Sofa cushions are not comprised of ordinary foam or batting. They are actually quite complex and engineered. I personally have never met anyone who was happy with their home-made cushion cores, they fail quickly. If you are going to use a single bench cushion, the issue compounds itself as you have more area to cover with a single core and casing.

If I were to do that project, I would carefully measure the existing case area in both depth, length and estimate a height you want, then go to a USA-made company and order a cushion from them that has similar specs, for example Taylor king's Spring Down seat. Expect to pay around $ 300 for the core, which will be a Marshall Unit Spring Down.

https://www.taylorking.com/furniture/paradigm-sofa-3/?category=sofas

That cost is the thing. I can't afford $300. I'm trying to find a solution that's less expensive. Thanks for your suggestion, though.

Do you have a place anywhere near you that sells foam? They may be able to give suggestions or even have a better foam product to use.
Idk. I’d start googling. Maybe some kind down filler over the foam? Foam for support and a bunch of down pillows or comforter filling for fluff?

poollivingthedreamnow

I didn't think about down filling. I'll check it out.

smiling

So many good suggestions! Thank you.

I do sew and plan to make the cushion myself. I can't imagine it would be any different than a regular box cushion. Just bigger. I hadn't thought about bolsters, but that's a great idea. It does have caning in the arms, and I would hate to have to kill my husband for putting his foot through it. :)

Using memory foam as the core is another great idea. I'll have to see how the price compares to foam. I was able to get a huge 4" piece for another project from Home Depot for $40. It's held up quite well.

I'm not sure how I'll deal with the decking yet. It's tacked at the back and front and covers the springs. I can't imagine that would be terribly hard to replace either.

Of course by the time I buy all the stuff I need, I might do better paying $300 for it. :)

Thanks again for all the great ideas!

I think that your plan would work.

If the foam that is in the seat cushions right now is a good quality high density foam, you are good to go.

If you increase the height of the seat cushions in any substantial degree, it it going to make them sit higher and the effect will be to have lessened the height of the back cushions. That is something to consider. It might not be very comfortable.

As to that bit of upholstered decking.....

You could create a small drape that hangs down from the front edge of your recovered seat cushion that just simply covers it. Just sew the drape in to the seam along the front edge of the cushion, either from the top of the cushion ,or even from the bottom edge of the cushion. Have it be long enough to cover the decking.

While I do think that this is completely doable, it would be pretty much obscuring and undermining the design and construction of the couch. By the time you do all of that you are only using the frame to hold new sofa cushions, and it is not going to matter much that is caned or that the back is a scalloped shape.. By the time you do all of that, there is not much point in having THAT couch.

The fact that you want to change so much about it seems to point to the fact that you really don't like it much. It doesn't look to be a really comfortable couch to sit on and no amount of lofty batting is going to change that. I really don't think it will ever be the comfy sink into couch that you are hoping for. The frame, the design and the size were never meant for that. This looks more like a couch where you might be asked to sit and wait a few minutes, but not the couch that you are gong to want to lounge about on.

It is doable, but I don't think that you really like that couch very much since you want to change almost everything about it.

I would suggest that you consider just adding some big and scrunchy and soft pillows to what you have. Use some nice print. I think it would give you more advantage than trying to do all that you are considering. If some big squishy pillows don't do it, neither will recovering the cushions.

Round bolsters are almost useless and would only end up taking up space on the couch and still leave you to contend with those hard arm rests. Make pillows at least 24" square and don't stuff them so tightly that they are rigid. Leave some squish room in the casing. I would suggest at least three of them, or even four. They could be used to cushion the hard arm rests when you sit and positioned anywhere that you want to feel a soft cushiony feel. I think that you will be, ultimately, better served by some fabulous pillows.

Even though what you want to do is doable, it might be in vain and I don't think that you like anything much about the couch in the first place since you are trying to change it into something else.

dallasannie

I do like the lines of the couch. The only thing I really want to do is lose is the upholstery. It looks like something my grandma would have. I plan to use only seat cushions. I'll remove the back cushions so you can the shape of the back. You may be right about the height of the cushions. Maybe just adding some batting around the existing foam would be a better idea. I don't like it with just the foam. Like I mentioned, it's way too rigid. I want something a little bit softer. The sun room is actually part of the master bedroom. I want it to be a little reading area. However, my husband will sleep on anything that doesn't move out from under him. Thanks for the suggestions.

