6 Signs It’s Finally Time To Replace Your Couch

We get it, parting is such sweet sorrow—especially when you’ve expertly broken in and molded your sofa over your decades (hopefully) together. That being said, all good things must come to an end eventually and, if you’re wondering if your ticket is up on the S.S. sofa, this list might just be your indicator. Here we’ve gathered the top ways to know your couch needs to be replaced, from stinky stains to saggy cushions and everything in between.

Stains You Just Can’t Lift

The first drop of red wine does not, in most cases, warrant throwing out the entire sofa and buying a new one. Serious stains that cover a good portion of a couch are another story, especially those too big to cover with a throw blanket and expertly placed decorative pillows or those that happen to come along with a distinct smell.

Before you start shopping around though, it’s worth trying to clean and deodorize the spot yourself. From there, you can opt to call in a professional upholstery cleaner to try their hand at giving your couch new life before it’s time to throw in the towel and start shopping.

Smells and Odors

It’s true that odors, well, they stink. But, while treating them with a deodorizer can improve the unsavory smell temporarily, it might mask a greater issue: bacteria. Whether caused by mold and mildew, pets, dirt, spills, or stains, odors aren’t a fact of your couch’s life that should be overlooked.

Try to treat the problem by working on visible stains before trying overall deodorizing strategies. Tactics like sprinkling the stain with baking soda and letting it sit overnight, washing the cushions, or using a portable steam cleaner are worth exploring, though you’ll want to check your manufacturer’s guidelines for best practices to ensure you don’t do additional damage to your sofa in the process.

Saggy Cushions

Once again, a saggy cushion is not a surefire sign your couch necessarily needs replacing, though it can be an indicator that it needs additional care before you decide one way or another. If possible, start by seeing if your cushions can be rotated and flipped. If so, beat and fluff them before placing them in their new position to see if you can restore the loft.

For more serious sagging, replacing the fill and/or foam, restuffing, or using batting can help set your cushions back on the right track. This process is considerably more doable if your cushions have zip openings. If not, you’ll likely need to enlist the help of the pros to help save your couch from a saggy, baggy future.

Creaks and Noises

Couches are like old houses—they’re not quiet. The cause for your couch's creaks and noises likely comes from the loose fittings, something that gradually happens over time as screws, bolts, and more loosen with both age and use. You can inspect the underside of your sofa for any loose joints or bolts, tightening any that are visible. If the issues still persist and you’ve had your couch for a while, this might be yet another indicator that your couch could soon need replacing. 

Upholstery That Looks Worn Out

While there’s nothing better than sinking into a soft sofa that you’ve gradually worn into perfection, the day might come when your once perfectly comfortable sofa is now erring more on the side of uncomfortably lumpy, hole-ridden, and a downright eyesore.

It’s definitely possible to reupholster most couches but keep in mind the process can be a pricey one. Determine whether your sofa is worth saving or if you’d be better off opting for a new one—whether it’s fresh from the design room floor or simply a new-to-you find from a social media marketplace or local vintage or consignment store.

Changes in Style Preferences

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention yet one more cause for needing to replace your couch that might seem a bit more frivolous. If you find yourself ready to replace your couch due to a changing aesthetic or style preference, you’re well within your rights. Updating your couch can have a drastic impact on your space and sometimes it’s just the ticket for the entirely fresh feel and look you’re after. Just make sure to donate, sell, or repurpose your sofa instead of leaving it to the landfill—especially if it has \good life in it still.