Difficulty of Making a Single Cushion Couch

Types of Single Cushion Couches

• A single cushion couch features one large cushion. One type is similar to a futon because the cushion covers both the seat and back of the couch. The padding pulls off easily for cleaning. You might find this on a sleeper sofa because you remove the cushion before pulling out the mattress. Some couches feature a single cushion as the seat for the piece. The back of the sofa has padding added to the wood or metal frame, which the manufacturer wraps in foam or another type of padding before covering with fabric.

Determining the Fit

• When making a couch, you might have difficulties determining the fit of the cushion. If you make the cushion too large, it will not fit properly on the couch. Cushions that are too small leave a gap between the arms and the couch itself. The fit of the cushion includes the thickness of the material. When the cushion lacks adequate padding, it sinks down into the couch. Adding too much padding creates an overstuffed cushion that sits too high above the seat.

Making a Cover

• Couch cushions have a fabric covering that protects the padding from stains and other damage. When you make your own couch, you must determine whether you want a removable cover or a permanently attached cover. A removable cover contains a zipper for accessing the padding, while you stitch a permanent cover directly to the padding. The trick involves making the fabric wrap tightly around the padding without any gaps. Even a small gap between the padding and fabric makes the couch look sloppy.

Picking the Padding

• The right padding makes your couch feel comfortable and relaxing. Polyurethane foam is inexpensive and creates a soft seat, but breaks down faster than some of the other padding options. Spring-down cushions have a firmer seat and last longer because the padding uses cushioning springs wrapped in foam. You also have the option of padding that combines springs, feathers and foam. You might suffer difficulties cutting the padding and making it fit inside the couch.