Sofas and Stuff Review: Sustainable, Handmade British Furniture
About Sofas and Stuff
In a world of cookie-cutter, mass-produced furniture, Sofas and Stuff is on a mission to do things differently. This family-owned British brand, founded in 2009 by Andrew Cousins, offers handmade, bespoke sofas, chairs, beds and more with a focus on quality craftsmanship and sustainable materials.
The Sofas and Stuff philosophy is simple: "give customers exactly what they want." Rather than churning out the same generic designs, each piece of furniture is made-to-order according to the customer‘s exact size and fabric specifications. With thousands of fabrics to choose from, including eco-friendly options, the design possibilities are nearly endless.
Transparency and sustainability are core values for Sofas and Stuff. Many of their sofa cushions are made with Quallofil Blue fiber, which is spun from recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles. In 2020 alone, the company prevented over 2.8 million plastic bottles from entering and polluting our oceans. They also partner with FSC-certified wood suppliers to ensure their frames are made from responsibly-sourced timber.
It‘s this combination of quality, customization, and care for the environment that has earned Sofas and Stuff an enthusiastic fan base, with over 150,000 followers on social media. The brand has 22 showrooms across the UK where customers can experience the furniture firsthand, or you can order free fabric swatches online and design your dream sofa from the comfort of home.
Best-Selling Sofas and Stuff Furniture
While Sofas and Stuff offers a wide range of furniture, including coffee tables, footstools, and even mattresses, they‘re best known for their sofas and chairs. Here‘s a closer look at some of their most popular designs:
Alwinton 4 Seater Sofa
The Alwinton is Sofas and Stuff‘s original and best-selling sofa design. It features a classic silhouette with gently curved arms, a high back, and a deep, plush seat. You can really sink into this sofa and get cozy.
Notable features include a hardwood frame, super loop spring suspension, and a choice of Quallofil Blue Eco or duck feather cushions. Customers can specify the size, fabric, leg finish, and cushion filling to create a totally unique piece. Prices start at $2,879 (originally $3,387).
Lewes 3 Seater Sofa
If you‘re looking for an inviting spot to host movie nights or game days, check out the Lewes 3 Seater Sofa. This design has a casual, laid-back feel with its low, angled back and scroll arms. It‘s the kind of couch you can really stretch out and get comfortable on.
The Lewes is crafted with a hardwood frame, sprung backs and seats, and your choice of 100% solid wood legs. At 200cm wide, it offers plenty of room to seat three adults or let one lucky person hog the whole sofa. Prices start at $2,849 (originally $3,352).
Alwinton Sofa Bed
Need a sleeping spot for overnight guests? The Alwinton Sofa Bed is an attractive and practical choice. By day, it has the same classic good looks as the regular Alwinton sofa, with curved Howard arms and comfy feather-filled back cushions. But it conceals a easy-to-open bed mechanism with a natural sprung mattress.
This hardwood-framed sofa bed is available in two sizes: 140cm or 160cm wide. You can customize the fabric, cushion fillings, mattress tenstion and leg finish. Prices start at $3,465 (originally $4,077).
Midhurst Chair
Sink into your studies or a good book with the Midhurst Chair. Inspired by 18th-century designs, this chair features an elegantly curved back with a straight, upright seat. It‘s the perfect accent chair for a living room, study, or bedroom.
The Midhurst is handmade with a solid beech frame, no-sag sprung seat, and your choice of fabric. Pricing starts at $1,346 (originally $1,583).
Customer Reviews
Of course, a company can make any claims they want on their website. But what really matters is whether their products and service live up to the hype. To get an idea of real customer experiences, I analyzed reviews from a few reputable third-party sites:
Trustpilot
On Trustpilot, Sofas and Stuff has earned an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars over 3,200 reviews. A full 93% of customers had a positive experience, rating the company as either "excellent" (84%) or "great" (9%). Only 3% of reviewers gave a "bad" rating.
