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reesepbuttercup

Feedback before I order this sofa

8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

I've been going back and forth over sofas lately. I posted one I liked last week, but the upholstery wasn't a good choice for my household. I decided to keep looking and I'm seriously considering this one in the bleached white fabric. Yes, white but it is washable.

Reviews look pretty good for this sofa. It has down/foam cushion and pillows. I may have to pin the slipcover for a neater look. I do know what I'm getting into with white slipcovers as I've had them before. I plan to keep a white matelasse cover on the bottom cushion most of the time to help keep it from getting too grimy.

I would be open to a leather sofa l, but the cost for a decent leather sofa is cost prohibitive right now. I have a decent store credit with Wayfair so this slipcovered sofa will only cost me $600. I really like the bench cushion.

I just hope the white works with my very neutral color scheme. SW Dover White walls, bright white trim, linen colored cabinets, slight white wash effect flooring. I will add in a colorful rug, drapes, coffee table and leather armchair.

So, what do you think? I want to avoid another mistaken internet furniture purchase. Unlike the dining chairs I ordered, this item is non returnable

Comments (26)

  • 8 years ago

    I think it is beautiful although I wonder how comfortable the pillows on the back will be. I never particularly like leaning against throw pillows. I have a white sofa in my living room and it has never gotten a spot. I had the fabric treated with a stain resistor. However, it's not in the room where we hang out and watch tv.


    I like sofas with one long pillow for the seat.

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Unless it was just for show, with no plans to ever sit on it, would not buy a sofa online (without the opportunity to sit on it), especially if it cannot be returned.

    If you are willing to gamble, and would not be upset if it was terribly uncomfortable - go for it.

    Having recently purchased a sofa, I was surprised so many really nice looking sofas, I quickly ruled out once I sat on them.

    DS inherited uncomfortable sofa from DM, she cannot even get her dogs to lay on it.

  • 8 years ago

    I bought a custom made sofa when I was working with a designer years ago. It was very expensive and looked pretty but I never would have bought it if I had sat on it first. Won’t do that again.

  • 8 years ago

    Well, I bought a sofa in 1999 that I had never sat on and still have it. It's fabulous and I can't replace it. It looks great, still.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    My budget for the sofa is $1500. My options for local furniture in that price range aren't great. There is a PB sofa that might work, but I don't think my local store has it and after tax and delivery it would be over budget I'm sure. I get that sitting on the sofa first to try out would be ideal, it's just not really an option unless I want a lower end sofa (which is what I have now). The wayfair sofa, while not high quality, is better than what I can buy at my local furniture store for $1500. Also, the sofa has over 300 positive reviews.

  • 8 years ago

    You know what the answer is, get it!

  • 8 years ago

    Won't the back cushions/pillow things look messy all the time? No problem with one cushion sagging down in the middle? I've never had one so don't know the answer. White looks cold and uninviting to me, but that's a personal thing. There was a thread not too long ago about how awful Wayfair was in terms of quality and service, and there were some horror stories. Having to pin up the skirt seems like another negative.

  • 8 years ago

    Hoping you know how to wash, really well!

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Are you planning to put something like the tufted leather bench you show with it? That isn't a good combination, but I like the the other items you show below it.

    I worry about having to have it covered all the time, based on what you said when you were thinking about the blue cotton one - "Will this upholstery option look terrible in no time? Is scotch guard and option? We don't eat on the sofa every day, but we do have popcorn and maybe pizza once a week. The dog and cat lounge on the sofa daily. My son has perpetually sticky hands (jelly or chocolate it seems)."

    ETA - I just read some of the not-so-great reviews, and based on what this buyer says, I would not buy it - "'Aesthetically, this couch is wonderful. Practically? I hope you have a great vacuum to use on this couch every week and some miracle cleaner -- since the slipcover couch has non machine washable slipcovers AND is
    not allowed to by dry cleaned. Any cleaning tips would be most
    appreciated!"

    This buyer has the 2 photos below of it in blue -

    "Run don't walk. This is absolute junk. Can't use it, pointless to return
    it because of the fees. Literally needs to go in trash. Seams sewn as
    if by drunk driver, cushions don't fit, springs make loud crunchy noise
    when you sit. Literally garbage."


  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I won't be much help at all...I have a bench seat sofa with springs that's down that I just love. It's super comfortable. I also have a pillow back sofa that, while messy, I also love (not down, just polyester) as you can build your "nest" whichever way you want to. My mom has a down loveseat that's very uncomfortable. But there are no springs.

    FWIW, I love your plans and color combos above...

    But if you, as you said, want to avoid another bad internet purchase, then I would be hesitant also.

    I would probably feel safer with the Ikea Ektorp..people seem to like it and iirc it comes in white slipcovered

  • 8 years ago

    I would keep looking. Online with no chance to sit in it OR non-refundable is one thing, but online AND non-refundable seems like a big red flag to me.

