Cushion Comfort

Designer Steve Ross uncovers what's hiding inside sofa cushions.

This type of frame should last 20-25 years.

All About

Product Ideas

A good-quality frame will have doweled construction and hand-tied springs.

The fill is the most important factor for comfort. Foam rubber by itself is a poor choice for sofa cushions. After two to three years, it begins to lose its shape and color and begins to disentegrate.

The majority of sofas contain a smaller piece of foam wrapped in cotton batting and Dacron. This type of fill provides better comfort and should last eight to 10 years. Although more expensive, it's still moderately priced and provides a better value over time.

For the utmost in comfort, choose a down and feather combination fill. Called an envelope, it contains foam in the center with a outer layer of down and feather. You'll find these fills expressed in percentages, with the highest number being the feather content. Ross says a good combination is 75/25 for seat cushions, 50/50 for back cushions and 100% down for pillows.