When you’re shopping for a new sofa, you’re likely paying attention to the size, style and upholstery material. But, did you know that the sofa cushion filling is equally essential to consider before purchasing your new sofa?
There’s a good chance that you already know if your furniture design style is classic, transitional or modern and you may even have some colours in mind already. Sofa cushion filling is a lesser-known component of couch shopping, but can be just as important as size, style or upholstery. The varying types of sofa cushion filling provide different levels of sofa maintenance, longevity, cost and comfort.
This sofa cushion filling guide will break down the different types of couch cushion filling, and provide you the information you need to determine which sofa cushions are best for your lifestyle.
High-Density Foam
High-density foam cushions are the most common type of sofa filling used at The Brick. These sturdy foam cushions tend to keep their shape and are low-maintenance – no cushion plumping required! Foam sofas also have a crisper, more formal appearance because of the stiffness of the cushions. High-density cushion foam provides a firm seat with solid support and also retains its shape the best. Low-density cushion foam offers a softer seat, but also degrades faster. This means the sofa seats will sag and not bounce back to the original shape as quickly. At The Brick, all our sofas are crafted with high-density foam for the utmost in comfort.
Memory Foam
If you have joint, muscle or back pain, a memory foam seat cushion may be the best choice for you because it will provide the most support when you’re sitting, without creating pressure points. Memory foam conforms to your body and cradles you and has a sinking-in, luxurious feel.
Foam-filled sofa cushions are best for:
- If you want a low-maintenance sofa cushion
- If you want to different firmness options
- If you have muscle or joint pain
Down or Feather Sofa Cushion
If you’re looking for the ultimate in softness, a down-filled sofa cushion is the holy grail. It's inviting, plush, luxurious and will beg you to sink in. A down-filled cushion is also the most expensive option that requires the most maintenance, like daily plumping to redistribute the feathers. You may also find this paired with synthetic fibres to help create the perfect mix of softness and stability.
For a similar feel but at a lower price point, feather-filled cushions are a great alternative. Feathers can be an allergen, so before purchasing a feather-filled sofa, make sure you’re not allergic to feathers.Because of the softness of feathers and down, a down or feather-filled sofa will look less formal and more relaxed than a firmer sofa.
Down or feather sofa cushions are best for:
- If you want a luxury sofa experience
- If you want a sofa you can sink into
- If you don’t mind on-going maintenance
Dacron-Wrapped Foam
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, a Dacron-wrapped foam sofa cushion offers the firmness of foam with the comfort of Polyester batting. Since polyester cushions can get lumpy over time and need constant fluffing, a way to avoid this is to purchase a sofa with a foam core cushion wrapped in a polyester material like Dacron. This style of cushion is an excellent compromise, as it provides a foam sofa cushion's crisp shape, low-maintenance benefits, with the softness and sink-in effect of a polyester fill. The Dacron layer also reduces wear on the foam core, prolonging the lifespan of your cushions.
Dacron-wrapped foam sofa cushions are best for:
- If you want the firmness of a high-density foam sofa with the comfort of a fibre fill.
- If you want to avoid a lumpy sofa, but still be able to sink into it.
- If you don’t want to fluff your sofa constantly
While it may seem like assessing the sofa cushion filling is one more task you need to add to your furniture shopping to-do list, it will pay off when it's time to relax on your new sofa. Whether your goals are to have extra support, a long-lasting piece of furniture or an extra-plush place to relax, the sofa cushion filling will play an essential role in how you will enjoy your new sofa.