Many customers praised the helpful website and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Others raved about the quality and comfort of their sofas. "This is a high-end item in terms of workmanship, comfort, and look," one reviewer wrote of their Langland sofa bed. "I would definitely recommend them," another said of her experience purchasing two Ashdown sofas.
The few complaints tended to reference late deliveries, though Sofas and Stuff does warn of potential delays since each piece is made to order.
Houzz
Sofas and Stuff boasts a perfect 5-star rating on Houzz, albeit over a small sample size of three reviews. Still, each customer had glowing things to say:
"My clients and I are over the moon with our Ashdown sofas, they look absolutely beautiful within my design," an interior designer wrote. "I would definitely recommend them."
"Super impressed with the luxury and comfort," added another customer.
Yelp
On Yelp, Sofas and Stuff‘s Parsons Green showroom has an average 3-star rating. However, this is based on just four reviews, so we can‘t draw too many conclusions. The negative reviews referenced late deliveries and unsatisfactory customer service, while positive reviewers appreciate the quality and comfort of their sofas.
"LOVE our new sofa," one customer raved. "Really knowledgeable staff and great overall experience, also the delivery guys couldn't have been more helpful."
The Bottom Line
So, is Sofas and Stuff worth the hype? Based on my research, I believe the answer is a resounding yes, especially if supporting sustainable furniture brands is a priority for you.
While no company is perfect, and large furniture deliveries always carry a risk of delays, the overwhelming majority of Sofas and Stuff customers are highly satisfied with both the service and their sofas. The brand goes above and beyond to offer an enormous fabric selection, eco-friendly materials, quality construction, and attentive customer care.
If you‘re in the market for a high-end sofa or chair and have some patience for the made-to-order production process, I highly recommend checking out Sofas and Stuff‘s designs. The 15-year frame guarantee offers great peace of mind that you‘re investing in a quality piece of furniture.
One major drawback is that Sofas and Stuff only delivers within the UK. Customers outside of the UK will need to use a forwarding service.
Luckily, at the time of publication, Sofas and Stuff is offering a 15% off sale on many popular designs, no promo code needed. They also offer interest-free financing options to make their high-end sofas more accessible.
To see the quality for yourself, visit one of Sofas and Stuff‘s 22 UK showrooms or order free fabric swatches online at sofasandstuff.com. If you have any questions, their friendly customer service team is available by phone, email, or live chat 7 days a week.
Sofas and Stuff FAQs
Where are Sofas and Stuff products made?
All Sofas and Stuff furniture is handmade to order in their workshops in Nottingham and Preston, England. The company is proud to support local manufacturing and traditional British craftsmanship.
Does Sofas and Stuff offer free fabric swatches?
Yes, you can order free fabric swatches on the Sofas and Stuff website to see and feel your options before purchasing a piece of furniture. The swatches usually arrive within a few days.
What kind of guarantee does Sofas and Stuff offer?
All sofas and chairs from Sofas and Stuff come with a 15-year frame and springs guarantee, ensuring the piece will be free from defects in materials and workmanship during that time. However, the guarantee does not cover general wear and tear, accidental damage, or misuse.
How long does shipping take?
Since each piece of Sofas and Stuff furniture is made to order, the lead time is typically around 8 weeks from order confirmation to delivery. However, this timeframe may vary depending on the time of year, availability of materials, and delivery location. The company will inform you of the estimated shipping date and any delays.
What is Sofas and Stuff‘s return policy?
Sofas and Stuff does allow returns on non-bespoke items within 14 days of delivery, as long as the piece is in new condition with original packaging. Customers are responsible for the return shipping cost. Refunds are issued after the company has inspected the returned item. Bespoke or made-to-order pieces are not eligible for return.
Shop Sofas and Stuff
If you‘re ready to design and order your dream sofa, visit sofasandstuff.com or one of their 22 showrooms across the UK. And don‘t forget to take advantage of their current 15% off sale while it lasts!
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