You want your sofa to be as comfortable as possible, right? We all want a cozy spot to sit back and relax at home. There are many factors that affect a sofa’s comfort level, which is why you need to pay special attention to the different types of sofa seat cushions available. Factors such as seat depth and cushion fill work together to create various amounts of support and softness, allowing you to achieve your perfect sit.
Apt2B Modern Furniture sofas have many different designs because we know not everyone will like the same kind of cushion. Deep couches and sectionals could be irresistibly cozy according to one person, but may also be the exact opposite of what someone else wants if they prefer to sit up straight and have more back support. Even your personal height can play a role in whether a certain couch depth will feel comfortable to you.
Each type of couch seat depth serves a different functionality, so you’ll want to consider how you plan to use your sofa before you make your final choice — how many people will sit on it, how you plan to sit or lie on it, etc. Whether you want great back support from a firmer feel and a high-back sofa or ultra-comfortable, soft couch cushions you can really sink into, this sofa depth guide will walk you through how to choose the best sofa dimensions to suit your personal tastes.
The Importance of Seat Depth
When shopping for a comfortable sofa, size is one of the most important things to pay attention to. You’ll see several sofa dimensions listed for each model, but one in particular to pay attention to is the inside sofa seat depth. This is not the same thing as the overall couch depth, which is the distance from the back of the sofa to the front. The inner seat depth is measured from the front of the seat to the back cushion, so it tells you how much sitting area is really available.
An average sofa seat depth ranges from 21 to 24 inches. This is generally considered to be the standard sofa seat depth, but you can find many options outside of that range to accommodate your unique preferences. For example, the Phantom has an extra-deep couch seat depth of 26 inches, while the Ezra deep-seated sofa clocks in at 28 inches. You’ll also find shorter sofa depths that fall under the 21-to-24-inch average.
Sofas with seat depths on the lower end of the spectrum tend to be more formal or traditional. They’re good choices for parlors and other guest-receiving areas. Larger couch seat depth cushions tend to encourage lounging and are a bit cozier. These types of deep-seat sofas and sectionals are great for family rooms and informal hangout spaces. In addition to where the sofa is being placed, make sure you consider how you’ll be sitting (or lying down, in some cases). If you like to sit upright in your sofa and feel a lot of back support, choose a shorter seat depth on a high-back sofa.
If you like to lounge back, curl up or sit with your feet up on the sofa, a deeper couch seat depth is probably good for you. Choose a deep sofa with a depth of at least 23 inches for this type of seating experience. Want your sofa to feel seriously lounge-y? Go for an extra-deep sofa with a seat depth of 25 inches or more. This depth is also nice for people who want to lay side by side on the sofa while watching TV or taking a cozy nap. To figure out which sofa seat depth you prefer, sit on a few different couch sizes and measure the one that works best for you.
The exact sofa depth that works for you can vary depending on your height. Generally, 20 to 22 inches tends to be a good range for most people (think a height range of 5’ 4” to 5’ 10”) to sit up comfortably. The tallest people — think 6 feet or taller — may need a depth of 23-24 inches. If you are shorter than 5’ 4”, you may feel more comfortable with cushions that are shallower than the average. A 6-foot man is likely to be uncomfortable on a sofa narrower than 23 inches, while a petite person might not enjoy sitting on a 24-inch-deep seat couch cushion.
Keep in mind that you can add some throw pillows to a deep sectional sofa or couch if you need a little added back support. This is a great option for families with people of varying heights or a tall person who often has friends over to visit. Having throw pillows allows for more variability, like if someone needs to sit further forward on the couch to be able to bend their legs.
Seat depth becomes a little less important if you lie down on your sofa since you won’t need as much back support. That said, if you want two people to be able to lie down side by side, go for a deep sofa sectional or couch with a total seat depth of at least 24 inches so both people can comfortably fit. Additionally, be sure to consider the length of the sofa so you can stretch out. You may also want a down sofa or memory foam couch for more cushioning if you like to take naps on the couch or lie down while watching movies and TV.
Seat Depth and Room Design
Don’t forget to consider the size of your room when choosing seat depth. A super deep sofa doesn’t work well in a small space — it just looks too imposing in the room, and it can also take away needed floor space. On the other hand, a sofa with a narrower seat might look a little small in an oversized room.
If a deep seat is important to you but you have a small space, go for an inside depth of 23 inches, which offers the comfort of a deeper seat without taking up excess space. To avoid having a comically large-looking sofa, balance a deeper seat with either low arms or visible legs. This helps to maintain an open and airy look so your space isn’t completely overwhelmed by the sofa size.
Seat Height
If you have difficulty getting out of low seats, make sure to measure the seat height of any sofa you’re considering. The seat height is how high off the ground the seat is, so you’ll need to measure from the floor to the top of the seat cushion.
If a seat is lower than 18 inches, it might be hard to get up from. Deeper couch seats also take a little more effort to get up from, so if the seat depth is more than 23 inches, you might want to choose a slightly higher seat to compensate. The height of the people sitting on the couch also needs to be taken into consideration. Going back to our mysterious 6-foot example person, they’ll look and feel normal on a 20-inch-tall sofa seat, but a 5’ 2” person might be left with their feet dangling.
Final Consideration: How Many Cushions?
Now that you’ve figured out which sofa dimensions will work best for you, it’s time to think about cushion styles. A single-piece cushion is called a bench seat. You’ll see it in many modern styles, but bench seats are also a great way to update a more traditional frame. This style has several benefits. You can squeeze a bunch of people on your sofa without someone having to sit on a crack in between cushions. No change or toys will get lost between the cushions, and it helps to prevent food from making its way under the cushions if you like to snack on the sofa. This type of seat also transforms into a great makeshift bed if you have any overnight guests. At Apt2B Modern Furniture, we offer some great bench seat sofas, including our Walton Sofa, Saxon Sofa and Phantom Leather Sofa, along with a number of easy-to-clean fabric options.
Sofas with two seat cushions make a roomy spot for two people to relax. They can be found in both traditional sofas and more modern styles. The downside to this configuration is that a third person would have to sit in the crack between the cushions. Try Apt2B Modern Furniture’s Espada Leather Sofa or Melrose Sofa if you prefer a two-cushion design.
Three seat cushions provide individual spots where three people can comfortably sit and have their own defined space. While many traditional styles have three-seat cushions, this look is also found on styles that are more modern. Three cushions may not look as clean-lined as a bench seat or two cushions, but this is a great choice if you want to maximize seating space and have the option to rotate or flip your cushions easily.
If you’re looking at three-cushion couches for sale, check out Apt2B Modern Furniture’s Catalina Sofa, which has a sleek design and a nice deep couch seat depth. For a more classic style with a shorter seat depth, we recommend our Samson Sofa.
Customize for the Perfect Piece
Having difficulty finding the perfect seat combination? Look into ordering a custom sofa. We offer several customization options, including changing certain sofa dimensions and cushion configurations to suit your needs. For example, the Samson Sofa in the image above typically comes with three seat cushions, but it can be customized to have two cushions or even a single bench cushion if you prefer.
If you’re ready to shop for sofas, Apt2B Modern Furniture has you covered. Check out our sofas available in a wide range of colors and styles, not to mention functionality like sleeper sofas, reclining sofas, sectionals, futons and more.
