Couches serve an integral purpose in every household. Almost everywhere in the world, sofas are where people relax, socialize, and even dine when Netflix is on.
However, if you have considered upgrading your couch recently, you might have been taken aback by the cost. Why are couches so expensive? Here is what I found!
Why Are Couches So Expensive?
Couches are expensive because they need to be made with durable materials. The process of designing and assembling couches is laborious and time-consuming. Technically, the more elaborate the couch’s design and features, the pricier it will be. The brand name has a significant impact on the final selling price of sofas.
If you are interested in learning more about the costly materials used to make couches and how brands and showrooms make couches more expensive, keep on reading!
1. Couches Need To Be Made With Durable Material
Couches endure high traffic regularly. As such, manufacturers must use durable materials to prevent wear and tear from developing too soon.
Moreover, couches are usually defined by their upholstery. For example, materials like linen, leather, wool, and velvet can drastically increase a couch’s value.
Like most furniture, the more expensive the materials, the more expensive the final product; if you want sturdy and stunning couches, expect it will cost you a pretty penny.
2. Couches Are Laborious To Assemble
There is more to assembling couches than simply putting every part together.
That said, depending on the couch’s size and design, it can take longer and require more materials to erect.
Also, upholstering couches alone necessitates several manufacturing cell groups, and there are simply jobs in couch assembly that cannot be automated to preserve quality output.
Therefore, with more manual labor and tools necessary to put together a couch, companies incur more costs. Naturally, these costs will impact the selling price of the sofa.
3. Couches Come In Large Varieties
Couches come in varieties that will astound an eager shopper, and the prices of these couches can range from budget-friendly to outrageously expensive.
Generally, sofas come in around 22 varieties, including modern selections like the multi-sofa lounger and more classic ones like the chesterfield sofa.
Technically, the bigger and more complex the design of the couch, the more materials and laborers needed to make it. Consequently, this will make it more expensive.
4. Couches Can Have Multiple Features
There are couches for virtually every type of space, from the smallest apartments in Tokyo to the grandest penthouses in New York.
Also, some of these couches are multi-functional, meaning they can be transformed into a bed, pulled apart to increase seating, or hold secret compartments.
With that, houses with larger spaces can enjoy sectional couches that can be customized into different configurations.
Naturally, the more features the couches have, the higher your cost to enjoy it.
5. Couches Can Be Branded
Brand name influences the price of each couch.
For example, the couch will be more expensive when you buy from an international brand known for its superior products and eco-friendly ways.
Instinctively, consumers gravitate towards branded couches because they come with certain guarantees, like better materials, longevity, features, and warranties.
At the end of the day, brands know what their products are worth, which reflects clearly on the price tag they put on their couches.
6. Couches Are Expensive To Ship
It’s not just the import fees that can affect the selling price of a couch.
That said, even with the couches disassembled, they will still take up too much precious space in shipping containers.
Therefore, you can imagine how many containers it will take to ship 20 or 50 couches, especially the bigger ones.
To cover these expenses, manufacturers and store owners will mark up the couches, and these mark-ups are usually high to secure a profit.
7. Couches Are On High Demand
COVID-19 saw the rise of DIY home renovations, and one of the biggest items homeowners wanted to upgrade were couches.
That said, this coincides with the popularity of home makeovers and Instagram-worthy aesthetics on social media.
Therefore, with people trying to keep up with trends, the demand for couches increased.
However, COVID-19 created shipment problems worldwide, and current restrictions are only slowing down the progress in heavily congested ports.
Depending on where you live, there may be a higher demand for couches than supplies can keep up with, and when items begin getting out of stock, prices will automatically surge.
8. Couches Last For Several Years
Couches are designed to last for several years, and while this is good news for consumers, it is not for manufacturers and store owners.
That said, since it is unlikely that a single consumer will purchase more than one couch within five years, sellers have to make as much profit as they can from each couch they sell.
Therefore, securing the profit they need to keep producing couches and operating their store results in large mark-ups, making couches expensive.
9. Couches Are Displayed In Showrooms
Just like beds, couches are big pieces of furniture that have to be displayed for consumers to make an informed decision.
Moreover, showrooms mimic the ambiance of homes so that you can better imagine what each couch will look like in your own house.
So, while showrooms are integral for both sellers and consumers, keeping them operational is expensive, affecting the final selling price of couches.
10. Couches Are Often Delivered
Few people purchase couches with a vehicle big enough to bring it home, and store owners know this. As such, they come prepared with delivery options.
Of course, addresses farther away from the store will naturally incur pricier delivery fees, but it is not like buyers have any choice in the matter.
Likewise, online buyers will notice the big sum that delivery fees add to the cost of their purchase, primarily if the couch is being delivered from overseas.
Ultimately, delivery fees are just another part of any purchase, and you have to buy a couch expecting that these fees will add to your expenses.
11. Couches Need To Be Assembled After Delivery
Apart from delivery fees, there is a chance your couch needs to be assembled upon delivery.
So, while it may be tempting to assemble the couch yourself, leaving that task to professionals will guarantee better and safer results.
Also, depending on the store and the complexity of your couch, this assembly fee can be cheap or pricey.
Either way, it is an added cost that will make your final purchase more expensive.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why dining chairs are so expensive, why blinds are so expensive, and why bed frames are so expensive.
Conclusion
Couches are essential furniture pieces that are currently in high demand, mainly because most people are spending more time at home.
Additionally, the production and shipment of couches were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting the flow of supplies to numerous countries.
On top of that, couches are expensive to make. From materials to labor, manufacturers are incurring costs that can only be compensated by increasing the cost of couches.