BUYING A SOFA is a big investment, no matter what way you look at it.
As with most pieces of furniture, the cost of a sofa can vary wildly depending on where you look, with prices ranging from a few hundred up to a few thousand.
Shelling out a couple of thousand euro on a sofa simply isn’t an option for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with an uncomfortable, bum-hating couch for the rest of your days.
These interior designers have narrowed down their favourite recommendations for sofas under €500, so you don’t have to sacrifice design just to stick to your budget…
1. Lisa Marconi, Dust Design
For Lisa Marconi of Dust, velvet and luxurious finishes are the designs of choice.
Made is your friend for sofas in this price bracket. They have cornered the market in lower prices whilst still keeping the design covetable. I like both of these at the moment. The Charley 2-seater sofa (around €350) is such a fun, happy print for summer. And at that price, it’s not the end of the world if you get sick of it in a few years! The curves in the Gertie sofa (around €460) are bang on trend. The pink velvet is something we’re big fans of and you’ll find it in varying styles on Made.
2. Moya Farrell, Avenue Interior Design
Moya Farrell, who creates soothing and airy spaces at her design business Avenue Interior Design, recommends a streamlined option.
The EKEBOL sofa from IKEA (€395) caught my eye. It’d be a great apartment/studio sofa as its compact and multi-functional. It has quite an industrial feel to it and combines materials like steel, fabric and oak timber. The cushion covers are also machine washable, making it a highly practical piece.
3. Robert Glynn, Habu Interior Design
Many interior designers have their own inside sources for sofas, allowing customers even more options than they’d find in standard shops. Robert Glynn of Habu Interior Design has one such option in mind.
Good quality stylish couches under €500 are a difficult to find. We’ve recommended the €485 two-seater Marsha sofa (available for private purchase through Habu Interior Design) to a number of clients. It has a really contemporary shape and with the addition of some colorful scatter cushions you can give it added luxury and elegance.
4. Ali Redmond, Divine Design
You wouldn’t think you could get a three-seater with a corner section for under €500, but Ali Redmond at Divine Design has one she can recommend.
The Nathan is a smart, modern sofa with extended chaise, in a mid-grey or beige fabric keeping with the current trend of splayed legs, in a light oak finish. This is a fantastic three-seater sofa which can be swapped from left to right hand chaise (available through Divine Design).
5. Jackie Carton, Style My Room
If you’re really struggling to find a sofa to suit your needs, Jackie Carton of Style My Room has some tips for sourcing and reupholstering vintage chairs that will give whatever room you choose added personality.
My go-to source for updating tired or second hand furniture is Paul Byrne of Retrorumage. Mid century modern furniture is incredibly popular at present and the look is referenced in many high street stores, but the original items are often so well made that they can be reupholstered again and again.
Following the dealers and vintage stores on Instagram is a great way to get the lead on these pieces as soon as they arrive in. If you are quick, you can even have a say in the reupholstering and choose a fabric to suit your proposed interior scheme. Some of these sturdy pieces are surprisingly affordable and are definitely worth seeking out. I have sourced everything from the cocooning egg chair to the iconic G Plan Blofeld chair – both extremely comfortable and a firm favourite in their new homes!
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