Kareen
I had a sofa and loveseat with one cushion made by King Hickory for about 15 years and I loved them. The cushions actually had straps on the side and hooked into place. I never had any kind of problem with them. My only regret is I can't find anything like it now. I just purchased a 3 seat cushioned leather sofa and am already having doubts about it.
I have seen sofas online with one cushion, but there is not much to choose from in my area.

I like sofas with single cushions. The only issue is the filling. If it or the fabric are too stiff, the ends of the cushion can pop up if you sit in the center. If you go with that, it's a good idea to see if you have some clips or velcro strips that helps keep the cushion in place. Singles tend to crawl a bit because they are longer than normal. Just be sure to give it a thorough sit-test before buying. Do one person, and then two. See how it sits. That can be adjusted with the cushion fill. Just be sure the fabric isn't stiff or that it doesn't have a very stiff backing of any type.

About a year after we purchased our 3 cusion leather sofa, I was so unhappy with the cushions and also setting on leather. I actually went to an upholstery in our area and fully intended to have my cushions recoved with a chenile fabric. The guy as me if I had considered replacing the 3 cushions with a single cushion. At first I thought I might not like it but he showed me other sofas in his shop where he had replaced the cushions with a single cushion. Nevertheless, I did replace the 3 cushions with a single cushion and I love it. It stays in place and no flipping on the ends. I highly recommend it if you can find someone that knows what they are doing. The cusion without the fabric ran me about $180.00. Money well spent.

My sofas aren't a one-cushion design, but i recently visited a home that had a vintage/classic-looking settee. Now, those really aren't family sofas. It was lovely, comfy as i sat reading my book in the sunny room where it was located. I think all settees have upholstered seats, not cushions. But the one thing that came to me was that if the seat doesn't get "equal" use on both ends, eventually it would get saggy and soft in one place, and that'd be a pain to restore.

I'd think that the same thing would happen to a sofa with one cushion. (Tho I really do love the look; to me, with the right fabric, it's contemporary, which I love. With a different fabric, it's a totally different look.)

I have a one-cushion loveseat from Mitchell gold. Granted, its not a sofa, but I've had no problems with it. I like the look of a one-cushion also...they seem a little more formal or something.

Thank you everyone, I feel so much better about getting one now. They aren't easy to find here either but one store has 2 of them and we are going to another store tomorrow to check that out. I had posted the one I love from Winterthur here but the color of the chair is making me look elsewhere. Thanks again.....Kareen

Hi Kareen,
I am just seeing this for the first time. I pop over here once in a while.
I have 2 two cushion sofas Clayton Marcus sofas that are 5 yrs old. I never had 2 cushions before, always had a sectional in the den. I want to replace them with 3 cushion, but seeing your post is making me think!
My reasons are that when we have company, only 2 will sit on the sofa. I thought that with 3 cushions, I would get more seating. Our sofas are very comfy to stretch out on, but so deep that you can't sit back and have your feet on the floor.
So why do you dislike the 3 cushions???

Kathleen , you've got mail......

I have had the same brand and style sofa for 22+ years this is my 2nd set "ONE" cushion, tons of buttons very comfortable with firm cusions...I need to replace the set again and guess what ....I found the exact same set again made by England Very resonably priced and I can pick my own Fabric through our local Shermans Store's catolog in Peoria,Ill. where I bought the other 2 sets. Here is the Web site for England Furniture:
http://www.furnitureandcarpetsource.com/vendor_links/england.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: England Furniture

I have had the same brand and style sofa for 22+ years this is my 2nd set "ONE" cushion, Oak wood trim on sides, tons of buttons very comfortable with firm cusions...I need to replace the set again and guess what ....I found the exact same set again made by England Very reasonably priced and I can pick my own Fabric through our local Shermans Store's catolog in Peoria,Ill. where I bought the other 2 sets. Here is the Web site for England Furniture: "Prosperity" style # 1145 on page #6
http://www.furnitureandcarpetsource.com/vendor_links/england.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: England Furniture

Thanks for asking this question. That's exactly what I want to do to the Pottery Barn Basic sofa in my front room. I'd like to get a single (I think it's called a bench seat?) seat cushion, and change the three back cushions to two. (Also get a new slipcover, I guess.)

Somehow, it always seems "messy" with the multiple cushions, and I'd like a more tailored look. Any idea where I could get this done?

{{!gwi}}

zuzus, I LOVE your room. The colors are beautiful, I love the paneling, and the armoire goes wonderfully with it all. I also love the color of the slipcovers, but I don't think my family could possibly keep it looking good. Also like the pillows!! I am so challenged when it comes to decorating my own house :(

Wow, I was surprised to see this topic pop up again. We just got back from a furniture store , still no luck with what I want. They had 2 bench cushion sofas in the whole store and neither did it for me . Thanks Shutterbug for the link , one of the furniture stores had suggested that maybe they were the makers of the set I like at Winterthur...that one is now gone from the catalog. Kareen

About the issue of a single long cushion wearing unevenly: if the cushion is properly made, all you do is turn it, side to side and upside down, if I'm explaining that clearly.

