Let’s be honest. There’s plenty of us out there who ended up with a broken sofa after only a month of use.
It’s a common thing with heavy people. There is nothing wrong with the sofa though. It just didn’t meet the requirement of your body.
The sofas for heavy people are quite different in their structure and form. With a bit of guidance and know-how you can identify them easily.
Check out other guides to research sofas for heavy people. They should lead you to some of the tested and proven sofas that worked for people like us.
For now, here are few things that will help you differentiate.
Things that make sofas for heavy people different than others
1. Heavy-build quality
The frame material will be a decisive factor. While wood is the best option, it’s also quite expensive. A mixture of wood or hardwood would be better. You can also go for steel frames and supports.
Check for reviews and find if there’s any history associated with breaking. Any sofa having a weight limit of 250-300 lbs and above should be good enough.
2. Bulky legs
Oftentimes, legs are the first to break in any couch or sofa. Long and angle legs are great for styling your home, but they are not suitable for heavy people.
The legs should be more bulky and thick. Wooden legs are the best in our opinion but steel will also do.
The number of legs is also crucial as the sofa should be able to distribute the weight equally. Some sofas even have a fifth leg installed in the middle and they are more durable.
3. Durable Fabric
Regular sofas have soft and light fabric. They are breathable but unsuitable for heavy people.
When a sofa is exposed to over 200 or 250 lbs, the fabric is prone to stretching and tearing ultimately. Look for heavy-duty fabric with tear and scratch resistant qualities.
Even if the feel is not plush, it should stand out to heavy weight, as our goal is for a long lasting product. You should also put enough effort to maintain the sofa fabric.
4. Firm and Quality Cushioning
Let’s face it. We all look for a soft and squishy sofa. The problem is softer sofas are weak and will lose their shape when exposed to heavy weight.
The better option is a firmer sofa that has a sort of bounce to it. These sofas generally last longer and will maintain the true shape.
The springs and the quality of the foam might be different for such sofas. If budget isn’t your concern, you can look for those details.
5. Seat Depth and Space
If you are a big individual, you can’t satisfy yourself with a tiny couch. You need something.
By bigger we mean there should be enough seat depth and the length should be adequate to rest your arms comfortably. Sofas with seat depth of more than 25-in will serve well. As for the length, you could find two or three seaters easily.
6. Shape of the Back
Recliners are best for heavy people. You will have a lot of freedom to stretch and rest your back.
Even if there’s no recliner option, the back of the seat must have a bit of incline or curve and not fully straight. Straight backs will keep you upright and can be uncomfortable in the long run.
Final Words….
Now you know what really differentiates a sofa for a heavy person from a regular one. Even if you are purchasing online, the above points should save you from buying a totally useless sofa unsuitable for your needs.
And sometimes, online reviews could save you time and money. Don’t jump straight to Amazon, do your research first.