Have you tried a boneless sofa?
Posted by Notagelding@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 88 comments
They seem really good value if they can actually withstand 2 or 3 years of use.
For anyone not familiar, they arrive boxed and compressed and expand once they are opened. I have a mattress I bought like this and have no complaints, although when buying in future I'd opt for a few inches thicker.
Has anyone been using a boneless sofa?
sihasihasi@reddit
2 or 3 years of use?
Our sofas are nearly 25 years old, and we've just had them re-covered.
I doubt the original cost plus recover cost is eight times that of the boneless one.
Notagelding@reddit (OP)
Jeez, I only wanted to know if they'd keep their shape for 2 - 3 years š
elgrn1@reddit
My best friend is a furniture upholsterer/restorer and given what she does to make furniture capable of being sat on repeatedly for extensive periods of time for a long duration, I imagine they would become easily misshaped. Just like a memory foam mattress eventually loses its ability to bounce back.
Astara6@reddit
I hear what youāre saying and they might not suit everyone but as a small light person I think it will be fine. I always had the most expensive sofas built to last before. This time I chose the option available that fitted through a narrow space.
Notagelding@reddit (OP)
Oh, I'm not a small, light person š Not obese but but maybe I'm going to have to locate one on the high street to try before I commit!
Astara6@reddit
The one I bought had a trial period but how to send it back Iām not sure!
Notagelding@reddit (OP)
Can I ask what brand you went for?
Astara6@reddit
I went for Rove Lab.
Notagelding@reddit (OP)
Many thanks
Astara6@reddit
Youāre welcome and hope you find whatās right for you.
Notagelding@reddit (OP)
The one I've got my eye on is Ā£265 on ebay. I didn't even think they were proper brands who did these until today! Just concerned about quality but taking a hit on a cheap one wouldn't be the worst thing.
Astara6@reddit
Is it still in the box? But that sounds a good price. Iām happy with the quality of mine and it fits the space really well.
audigex@reddit
The problem you're gonna have is that it'll hold up fine for a while, then lose its shape. That's not something you can really test in store
Astara6@reddit
My feeling is that my sofa will keep its shape for as long as I have it. I had feather filled sofas for 30 years which lost their shape and had to be refilled and recovered in that time. This new one seems firm, comfortable and sturdy and easy to clean.
audigex@reddit
25 is unusually long for a normal sofa, to be fair - so you're kinda talking at extreme ends of the scale to each other
8-12 is probably more typical for a sofa lifespan, less if you've got young kids jumping on it or are overweight, more if it's lightly used and higher quality etc
cherrycoke3000@reddit
Re covering is a very expensive job. The cost of living is seriously affecting the industry as regular loyal customers delay repairs and overall have reduced this luxury. Which tells me you have funds above and beyond the majority of customers. You should appreciate that more.
sihasihasi@reddit
Well, it was cheaper than buying "good quality" again, but yes more expensive than buying cheap shite that will fall apart in 2-3 years. My point, though, is that it's still probably more cost - effective in the long run than replacing cheap stuff more frequently.
It's also worth mentioning that when we bought them originally, we weren't terribly flush and got them on 5y 0% finance.
natej82@reddit
Great if you own and are settled in your home; weāve had to move house 4 times in 10 years due to no fault of our own and furniture does not always fit in new place. Our solution has been to try and buy good second hand stuff, but itās a pain collecting it etc
laccmy@reddit
I bought one few months earlier. I tried so hard to research whether itās good or not but seems like no body really knows, I was like whatever just give a try, turn out I really like it. Itās stylish and very comfy.
Honestly I have no idea why everyone here wants a sofa last for 20 years.
Notagelding@reddit (OP)
Had my current sofa for 7 years and it's in need of an upgrade. Some of the boneless corner sofas look so similar to what I already have anyway!
OmeDodo@reddit
Bought 2 from AliExpress. After 3 months of use u can say only 1 thing, very comfy.
123bmc@reddit
Are they holding their shape?
OmeDodo@reddit
To my surprise, yes. I'm not exactly a ballerina ( 108 kg) and they look close to new. As with any couch you will notice it's been sat on but other than that, they look fine.
Fudge_is_1337@reddit
The 2 or 3 years of use thing is for me not enough to justify them.
If I'm buying a new sofa, I think I want it to last me at least 5 years. I've had cheap secondhand sofas last me that long so I'd want that exceeeded by a new product for sure.
Getting them into narrow doorways or up staircases etc does seem like a major benefit for some living situations though.
JBSven@reddit
I'm going on 5 years with my sofas. If they don't last another 10 I'll be severely disappointed.
uncertain_expert@reddit
5? Iām wanting 15-20 years.
BillWilberforce@reddit
A lot of people are living in rented flats and moving every few years. The cost and hassle of moving a sofa every few years is a PITA. Particularly now that Zip Cars and others, which rented vans by the hour have ceased trading.
