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Ask the Design Hivemind

scrim — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:48:57 -0800

Does anyone have any experience with or opinions on Room and Board or CB2 as sofa merchants? Specifically, I'm interested in the Westwood sofa from Room and Board, and the Avec sofa from CB2.

For years, I heard nothing but good things about Room and Board, but recently I've seen a number of negative reviews, especially about their lower-end sofas, of which the Westwood is definitely one. Meanwhile, what I've heard about CB2 is positive, but I've heard much less.

I live too far away from a major city to actually try any of these before I buy, and I unfortunately need a new sofa pretty badly (if anyone has any tips for a different sofa of the same style that they love, I'd be glad to hear them).

If it can ride in it, why not on it?

cloax — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:03:16 -0800

While moving out of an apartment my humongous couch would not fit into the elevator. With the promise of 6 flights of tight stairwell looming, I posited the following: "We're on the 5th floor and have the service elevator to ourselves. Let's put it on the 4th, put the couch on top of it, take the elevator to the basement, and carry the couch out the front of the building on the first floor." My friends refused and we suffered greatly getting the couch down and out via the stairwell. I still contend my idea would have worked and my friends think I'm insane. Am I?

New baby, new couch. Bad idea?

Brodiggitty — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:06:26 -0800

New baby, new couch. Bad idea? So my wife and I are expecting a new bundle of joy and poop - our first - in May. In the mean time, Mrs. Brodiggitty has decided we need a new couch and possibly a matching chair. My question is: Do we go out and buy a good quality couch we would look at reupholstering before putting to the curb ($1,300 to $2,000) or should we buy a cheapy from Sears($400-$700)?

Money is not a huge issue, but I don’t want to buy something super nice if it’ll be totaled in 3 years time. I'm inclined to think if I buy something more expensive, it'll be sturdier with a better frame and will be more durable in the long run. But am I being naive? What is your experience with kids and furniture? I want to get at least 15-20 years out of a more expensive couch, reupholstering included.

Bonus questions – Our friends with 2 kids say leather is actually a good choice with kids because it’s easy to clean, and non-absorbent. But will it stand up to toys and toddlers? Can anyone back up their claim?

P.S. - We have a dog who is currently allowed on the couch, and unless I got leather, would probably continue to allow on the couch.

how can I clean this couch?

helios — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:54:31 -0800

My landlord just bought a brand new sofa (this beige model) for my apartment, and I seem to have ruined it already by letting my friend sleep on it for a few days using dark-colored sheets. The area under the head/pillow is now slightly darker than the rest of the sofa; it looks as if it's always slightly wet. The cover can be dry-cleaned but will be expensive; what are the chances of it working? Are there any easier/less expensive alternatives?

When shallow is good.

yellowcandy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:52:50 -0800

Need a shallow, regular-length sofa. Depth doesn't seem to be a very search-friendly dimension. I've been looking for a normal-length, slim sofa for more than a year now. Sofa depth doesn't seem to be a feature people talk about unless they're referring to extra-deep cushions--exactly the opposite of what I want. This makes searching online particularly hard.

What I am looking for is something around 30" deep or shallower. The deepest I would want would be 32", and most sofas seem to range from 34-38".

I'm open to lots of styles and materials. I just want some choice.

Programs similar to Couch to 5k?

hishtafel — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:59:41 -0800

Are there other graduated exercise programs like the Couch to 5K? I hate running, but I like the specificity, and the feeling of "leveling up" it gives me. I'm a mid-twenties female with a desk job. I'd like to be more active and to lose weight, but I find most forms of physical activity incredibly boring. HOWEVER, I did try the couch-to-5k program a few years ago and had some success with it, even though I hate running. I liked that it gave me boxes to check off and goals for each day. Are there other similar programs out there?

Smelly couch, smelly couch, what are they feeding you?

drpynchon — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:31:22 -0800

How to deodorize a leather couch? I believe our five year old couch has slowly developed the odor of "overuse." Any tips on getting rid of this odor and general leather couch maintenance are much appreciated.