Joann Fabrics sells foam. Also, here in Michigan there is a place called The Foam Factory. I have taken cushions there and they will cut the foam to replace your saggy cushion foam,or you can buy foam from them. I was amazed by all the foam “stuff” they sold.

i think their foam came in 3 different strengths.

I used to have a business and one of the things that I use to made were long cushions for benches and window seating. I went to a dealer who sold high density foam and bought good stuff from them. I still have a long cushion that I made for myself out of what I had left over from a job. It is a couple of decades old and I use as a foam mattress on the floor for young grandson when he is here. A window seat cushion and is very much what you are trying to make, it seems.

I can completely understand what you say about the upholstery. That shade of blue does look dated.

What you want to do seems perfectly doable but those arm rests are going to be very hard to lean your arm on or to prop against if you don't have something to cushion them. I am assuming that you would want to get into a comfortable position for sitting and reading, and that seems to usually be some reclined position, unless you are one who relaxes sitting straight up with your back against the back cushions and your feet on the floor. Not many people do that.

The existing cushions will probably be fine for you to reuse. If they were used in a professional upholstery job, they are likely to be just fine. You might even consider leaving the seat cushions as is and making one large padded casing that you put all three cushions into, You could put a zipper opening around the back side so that it all zips up snugly into the casing, and that would keep it from slipping around like a slip cover would. And, you could still create a short drape over the front of this casing that would fall down in front of that decking that you are hoping to hide.

That way there is no need to disturb the integrity of the seat cushions. Just encase them, as is. Once you start cutting into those cushions you are into quite a mess. As it is, it appears to be a neat job of upholstery and structure. Don't destroy that. Make that work for you.

You might also consider using some type of mattress topper rather that batting.

The back cushion is a bit more problematic. I would also recommend that you not disturb that, either. Your best bet is to basically make a fitted slipcover of some shape to fit down over it. Perhaps you could fill in the area between the "ears" with an arch shaped piece of foam insert in some manner.. Be careful of adding too much padding to the back cushions as it will take away depth from the seating deck and make your couch more narrow.

I have done many such things as this in my many years. Some were stunningly successful and some were not worth the effort and expense. After having been around that block a time or two, I see the potholes in the road. I wish you luck and I assure that you can do it, but I really think the you are trying to turn this little couch in to something that it is not ever going to be and was never intended to be.. Perhaps there is somewhere else in your house where it can just be itself.

Or, you can just do as so many others do and cover it up with laundry that needs folding or hang your clothes off of it. Not recommended!

I see your vision and I like it. Sweet piece of furniture.

Should I use one layer of high loft batting? Can I use two so you really sink down into the cushion? Also, should I shorten the foam (front to back) to allow for the extra batting? Thanks in advance!

There are different thickness/weights of batting. There's also some type of spray adhesive you can use on foam before wrapping it with batting. I would probably stick with one thick layer of batting. If you do use 2 layers, maybe spray between layers, as well. You said that you might remove the back that's currently on the sofa. In that case, I would not shorten the foam (front to back).

Please post with photos as you take apart this upholstery and give it new life : )

Hi! In general, your new couch is quite the find! You often don't see well preserved, quality caning like that still around. So kudos for that!

Also, the style is unique and special. Again, a rare, rare find.

Though I do understand your feelings about redoing/removing the cushions, keep this in mind:

1) Color- You stated that this is for bedroom's sunroom. (Love it!) A sunroom is more or less unanimous with a gardenroom. So that said, that "teally" color is dead on. Plus, it works with the latest color trend now. That aside, work with that shade with some lights/darks of it's self, and varieties with it. Use those original cushions as the base without cutting into them or out completely.

2) The STYLE is what you want to keep-right? It's the style you need for the overall look to work. The couch is very sleek, refined, no fuss. The canning is PERFECT for a garden/sunroom-the trellis look is again a no-brainer here. Don't hind the canning or the framework unless you truly want to take the art & beauty of the piece away. So no skirts, no over-the-top pillows. The orig. cushions are styled that way to complement the framework of the couch-they're tight, squarish, precise: identical to the canning design. Think of the original placement for this way back: a parlor room meant to show off your finest wares for the public to see while they wait for the host to greet them. That couch is really a piece of high crafted art- you sat just long enough to enjoy the room's ambiance and the home's worth(supposedly).