In an ideal world the sofa would just disappear when it was no longer needed. As getting council to collect them is nigh on impossible.
maelie@reddit
But if your sofa is decent quality, you can sell it when you move. Or do what I did recently and give the BHF a ring - quicker and cheaper than council collection and they got Ā£300 for a sofa and a sofa bed, and someone out there got a reasonably priced piece of second hand furniture. Wins all round.
If you're really moving around very frequently then you go for furnished rental accommodation. I used to move every year roughly, and would never have bought beds and sofas etc during that time.
It's just so hugely wasteful (environmentally) to buy things that you're knowingly going to dispose of sooner than necessary, unless you have no choice.
ScallyGirl@reddit
The BHF are so bloody fussy. I tried to give them a dinning table and chairs, which they refused because the table had the smallest scratch on the side, I hadn't even noticed it. I know a few people who have tried to donate really good quality goods to them who have been refused. I know they dont want tat, but my god, second hand furniture is not likely to be perfect!
Pick_Up_Autist@reddit
Furnished rentals basically don't exist outside of cities. I've rented 5ish places in cities, all furnished. Not one of the 7 I've had in towns has been furnished.
maelie@reddit
I've lived in furnished rentals in cities, towns and villages in the South West and Midlands. May be variable by area. But still, buying/selling second hand sofas seems a much more sustainable option if you have an unfurnished place. We did have an unfurnished one once for 2 years, had the sofa my partner's parents were replacing and bought most of the rest of our stuff on Gumtree or at clearance auctions. Sold most of it on again when we left. IIRC we sold the fridge on for more than we'd originally paid for it!
BillWilberforce@reddit
But that then means buying something expensive and then giving it away. Presumably this new sofa is a lot cheaper than normal.
maelie@reddit
You can sell it, that was my first suggestion. If you bought a decent one. I was suggesting BHF (if it's in usable condition) as an alternative to the council as the person above said getting them to take it away was impossible and ideally they'd like it to just disappear.
Winston_Carbuncle@reddit
Yeah you can get some cracking second hand sofas for a couple of hundred quid. I'd sooner do that than spent (presumably???) the same on something that's going to fall apart in 2 years.
Zaruz@reddit
Second hand market sofas is fantastic. People just want them gone so they often go up for very cheap, just because someone is moving and the existing sofa doesn't fit the new place
Serious_Escape_5438@reddit
Problem is transporting them. Especially if you've just moved to a new city and don't know anyone to help you.Ā
Astara6@reddit
I would have done that but with my narrow doorways they wouldnāt have gone through. Iām not a disposable person and had my first sofas for over 3O years and my second sofas were third hand but in good condition but couldnāt get them in.
Winston_Carbuncle@reddit
I could summarise my response with the word "pivot" but instead I'll simply agree that couch Tetris is a pain in the arse
Astara6@reddit
Unfortunately the removals company could not even get them close to the front door as a narrow entrance to the flat. Believe me they tried! So it wasnāt just the narrow doors but narrow entrance.
Boredpanda31@reddit
Only 5? My parents had a sofa for 10 years, they decided to get a new one so offered me that one. It will be 12 years old soon and it's still in amazing condition.
Astara6@reddit
Mine has a lifetime warranty and I donāt see it as a sofa that will only last 2-3 years so not sure where that comes from.
forgottenoldusername@reddit
Look at how well that went for all those mattresses companies š
NuisancePenguin44@reddit
Yeah they're really expensive as well! I wouldn't pay a couple of grand for 2 years of use.
colin_staples@reddit
I'd want it to last 20+ years
Emonuggets@reddit
its also incredibly wasteful to buy a massive item with the intention of getting rid of it after 2 years. definitely have a look at second hand alternatives if you want something not built to last forever, or bite the bullet and invest in a good quality sofa youll keep for years
WishfulStinking2@reddit
How much are they? I wouldnāt want a sofa that may only last 2/3 years, unless it was like Ā£100
DeapVally@reddit
The real thing lasts forever. My aunt and uncle have had them since I was old enough to remember, and they're still great, and super comfy. I'm not young anymore either lol. So I bought one too. The real things cost thousands though, and retains value if you wanted to sell. The Chinese knockoffs, I have no idea, because that's just pissing money away, and it's a lot more than Ā£100. They're about 1/3 of the price of the real thing from what I've seen.
If you buy quality, you'll only have to buy it once though.
Astara6@reddit
Moved into a flat with very narrow doorways and couldnāt get old sofas in. So bought one that comes in a box. Really happy with it and added the ottoman. Itās comfortable, easy to clean and looks good.
smushs88@reddit
Bodes the question, how does it get back out when you moveā¦. š
hollowcrown51@reddit
I have sofas by a company called Swift and basically the sofa will break down into component parts easily that can fit through a door. So the legs unscrews, the side panels come down and the backs will come off. Really high quality and worth the cost imo.
cherrycoke3000@reddit
Squish it. Force it. Get it stuck in the door frame, do a full run body slam and bounce back. It's foam.
