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The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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Adventures in Couch Hunting

August 12, 2013 by Bethany Sy

Warning: this post will leave you with no closure… just the first chapter on our journey to find the perfect couch.

For the last 8 months, we’ve been couch-sitting (both figuratively and literally) my sister Anna’s couch. My parents bought it for her new apartment, but she was living in the dorms at the time, so it needed to be stored somewhere temporarily.

Living Room {Sawdust and Embryos}

Since we planned on buying a new couch soon (ish), we moved our uncomfortable brown sectional to the attic, and welcomed Anna’s couch into our home and treated it like one of our own.

iphone 007

Well, the new school year is upon us, and my sissy is preparing to move into her new apartment… sooooo we lost our couch. We knew the day would come, but we were unprepared for her to leave our lives forever.

Mostly financially unprepared… Couches are EXPENSIVE!

P8111180

We aren’t ready to pull the trigger just yet, but we wanted to get a feel for what we like, and an understanding of the pricing vs. quality We took a family trip to Redeker’s in Boone, IA to walk around and scope things out.

Our criteria is as follows:

  • long enough for Nick to comfortably lay on
  • not a sectional
  • clean lines (no curves in the arms)
  • durable kid/friendly fabric
  • No big/floofy back cushions that would eventually look saggy and lumpy
  • In the $600 range

It turns out couches are really SHORT. Why did they used to be much longer back in the day? This one below was probably the one we liked best. The colors are wrong, but it was the longest couch in the store, and it had clean lines like we like!

photo (3)

Now we have some thinking to do and some numbers to crunch, and decisions to make. Do we order this couch in a different fabric? Do we hold out and check out a few more stores? I refuse to shop online and make a decision based on a photo!

And it’s tough because furniture stores are 1.5+ hours from our house… so it’s basically a day-trip with the sisters in-tow.  They did pretty good on this particular day, but by the time we’d checked out the whole store, ALL PARTIES were ready to take a nap.

photo (1)

So as you can see, we have no closure to offer. We’re still on the hunt for the perfect couch for our sad and empty living room. We’ll be keeping you posted!Bethany {Sawdust and Embryos}

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

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Comments

  1. 38

    Anonymous says

    August 21, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    I noticed that you didn't specify "new" as a must-have for couches. You can score a great deal (and a great couch) from garage sales or craigslist. I got my couch for $35 from a garage sale 9 years ago and it's STILL incredible!

    –Kathy

    Reply
  2. 39

    Sophie German says

    August 20, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    Wishing you tons of luck on the couch hunt! When we bought our new home, we painstakingly picked out a BEAUTIFUL couch. It was SO comfortable in the store, it has transformed it self into the most uncomfortable couch we have ever owned. So we are on the hunt once more, I like the thrift shop sofas for the vintage look but I agree there is always the worry of bedbugs 🙁 The best couch we ever owned was from ikea, I am thinking we are going to go that route once more.

    Your credenza post was amazing its beautiful.

    Reply
  3. 40

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 15, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    Oooo we'll definitely be checking it out! Thanks for the tip Tabatha!

    Reply
  4. 41

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 15, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    We love the look (and price!) of thrifted couches… but find that they often aren't comfortable. Especially if they're from the era we like! 🙂 And I'm paranoid about fleas.

    Reply
  5. 42

    Tiffany Martinez says

    August 15, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    Thrift store. Always and forever, the thrift store. My partner & I got an awesome yellow 7" 1950s couch in brand new condition for $21.

    Reply
  6. 43

    tabitha says

    August 14, 2013 at 11:18 pm

    I would check out the Jonathan Louis line at Homemakers. We got a sectional version of it. There are many colors, fabrics, and styles of arms.

    Reply
  7. 44

    Nicole Goodwin says

    August 14, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    McGregor's furniture on Main Street and Stalzers furniture on Iowa

    Reply
  8. 45

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 13, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    Kristin, we rearrange a lot… and like the versitility of a couch and being able to put it on any wall. We have a ton of doors and windows in our living room, so having a sectional would give us very few options for arranging. I do love how huge and comfy sectionals are though. The corner is my very favorite spot! 🙂

    Reply
  9. 46

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 13, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    It's so true! If you're going to spend a hunk'o'money, you want it to be EXACTLY what you want. 🙂 And a couch is definitely something worth splurging on… for the right one that is. Good luck in your hunt for the perfect dining table! Your kitchen/dining room are coming together wonderfully!

