It's anything but a cushy assignment shopping for a new sofa. This is Ellen Levine with Good Advice From Good Housekeeping. But we often don't know the answers till it's been in the house for two months. First, be realistic on price. For a durable sofa that's more than a fashion statement, you can easily spend over a thousand dollars.
Good fabric can double the cost.
Study the couch. It should be heavy, too, the sign of a solid frame. The Good Housekeeping Institute says oak and maple are better than pine or spruce. Plywood, steel, and plastic warp and crack easily. And the more tightly woven the fabric, the better.