A New Couch? Budget Buster!

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A New Couch? Budget Buster!

February 22, 2013 by therandompath

So we’ve had our couch for over ten years. We are not ones to go out and purchase new furniture on a whim and pretty much hold on to things until it no longer functions.

Or is completely torn up. Like our couch:

Substitute “couch” with “scratching post”.

Isn’t it pretty?

Thanks to my cat, this is what our couch looks like in soooo many places. The stuffing is completely coming out and it is a total eyesore. Never mind the fact that my cat likes to eat whatever isn’t nailed down, so I am also afraid of him eating the stuffing!

And because we’ve had this couch so long (are couch years like dog years?), you literally sink into the couch and need someone to help you out of it. “Here, hold my hand. On the count of three, I’ll pull you out. One, two, three!”

Re-stuffing, re-doing, whatever it is they that do to couches to make them over…some sort of “couch plastic surgery”, I suppose that is an option. But how much does that cost? Is it worth it?

Or do we get a new one? One that can seat three people comfortably…not like my current one. Whoever sits in the middle now, ends up in some sort of human sinkhole. Sigh…

What do you guys think? Have you ever re-upholstered your couch? Should I just save up the money for a new one?

Posted in finances, budgets, etc..., life | Tagged frugal | 18 Comments

18 Responses

on February 22, 2013 at 8:13 am | Reply alwayshungry4

Sometimes there’s good finds on Craigslist – my friend got a couch from someone in Rancho Santa Fe (a really nice community in SD) for a really good price (like a few hundred and it retailed a couple thousand), and it was practically new since it was more for display in their house. I suppose it’s just how much effort you want to put into it. Good luck with the search!
- on February 22, 2013 at 2:12 pm | Reply therandompath
  
  Hmmm, Craigslist is a good option to consider. Thanks for the tip!
on February 22, 2013 at 9:11 am | Reply Debt RoundUp (@DebtRoundUp)

We just bought a new couch, ottoman, and chair. Our couch broke almost in half when my nephew jumped on it. Time for a new one, but it wasn’t cheap. I say go with a new one.
- on February 22, 2013 at 2:14 pm | Reply therandompath
  
  Oh my goodness, I hope your newphew was okay!
  
  My husband is leaning towards getting a new one, so he would definitely agree with you 🙂
on February 22, 2013 at 9:25 am | Reply John S @ Frugal Rules

I agree with Grayson, it’s ten years old so I would save up for a new one. I’ve never reupholstered a couch, so I am not certain what it would cost. The couches in our basement our old as well and you need help to get out as well, but thankfully they still look somewhat nice.
- on February 22, 2013 at 2:17 pm | Reply therandompath
  
  I wish our couch still looked nice, but it totally doesn’t 😦 I’m just not sure of the expense of either option, quite honestly. I just know my husband is ready to chuck this couch out the window!
on February 22, 2013 at 12:33 pm | Reply Budget & the Beach

I would go with craigslist and just find a decent used one.
- on February 22, 2013 at 2:19 pm | Reply therandompath
  
  It definitely is an option to consider!
on February 22, 2013 at 2:20 pm | Reply Pauline

re stuffing is very expensive, I agree with the comments above and would go for a new one or wait until a good ad shows up slightly used. I like Ebay since people sometimes write poor ads (bad pictures, mistakes on the title) that get less attention and you can grab a bargain.
- on February 23, 2013 at 2:08 pm | Reply therandompath
  
  Thanks for the suggestion about Ebay. I’ll look into that as well!
on February 23, 2013 at 5:18 pm | Reply Elizabeth @ Broke Professionals

Our 7-year-old couch is in need of some TLC. The cushions are completely separate from the frame, so we’re going to invest in some new cushions and pillows – probably will run us about $200, but it’s better than the $1000+ it would cost for a brand new sectional!
- on February 24, 2013 at 4:59 pm | Reply therandompath
  
  $200 is definitely better than $1000! That’s awesome 🙂
on February 24, 2013 at 6:32 pm | Reply Miss T (@prairieecothrif)

Hey. I haven’t been to your site in ages. Hope all is well.

My mother upholstered a chair before. It looked good but was a fair bit of work. I would see what you can find online for cheap. We did really well when we needed a dining set. We saved a ton.
- on February 25, 2013 at 10:10 am | Reply therandompath
  
  Hope all is well with you too 🙂
  
  Looking online seems to be a good option. This couch of ours is falling apart!
on February 25, 2013 at 2:05 am | Reply Budget Fail: Unrealistic Expectations While Shopping | Debt RoundUp

[…] my couch budget goal of $1,000, we found that our options were quite limited. We wanted a sectional sofa because […]
on February 25, 2013 at 1:31 pm | Reply Shannon Ryan (@TheHeavyPurse)

I haven’t reupholstered furniture, but it’s my understanding that it isn’t always the cheaper route. Since it seems like your couch has been much loved, especially by your cat (love my furball, but those kitty claws!), you’re probably better off being a new or slightly used one. Since it doesn’t sound like it’s unusable yet (i.e. like Grayson) you have the luxury of doing a little shopping around for a good deal too. 🙂
- on February 25, 2013 at 3:30 pm | Reply therandompath
  
  I’ve heard that reupholstering is a more expensive option as well. We are definitely looking at longevity and pricing when it comes to a new one. Hopefully one my furball won’t mistake for a scratching post this time 😉
on March 20, 2013 at 6:23 pm | Reply Randomness… | the random path

[…] few weeks ago, I mentioned that our couch had seen better days. Cujo My cat thinks it is his personal scratching post and has blatantly ignored our attempts to, […]