You have just bought your dream sofa. You did everything right; you triple-measured every door frame, saved up for months, and even splurged on the white-glove delivery. Upon arrival, the sofa is even more beautiful than you could have imagined, and the setup process goes seamlessly. Exhausted but unbelievably excited, you at long last move to take a seat, exhaling as you plop down onto the plush cushions, only to realize... It's not comfortable, like, at all.
For you, I hope this anecdote is nothing more than a cautionary tale. But for many — especially those shopping for the best couch or sofa online — this is real life. And it's as utterly deflating as it sounds. Your sofa is the centerpiece of your living room, and it's also one of the biggest investments you'll make when decorating a home, meaning it needs to be totally, entirely, 100% to your liking. That said, it's also extremely difficult to return a sofa, which means that for anyone living with this nightmare, you'll most likely just make do.
But we here at Livingetc do not just make do. We make better. Luckily, there are some simple adjustments you can make to ensure your uncomfortable sofa becomes a little more comfortable (and they don't involve buying a new one). Below, six interior designers walk me through their best tips.
1. Add Pillows
Kimbilyn Charbonneau of Kim Joy Design suggests varying the size of your throw pillows here. "I like to have one or two 26 inches, two to three 22 inches and one to two 18 inches. or lumbar-sized" options for a "more balanced look," she says.
For starters — and you might have thought of this one already — the easiest and simplest way to make your couch more comfortable is to add throw pillows, as well as lumbar pillows specifically.
Lumbar or bolster throws "are especially helpful for people with back pain or who prefer firmer support," says Jennifer Jones, the principal designer at San Francisco's Niche Interiors. Mix those "in with larger square pillows for a more collected look."
Ksenya Malina of New York studio Time & Place Interiors agrees, but cautions against a size-blind approach when shopping. "Pillows should always be coordinated with the scale of the sofa, so don't go overboard," she tells me. "A sleek sofa with a low back will look better paired with petite pillows at 16 inches."
Is there anything more plush than a furry throw pillow, especially one from fan-favorite retailer Anthropologie? Didn't think so.
The bolster pillow would not only provide excellent lumbar support, but the soft pink adds a very subtle pop of color.
I gasped when I saw this cushion. Given the price, perhaps not one for a home with kids. Design-lovers who live alone, however? Make the investment!
Jennifer founded Niche Interiors in 2007 and has since led projects ranging from urban residences to expansive estates and destination properties throughout the West, including California, Hawaii and Montana. The firm is trusted by some of San Francisco and Silicon Valley’s most discerning clientele, including tech founders and CEOs and long-term legacy clients who often return for multiple homes across their properties. These relationships reflect Niche Interiors’ thoughtful and streamlined process, clear communication, and commitment to evolving with each client’s lifestyle and vision.
2. Toss In a Blanket
"Texture is another secret weapon," adds Laetitia Laurent of Laure Nell Interiors: "A bouclé or alpaca throw adds warmth and tactility, and draping it with intention breaks up the rigidity of a tailored sofa."
Adding a cozy blanket is another great option for cozying up an uncomfortable sofa. You can drape a throw across the back of the sofa for added support or texture, for instance, or perhaps even on the seat for a softer sit. Adding a throw also allows you to further customize the look of the couch according to your own tastes and design sensibilities.
"To up the cozy factor on a hard-cushioned or a leather sofa, I recommend tossing a throw blanket in a beautiful natural fiber like cashmere or mohair," Ksenya suggests. "It gives warmth and the sensation of luxurious comfort."
You could even use queen-size throw blankets, adds Kimbilyn Charbonneau of Kim Joy Design. "Most sofa blankets at home goods stores are very small. My trick is to use bedding blankets, so there is plenty to snuggle up in or share if need be."
The blue here is bold, but that's why I like it! Toss over a navy sofa for some nice color blocking, or use it for contrast on a white one.
Simple and easy. These earthy brown hues will work with any sofa color, forever, so this is an affordable buy you can hold onto.
I'll admit that this jacquard throw looks more like decor than a means to a cozy end, but its tapestry-like design was too unique to pass up.