    Especially if you think you're going to need to pin the slipcover for a neater look. That type of sofa tends to look less neat with age.

  • 8 years ago

    I see the look that you’re going for and I like it your style. I had a cream soda for many years similar to yours. My cushions zipped off and I could wash them. I also scotch guarded it. But it quickly became grungy looking so I kinda covered it with throws and pillows. I had two loose back pillows on the back of mine that constantly needed fluffed. I sold the sofa recently for $50. The frame held up beautifully but it looked so dingy. I have also purchased 3 chairs online without sitting in them first and have regretted those purchases. If I were you I would keep looking and don’t be in a hurry to find the right sofa. We purchased a dark grey Sofa that was under $400 that we love as well as an all leather sofa under $800. The deals are out there if you are persistent. I had originally ordered a $1500 sofa online and chickened out and canceled the order. I am so glad I did. Good luck with your decision

  • 8 years ago

    If I had to find a sofa on a tight budget, I’d look for something with good lines and quality on CL and have a washable slipcover made. I’ve seen some really nice things in good condition being sold because someone was redecorating or downsizing.

  • 8 years ago

    Yes, the loose throw pillows will require straightening on a regular basis. I'd prefer a tight cushioned back, but I haven't seen one like that with a bench cushion.

    I don't think the bench cushion should sag badly. I hope not anyway.

    Okay, went back and looked. There are over 500 reviews, overwhelming positive.

    The bad review, with the blue sofa, does appear terrible. However, there are numerous other photo reviews and they look entirely different. I'm not sure what happened in that instance. I do think fabric choice makes a big difference. Some of the upholstery options are dry clean only and would be difficult to care for.

    i have owned IKEA Ektorp in the past, both the sofa and the sectional. I find it to be a little low sitting and not very comfortable. I had one in white and the other in indigo.

    There are disadvantages to owning a white sofa. I will have to lint brush it regularly as my dark brown hair will be apparent not to mention the pet fur. It will show smudges and even the slightest mark will make it look dirty which is why I will leave a throw or blanket on it frequently. My dog (a brown labradoodle) sleeps on the sofa when I'm at work.

    If the white ends up being a disaster I could dye the slipcover and/or make additional slipcovers.

    I'm waiting for my credit to show up with Wayfair before making the purchase. So far this is the contender, but I have time to find something else

    I am thinking about the leather ottoman I have pictured. The one pictured is from RH and I like except for the $1,000 price tag. I will be ordering a buffet from RH and am trying to decide whether or not to add the ottoman.


  • 8 years ago

    I've seen and sat on this sofa in the blue and saw the ottoman in the ivory. It is going on sale again at the end of the week and would leave your budget with money to spare -- it its available in your area.


  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Then I think you should go for it. (Don't forget to look for a coupon code...)

    Frankly, I would keep looking for an RH lookalike on the ottoman...yikes! (but then I'm broke)

    ETA: Oooohhh that's ^^^nice, too...

  • 8 years ago

    I really like the look you're going for!

    I have a white slipcovered sofa that I can machine wash and bleach. The one you want is not washable, that just doesn't make sense to me. I would never buy white slips that are not washable. Mine gets dingy just sitting on them and there's only two of us. How do you feel about the linen color cover?


  • 8 years ago

    Yes It does say non-washable, but it's 100% cotton and other reviews stated they've washed it without issue. So I'm inclined to think it can be washed.

  • 8 years ago
    Pretty sofa! I purchased a slip covered sofa on Wayfair a couple of years ago and it is super comfortable and well made for the price point....just like the reviews said.
  • 8 years ago

    Fabric was probably not preshrunk, so, don't dry :)

  • 8 years ago

    If you have an Ikea nearby, I'd look at their Ektorp, Farlov or Stocksund styles. Ektorp is harder (comfy to me), Farlov and Stocksund are deeper.

  • 8 years ago

    Went to multiple furniture stores today and didn't find a sofa. I did find a used PB Manhattan sofa listed at $1200. I'm strongly considering it, especially if I can get it down to $1,000.

    At one of the furniture shops, more of a boutique, I found a very nice armchair and half moon ottoman. I think the chair in blue would work with the PB sofa.

  • 8 years ago

    reese, good luck with the leather sofa! Keeping my fingers crossed : )

  • 8 years ago

    I agree with saypoint. While you're waiting for your credit, I would start looking daily on Craigslist.


  • 8 years ago

    Crate and Barrel has slipcovered sofas that are highly recommended. I don't recall if they are by Lee Industries, but they are also well liked.

    fyi, DD1 worked at Shabby Chic and they washed their white slipcovers with OxyClean. She had a white sofa for years and it was fine. I'm currently looking at sofas and she said in no circumstances should I buy a large bench seat sofa. They don't keep their shape well.