We have a sofa with a single-seat cushion and two back cushions in our den, and I love it. All the cushions are so worn (because I nap there every day and sometimes sleep there at night - very good for my back) that I'm about to take them in and have new ones made.

Zuzus, would you be kind enough to tell me about your chandelier...I love it!

Thanks kathie, it's supposed to be a hot air balloon. I bought it on eBay (just the frame in a rusty finish), then painted and embellished it with beads and crystals.

The obvious answer is that if you get a large stain and it isn't easily removed you have only ONE alternative: flip the cushion! (and hope to hell you don't get a similar stain on the side that's "up").

As one who makes covers for cushions, the first question that pops into my mind is: WHY do you hate the 3 cushion configuration? what makes it unworkable for your family? do the cushions not "nestle" well, do they "work forward" under use?

3 cushions seems like redundancy, UNTIL some fool drops "the roach" and burns a hole in the fabric and the foam. Or Jr. pukes up dinner and you can't get the stain out... . The whole idea behind 3 cushions is "damage control" (IF the fabric is still available). That's the theory, anyway.

One cushion sofas are pretty rare, actually. Generally, if it's "one cushion" it's usually fully upholsered. Or really cheap. I'm not saying you don't find one cushion sofas, rather, I'm offering the rationale behind multiple cushions.

Thanks Chelone,
Yes the cushions do move forward and don't nestle well. And I really like the one cushion look . If I find one I will keep you in mind and get extra fabric. Kareen

Zusu I was wondering if you would not mind sharing the color that you used on the walls. This is a very pretty room.

Kalinka (long time lurker)

many higher end sofa companies will allow you to modify the regular cushions for no extra cost or an upcharge. I found this out after many visits to furniture stores.

I have a single cushion down sofa made by Century that I purchased in 1994. I have taken good care of it and it looks almost as good as when I purchased it 25 years ago. There is no sagging or broken down cushion. I have even had guest tell me it was incredibly comfortable to sleep on. I flip and fluff the cushion regularly and it looks fabulous. When I purchased the sofa I also had custom fitted slipcovers made for the frame the single down cushion and the five pillows. They fit like a glove and have given me the versatility I desired. When helping my adult children look for furniture I too found it difficult to find single cushion sofas. This suggestion may help, try searching the internet for: single bench cushion sofa or single bench cushion down sofa. I had never heard the reference "BENCH" used before but it did return many more options to choose from. I hope you will find this suggestion helpful. 01/2019 MsRMG66

My Century Single Cushion Sofa is similar to this: https://www.centuryfurniture.com/product-detail.aspx?sku=LTD7292-2&section=

msrmg, hopefully she's made a decision. I do agree with what you say, tho..

This is an old thread, but I am finding it very helpful because many of the sofas and sectionals I am seeing these days have bench cushions. I have been resistant about wanting one because of the “damage control” idea (ability to rotate, flip, etc 3 cushions) and the few bench seats I have sat on tend to pop up at one end if one person sits on the other end. But one company I am looking at does have tie downs at the ends, so I guess that would help (the Maiden Home Sullivan sofa).

@Xty G (z4) did you end up going with the MH Sullivan? If so, wondering if you could provide an update on how the 1 cushion is working out? Are the ends staying tied down? How is the cushion itself holding up?

Ha! I still haven’t bought a sectional. Uggg. I was going to sit on some at Room and Board when we were supposed to visit San Fran in March, but of course we canceled our trip and have put off making any big purchases since then because we have so much else on our mind now. I am still dreaming though.

Bummer! Crazy times. FYI I've been checking there for sofas as well. Their lead times as of about 2 weeks ago were mid-late October at the earliest. Also, while I've heard phenomenal things about R&B customer service...I haven't been as impressed with their sofa construction quality at the price point (e.g. Flexolator spring system). Hope you find something you like!

The couch we are replacing is a R&B. It had the Flexolator system and was fine for the first 10 years, then the little plastic cross pieces started to break, so I hear you on not loving that system. The back cushions were fine for the first 5 years or so then started to look really floppy. I refilled them with poly fill and they have been fine since. I love the look and measurements of the Metro and Morrison though. I anticipate if I buy one of those that I will be refilling the back cushions in two to three years, but even with that, may still go with one of those. I would buy the Maiden Home Warren in a heart beat if the dimensions were correct for our house, but alas, that is not the case. We need at least 111”x111” sectional to fill the space.

I hear you. Metro and Morrison were top of our list as well! Best of luck!

Bstol what Sofa did you end up ordering?

Currently leaning toward the Warren. Fabric swatches arrive early next week, so pretty excited to test those out and see in person! Also considering a less expensive option from C&B with their upcoming upholstery sale, but for the difference in price, I'm leaning toward just getting the higher quality option from MH.

bstol, did you end up buying a Warren or something from C&B? I am finally taking time to think about this again, but still just as indecisive as ever.