    Reply
  10. 47

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 13, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    Cecilia, thanks for the suggestion. Slipcovers definitely are convenient for removing/washing. We'll be keeping this in mind! Thanks!

    Reply
  11. 48

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 13, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    It's like the stars aligned for you! The yellow couch was meant to be… LOVE IT! 🙂

    Reply
  12. 49

    Capturing Joy says

    August 13, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    Why not a sectional? they are long! we love ours (see my family room post from 2 weeks ago). THough it wasn't cheap. I thrift everything in my house, but I wanted a good, new, solid couch as the centerpiece of our family room.

    Reply
  13. 50

    Kenz @ Interiors by Kenz says

    August 13, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    Big furniture purchases are always so stressful! You want to get the most for your money. The quality has to be there, and the price has to be fair. And of course, the looks! We are currently looking for the perfect dining table while we are finishing up all the kitchen stuff. I didn't anticipate it being this hard! We're trying to decide if we should refinish a table, or just buy something ready to go. I feel like it shouldn't be a hard choice, but it IS! Good luck on your couch hunt!

    Reply
  14. 51

    Meagan Dobbs says

    August 13, 2013 at 9:14 am

    They have a surprisingly large furniture store here in town too on Main Street and another one somewhere we haven't been too! I can give you more info if you're interested! We like to browse from time to time, but I don't remember how the prices compare to elsewhere!

    Reply
  15. 52

    Swatch says

    August 12, 2013 at 8:19 pm

    Have been on the couch search here in the KC area for MONTHS! We want a bright yellow and could not find the right color in a custom order couch, even at Nebraska Furniture Mart. Found a vintage sofa for $15 (yep – $15!!!!!) and found clearance fabric at a store that's closing. Sixteen yards of my bright yellow fabric…..$90! Such a deal….of course no one else in a 1000 mile radius wants a yellow couch. 🙂 Labor for recovering is $550. Such a steal! The only other thing even close was $3,500 at Thomasville. Ouch! GOOD LUCK!

    Reply
  16. 53

    cecilia pham says

    August 12, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    Hello! Funny you mentioned couches because I was visiting another blog and she talked about slipcovers! So I wasn't sure if the couch you found was close enough to THE couch, but if the dimensions and lines were good and the fabric is the issue, maybe a slipcover would be an option? Anyhow, thought I'd pass it along 🙂

    Reply
  17. 54

    Cheryl says

    August 12, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    Beth, check out Young House love, they ordered the Karlstad and have loved it. hope it helps!

    Reply
  18. 55

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 12, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    Jennifer, we love the look of vintage couches too, but find that they're super uncomfortable (like you said)… so we're wanting to fork out the money for something that's SUPER comfortable but still stylish! Thanks for the suggestions!

    Reply
  19. 56

    Jennifer - The Deliberate Mom says

    August 12, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Since I'm up in Canada, I have no suggestions other than second-hand vintage that you can recover (wouldn't that be a fun project)?! We have a '60s couch. I love the look of it but it's not the most comfortable piece of furniture we have.

    Good luck with the hunt (I would totally play amidst the fabric samples too).
    xoxo

    Reply
  20. 57

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 12, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Hi Julie! The couch pictured was $800 I think. A little more than we want to spend, but we might end up making an exception. It was super comfortable!

    Reply
  21. 58

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 12, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    Angelique, does the Karlstad come in a couch that's 6ft? Or just a sectional? I was looking online, and it looked like it did come in a simple couch, but was only 62" of seating area. 🙁 We really don't want a sectional, but we might need to go that direction out of pure necessity to facilitate my giant hubs! 🙂

    Reply
  22. 59

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 12, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    This is great advice… thanks Colleen! We love buying local in general, so why not with furniture!!

    Reply
  23. 60

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 12, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Awwww thanks for the offer Wendy!! Unfortunately, our trip to Atlanta this month blew the travel budget for a good long time. I wish there was an IKEA closer!

