Are There Air-Filled Sofa Cushions?

Blow-Up Sofas

• Although they are not practical for long-term, everyday use, blow-up sofas are not without their kitschy charm. Blow-up sofas are made of durable plastic and come in a variety of colors and sizes. They are low to the ground and have no hard edges, making them ideal for decorating a child's play area. Comfortable and spill-proof, blow-up sofas are also well suited to rec rooms, game rooms and family rooms.

Fiber

• Among the more common materials used to fill sofa cushions is polyester fiber. It is meant to mimic the look and feel of down- and feather-filled sofas, but without the high cost associated with these materials. Polyester fiber is soft and less dense, giving a less formal, cozier look and feel. The fibers do compact with regular use, and cushions require regular flipping and rotating to maintain a crisp look and comfortable feel.

Down and Feathers

• High-end, expensive sofas are often filled with a mixture of down and feathers. Goose and duck are the most commonly used feather types. Feathers offer support and structure, while down offers loft and softness. The most sought-after mixtures contain more down than feathers, though 100 percent down is rare in couch cushions, as it does not offer any support. Cushions stuffed with down and feathers need to be fluffed daily to prevent clumping and settling. Combinations of foam and feathers are also available, including feather-wrapped foam.

Polyurethane

• Polyurethane foam comes in low, medium and high densities, as well as varying degrees of firmness. Foam is comfortable, durable and inexpensive. Higher-density foams last longer and won't have to be replaced as often, but lower density foam is softer. According to Colorado State University, good-quality foam should have a density of at least 1.8 pounds per cubic foot.