With so much of life currently spent at home, it’s more important than ever to have furniture that works for your life. And, after countless TV show binge-watching sessions on our sofas (and some reading of books too—don’t worry!), we’ve decided that a good metal sofa bed is worth its weight in gold.

　　So, it might be time to ask yourself if you have a sofa you love or if it’s time for something new? And if you’re embarking on the hunt for the perfect sofa, you’ve come to the right place.

　　The “perfect sofa” looks different for everyone—but there are some universal non-negotiables when it comes to finding the right sofa for you. It should be comfortable, fit in your living room, reflect your style, and hopefully last a few years (if not more). Not to mention it should be a price that fits within your budget!

　　But all that is easier said than done. It doesn’t take long in the search process to discover that shopping for furniture isn’t always simple. There are a lot of decisions to make: Do you opt for a sectional or sofa? Do you try to save some money with a cheap sofa or splurge on a more high-end sofa? Is it even possible to find nice couches under $500—or sectionals under $1,000? Oh, and what about sofa materials??

　　Before you get completely overwhelmed by all the possibilities, we’ve found that it’s generally best to start by thinking through your budget and how much you’d like to spend on your sofa before getting lost in the world of sofa styles and materials.

　　What you choose to invest in a new sofa is totally up to you and your needs. For some people, it might make sense to invest in a quality piece that will last years. For others, buying something that works for right now is a better option.

　　If you’ve been asking yourself, “How much should I spend on a sofa??” we’re here to help.

　　Here are 5 questions to ask yourself before you buy a new sofa.

　　Question 1: How much do you want to spend on a sofa?

　　It can be hard to wrap your head around how much you should spend on a sofa, especially if you’re not even sure what the average cost of a sofa is. A good place to start is getting familiar with some average price ranges for couches and sofas.

　　Average Cost of Sofas:

　　$1000 or less: The sub-thousand dollar range is what we’d consider an inexpensive sofa.

　　$1000 – $2000: A mid-range priced sofa generally falls in between one to two thousand dollars.

　　$2000 or more: We’d consider anything above two grand to be an expensive sofa.

　　The Bottom Line: Survey the sofa landscape to help you get a sense of how much you might want to spend.

　　Question 2: How nomadic are you?

　　Sofas are large, bulky, and not the easiest pieces of furniture to move. One that works perfectly in your current home might not fit through the doorway at your next. So it’s important to ask yourself if it’s worth investing in a high-end sofa if you move every year or two or if you should look at more inexpensive sofas for the time being. So, think through how nomadic you are and how invested you are in moving a sofa from place to place.

　　Your solve:

　　I move a lot or will be moving soon: If you plan to only live where you are for under a year, consider skimping on an inexpensive sofa that you won’t have to worry about lugging to a new location.

　　I’m relatively settled: Around five years? Maybe a slightly higher-quality option is the best fit for you. You want something that will last you that half-decade or so, but won’t be missed if you can’t bring it with you.

　　I’m in it for the long haul: Finally, if you are relatively settled in your current home, it makes more sense to invest in a high-quality sofa that will last.

　　The Bottom Line: Your overall timeline is important to consider before making a big-ticket purchase that isn’t easy to transport with you.

　　Question 3: Are You into Trends?

　　A trendy sofa looks great right now, but you might find you’re sick of it after a short time.

　　Your solve:

　　I love trends: If you can’t say no to a sofa with a bold color or statement pattern, consider opting for a lower-cost option rather than investing in a more expensive one. Unlike decorative accents, you can’t as easily move a sofa from room to room when you get tired of it. Don’t sink your money into something you’ll be sick of in a year. Instead, consider incorporating that velvet trend into a few pillows.

　　Trends don’t phase me: If you’re looking for a sofa that can transcend your current tastes, consider investing in a high-quality option. This can be a sofa with a neutral fabric, a quality leather option, or even a sofa with a versatile shape, such as a chaise that can switch sides.

　　The Bottom Line: If you want to splurge on a quality sofa, it’s important to find one that works for both now and later.