Cabinetry · Edison Cabinets & Cabinetry · Palm Desert Cabinets & Cabinetry
sister3
20 years ago
Please do a search of Lee in this and the home decorating forum. I was very impressed with their quality. I liked that they were a small,family-owned business. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my sofa,loveseat and leather chair.

You got a really good price quote on the Lee sofa. Good luck with your decision.
bill_walsworth_gmail_com
20 years ago
I recommend the Lee. My wife recently purchased the Lee slipcovered apt sofa from peartree - www.peartreehome.com

(we are in michigan). It took a long time to arrive, but we special ordered it with a fabric of our own choosing. Quality is great and we have no complaints. We got the goose down stuffing- soooo nice and plush.

Having said that, the century sofa is very nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Peartree - Lee Sofa
lizh
20 years ago
It depends which tier of Century you were looking at. Century upholstery has different levels of quality. Just like Henredon and Drexel Heritage, etc.

Take a look at their website and note the upholstery collections. Century Upholstery is the "fine" line, Century LTD is the the mid level.
jyyanks
Original Author
20 years ago
Thank you all for taking the time to answer my post. Just an update, I am definitely going with a Lee sofa. I found out that the Century LTD sofa I like has plywood frames instead of hardwood. I know it doesn't make a HUGE difference but I want to get the best quality for my $$. I need another sofa and right now it looks like I am going for Michael Thomas. Calico Corners carries the line and they have a sale going on until the end of the month. Thanks again for your responses.
forest2023
2 years ago
In case this will help anyone considering a custom Century Furniture sofa, please look at my photos of $6500 worth of wrinkles! The company is claiming that they are normal with a bench seat cushion but I've seen other sofas that don’t look like this. I have tried to work with the retailer who sold it to me but they just said tough luck.
Stefani
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
@forest2023

A bench seat cushion CAN be a nightmare, but you should have an upholstery shop put a wrap or two of Dacron over the insert to help tighten this up and reduce the wrinkling.