Many people may not put much thought into what exactly goes into their sofa cushions but it is actually very helpful to know. Sofa Cushions play an important role in how comfortable you feel at home, especially after a long day at work when you want to relax. So what better way to relax than on your comfy sofa?
Sofa cushions are filled with foam, feather, polyester, or batting. The best filling for sofa cushions depends on individual needs and whether durability or comfort is more valued. Knowing what is in sofa cushions is important for determining the best sofa cushion for your home and lifestyle.
If your sofa cushions do not elicit a sigh of relaxation, then perhaps you need to search for a different sofa cushion. Read on to learn more about what is in your sofa cushion and what to look for in sofa cushions to better suit your needs.
Fillings for Sofa Seat Cushions
To answer this question, you need to learn a bit more about each of the fillings. They are all different and suit different needs for various people.
All these fillings for sofa cushions have pros and cons to them making the search for the best sofa cushion filling a bit more confusing. However, once you have that knowledge then it becomes easier to choose what filling best fits your needs and whether it fits your preferences.
Foam Cushions
Typically, Foam cushions are the most commonly sold filling in sofa cushions and provide a good amount of support. These cushions range from high-density support, firm cushions to low-density, soft cushions. As a general rule, the more dense a cushion is, the longer the cushion lasts.
Another thing to consider would be a high-resilience foam, many people believe foam cushions are the best to use due to the ranges the foam can come in yet it can deteriorate quite fast if you don’t have a high-resilience foam.
The most common foam in cushions would be a high-density foam, around 1.9 lb per cubic ft. This foam is the most economical and widely used because of that. You have to actively search for a high-resilience foam to get something that lasts longer.
Here are a few facts about foam cushions and what you can expect depending on the cushions you have:
- Typically, couch cushions usually last for about 3-5 years and deterioration begins within 1-3 years
- A high-resilience foam cushion can last between 8-10 years.
- Experts say the best high resilience foam to use is going to be 2.8–3.0 lb. per cubic ft, anything over a 2.0 lb. density is going to be good to use for any foam cushioning.
Although foam cushions can last a long time, it’s highly flammable and emits toxic chemicals that can often aggravate some people’s respiratory problems. In addition, foam cushions are said to contribute to environmental damage due to how it’s made. So it’s not very eco friendly but it will last a long time if you take good care of it and keep it away from any flames.
Feather Cushions
Another option for a cushion filling would be feather cushions or down feathers, as one may call it, typically let you sink into the couch and offer a more casual or structured look. Feather/down feather cushions are more expensive than foam but are a bit more soft.
Usually, people purchase down or feather filling if they prioritize softness in a sofa. Feathers are typically cheaper than down, usually they’re made with duck or chicken feathers and down feathers are obviously the more expensive between the two and are typically made from geese feathers.
What helps people choose between down feathers and other fillings would be whether they would like to sink into their sofa. If you’re the type to enjoy sinking into your chair or seat, then down feather may be the best choice for you.
We all know how a feather cushion feels, it’s prone to having those feathers stick out and possibly poke you so it can be a bit annoying if you choose to purchase a feather cushion but make sure to fluff it out to minimize those feather ends sticking out.
The downside to having feather cushions would be the constant fluffing and readjustment to get all the feathers in their proper space. Your sofa cushion may get lumpy, especially with down feathers, if fluffing is not a daily thing. So if you’re looking for a filling that isn’t in need of constant care, then feather or down feather may not be the best for you.
Polyester Cushions
Polyester is another filling for sofa cushions that presents their own pros and cons. Polyester may be best for people who have kids or pets due to the fact that it doesn’t easily stain. However, certain oils may ruin the upholstery so you may want to keep that in mind.
Some things you should know about polyester cushions:
- Polyester cushions come at affordable prices compared to leather or natural fibers, but are more expensive than synthetic fiber cushions made with microfibers or acrylic.
- Polyester is naturally non-allergenic, which makes polyester cushions more family friendly compared to other cushions
The only two notable downsides to having a polyester filling would be the fact that they are fairly heat sensitive so this may not be the best to use during summers. However, the newer versions of polyester sofas come with a more breathable option. So if you want a sofa that doesn’t leave you drenched in sweat in the summer then maybe opt for the newer polyester sofas.
The second downside would be the fact that they are not static resistant and are prone to having fur and hair stick to the sofa. Static may not be a huge downside but it can cause an annoyance at times.
Batting Cushions
Lastly, we have batting fill, this typically comes from either polyester, wool, cotton, or is a blend. It provides insulation and cushioning. It’s applied over foam to prevent slippage and provide a smooth appearance. Usually, Batting is provided to give a “new life” to old sofas and help restore their durability. So this fill can be good for upkeep to sofas that need an extra TLC.
The various types of batting obviously have different pros and cons to it and it helps to know what those are before purchasing them to upkeep your sofa. Polyester batting is generally less expensive and makes a very lightweight quilt.
Wool batting is available as Needled Wool Batting or Layered Wool Batting. Needled Wool Batting is typically used for upholstery and/or stuffing whereas Layered Wool Batting isn’t actually recommended to use since it falls apart easily.
Conclusion
Sofa cushion filling definitely can range from comfort level to durability and finding the right filling for your specific needs takes some research. It comes down to your budget, how long you want to keep the sofa and whether you’d be willing to upkeep it when it loses its durability.
The great part about these various fillings is the fact that you have so many options that can help meet your needs! You don’t just have to stick to one filling that may not work best for you since there are a good amount of choices and you can always switch out your fillings after 1-3 years.