Are you stuck with a new couch that doesn’t feel as comfortable as you thought it would? Does your old couch no longer feel cozy, so you feel pain whenever you sit down to enjoy your favorite show?
Nothing can be more depressing than furniture that doesn’t feel comfortable.
After all, imagine feeling discomfort and pain when it’s time to chill and relax, so how would the rest of your day go?
But, in this article, we’ll explain how to make your couch more comfortable so you don’t have to go buy a new one. So, read to learn more about this topic.
Do Couches Break In?
Before thinking about tips and tricks to make your couch more comfortable, you need to ask yourself this question.
Why does a new couch not feel as comfortable as the one you tried at the furniture store?
Do couches break in?
Things can be worse if you’ve bought a couch online so you didn’t even get a chance to try it. So, does this mean that you’re stuck with your uncomfortable couch?
Couches need time to break in, and if the one you’ve bought feels different from the one you’ve tried at the store, you need to realize that you haven’t picked a bad one.
Several shoppers have tried the couch at the store. This is why it feels comfortable and soft.
It usually takes four to six weeks of regular use for your ouch to break in. After this period, your couch will feel comfortable, and you’ll feel like it’s hugging you when you’re sitting down.
How To Make Your Couch More Comfortable
Furniture makers might deliberately make their couches too firm.
They do this so that the couch feels sturdy and stays in shape with regular use.
A softer couch, on the other side, can show more dents and depressions with regular use.
However, this can still be bad news for you. You buy a couch because you want a comfortable piece of furniture that you can use every single day.
If you can’t sit comfortably on your couch, you’ll feel like you’ve made a bad purchase, even if the manufacturer guarantees that your sofa will stay in shape for 10 years.
Things can be worse with an old couch that lost its comfort. With time, the cushions can feel too stiff, and it feels like you’re sitting on the couch’s wooden foundation.
Luckily, there are a few things to help you enjoy sitting on your couch more.
1 – Refresh the Foam Cushions
In addition to picking a suitable type of foam filling for your couch’s cushions, you might need to refresh them every now and then.
Just flip your cushions and give them a good beating and some punching. As you move the foam and fluff the cushions, you’ll notice that they’re more comfortable.
2 – Add Some Throw Pillows
Throw pillows can be an excellent addition as they drastically change the look of an old couch. Moreover, they can make it more comfortable.
Elongated throw pillows can be used for lumbar support. You can choose several ones to improve your seating experience and mix and match the colors for a trendy look.
Adding some throw pillows near the armrests will make your couch more comfortable to sit on. Moreover, you can use them if you want to take a quick nap.
3 – Walk Over the Cushions
If you have a new sofa that you want to break in, put on a clean pair of socks and put the cushions on the floor. Walk over them, and then flip them over and repeat the process.
This will help soften the inserts.
4 – Add New Inserts
If you have an old sofa, you can renew it and make it comfortable by adding new cushion inserts. Down-filled or down-wrapped inserts are fluffy and comfy.
Luckily, cushion inserts come in different degrees of softness, so you can pick the one you prefer.
You can also increase the amount of foam in your cushions if they feel too empty.
If you feel that your couch lacks appropriate support, you can use a foam board for better cushioning. Foam boards can be cut to size, so you can easily make sure your board fits the couch.
5 – Use an Ottoman
Do you feel that you can’t kick back and relax while sitting on your couch?
This might happen because you’re too tall or because the seat’s length is short. However, if you don’t want to replace your sofa, you can extend your seating area by adding an ottoman.
An ottoman supports your feet while you sit to watch TV, play video games, or have a snack.
Luckily, there are several designs and colors to pick from, so you’ll be able to find an ottoman that fits your room’s design.
You can either pick an ottoman that matches the look of your sofa, so your room feels complete.
Yet, you can choose to add more contrast by picking an ottoman that doesn’t match your upholstery to make your room look more interesting.
6 – Make Sure That The Legs Are Even
Sometimes, your couch might be uncomfortable because the legs aren’t even.
This happens when one of the legs is shorter than the other or you’ve placed two legs on the rug.
Non-slip furniture pads will help you even out the couch’s legs. They also guarantee that it stays in place and doesn’t move.
