WHICH ARE THE MOST HARD WEARING THREE PIECE SUITES?

The most comfortable sofa we had (and we've had a few) came from Argos - big, squashy cushions and cream covers which came off and could be washed. Sadly various cats over the years clawed the arms so it had to go. We also had a Lebus suite which was was a polystyrene body covered in gold velvet - it lasted forever and still looked good when we changed the decor and had to give it away.

I think 10 years is a reasonable lifespan for a sofa, I recently replaced two large leather 3 seaters from Dfs that were 10 years old but not because they were showing signs of wear but because they were very low and I'd been struggling to get up with my dodgy knees. This time I bought a large 3 seater leather sofa from Dfs for just under 3 grand, and the matching big footstool in the hope the Pugs will sit on that rather than me. My Son thinks I'm nuts spending £700 on a dog bed as he calls it. I also bought a Stressless Magic large recliner which complete with footstool was just under £2000. I'm happy with both but the Dfs delivery was by the chuckle brothers and the Stressless came from a family firm and was a completely different experience, the delivery blokes were brilliant even got me to sit it in and try it out before they left. They were lovely and the following day I got an email from the company checking everything was alright. Yes you'd expect good quality and service from Stressless but Dfs have the quality to suit all tastes but clearly suffer from big company issues where the delivery was concerned. I did speak to the manager who very quickly sent someone to see me regarding the issues which were quickly remedied. It could have been avoided completely if the two jokers I had doing the delivery had just taken a bit more care.

I've always liked Alstons upholstery which seem very good quality and stocked by Coop Living shops and others.

Haven't actually bought one but they have a good reputation, maybe worth a look.

I ordered 2 armchairs from M and S a couple of years ago which were absolutely terrible quality and had a couple of grubby marks on them. I think they were returns, and the packaging was appalling too. I sent them right back.

We have had our two excellent cream leather sofas, since 2001, buying them from John Lewis in High Wycombe. They are now really too low for us, even though I had made upholstered 'booster' cushions, and we have reluctantly ordered two new leather G-Plan ones, from an independent supplier. I just hope they last a reasonable time.

When we returned from living abroad in the 1970s we rented a furnished cottage for a few months. When we were about to leave the owner told us she was moving in and wanted to get rid of some of the furniture, including a two-seater sofa which we still have.

She told us it was part of a utility suite which would have been made either during of just after WWII, so it must be about seventy years old. Over the years I made two sets of loose covers for it. It's still going strong, though relegated to a corner of the kitchen where I can sit and look out of the garden. Very comfy it is too.

We have had our Stressless sofa and recliners for 13 years and they’re still perfect. The leather cleans easily and the quality and comfort top notch.

Do not buy anything from DFS. Poor quality covers which fade.

It is not always the covering on the settee which needs replacing it can be the cushions.
I had a settee where one of the seat cushions went down at one side and was very uncomfortable to sit on, we had to replace it because of that not the covering.
We had used it for about 5 to 6 years I think. Hubby wasn't pleased thought it would last as long as our previous settee which was about 30 years.
If the structure and build of the frame and cushions are not good quality you'll not get years of use out of it.

We have also had a good experience with SofaSofa. Bought an extra set of different colured covers for the sofa and have a different winter and summer look. Very comfortable sofa, excellent price and speedy delivery.

Our main sofas are leather G-plan, five years old and bought from a very helpful independent retailer. No sign of wear, very comfortable and easy to clean.

Our son has an Ikea sofa with washable covers, many years old now and still incredibly comfortable.

There are good sofas out there melanie, take your time and you will find the right one for you. Good luck .

I'm still trying to erase the vision of having 5 pieces of matching furniture

M and S suites were very good quality - I have one 25 years old. covered in. Bayer. Velour fabric - no breaks etc in it and the fabric can be washed.

My old G Plan suite would not wear out even though I wanted it to do so - the covers had zips so went into the washing machine although it said 'dry clean only' and came out like new.
However, after years we decided to buy another G Plan suite in a different configuration and have to say that it is not going to wear as well as the old one.

We have an m and s suite, never again,very poor quality leather they came out to inspect it as the leather was cracking after only 3 years they concluded it was wear and tear ! We have since had it professionally repaired, but it cracking in two other ares now.Might have to bin it.

