A sagging sofa can be very uncomfortable, but before you go out and replace it, find out how you can repair it yourself.
In the years since you bought your beautiful sofa, you may have amassed a clan of people and pets who spend every waking – and occasionally sleeping – moment on it. That kind of action will wear on any furniture. If your sofa has you sagging instead of sitting, then it’s time for repair.
Should you repair your sagging sofa?
The first question you may want to ask yourself is, how much do you love the sofa? Is it new and potentially still under warranty? If the couch is older, and showing signs of wear and tear beyond the sagging, it may be time to invest in a new one. Of course, new furniture can be expensive, so here are some quick tips on how to fix a sagging couch and breathing life back into your sofa.
Remove the cushions and inspect everything. Where is the sagging coming from – the cushions or the frame? Or both? Depending on the level of sag, you may need to reinforce both the cushions and the frame at the same time.
Cushions
Usually a sagging sofa is a result of flattening cushions. Most sofa cushions have zippered covers you can remove in order to replace the foam. If the cushion is worn but still in tact, reinforce it by adding a new layer of foam. Cut two half-inch thick layers of foam to the dimensions of the cushion. Unzip the cushion cover and slide the new foam pieces on top and underneath, sandwiching the existing cushion. If the cushion’s existing foam has started to dry out and crumble, it should be replaced entirely. Choose foam thicker than a half inch so it fills the cushion covers.
Frame
Turn the couch upside down to look for damage to springs or parts of the frame. If needed, use small pieces of wood to reinforce cracked or broken parts of a wooden frame. You can also create a splint on metal frames using strips of wood and heavy-duty tape.
The simplest quick fix to a sagging sofa frame is to lay a piece of plywood sized to fit underneath the couch cushions. This will provide instant support. Just cut a piece of strong plywood the length of the couch. Keep the edge a couple of inches from the edge of the cushion. You don’t want to feel the plywood on the backs of your legs, just the support underneath you. If you want a little more comfort, wrap the plywood in a thin piece of foam before putting in place. Put the cushions back on – no more sagging.
Try to avoid a sagging couch in the first place by rotating sofa cushions regularly. This will prevent them from getting too worn in one spot. Encourage children not to flop down or bounce on the couch, as that will definitely strain the frame.
