GETTING YOUR FILL

What’s under the covers? Here’s what you don’t see… Foam: The most common sofa filling comes in various densities. The harder the foam, the harder the seat. The densest foams are usually used as a base, supplemented by the softer ones for moulding and turning corners. Polyester: The cheapest filling, it comes in loose fibres and in different densities, but it easily flattens out, so it’s best avoided

if your budget allows.

Coir: Made from coconut husks,

this was the go-to before the advent of foam. Your pre-loved armchair might contain this and

it may need replacing in the upholstering, adding to the cost. Batting aka wadding: A wrap in cotton, wool or polyester, this is fashioned around foam to help

cushions keep their shape. Feathers and down: The softest fillings, but they come at a price

premium and need frequent plumping. While soft, they offer less support and don’t retain their shape. Best for back cushions or as a wraparound high-density foam. For seat cushions: “For these, a feather and down wrap with a high-resilience foam core is best,” says Justin Puddick. For customers who don’t want to constantly plump up their cushions, high-resilience foam with a bonded polyester wrap is best. “Most quality sofas will use several different layers of foam and filling,” says a King Design Studio spokesperson. “Feather fill requires plumping and fluffing, but presents a lovely, lived-in feel over time, while memory foam

is easier to care for.” >