Easy Ways To Make Your Couch More Comfortable

Tom Gaffey
by Tom Gaffey
Credit: Shutterstock / Krakenimages.com

Couches are made for lounging and relaxing. Whether it’s in front of a television or fireplace, or a living room designed for socializing, your couch should be a comfortable place to rest. So, if your couch is causing you pain or is less comfortable than it used to be, you’ll want to find ways to make it more desirable to sit in.

To make your couch more comfortable, add a foam topper or replace the cushions altogether. Buy throw pillows and throw blankets to make sitting on your couch softer. Add a thick blanket if the upholstery is the problem, or you can incorporate an ottoman to make it feel bigger. If your couch is old and uncomfortable, consider buying a new couch or turning it into a DIY project.

Couches come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and materials. While there are many couch designs, the goal of a couch should never be discomfort. If you bought a very uncomfortable couch or have an old couch that has lost its soft and supportive cushioning, you’ll want to do all you can to fix this issue. To decide which method below is best for your couch, you first need to consider a few factors.

Five Factors To Consider Before Fixing An Uncomfortable Couch

1. The Age Of The Couch

If you have an uncomfortable couch, the first thing you need to think about is when you bought it. If it’s brand new, then clearly there’s an issue with the design or cushioning that you need to try and remedy. 

If your couch is old and used to be comfortable, your goal should be to return it to its former glory. If the couch is very old, it might be worth seriously thinking about buying a new couch.


2. The Materials It’s Made Of

Couches can be made of leather, linen, and just about any other fabric you can imagine. The upholstery and the cushioning within can impact the direction you want to take to make it more comfortable. If your couch has removable cushion covers, this can make things easier, and if it does not, you’ll need to choose a creative or more invasive method.


3. How Much You Paid For It

You should also take a moment to think about how much the couch cost you. If it was very expensive and has potentially retained some of its value, then it might be worth either selling for a good price or fixing it so you can keep it.

If your couch didn’t cost much, and it was bought from a budget furniture retailer, then choosing one of the cheaper methods to make your couch more comfortable is wise. There isn’t much logic in spending more money than you paid for it in the first place to make a couch comfortable .


4. The Reason It’s Uncomfortable

There are many reasons a couch can be uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s too firm, and other times it’s too soft. Sometimes the upholstery is to blame, and sometimes it’s the angle and design of the couch itself. Once you pinpoint exactly why the couch is uncomfortable, you can make the right decision on how to fix the issue.


5. The Level Of Discomfort You Feel

Lastly, it’s important to gauge the discomfort on a scale of 1 to 10. If it only causes mild discomfort, then it should be a simple fix. If it is very uncomfortable, to the point that you don’t want to sit on it, then the problem will likely require a more complex and involved solution.


Eight Easy Ways To Make Your Couch More Comfortable

1. Put A Thick Blanket Over The Couch

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to make your couch more comfortable is to place a thick blanket over it. Blankets like this can cost less than $20 if you find them on sale. They are great because they can fix several comfort issues.

For one, if your couch is uncomfortable due to its upholstery, you can choose a soft blanket that will be more pleasant to the touch. If the issue is a lack of cushioning, the thick blanket will add a little extra cushioning to make the couch feel less firm.


2. Add Throw Pillows

Throw pillows can add color and vibrancy to any room. They can also make an uncomfortable couch more pleasant to sit on. Add as many throw pillows as you think your couch can handle.

They should be various sizes and levels of firmness. This will allow you to use them for cushioning, back support, and however you’d like to make your sitting experience better. This is a quick, easy, and affordable fix. It is also very customizable, and you can mix and match the colors to suit your aesthetic.


3. Add A Foam Topper To The Couch

If the main issue with your couch is that it has lost its supple cushioning or feels hard, then a foam topper is a great option. There are various types of sofas and couches, and also many couch toppers. Couch toppers look like a long, thin pillow or a very thick blanket that you lay on top of your couch. 

These toppers provide an inch or two of added cushioning, and sometimes even memory foam to help make a stiff and uncomfortable couch more inviting.


4. Get New Foam For Your Cushions 

If your couch needs new cushions to make it more comfortable, there are several ways to make this happen. You can have a cushion custom-cut for you using an online retailer. Or, you can find a local foam supplier, buy foam, and then cut it yourself.

This is a great option if you have a couch with removable covers, as it will make removing and replacing the cushion stuffing easy. All you need to do is swap out the old for the new, and then zip it back up.


5. Incorporate An Ottoman

Sometimes a couch is uncomfortable because of its design. If it feels difficult to relax, sit back and recline on your couch, then consider buying an ottoman to pair with the couch. An ottoman will make it easy to prop up your feet.

It will also make your couch feel bigger than it is. If one of the comfort issues with your couch is that it feels small, then many types of ottomans can make your couch more desirable to sit on.


6. Turn It Into A DIY Project

Sometimes, making a couch more comfortable is a big undertaking. You may need to rip out old cushioning and completely reupholster the couch. While this is a lot of work, for some, it can be a labor of love.

If you love the design of the couch, or it is an antique or has sentimental value, then this could be the perfect DIY project. Take your time with this project, and enjoy learning this new DIY craft as you make your old couch more comfortable. 


7. Keep A Basket Of Soft Throw Blankets Nearby

Blankets, like throw pillows, can be an effective and very easy way to make a couch more comfortable. Blankets can be placed wherever you sit to make it feel softer and add cushioning. Furthermore, blankets make your living room more cozy, which helps make sitting on your couch more enjoyable. 


8. Buy A New Couch

If you try one or several of the methods above and nothing is working, then consider buying a new couch. Believe it or not, sometimes it is cheaper to buy a new couch than to make your current couch more comfortable.

Shop for couch deals, or look for lightly used couches to find the best prices. Moving forward, always take your time buying a couch and read reviews. When possible, sit on it for a considerable period to ensure it is comfortable.


Wrapping Up Easy Ways To Make A Couch More Comfortable 

If your couch is uncomfortable, then it’s not doing its job. Luckily, there are a lot of quick and easy ways to make an uncomfortable couch more enjoyable to sit on. Add throw pillows or blankets to the couch, or add a thick blanket or foam topper for more cushioning. You can swap out old foam cushions for new ones or incorporate an ottoman to make it feel larger. You can even turn your uncomfortable couch into a DIY project. But if the effort seems like more than it’s worth, consider buying a new couch.


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Tom Gaffey
Tom Gaffey

Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.

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