The Sofa Check · Fabric sofas
This one is for fabric sofas. Sectionals, sleepers and leather get their own check.
The criteria
Step 1 · What I look for
5 criteria, 20 points each, 100 in total. 20 exceeds · 18 meets · 10 falls below · 0–5 fails. The trade standard for each price tier is below.
Budget
PriceUnder $1,500
FrameParticleboard or engineered wood
SuspensionSinuous springs
Cushion1.5 lb foam
Fabric20,000 double rubs
DesignScored on merit
Basic
Price$1,500 to $3,000
FrameHardwood and plywood mix
SuspensionSinuous steel springs
Cushion1.8 lb foam, wrapped
Fabric40,000 double rubs
DesignScored on merit
Standard
Price$3,000 to $6,000
FrameKiln-dried hardwood
Suspension8-way hand-tied
Cushion2.0 lb foam, down-blend option
Fabric75,000 double rubs
DesignScored on merit
Premium
Price$6,000 to $12,000
FrameKiln-dried solid hardwood
Suspension8-way hand-tied on jute webbing
Cushion2.5 lb foam or down-wrapped
Fabric100,000 double rubs
DesignScored on merit
Luxury
PriceOver $12,000
FrameKiln-dried solid ash or maple
Suspension8-way hand-tied, hand-inspected
CushionHorsehair or 2.8 lb foam
Fabric100,000+ double rubs, trade grade
DesignScored on merit
Step 2 · The grades
The total score sets the grade.
S95+The best there is. Buy it.
A90–94Worth it.
B80–89Fine, but not my first choice.
C70–79Passable. Not a buy.
D60–69Skip it.
FUnder 60Do not buy.