If you’ve ever bought a sofa then you’re probably familiar with the different fillings available. Understandably, however, our first thought is usually regarding how the sofa looks as opposed to how it feels, when, actually, it’s the latter that will be more important when your new sofa arrives in your home, and you’ve had a chance to wear it in, so to speak.
While all the terms and jargon can be a little confusing, you’ll be happy to know that sofa fillings are actually quite straightforward. The three main fillings are foam, fibre and feather, but as you look at more sofas you’ll hear that many sometimes use one or a combination of fillings for a slightly different feel.
Here’s a little more information on each of the three main fillings you’ll come across:
Foam Cushion Sofas
One of the more popular sofa fillings is foam, which is the firmest out of all the sofa fillings and provides the most supportive sit. One of the main advantages of foam is the material’s reactive qualities, meaning the cushions keep their shape after use and do not require regular plumping – a disadvantage of fibre and feather-filled cushions.
Foam cushions can vary in density and this, along with the spring system, determines how firm the seat will feel.
Fibre Cushion Sofas
Fibre cushions are very similar to feather-filled cushions, but the main difference is that fibre is made from man-made polyester and is not a natural product. Fibre cushions consist of hollow strands of polyester that are pumped full of air to give the sofa a plumper feel and softer seat. As air is expelled from the cushion through use, the cushions need to be plumped regularly to restore their shape.
Fibre is great for those who prefer a softer feel that’s more resilient and durable than feather.
Feather Cushion Sofas
Feather cushions provide a softer feel and less rigid look than foam, but you’ll need to regularly plump the cushions to restore them to their shape. These cushions tend to include fibre as well as feathers to prevent the latter from clumping.
Feather cushions are becoming less common as technology and fibre alternatives improve. While we don’t have any on display, it’s definitely worth knowing the differences between feather and fibre cushions.
Foam, Feather and Fibre Combinations
With improving technology it’s common for sofa fillings to include two of the main elements above. One of the more common, and popular, examples are cushions that constitute a foam core with a fibre wrap. These cushions provide the rigid look of foam cushions, need less plumping, and offer a softer feel than foam-only models.