Google Sofasofa - they are in South Wales and sell locally made furniture - companies such as Christy Tyler and Pendragon who made for Marks years ago. We have had a couple of their loose covered sofas -2seateand 3 seater - for about 12 years and still OK - we have a sort of chenille cover which is comfy. They deliver anywhere and if you are down that way can go and visit their show room.

My fairly cheap leather sofas have lasted much longer than any fabric covered sofas I've had before.

Please be aware G-Plan on sale now is NOT to be confused with the G-Plan of old
Trading on a previous good reputation but delivering average quality furniture.

Paid £3000 for a suite that arrived crumpled and creased
After much complaining I was told it was a “ dressing issue”
Three visits by technicians made some difference
But this involved unzipping all the cushions removing the filling and pummelling the internal cushions to try to restore the shape

I was informed that this dressing needs to be done on a regular basis

Please check before you buy about the extent of the dressing required

I have no faith whatsoever in G-plan
I bought the suite from SCS and they also did not step up to their responsibilities until I contacted the CEO.
Shabby is the word all round

Yes, I would also recommend Multiyork. We have had our settee 13 years and it is as solid in both frame and upholstery as the day we bought it. All their covers are 'loose' even though it looks as if they are upholstered on so they can be taken off and cleaned and Multiyork can also supply replacement covers as can Plumbs or Lynplan. We have just replaced ours but for decor reasons not because the original ones were wearing out.

We have had some really sturdy furniture from DFS but you do have to look at it thoroughly some of the cheaper ranges dont last. I understand from the dalesman that they consider 10 years to be the maximum one should expect and with some of their lurid colour suites 10 years is about all one could bear to look at them! if i was buying Wesley Barrell I would expect a good 20 years out of those.

I would highly recommend sofachoice.co.uk from Bridgend. We bought a natural Chatsworth from there 12 years ago with loose covers and it has worn amazingly well and doesn't attract the dirt. It also washes like new. It is extremely comfortable and one of our best buys at a very reasonable price.

So many good ideas here. Thanks so much. Gransnet has come to the rescue.

Hope its got a label to say it conforms to fire safety regulations, silversurfergran, or the charity will turn their nose up at it!

This is a nightmare as have just ordered some new M&S furniture and awaiting delivery - wish I had read the comments first!
Our last M&S settess were bought in 1994 and were perfect other than fading covers so we had new washable Plumbs covers fitted, which worked ok. They are big 3-seaters though and too big for our new living room so are getting 2-seaters. The 3-seaters were going to the charity shop but may hold off for a while until I see the quality.

We inherited our first 3 pce suite from my sister in law who bought it from Harrods. After it got really shabby, we got rid of the chairs (they were too big), had the sofa reupholstered and bought 2 parker knoll recliners. The sofa had a hand-built frame, weighed a ton, and would have lasted forever. Eventually, we decided to replace the sofa as it was really too big for the room, and bought a G plan one, and later, because I wanted a suite that matched, we bought what we were told was a good quality leather suite from a local department store. Big mistake! The frame is shocking (an upholsterer who came to rectify a fault said they are all now made in China - even the "good names", and quality has gone out the window). It looked as if it had been put together in a junior woodwork class! I wish we'd stuck with G- plan, or Parker Knoll. Leather is good, but make sure you have assurances about the quality of the frame and any recliner mechanisms because apparently they are pretty shoddy now that they are made abroad.

We too had a G Plan leather suite (in sale) for 11 yrs and reluctantly got rid of it because it was too big for the cottage we are in. It cleaned very easily and did not show any sign of wear and tear or ''sagging'' The seat cushion were still as firm as when we got it. My daughter had a similar one from DFS and had to have the seats 're-stuffed' after a year.
I have had 2 good suites from M&S and we have a sofa from there now ...but it feels very lightweight.
Hubby and I sit on swivel recliners.

Harrigran..with you on the poor quality of M&S...we had to up sticks and move quickly and needed funiture asap.....chose theirs but its very medicore...weve had to put boards under the cushions to give it some support....after 6 months...yes I suppose we could have complained but it took 2 months to get replacement legs for something else and life was just too damned complicated at the time.