How to Add More Padding to Sofa Cushions

Over time, even the best-quality sofa cushions can flatten out with heavy use. They may still be comfortable for sitting, but you'll notice the fabric wrinkling along the front edges and a squashed look. As long as the structure of the sofa itself remains sound, you don't need to buy a new couch. Simply add batting to your existing cushions to plump them up and renew their shape. Use rolled batting instead of loose fiberfill -- fiberfill looks lumpy and eventually spreads to the corners, enhancing the sag instead of solving it.

Seam ripper (optional)
Measuring tape
Rolled batting
Scissors
Spray adhesive
Needle and coordinating thread (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Take the cushions off the couch, and remove the covers. The vast majority of sofa cushion covers close with a zipper at the back. If yours are sewn shut, you'll have to rip out the seam. Insert the needle of the seam ripper under every second or third stitch, using the groove to cut the thread. Grasp the cut ends of the threads with your fingers and pluck it free.
- 2
  Shape the uncovered cushion with your hands, restoring the original shape as much as possible. Beat the cushion in from the sides to fluff it up a bit.
- 3
  Place the end of the measuring tape on the back edge of the cushion and wind it around the cushion from back to front and back again until the ends meet. This equals the length of batting you need for each cushion.
- 4
  Cut the batting to the measured length and coat one side with the spray adhesive. Allow it to dry for 30 seconds or so.
- 5
  Wrap the batting around the cushion the same way you did the measuring tape, allowing the two ends to meet in the middle of the back edge where the zipper sits. Smooth the batting as you go, but don't stretch it or it will tear.
- 6
  Cut smaller pieces of batting to fit the sides of the cushion, or wrap another piece all the way around perpendicular to the first one if you prefer. This provides extra cushioning on top, but in many cases, one layer of batting suffices.
- 7
  Pluck the edges of the batting with your fingertips to create a smooth contour and blend the edges together. As long as the bottom layer of the batting stays firmly affixed to the cushion foam, you can manipulate the top layer to mimic the original shape of the cushion. Just be careful to keep everything smooth and not create lumps and valleys by pulling pieces too tightly.
- 8
  Replace the cushion cover. Reach your arm all the way into the cover to make sure the cushion fills up the corners. This may take some manipulation and even be a bit of a struggle.
- 9
  Zip the cover closed, or re-sew the seam by tucking the raw edges under and sewing along the needle holes of the original seam.

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