Time & Place Interiors founder Ksenya Malina draws on her knowledge of art and design history to make each client’s home feel sophisticated and authentic. Through her access to one-of-a-kind vintage and cutting-edge contemporary designs, Ksenya opens doors for homeowners to enjoy living in a bespoke, luxurious environment. Ksenya’s blended background in art and business helps her manage projects that are not only designed creatively, but also run efficiently. She has a B.A. in art history from NYU College of Arts & Sciences, and a MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. Ksenya has worked for luxury interior design studios where she oversaw procurement and operations; for Christie’s auction house where she interacted with the best of fine and decorative arts; and for a Big Four global consulting firm at which she fine-tuned exceptional client service practices. Ksenya is a certified WELL AP through the International WELL Building Institute, demonstrating a commitment to healthy design, and a member of the Female Design Council. She lives in Manhattan.
3. Add Somewhere to Rest Your Feet
"Ottomans are also flexible furniture pieces that can be repurposed for extra seating or for holding a cocktail tray," Ksenya explains.
Perhaps your couch is uncomfortable when you sit in it a certain way. Or perhaps it's only comfortable when you sit in it a certain way. Whatever side of that coin you're experiencing, an ottoman could make it easier to sit in whichever manner you prefer.
A floating ottoman, for instance, whether storage or traditional, allows loungers an extra place to put their feet, as well as an opportunity to recline perhaps a touch more than they would otherwise, thereby elevating the sitting experience.
"Whether it's a shapely footstool, a storage ottoman, or a cushioned pouffe, pulling up an extra piece of furniture can help you take a load off. Just make sure that the ottoman's size lines up with the seat height of the sofa," Ksenya advises. "Ottomans are also flexible furniture pieces that can be repurposed for extra seating or for holding a cocktail tray." Great advice, indeed.
This multifaceted fabric storage ottoman would be great for a family home — use it as a place to put your feet, a place to store board games and blankets, a quasi-coffee table, or even an extra seat when needed.
Leather doesn't always scream "comfort," but this pouffe is so chic I had to include it. Plus, it's stuffed with a soft foam filling, so there is more coziness here than meets the eye.
This cream-colored pouffe adds texture to your scheme with its boho-like charm and handwoven feel. Not only will your feet have a soft and cozy place to land, but your couch will look more comfortable just arranged next to this.
4. Consider the Room as a Whole
It's true — the right rug can make a room (and therefore the couch within it) feel that much cozier. And better yet, a new rug is typically much less expensive than a new couch!
Bear with me — what if your sofa is actually more comfortable than you think, but it's the room that's the problem? Laetitia suggests as much when coming up with tips to share on the topic.
"Sometimes the comfort issue isn’t the sofa itself but the room around it," she explains. "Pulling the sofa forward off the wall and grounding it with a proper rug instantly creates a more enveloping seating zone — the kind that invites people to actually stay awhile."
It's almost like an optical illusion or a placebo effect.
Size: 152 cm x 244 cm
A subtle pattern and 100% wool? Comfort and coziness are the name of the game with this simple but stunning hand-tufted rug.
Size: 200 x 290 cm
Believe it or not, this could actually be a good option for a home with kids or pets, considering the the different colors/pattern might help disguise stains.
Size: 200 x 290 cm
This rug is high pile (a.k.a. cozy and comfortable as can be), but it won't shed — the best of both worlds! Better yet, it is insanely well-reviewed, which means you won't have any buyer's remorse like you do with your couch!
5. Refluff and Redo
"If a piece has lost its 'plushness,' re-stuffing seat cushions with a higher-density foam core wrapped in down can completely revive it," Laetitia adds.
Although this tip might seem a bit more involved than the others, it is a good option for those who feel fresh out of them: restuff your cushions. You don't necessarily have to remove what's already in there, but adding some additional fill might make your sitting experience that much more comfortable.
If you're taking more of a DIY approach, perhaps try to "mix cushion fills for both support and coziness," per Marta Balazs, founder at Embee Interiors. "The most comfortable couches use a blend of feather/down for softness and foam for stability."
If your couch feels too stiff, add two large feather-down cushions, she says. "If it feels too soft, incorporate cushions with firmer foam inserts." You can find fiber stuffing on Amazon for cheap.
Or, you can also ask the professionals to help you with this part. Take your cushions "to an upholstery shop and ask them to just add more padding," says Alykhan Velji of Aly Velji Designs. "A simple and easy solution to get more life out of your sofa."
Indeed, a small investment that can completely save the large one you just made.
A lot of interior design involves making lemonade out of lemons. And in this instance, that's exactly what you gotta do. If none of these hacks help, however, and you'd rather just start over with a new sofa, perhaps center your search on quick-delivery sofas that you can have up and running by Christmas Eve.