Is there such a thing as a urine-resistant sofa?

Anonymous — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:13:22 -0800

Is there such a thing as a good looking, comfortable, urine-resistant sofa? One member of my household has bladder problems. The sofa in our living room -- a cloth-covered foam one from Ikea -- is gross. Whenever he has an accident we wash the cover and spray the foam part with enzyme cleaner, but there's only so much we can do to get it clean.I want to get a new sofa, but I know it's going to get peed on. What kind of sofa would put up the best fight?

I like plain, simple furniture: West Elm, DWR, that sort of mid-century thing. I'm in the US, near a big city with all the usual stores.

I'm not looking for advice about the person with the problem or how to clean up urine -- just sofa-buying advice, please. Specific sofa models from specific stores would be great.

Insert Clever Title Here

wittgenstein — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:01:11 -0800

Mrs. W and I would like to buy some modern looking furniture, but there do not seem to be available venues in Jacksonville, FL. Mefites in or near Orlando, are there stores there you can recommend that would stock modern looking couches and chairs?

Why are sofas dumped beside the road always missing the cushions?

Zaire — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:49:55 -0800

Why are sofas dumped beside the road always missing the cushions? I can't really figure out why people take sofa/couch cushions but not a whole sofa... is it for pet beds? That's all I can think of.... I saw a woman jumping out of her car and taking 2 sofa cushions yesterday and if I had been nearer to her I would have asked her what she planned to do with them...

It's really bugging me not knowing. Any insights would be appreciated! Thanks :)

How can I get bubble bath out of a couch cushions?

Mamapotomus — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:26:29 -0800

How can I clean liquid bubble bath out of the fabric couch cushions? The care tag says NOT to wash/launder the fabric cover as it will shrink and no longer fit the foam interior. The unattended toddler dumped about a half bottle of bubble bath over 1 couch cushion and part of the arm of the couch. The cover does unzip, but the label says not to remove it. The interior cushion is a dense foam with a layer of polyester fiberfill glued on to each side.

I stuffed a thick towel between the cover & cushion to try and absorb it before it sinks into the foam but I doubt it was in time. I've also tried to blot up as much of the liquid with paper towels (no water!) but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

Since rinsing it out doesn't seem to be an option is there anything I could use to absorb it up- like salt or something?

Alternately, I'll trade you a slightly used toddler and rosemary scented squishy couch for a new loveseat.

"Green" couch disposal?

ClaudiaCenter — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:16:06 -0800

Minor dilemma re getting rid of slightly smelly couch. So, after two quarts of nature's miracle, and 1.5 hours of cleaning and "urine treatment" from a professional, the couch still smells. (Yes, it was cat urine -- I was cat sitting a friend's cat, and my "regular" cat took offense.) Not, oh my god it's a toxic cloud of hell, but still a bit smelly. So I've decided to give up on the couch. It's comfortable and it looks okay, but I'm over trying to de-smell the thing. I have a new couch I want to buy, and I want to break up with this one.

I could call Goodwill or Salvation Army to come get the couch from the curb. But will they reject it? And -- is it wrong to give a smelly couch to a charity?

I could call a junk guy and pay $100 to cart the couch away as junk. But that probably means it goes into landfill, right? I hate to throw it away into the dump if someone could use it.

This is not the most earth-shattering question in the world, but thanks for any advice.

I would never poot in public!

Addlepated — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:22:25 -0800

What is the name of the Mad TV skit with the guy at the car rental counter(?) who goes to sit on a vinyl couch, which makes a farting noise, and everyone thinks the guy farted? He tries to repeat the noise while shouting out protestations like, "It was not me, it was the couch!" and, "I would never poot in public!" This was from early on in the show - maybe 1997 or so? Bonus points if you can find it online for viewing.

How can I train my dog to stay off the sofa?

ijoshua — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:24:39 -0800

How can I train my dog to stay off the sofa? I have a female Dalmatian, about 10 years old, whom I adopted when she was around one-and-a-half. As a first-time indoor dog owner, for the first several years of our relationship, I let her sleep in my bed and lie beside me on the couch.

