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When shopping for a new sofa, it can be easy to focus on design over comfort. It's helpful to imagine how you want to use your new furniture — and if your vision includes long, cozy lounge sessions, movie night hosting, or WFC (work-from-couch), we have a few measurements to keep in mind.
We've been doing this for a while (20 years!) so, we've done the research and put it all together for you. Below we're breaking down 7 helpful tips to find the most comfortable couch or sectional for you. Read on, friends.
1. Consider seat depth
A general rule is that the deeper the seat depth, the lower the seat height needs to be, and vice versa: let’s start with finding the right seat depth for you. Think about how you like to sit on your couch, and how it needs to function in your space. Do you mostly sit with your feet on the floor, with your legs tucked in, or totally lounging? Is this a sofa that will sit pretty in a formal living space, or will it need to act as your own personal movie theater seat?
If you like to sit upright, you'll likely respond well to a seat depth that supports your thighs, keeps your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, and allows your feet to comfortably touch the floor. For a person between 5'4 and 5'10, a seat depth of 21" to 22" will allow plenty of clearance between the legs and the front edge of the seat. For a taller person, a seat depth of 23" to 25" is a good option, and for a smaller person, a seat depth of about 20" could work well.
If you like to curl up or lounge rather than sit straight, you'll benefit from some extra room — a deeper sofa would be a great choice here. You can start by adding a few inches to the standard measurements listed above; if you plan to add some accent pillows, you can go a little deeper and factor that extra support in. Depending on what you're looking for and the size of the room, you might also consider opting for a sectional over a sofa to give yourself more space.
2. Find the perfect seat height
Depending on the height of your sofa’s seat, taller folks can feel as though they are simply squatting instead of sitting, while those on the shorter side might find their legs dangling above the floor. Ugh.
Sofa seat heights can vary, but a standard range is typically between 15" and 20" from the floor to the top of the cushion. Seat height and seat depth are dependent on one another, so for comfort, expect the height to be lower with a deeper seat.
3. Find your favorite filling
Are you someone who likes to sink into your sofa, or do you prefer the look and feel of something more supportive? At Medley, we offer several filling options ranging in density, firmness, and fluff.
GOLS certified, organic natural latex foam wrapped in OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified wool
Our GOLS certified organic plant-based latex and wool cushion strikes a balance that's dense, yet soft and responsive. Back pillows are filled with fluffy, lofted wool for sink-in comfort—unlike down, wool's resilience requires no fluffing to maintain its pillowy lift and support. The frames on our natural latex-filled furniture are covered in thick needled wool, and the arms are padded with a layer of latex for extra softness.
2.5 lb. high-resilience CertiPUR-US® certified poly foam
CertiPUR-US® certified poly foam provides luxurious, exceptional comfort with a medium level of firmness. Classically cozy and comfy, this high-resilience foam is ultra supportive, yet soft. In addition, here at Medley we offer a double-down filling, popular for creating a softer sit and more relaxed appearance. It’s good to note that down filling may shift (which is normal) and cushions will need to be fluffed on occasion to keep their oomph.
For a total breakdown between our cushion filling options, head over to our blog post, Natural Latex vs. Poly Foam.
4. Consider back pillow height and pitch for support and style
As with seat depth and height, the ideal back height for your sofa will depend on your own height. If you plan to place a tv in front of the sofa, consider how you'd like your back supported. A typical back height for the most comfortable couch generally ranges from 16” - 19”.
In addition to impacting how comfortable your sofa feels to you, the back height will impact how comfortable the furniture feels in your space. If you have standard 8’ ceilings, consider how a higher-profile sofa with a tall back might feel in your room versus a low-profile piece. It all depends on your preferences and how much space you have to work with.
Another element to consider: sofas with a more reclined pitch (the angle behind the cushion) are excellent if you like to use your sofa to lounge. You can still sit up straight on this type of couch with throw pillows, however a sofa with a straight back is potentially a better choice if you have back problems or simply prefer a more vertical seat.
5. Consider arm height and width
Sofa arms come in a variety of widths and styles. Do you like to lean against the arm as you read a book, or rest a laptop on a wide sofa arm while you get some work done? Standard height from cushion to the top of the arm is typically 4–9”.
Taller arms are better for those who want to lean up against them. If this is important for you, look for a sofa arm with a minimum arm height of 7”. Shorter sofa arms are best for those who don’t snuggle into the corner or lay their head against the arm. If you do go for a sofa with shorter arms and find yourself wanting a corner to lean up against, you can use a well-placed accent pillow to help make a nice place to rest.
Lastly, consider the sofa arm’s width: a thin sofa arm creates an elegant and refined look, while a wide sofa arm invites a more loungey vibe. If resting a book or cup of coffee on a sofa arm is your kind of thing, go for a sofa with a wide arm.
6. Pick a length to lounge the way you like
If you like to recline on your sofa regularly, you might consider opting for a 3-seat couch over a 2-seater. A typical length for a 3-seat sofa is about 7’, or 84”, but you can go longer or shorter depending on how much you want to stretch out and how tall you are. If your space allows, you can add an ottoman that doubles as a coffee table, or of course, a modular or sectional will offer more flexibility and space to spread out.
7. Pick a comfy fabric
If you plan to love your sofa for the long run, pick a fabric that you’ll want to snuggle up to! While color, durability, and fiber content are important factors, the texture of your chosen fabric also contributes significantly to comfort. Consider if you generally run hot or cold: a good fabric for you will make you feel comfortable in all seasons. Modern sofa upholstery options range from natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, fabric blends, and leathers, and all can offer sumptuous softness and comfort.
For a full breakdown on how to choose a fabric for your sofa, visit our handy blog, where we debrief not only the comfort of your fabric choice, but also tips on durability and long-term care.
If you're looking for more advice, check out our Comfort Guide or schedule a chat with our design team. Also, head to our swatches page to order free fabric samples — from cozy velvets to breezy linens to make your vision of comfort all the more real.
