Leather sofas tend to last many years in a family without large dogs or small children who are rough and tumble. Leather is very easy to clean up if something is spilled on it and very few things can stain it. If the sofa is gently used, it will not tear. Large dogs with large claws tend to leave scratch marks or even tears on leather sofas and small children sometimes experiment with scissors or other sharp objects which will cut the sofa. A blanket or cover can be placed on it to protect it if you are willing to cover your new sofa. There are also leather repair kits that really work well to mend damaged sofas; as long as you get the exact colour matched, the blemish is not noticeable. Even the gentlest used leather furniture will eventually have cracks in it from usage, but they do last longer than other materials.
The sofa frame is an important item to consider. It should be constructed out of hard wood with no partical or pressed wood recliner sofa repair. The hard woods like oak are much stronger and more durable. Turn the sofa over when making a purchase and examine the wood frame and also the springs. Springs that are tied together in only one direction, usually along the length of the sofa, tend to sag after a few years of use. If the springs are tied along the length and width of the sofa, you will get almost double the years of usage before the seating becomes soft and low to the floor.
Sofa beds normally have the best made frames and spring construction. This is because of the extra weight that has to be supported. When buying a sofa bed, open it and see how easy it opens and closes. Some brands are much easier to lift and fold out. If the sofa bed will be used quite often, you may want to lie down on it and test the quality of the mattress. If the mattress is thicker and you can't feel the support bars, then it is a quality sofa bed that your friends and family will enjoy sleeping on.
So don't be shy; ask the salesman to help turn over the sofa you intend on purchasing so you can check for workmanship and quality. They certainly won't mind if they know that they are selling a good product and stand behind their furniture.