I came to realize that this wasn’t the best situation for me; as a Dalmatian, she sheds excessively. I have successfully accustomed her to sleeping on her own bed, first on the floor beside my bed, and eventually into the next room.

When I’m not home, I can close the door to my bedroom so that she cannot get in there. Her own bed is in the living room, though, and as soon as I am out of the house, she is on the sofa, and when she hears me coming home, she goes back to her bed. The evidence is obvious: a warm cushion covered in fur and moist lick spots.

I do not want to attempt crate training or confining her to the bathroom. I cannot leave her outside all day. Can you suggest a humane, effective, and inexpensive method for conditioning her not to get on the couch while I am away?

Where can I buy a new couch?

nadawi — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:45:28 -0800

$50 at goodwill, $1500 bucks new - isn't there a middle ground for buying couches? Where can I find a new $300-$700 couch? One that doesn't look like grandma's potpouri threw up on it? I live in tulsa, but i'm not adverse to buying online. Mostly I'm looking for soft fabrics, overstuffed, and comfy. Something in a recliner or a sectional would be nice, but i understand my price concerns will probably take those options out.

YOU GOT A RIP IN YO COUCH

Potomac Avenue — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:42:55 -0800

How can I fix a hole in my couch for cheap? It's a hard to describe type of material, but it looks very similar to this. I guess it's micro-suede, and it's more of a love-seat but with sharp armrests...other than that this pic is pretty accurate. (This pic also somewhat descriptive.)

Very classy, I know (1997 called and they want their furniture back). Anyway, a dog chewed a hole in it about 3 years ago (about the size of a bread plate in the upper corner of the seat part, stuffing visible through the gap) and I used to cover the entire bottom half with a piece of cloth but it would be cool if I could either:
1. patch the hole with the same material
2. patch the hole with a totally different but cool material or
3. attach some kind of nifty patterned cloth to the entire seat bit to make it look slightly purposeful (I don't mind it looking Frankensteinian).

Given the material and shape a slipcover is not really a favorite option.

Some instructions or links to how exactly one patches this kind of material would be very super helpful as I can't find much on google about the process and I can't afford no upholsterer.

TIA for helping me move slowly into not living in a crackhouse.

cleaning mildew off microsuede?

Lou Stuells — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:24:21 -0800

After 4 months in storage, my red microsuede couch is now a gray velvet couch. Can I clean mildew from microsuede? How? I'm not sure if it has penetrated into the foam and feather cushions - it's still in the garage, because I'm afraid to bring mildew into the living room (hey, I read that Stephen King story.)

The seat and back cushion covers zip off, so I can try laundering or even dry-cleaning those. But what about the body of the couch itself? If it's penetrated into the sofa and cushions, I think I'll abandon the effort. But if it's only a surface issue, I'd like to rescue my beloved sofa. So, what, besides bleach, removes mildew? The upholstery professionals I called were iffy about it, but said they were pretty inexperienced with microsuede, so I turn to you for help or suggestions. Can I clean it? How?

(Curiously, nothing else from storage is mildewy - there was a mattress, dog bed, cat tree, etc. out there too, and they're fine. No leaks in the garage - it was just a damp season I guess.)

Can I have my couch back, or is it too late?

Do cats pee on leather?

tristeza — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:45:51 -0800

Have you ever heard of, known, or had a cat who peed on leather furniture? That's really it, I guess. I need a couch that my cat won't ruin with pee (claws, I'm pretty OK knowing it'll get a few scratches), so am looking for your own experience/anecdotes with leather (not suede).

My little guy only does it once in a blue moon, but once is enough to ruin an entire couch.

Thanks.

A couch with no name

cubedweller — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:33:45 -0800

We have an awesome couch in our new office and I'd love to get a few more around the place but no one seems to know where the hell it came from. We've torn the damn thing apart looking for labels, etc but to no avail. Here's a pic of the couch in question. ANY ideas who makes this or where we can get it? If it's helpful, we're based in London.

