Sofa Seat Firmness Explained: Soft, Medium or Firm?

Medium firmness suits most households, because it combines enough support to sit upright with enough give to relax in the evening. Soft seats suit people who like to curl up and lounge, while firm seats are better for anyone who values easy standing, good posture or a crisp, tailored look. The feel of a sofa comes from what sits inside the cushions and the frame beneath them, and the same label can mean different things from one design to another. In this guide we explain what soft, medium and firm really mean in practice, how foam, fibre, feather and springs each contribute, and how seat depth and height change the way firmness is felt. We also cover how cushions settle over time, which firmness tends to suit different people and rooms, and a simple routine for testing a sofa so you can choose a comfort level that will still feel right years from now....