Q: I've got some dead space across from my TV in my (small college apartment) room, and I'd love to fill it with a sofa so when friends come over (which is often), they'll have somewhere to sit. But the problem is this wall is very small (55"). Also, the sofa can't be too deep, because if it protrudes out from the wall too much (perhaps maximum of 28"), it'll get in the way of my office chair.
So I'm looking for a very small couch for a relatively cheap price (remember, I'm just a college student!)
The one from Muji (top photo) seemed to be a good pick ($327.50), but since I'm in California, shipping would cost an extra $100 and that kind of kills the deal for me. I also considered this UO one (bottom photo), but I've done some research on it and it seems like the general consensus is that it'll disintegrate in a few years. I included pictures just for size and style reference, because I definitely like them both, but between price and quality, it seems like I can't go with either.
I've also already looked into IKEA (Solsta, Klobo, Lillberg), but their offerings are either too long or too deep. So, AT, where can I find a small, cheap couch? Does one even exist? Thanks!
Sent by Gordon
Editor: Please help Gordon out with your suggestions for small scale sofa with a small pricetag to match - thanks!
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http://www.target.com/Milano-Rust-Black-Loveseat/dp/B0007IOWV8/ref=br_1_3?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=13320311&node=13320311&sr=1-3&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=150&id=Milano%20Rust%20Black%20Loveseat&qid=
I know that this probably isn't the color you were looking at based on your pictures above, but it fits PERFECTLY within your size restrictions...and buying some fabric to cover the cushions is a cheap fix!
If you like the one from UO and it works Iw oudl go for that. Even if it does disentegrate in a few years that's probably right about when you will be ready to move on to non-dorm furniture. Also looks like it folds out which is always handy for overnight guests.
I checked out overstock and target for small loveseats, and also armless chairs that could be put together to form a couch. (Overstock has super cheap shipping, and target has 15% off prices in this range.)
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/The-Casual-Loveseat/4395444/product.html
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Clayton-Customizable-Vinyl-Armless-Loveseat/3195212/product.html
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Easy-Rider-Khaki-Love-Seat/4120794/product.html
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/angelo-HOME-Hepburn-Loveseat-Natural-Khaki-Tan/4565184/product.html?rcmndsrc=6
chairs:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Anna-Asian-Fan-Accent-Chair/4092918/product.html?rcmndsrc=2
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Decor-Cube-Print-Lounge-Chair/4265381/product.html?rcmndsrc=2
http://www.target.com/Armless-Modular-Chair/dp/B001L4ILSM/ref=sc_pd_gwvub_2_title
http://www.target.com/Corner-Modular-Chair/dp/B001L4JUB4/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton
http://www.target.com/Easy-Rider-Chair-Red/dp/B000JJLE8E/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton
Get the UO sofa. You aren't going to find a dirt-cheap piece of furniture that will last more than a few years anyway. You are buying something to fit a space you have right now. In a few years your space will be different, and so will your furniture needs.
you can get the ikea version of the uo couch for half the price, its called the solsta. the seat cushions fold out to make a bed for over night guests and i think it lasts for more then a few years.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70087108
to save money you could find either on craigslist.
also, target has this. http://www.target.com/Sofa-Bed-Khaki/dp/B001TLY3WA/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton
costs as much as a solsta but i believe its not as longlasting.
Currently I have IKEA Karlsvik sofa in my place.
http://www.ikeafans.com/home/tag/karlsvik.html
It never seems to show up on their website so you have to go into the store. The sofa is perfect for a small unit, extremely comfortable (most IKEA couches aren't) and has a nice neutral microfiber suede fabric. There are two sizes, I believe a 60" size and a 70" size (I have the 70" size but I guess you'd need the 60" one) and about 32" deep .... price is $179 and $199 respectively! Of course the construction is not great (basically a particle board core wrapped with fabric, so the couch is only about 80 lb in weight) but honestly, for $200, if it lasts more than a couple years it's totally worth it.