To continue, no. 3)

The cost and time involved. Personally, I would really, really, leave the original cushions on as they are. And before you start freaking out, just please hear my reasoning. Even though the task is doable by you or a specialty pro, that's beside the point. Just add some tailored pillows to your desired softness/firmness. I would keep both on it for whomever sits there. Tuck the extras in a storage table beside the couch or close nearby. Have two though that are exclusively meant for the arms that are medium soft-flexible to bend but firm to mold with the side torso of someone sitting there. ALSO, I would use an outdoor fabric that can be easily cleaned and is durable for the arms' area. Nowadays they make really nice outdoor/indoor fabrics to pick from. But use the color pallet with some of that teal variation in it to coordinate some.

You could get a small/twin bed topper for the seating- with extra,extra padding. Perhaps a synthetic feather topper doubled up? Just drape it on,but don't hide the front legs or framework. When not in use, fold it to the side or off center on the top. Remember, you're just accenting the couch. Not covering it up. You wouldn't want to hide a great piece of art! Plus, you can easily change it up with the coordinating pillows.

If the placement gets a lot of sunlight, might want to move the couch because it'll do havoc to the orig fabric and wood. Also, lighter colors might do alittle better due to the darker color already there on the couch and fading won't be seen as easy too.

The base is a wonderful starter point. Have fun with it! Keep the original cushions as is and accent with the perfect, tailored, custom pillows and toppers/coverlets that work for you. All the money and labor of taking the orig out is not needed. Use that effort to quide you in the accent pieces. Pick some fabulous fabrics and splurge on one or two and make that "just what you want"piece! Think outside of the box for interior foam and/or repurposing foam uses. A splurge throw is an option too.

Finally, after all that- you should have a sit-down talk with the hubby and make sure he doesn't kick the side out of the couch if he decides to lay down. Remind him the bed is nearby.

PS. Please take after pics to show us how it turned out!! THX😊

I agree with the last two posters who urge you to take a look at the assets of this couch and don't try to alter them. Don't work against it.

Trying to do anything as drastic as altering the cushions in size and loft and purpose undermines the structure and design of this couch.

I, also, recommended that you consider layers of scrunchy and squishy pillows, looking at mattress toppers, feather beds, etc. to enhance the comfort level but not destroy the design and function of it.

There are more possibilities when you get away from the idea of trying to change it's basic structure. Maybe try a less intensive approach and give it some pretty, soft clothes. There are some really pretty linens that can be had, and almost unlimited fabric choices for squishy pillows. A very nice blanket or a very soft cuddly throw of a nice fiber would be nice.

And, after you have invested in these pillows and things, you have them to use anywhere else. Instead of spending your money on fabric to recover cushions and batting, new foam, etc, , spend it on something that you are likely to still have and be able to use even if you no longer have the couch.

Do you knit? It would be fun to knit a nice throw.

Sometimes, we need to think these things through a bit more.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Based on everyone’s input, here’s my plan. I’ll use the existing foam in the seat cushions and add a single layer of batting just to soften those hard edges. Make new box cushions with white matelasse. That way, I can wash/bleach it when it needs it. I’ll also make some smaller (12x16) throw pillows that can be used to make the arms more comfy when lounging. I don’t want to use any kind of cushion on the back. That will hide the caning and unusual shape. As for the decking, I’ll just cover the existing fabric with the same white matelasse. Wish me luck.

Luck! to you.

but, I suggest that you make those pillows much larger. It needs to be able to kind of drape over the rigid arm rests. Otherwise they will be slipping away and will not stay at all where you want them to be.

I have an Ikea chair that has become my chair that I use in the evening when relaxing and netflixing and it has hard wooden arm rests. I pad it up with a couple of pillows, but they have to be of a good size in order to do any good. Gonna replace it when I can. It is so uncomfortable to spend much time in. Those hard arm rests just get harder and harder the longer my arm rests against them. Very uncomfortable! Most of us have very little "padding" on our forearm or elbows.