Buying a sofa in Thailand

[Kenny202 2,475]

Been her about 6 years and 5 years ago bought a nice leather sofa from Index, about 45k baht. Was the only comfortable one we could find. They seem to like sleeping and sitting on cement here. Anyway, it has deteriorated pretty badly in 5 years with only fairly light use. the leather seems to be that thin glued onto a backing. So I have decided I wont be outlaying that kind of money again hoping for quality.

 

The vinyl sofas seems to be the go here but the vinyl while it does have nearly the feel of leather doesn't seem very strong. Has anyone had any experience with them?

I also could recover ours in vinyl at a reasonable price. It is still very strong and comfortable and we like the design. Recovering in leather seems to be out of the question.

We've had a look at a few upholsterers where we live and they do an ok job, looks strong enough but the workmanship isn't great. They just seem to cover like a big pillow rather that doing proper stitching. Any ideas? If the vinyl is strong enough to get another 5 years I may consider it

 

 

[CharlieH 28,697]

I had similar with a lazyboy style chair, I got it recovered for small money and better than was on there to start with ! Its been great ever since.

 

My suggestion, as you like everything elee, is go get it reccovered.

[Kenny202 2,475]

2 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

I had similar with a lazyboy style chair, I got it recovered for small money and better than was on there to start with ! Its been great ever since.

 

My suggestion, as you like everything elee, is go get it reccovered.

 

Covered in Vinyl? It seems strong enough? Thing I dont like, is our back rests for example are now like a rectangular shape, done with stitching. They don't go to that sort of trouble. They just make like a pillow without stitching it into a shape

Edited December 2, 2020 by Kenny202

[Henryford 4,999]

Just buy a new sofa every 5 years easy.

[CharlieH 28,697]

Just now, Kenny202 said:

 

Covered in Vinyl? It seems strong enough?

Absolutely, take a look.......

[tonray 13,474]

If you're leather cracked...you didn't treat it properly. Must use 'leather creme' monthly.....if treated...leather will far outlast any vinyl or plastic covering

[1FinickyOne 7,033]

26 minutes ago, Kenny202 said:

Been her about 6 years

hope you had no complications from the surgery... 

 

I guess as to upholstery, it will depend on the quality of fabric... I had an office chair that would peel off a piece every time I sat long enough... 

 

 

[sometimewoodworker 3,060]

31 minutes ago, Kenny202 said:

Been her about 6 years and 5 years ago bought a nice leather sofa from Index, about 45k baht. Was the only comfortable one we could find. They seem to like sleeping and sitting on cement here. Anyway, it has deteriorated pretty badly in 5 years with only fairly light use. the leather seems to be that thin glued onto a backing. So I have decided I wont be outlaying that kind of money again hoping for quality.

 

The vinyl sofas seems to be the go here but the vinyl while it does have nearly the feel of leather doesn't seem very strong. Has anyone had any experience with them?

I also could recover ours in vinyl at a reasonable price. It is still very strong and comfortable and we like the design. Recovering in leather seems to be out of the question.

We've had a look at a few upholsterers where we live and they do an ok job, looks strong enough but the workmanship isn't great. They just seem to cover like a big pillow rather that doing proper stitching. Any ideas? If the vinyl is strong enough to get another 5 years I may consider it

 

 

As you are in Bangkok and that is where most of the furniture is made you could talk to one or two of them. 
 

My personal opinion is that leather and vinyl are the worst coverings for sofas and chairs in the tropics and that the fabric finishes are infinitely more suited to this area, but the factories will use the material you choose and can give you a leather finish if you like that.

 

You are probably looking at a significant percentage of the original cost to get a top quality job as the sofa will have to be basically re-made with all new foam, to your softness spec. Pay less get less.

FWIW we have just contracted for a sofa to be built and supplied from Bangkok at a reasonable discount as we will wait and there was a furniture show in KK last week. 

Edited December 2, 2020 by sometimewoodworker

[Kenny202 2,475]

27 minutes ago, tonray said:

If you're leather cracked...you didn't treat it properly. Must use 'leather creme' monthly.....if treated...leather will far outlast any vinyl or plastic covering

I've had leather sofas for 20 years and I know how to look after them. This one is rubbish. The leather is micro fine, not much thicker than paper...glued onto some sort of backing.

[Kenny202 2,475]

23 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

hope you had no complications from the surgery... 

 

I guess as to upholstery, it will depend on the quality of fabric... I had an office chair that would peel off a piece every time I sat long enough... 

 

 

 

Haha mines like that exactly. It is so thin and fine, literally peels off. Its not like tough hide

[scorecard 21,181]

56 minutes ago, Henryford said:

Just buy a new sofa every 5 years easy.

Or fly to your home country, buy a perfect article and ship it here.

 

Easy.

[Tyler Visan 163]

I bought a recliner from a Lazada Shop, with leather on the parts contacting the body and vinyl on sides and back, all the same colour.

After 18 months the vinyl is turning from beige to blue !!!!!!!!  The seller said that from 10,000 sold, mine is the only one with this problem.

[Tyler Visan 163]

1 minute ago, scorecard said:

Or fly to your home country, buy a perfect article and ship it here.

 

Easy.

That will cost more than it's worth.

[Airalee 3,628]

12 minutes ago, Kenny202 said:

I've had leather sofas for 20 years and I know how to look after them. This one is rubbish. The leather is micro fine, not much thicker than paper...glued onto some sort of backing.

What you got was bonded leather.  Next up the scale is “genuine leather”...then “top grain”...then “full grain”.  I too bought one of the 45k leather sofas at (insert big chain store here) and I’m sure that after 5 years it would have been <deleted> too.  Ended up leaving it with my landlord as I always intended when I bought a condo.

 

Top grain or Full grain leather is the only way to go.  Vinyl?  No way no how.  The problem with these levels...especially full grain...it’s gonna cost you.  Top grain will resist stains longer with that awful shiny outer coating but nothing beats full grain for a nice hand.  
 

When I recently bought my condo, I decided to pony up for a decent sofa from Studio 128 at the Crystal Design Center in BKK.  They have 3 different grades of leather and the sofas are much better made than all the other chain retailers.  
 

It was worth it, and will end up being cheaper in the long run because high quality leather will outlast by far the cheap bonded stuff.

 

 

 

[Dmaxdan 9,246]

People buy vinyl sofas here because they are mostly cheap. But one problem to be aware of is that if you sit on one for a long time, on a hot day, you will likely end up with a very sweaty back and derriere, which may result in damp under garments...not nice! 

Unlike fabric and good quality leather, vinyl sofas seem to really hold the heat.