7 – Add a Cover
If your sofa doesn’t feel comfortable because the fabric is itchy or worn out, you can easily use a replaceable slipcover.
This is an affordable option if you don’t want to change the upholstery, and it will immediately change the look and feel of your old couch.
As a matter of fact, you can buy a fluffy and velvety one for winter and a cooler one for summer.
Slipcovers stretch over the couch’s frame, and you can easily install and remove yours. The cover will be easy to clean and will protect your sofa from stains.
8 – Use a Wedge Pillow
If you don’t want to invest in an ottoman, you can use a regular wedge pillow to make yourself more comfortable while watching TV or reading.
A wedge pillow will elevate your feet, so you can enjoy your time better.
Wedge pillows are made of memory foam, so they will hug your feet and won’t sink in. You can also get a versatile one of different pieces that you can use to support your feet, head, and back.
In addition, you can easily remove the wedge pillow and use it on your bed whenever you want to.
9 – Add a Throw Blanket
A fluffy throw blanket can add more cushioning to a stiff couch. It will also make your sofa warmer and cozier.
Go for a fluffy knit throw blanket or a fuzzy faux fur one to change the look of your couch. It will also feel soft and comfortable, so you can sit for extended periods without feeling any discomfort.
Adding a warm sheepskin rag where you sit can make your sofa comfortable to sit and sleep on. As a bonus, you can also move the rag whenever you want to mask the depressions and dents in an old sofa.
10 – Get a Body Pillow
Sometimes, nothing can be done to fix a stiff sofa. Instead, you can use a body pillow to create a comfortable seating area.
A C-shaped body pillow hugs your body, so you can sit or nap without feeling any pain or discomfort.
The filling molds to better fit your body and then returns back to its original shape, so it won’t feel sunken.
How to Maintain Your Couch
After buying a new couch, you can do a few things to ensure that it stays in good shape. The following tips will maintain its look and guarantee that you won’t have to replace it soon.
Fluff Up Your Cushions and Pillows
The more you sit and sleep on your couch, the more the couches and pillows will flatten. With repeated use, you’ll feel that your sofa isn’t as comfortable as it used to be.
Things can be worse if you have hyperactive kids who always jump on your sofa.
It’s important to lightly punch and fluff up your cushions and pillows, as this will help keep the inserts in the best shape. Fluff up the softer pillows more often.
Keep Your Couch Away From the Sun
Long-term exposure to sunlight can ruin your upholstery material. Moreover, things will be worse if the sun doesn’t hit all parts of the sofa equally.
Some materials are more sensitive to sun exposure, like leather. Your upholstery material can change color or crack because there isn’t enough protection.
If possible, move your sofa to a slightly shaded area, as this will help the material last longer.
Use a Stain Protector
Use an appropriate stain protector to keep your upholstery clean. This will help keep your sofa clean and new without having to replace the upholstery.
Moreover, stain protectors can also reduce UV damage.
Clean It Regularly
The accumulation of dust, debris, dead skin cells, and dander will ruin the look of your couch and will also make it feel uncomfortable. Regularly vacuuming and dusting your sofa will keep it in excellent condition.
Moreover, regular vacuuming and dusting will help fluff the cushions and the pillows. It removes the dust that affects the surface of the material, scraping and damaging it in the long run.
Flip Your Cushions Over
Flipping your back and seat cushions over will guarantee that the upholstery and filling will wear out evenly. So, you’ll feel that your sofa still feels as good as new.
You should also switch the position of the cushions that are used more often, so you can place the side ones in the middle. This will guarantee that the center cushions won’t sink in faster.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’ve bought a new sofa that doesn’t feel as comfortable as you thought it would or you have an old couch that feels too stiff, some tricks can help you make your couch comfier without having to replace it.
Adding throw pillows, a throw blanket, a wedge pillow, or an ottoman will help you sit comfortably. You can also replace the inserts and the upholstery or add a cover if the material feels too itchy.
I have two Associate’s degrees, one in Medical Assisting and the other in Computer Technician, and I am roughly five classes from a bachelor’s degree. Though I never ended up working in the medical field, I have five and a half years of experience in IT. I recently became a stay-at-home mom to my two young boys, and I’m so excited to start this adventure with them! In my spare time, I love to bake and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on.