Target also sells a number of smaller sofas
-Memphis Sofa
-Trento Loveseat
Try craigslist. Why spend good money on junk that will fill the land fill in a couple years?
http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/fuo/1673678054.html
We always hit up the Goodwill or Salvation Army when looking for cheap furniture while in school. They always had an interesting selection and prices were good.
Your best bet at your price point will be a used loveseat or smaller 3-seat sofa. Small-scale furniture used to be much more common. And you'll be able to afford something with much better quality, maybe even something that will last beyond your college years. Check local consignment shops. You'll (usually) find nicer things in better condition there than you will at a thrift store.
I have a mini van that I use for hauling all kinds of things and the seats are removable. While the seat was out, we had to set it inside the house because of rain. I was surprised that it looked kind of cute and if it were covered with pretty fabric would be a nice very compact little seat.
Might be a cheap and temporary solution, don't know what the salvage price would be. There must be tons of them.
And if you're here, I'll give you an old little love seat to get rid of it. And haul it to you in my minivan.
Maybe look for a slipper chair that would work. Buy two or three. Also makes the seating flexible for shifting around.
Maybe a bench with arms might fit better? You could put pillow along the wall, or even attach a cushion to the wall so it wouldn't fall off...
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Drake-Congac-Leather-Bench/3267111/product.html
babyfishmouth took the words out of my mouth. When something is this affordable, it's because the materials were selected for their cheapness, not their durability. If you treat the OU one nicely -- Scotchguard it, put a blanket over it, don't have acrobatic sexual adventures on it -- I bet it does just fine.
I advise being extremely cautious with upholstered thrift store purchases. The majority of thrift store furniture I've come across has turned out fine, but there are a couple of horror stories among my friends -- one armchair was infested with bedbugs, and another friend contracted a severe mystery rash after sleeping on her Goodwill couch for the first time. You may not be able to tell on the surface if a couch has been soiled by people or pets, if any animals have eaten through parts of it, or even if it once lived in a meth lab and now harbors dangerous chemicals.
I suggest resale venues where you can identify a person who has used the furniture and can vouch for its cleanliness (via Craigslist, a garage sale, or a well ranked eBay auctioneer who will make guarantees about quality).
OK I guess I am really old but is UO Urban Outfitters? Shouldn't this be identified more clearly? Provide a link perhaps?
He has 55" of wall space; that means a 60" sofa won't work--I don't see how this is negotiable. He is also looking for something that is 28" wide; here there might be some compromise as it seems to be a issue of visual space and comfort (it will be too close to his chair), so you might suggest a 30" deep sofa if it were perfect in all other respects.
So of the above suggestions the ANGELO at Overstock that home body suggested may work although it is stretching the budget he suggested.
You could consider the TRENTO: Not your style and plastic (yuck--I don't think I could get over that) but the size is right and it's in your budget. you may find a better deal if you google it too. comes in brown or ivory.
http://tinyurl.com/yklrwnr
Or if you have some time, you could probably make something very simple and serviceable and moderately attractive; it wouldn't look like the sofas you have shown though. (I'm thinking a simple box with a piece of dense foam covered in the fabric of your choice. You could probably do it under $100. They can cut the wood for you at the hardware store so all you would need is an electric screwdriver or drill, some little L shaped brackets, and screws. It could still look clean and modern depending on fabric and paint choices; but again it would be a very different look.)
I also recommend going with the UO option if its just for a dorm and nothing on craigslist is working out; it may last longer than you think with a bit of care and you can get something better after college.
you would be amazed at how well cheap furniture holds up given a few conditions -- like no pets, nobody sits on the arms (the frames are usually particle board and the arms can fall off), etc.
in my college dorm i converted my bed to a daybed with some bolsters and had a couple chairs and a small table. in a space that small you might consider a 2 chair option unless you want the love seat for snuggling on.
In my den I have this: http://www.target.com/Sofa-Bed-Khaki/dp/B001TLY3WA/ref=br_1_1?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=13427211&sr=1-1&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&rh=p_36%3A%24100-%24199&searchSize=30&qid=
You may or may not need the extra sleeping but it is pretty comfortable for the money - it also sits low to the floor if you wanted to hang shelves or even loft your own bed above it.