What is a Reasonable Amount of Money to Spend on a Couch?

According to Statistics Canada, in 2019 Canadians dedicated 11.5% of their average spending on goods and services on operation, furnishings, and equipment per household, which ends up being around $7932. This is a category that includes a lot of various items throughout your household, so don't be alarmed at the number. Each furniture piece that you incorporate into your home will add up, but it is a positive investment that you will be able to learn from, and hopefully benefit from for many years. Buying your first couch is exciting, but it can also be scary making this step.

In MoneySense's blog post "How Much to Pay for a Couch", author Kira Vermond raves about her green velvet upholstered couch from Article, which was around $1500. My roommate and I found a floor model couch at IKEA for $300, and it's still going strong! It's a KIVIK sofa made with a blend of cotton, polyester, and linen. I hear the same advice repeated, "you get what you pay for", but this doesn’t mean you can’t get it on sale! You can find some great deals on new, used, or open box furniture.

Materials

The material a couch is made of matters when it comes to the longevity of the furniture. If you find yourself with roommates or kids, you might be sure to get a couch that has washable cushion covers or is stain resistant. Some of the best materials to look for include:

• Olefin

• Leather

• Cotton blend

• Vinyl

• Nylon

• Acrylic

These are some of the most durable fabrics that could help your couch last for a long time. Leather might be the most expensive on the list, but vinyl is a great alternative. If you’re looking to buy a couch that can withstand wear from social gathers, family events, dinners, or movie nights, it is probably best to get a fabric that is durable and can last.

Back to the Money...

A reasonable price might be within the range of $1000 - $1500 for your first couch, but it is dependent on your budget too. Up to $1500 is a good amount of money to spend on a couch if you are looking for a lower budget option that you want to last. You can also buy a used couch, just make sure to check what materials the used couch is made from so you know how long it might last when it’s in your care. Used couches can be found for well under $1000 on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace and may offer more options at a lower price range. Remember to try before you buy!