    Reply
  24. 61

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 12, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    I'm thinking a trip to DSM is in our future!

    Reply
  25. 62

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 12, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Ooo love this suggestion! We aren't far from Tama at all!

    Reply
  26. 63

    Anonymous says

    August 12, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    I always go to Homemakers in Urbandale, HUGE selection! And the clerance room is to die for. The prices are cheaper than anywhere Ive looked in DSM. Also check out their deals, when we bought our couch and new bedroom set in the last few months, we got $7 delievery anywhere in Iowa, 7% off and no interst for 7 months, plus the care kit to clean the fabric free.
    Hope that kinda helps.
    MissieKay

    Reply
  27. 64

    Wendy says

    August 12, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    IKEA will be worth the trip. We are about 30 minutes north of the store. You are always welcome to stay at our house !! We would love to finally meet the 4 of you.

    Reply
  28. 65

    Melissa says

    August 12, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    I second Bills Brothers in Cedar Rapids. Then you can stop are New Bo and have a cupcake at That Cupcake Place to celebrate your new couch. 🙂

    Reply
  29. 66

    Scott & Colleen Platt says

    August 12, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    We did the couch search a few years ago. We wanted to pay cash, and hoped to be able to negotiate with sales people. We found at all the "big name" furniture stores, they refused to negotiate on prices, delivery fees, anything. We ended up buying our couch at Bruxvoort's in Pella–they gave us $200 off because we paid in cash and borrowed our own truck to get it home. My suggestion is figure out what type of couch you want, then go to a local, smaller furniture store. They can order in for you, they can do any repairs on-hand, and they are not corporately owned, so they are willing to bargain with you!

    Reply
  30. 67

    Angelique Stevens says

    August 12, 2013 at 11:56 am

    I too was going to suggest Ikea, but unfortunately there isn't one even close to IA. But I do agree about the Karlstad–it's long (about 6ft), linear, and its comfy. You can even wash the cover!

    Also consider American Furniture warehouse if there is one near you. You might also want to find out if there is an upholsterer in your area. Find the perfect used sofa, then have it reupholstered–or diy!

    Reply
  31. 68

    Anonymous says

    August 12, 2013 at 11:46 am

    Try Maus Furniture in Tama. They are open on monday friday saturday! They also have a store in montezuma. Owners are Bobi and Brad Maus. My aunt and uncle they will work with ya and treat ya right!! Good luck! 🙂

    Reply
  32. 69

    Julie @ Living on the Ledge says

    August 12, 2013 at 11:28 am

    I'm curious if that couch was in your price range…we're couch shopping now, too, and my favorite was $1000, more than I want to spend!!

    Reply
  33. 70

    moxiedesignstudio says

    August 12, 2013 at 11:15 am

    Check out the Karlstad at Ikea. It's got clean lines and I think is 7' long. And dang it, you'd have to spend a whole day at Ikea. That would be terrible!!!

    Reply
  34. 71

    Sarah says

    August 12, 2013 at 10:40 am

    If you have all the info on the couch, try calling Boat's in Pella to compare prices. Since we live in Des Moines, we usually go to Homemakers, but their delivery is expensive and sometimes I dislike the salespeople. A couple times I have found better prices at Boat's, free delivery, and great customer service. And I've never even been to the store! Just order over the phone!

    Reply
  35. 72

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 12, 2013 at 9:54 am

    Thanks for the suggestions everyone! We'll definitely be looking into these! 🙂

    Reply
  36. 73

    Melinda says

    August 12, 2013 at 9:19 am

    We live in KC and agree that if you can get to a Nebraska Furniture Mart, the prices are great and selection is pretty awesome as well. Good luck! We need new couches too. Still living with husband's bachelor couches and we've been married for 12 years.

    Reply
  37. 74

    Anonymous says

    August 12, 2013 at 9:12 am

    We live near Waterloo, IA. We purchased our new furniture from Nebraska Furniture Mart for much lower than other's prices.

    Reply
  38. 75

    Anonymous says

    August 12, 2013 at 8:21 am

    Have you tried Bills Bros in Cedar Rapids? Their prices are usually really reasonable! They can't order anything in I don't think so you have to just keep checking back.

    Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
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