Hacking the corporate sofa.

palindromic — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:10:43 -0800

Is there any real way of making a firm foam corporate style sofa more comfortable? I just got a (free) couch, which I desperately needed and definitely appreciate. However, it appears to have been made at hard couch land. It has steel bands under a plywood board that supports a very firm foam cushion that constitutes all of the base of the couch. Are there any relatively simple ways of softening this couch?
It does feel bit corporate, as though I don't want people sitting in my living room, which is only rarely true.

The cushion is in a zippered cloth outer shell. It has a matching level of firmness in its back support (also cushions in zippered cloth outer shells). Those are less important.

What makes this foam so firm? How can I make it more rump ready?

Adding softer cushions doesn't seem to help as these float right off the sofa and onto the floor.

How long does it take a couch to stop offgassing?

sebastienbailard — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:27:18 -0800

How long does it take a couch to stop offgassing? I assembled a new Ikea Karlstad sofa five days ago, and while the odor has decreased a bit, it still smells. Worse, there's some VOC that irritates my nose and throat after I sit on it for half an hour or so, which is rather worrying. (My wife gets the same 'acrid feeling' too.) Bonus questions and info:

Are Ikea Karlstad couches especially bad? (I purchased mine up here in Ottawa, Ontario, if regionalization matters).

Are my cats in danger? They're in love with it.

Am I going to die, Doc?

Any guesses what chemical it is, and would it be the foam or the particleboard?

Couch causing pain? No way!

gwenlister — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:52:28 -0800

How come my couch makes everyone's shoulders sore? if someone sits on my couch for an extended amount of time (ie. more than an hour) they often complain of shoulder pain when they get up. Where I live with the couch and sit on it more than other people I am very aware of the problem and now try to avoid sitting in it, opting for the less comfortable but less pain inducing chair. Any idea why the couch would be giving people a pain in their shoulder? I mean, it strikes me as a fairly average couch, purchased only 3 years ago or so, with big removable cushions as the back padding. It is fairly sinky-inny on the bottom seat part though...

If you DO have a reason why this could be happening, do you have a solution? I can't afford to buy a new couch, so a way to make this one work would be best.

Looking for a good place to buy a new, reasonably-priced couch in NYC.

Afroblanco — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:23:05 -0800

Looking for a good place to buy a new, reasonably-priced couch in NYC. Generally, I'm looking to spend between $1500 and $2000 on a sectional couch or couch + loveseat combo. I prefer leather, but I'm not stuck on it. I don't mind buying online, but they must have a showroom that's reachable by public transportation

No idea what styling I'm looking for. My definition of good design is similar to the Supreme Court's definition of pornography - I'll know it when I see it.

I want my couch back.

backseatpilot — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:39:43 -0800

I can't get my couch upstairs. Help! I just moved to a second-floor apartment in a multi-family home. The stairs are narrow with a 90 degree turn, so large items were difficult to get in to the new place. The couch was impossible to get in. It's now sitting in the basement and I have nowhere to sit.

I would like advice on the following:
How do I get my couch upstairs? It looks impossible to take it apart to bring it upstairs in pieces. There's a balcony that I could potentially hoist it up to, but I'd like to do that with minimal damage/injury. Has anyone managed this before?

How have people managed to bring large furniture to upstairs apartments?

If it is in fact totally unfeasible to get the couch upstairs, what do I do with it? I guess I'd look to sell it, but as far as I can tell, craigslist is a terrible place to sell sofas due to market saturation. Any suggestions on a possible replacement that is smallish or can be easily disassembled?

searching for a small foldout couch/futon

waylaid — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:29:34 -0800

I'm looking for a small, comfortable couch futon that converts into a small fold out bed. I live in a small basement studio and space is at a premium. I'd like one no wider than 45 inches, that can unfold to a small bed, and that sits at a high level (no ground level ikea futons) Target has this futon, which is sort of ideal. I'd like one that folds outwards even more. However, every futon I look at is at least 5 feet plus, which is too wide for the narrow space I have. Any idea, MeFi-ites?