Sofas come in a variety of different price ranges from a couple hundred pounds to well over three grand. Knowing what you can get in your budget and knowing where to shop is important for not getting ripped below. Below are a few different price ranges compared, and how to go sofa-shopping within them. 

<£500

While the big furniture chains may not have much within this budget, there are couches out there for less than £500. This ideal for those that don’t want to/can’t take out finance. Start by considering second-hand sofas. You can find very cheap options (and even free furniture) being sold via Facebook and Gumtree, but the condition can vary and most sellers will require you to pick up the sofa yourself. Charity shops, furniture banks and local second hand stores are typically a better choice as sofas sold here will have been vetted for quality and these stores may be able to arrange delivery for you. When it comes to brand new sofas, you can also find discount furniture via certain specialist stores under £500. Don’t expect anything large - most brand new sofas in this price range will be small loveseats, but they can be great options for couples or people living alone. Flat-pack furniture can also be quite cheap and within this budget range.

£500 - £1500

If you can stretch into this price range, you’ll discover a lot more options. You can even find sectional sofas for this price from brands like Argos, Dunelm and Ikea. These sofas are likely to still be made from basic materials like polyester and faux-leather, but are often still very comfortable. Antique sofas are available in this price range but may require a fair amount of restoration. Brand new versions of classic styles like chesterfields are also available for over £500, but are likely to be faux-leather.

£1500 - £3000

If you’re paying for a sofa in this price range, you should start expecting higher quality materials. Think durable fabrics, hardwood frames and real leather. New sofas at this price also tend to be more customizable. To access the best quality sofas between £1500 and £3000, always buy in the sales - you can sometimes find very luxurious sofas being heavily discounted in January. Most people who shop for sofas in this price range are buying on finance. Make sure to compare interest rates of loans to find the best deal.

£3000+

Beyond £3000, you’ll find the highest quality new sofas and antique sofas in very good condition. Just don’t assume that a sofa in this price range is going to be top quality - there are crooked retailers online that will try to sell low quality sofas for this price. Always read reviews of sellers and make sure they have lots of glowing reviews. When it comes to sourcing antique sofas, consider working with third party experts who can help authenticate this furniture for you, so that you know it’s the real deal.  Quality markers to look for in this price range include doweled joints and corner blocks (no staples and glue), good rigidity (no creaking or movement) and neat stitching.