Negative_Equity@reddit
PIVOT
Astara6@reddit
I did think about that but I imagine if I do move it will be sold with the flat. But as this is most likely my forever home not a concern really. Mine has a lifetime warranty and will probably last as long as me!
kumran@reddit
I just recently gave away a foam sofa that was second hand when it came into my in laws possession in the 70s. Comfiest thing you could ever sleep on, especially if you are a dog. But lacking in support as a sofa.
AshamedNetwork777@reddit
I think... I know what you mean. I bought one of those rectangular ones that you can rearrange different ways and comes with some steel frames just to help it stay in place. Can't speak about longevity but I've had them for over a year and they still look and feel the same when I first got them (except for a tiny stain from some spilled mangoes)
donkey-oh-tea@reddit
They're alright but i couldn't eat a whole one.
Healthy_Pilot_6358@reddit
Haha only if it has the gravy or a nice dip tho
meliora-m@reddit
Here, take my upvote you silly human!
runawaydebt@reddit
This is the kind of comedy that keeps me coming back to Reddit šš
Rare_Mushroom_1129@reddit
Temu shite. Better off investing in a proper sofa that will last.
carl84@reddit
Just watched a video of one on YouTube, a pile of foam Lego bricks just loosely piled together, seemingly no back support and looks like it will just slip apart as you sit on it. $649! You could get a decent real settee for that, rather than a bag of chemical foam from China
mikeghb89@reddit
A boneless banquette?
rising_then_falling@reddit
I bought a modular slot together sofa because it was the only thing that would go up my stairs. It's made of steel and I expect it to last for the remaining 40 odd years of my life with one re-upholstery half way.
My armchair was new when my gran bought it in 82 and I've re-upholstered it and stripped the brown varnish back to the wood - should also be good for the rest of my life.
Even the steel and plastic folding chair I bought as a student from Habitat and carried home on the bus works fine 30 years on.
There's no need for disposable furniture.
Dangerous-Regret-358@reddit
It's not intended to be disposable. Who said it was a disposable product?
From what I can see the designs are timeless and will last many, many years. I can't see them wearing out.
The main advantage is their ease of movement. They are also pretty light and they are more flexible than more conventional designs.
Prior_Psychology_150@reddit
Sounds more like a solution to a problem that doesnāt exist. Whatās the use case for it? Maybe something i am missing
Antique_Surprise_763@reddit
I cant get a full sofa up the stairs to my flat
tevs__@reddit
Get one with detachable arms, you can get them almost anywhere
Prior_Psychology_150@reddit
yes that's what i am thinking, better to get something modular than something 'boneless'
DonkeyJousting@reddit
Some folks here are saying they were great in awkward or inaccessible living spaces with narrow doorways or stairwells that they couldnāt fit a normal sofa through.
Products should definitely exist for those spaces, of course. But Iām concerned about the fire plans for these couch-proof flats tbh.
Prior_Psychology_150@reddit
i see. yea totally get that but i feel like the solution be more of a modular sofa rather than a 'boneless' one. it is true places with narrow staircases can be a nightmare to bring any furniture up through
TazTazTAZTazTaz_@reddit
> but Iām concerned about the fire plans for these couch-proof flats tbh.
So are the people living there.
oscarx-ray@reddit
Fudge_is_1337@reddit
Flats with narrow staircases can be a nightmare to move furniture into. Or smaller homes with awkward angles and layouts
WelcometotheZhongguo@reddit
Planning to throw a massive cuboid of polyurethane into landfill in a couple of years?
Get a āboneless sofaā.
Nah, youāre alright thanks.
howardgarden@reddit
I'd recommend finding a secondhand sofa if you're trying not to spend too much and want that can get a little beat up. I got a three seater secondhand ikea sofa off ebay for Ā£250 and van hire. Still looks alright four years later and I don't mind the dog climbing all over it because the covers come off. Plus it's a more sustainable option than a sofa that might not last more than a couple of years!Ā
Master-Trick2850@reddit
All these "cheaper" sofas and mattresses just have a really big marketing budgetĀ
Worried-Penalty8744@reddit
Are they.. squidgy to sit on? Or do they have a bit of firmness
Astara6@reddit
Mine is firm and in some ways better than the feather filled sofas I had before. They had to be plumped up all the time.
_scorp_@reddit
Iāve tried the bucket - that was ok
DivePotato@reddit
As in just constructed from foam?
Substantial_Self_939@reddit
I couldn't eat a whole one!
rocketscientology@reddit
My friend has one and I find it deeply uncomfortable - the foam compresses and is harder than youād expect, and the back support is quite lacking. Iām someone who likes to curl up on a sofa and I find that itās really hard to do with the ābonelessā ones.
mister_meaner7@reddit
I would imagine they are crap.
Quality_Controller@reddit
They're basically the Shein/fast-fashion version of furniture. Much better to invest in something that will last and isn't produced in a way that's destroying the environment.
TedBurns-3@reddit
"Boneless" you say?!! š¤
KEW95@reddit
We keep our sofas for 15+ years, whenever possible, so the idea of getting one that wouldnāt even last 10 is baffling to me.
zero_sevenn@reddit
Tried boneless sofaās, not for me. I want some rigidity to it.
Have you tried a boneless pizza?
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