Sofa Series (2 of 3): Tall, Short, Stiff, Sinky – Finding a Sofa That Actually Suits Your Body

Part of the Sofa Series – a three-part guide to making the right choice for comfort, style and real life.

Most people spend weeks – even months – researching their next car, phone or holiday. Yet when it comes to sofas, decisions are often made in under 20 minutes, based mostly on colour and whether it fits the corner of the living room.

But here’s the thing: comfort isn’t one-size-fits-all. A sofa that looks beautiful in the showroom might feel like a marshmallow for one person and a park bench for another. Your height, posture, age, and lifestyle all affect how a sofa performs for you. And since you’re likely to sit on it daily for years, it’s worth getting it right.

Here’s how to make sure your sofa suits your body as well as your space.

1. Seat Height: Feet on the Floor – or Not

Seat height is one of the most overlooked details and one of the most important. If your feet don’t touch the floor when you sit back, you’ll end up sliding forward or sitting awkwardly perched – neither of which are good for posture or comfort.

As a general rule:

• If you're shorter, look for seat heights around 40–43 cm (16–17 inches).

• If you're taller, 45–50 cm (17.5–19.5 inches) is usually more comfortable.

• Elderly users often benefit from higher seats to make standing up easier.

Testing in-store is essential. Sit all the way back, and see where your knees are. If they’re higher than your hips, or your feet dangle like a child’s, it’s a no.

2. Seat Depth: Are You a Lounger or a Percher?

Seat depth determines how far back you sit. If you love to curl up with your legs tucked in, a deep sofa is ideal. But if you prefer more structured, upright sitting – or if you have shorter legs – a deep seat can be uncomfortable and even lead to back strain.

Standard seat depth tends to be around 50–60 cm (20–24 inches). Anything above 65 cm (25.5 inches) is considered very deep – perfect for lounging, but not great for support.

Tip: If you like the look of a deep sofa but need more support, consider adding a firm lumbar cushion or bolster to reduce the depth when needed.

3. Back Support: Low, Cushiony or Upright and Supportive?

Low-backed sofas look sleek and contemporary, but they offer very little support if you’re planning to sit for long periods – especially if you’re working from your laptop or reading.

If comfort is a priority:

• Look for high backs if you need head and neck support.

• Cushion backs offer softness and a casual feel, but tend to need regular fluffing.

• Tight backs (where the upholstery is fixed) are neater and require less maintenance, but can be firmer.

If possible, sit on a sofa for at least 10 minutes before deciding – and try multiple sitting positions. No one sits upright all the time.

4. Firmness: Soft Enough to Sink, Firm Enough to Stand

A sofa that’s too soft may feel luxurious at first, but if you sink so deeply you need to roll out of it, the novelty wears off quickly. On the other hand, overly firm sofas can feel cold, uninviting and difficult to relax on.

The ideal is medium firmness – a supportive foam core with a feather or fibre wrap offers the best of both worlds: structure and softness.

Important: firmness isn’t just about comfort. It also affects how easy it is to get up, how the cushions wear over time, and how long the sofa retains its shape.

5. Special Considerations by Body Type and Lifestyle

A few targeted tips based on who’s using the sofa most often:

• Elderly users: Opt for higher seat height, firmer cushions, and arms to assist in standing.

• Children: Choose durable, washable fabrics, and consider rounded corners for safety.

• Tall people: Prioritise high backs and deep seats to support longer legs and torso.

• Short people: Shallower seats and lower backs prevent dangling legs and slouching.

• Multi-height households: Modular or sectional sofas offer flexibility and compromise.

Also consider how many people will use the sofa at once, and whether it needs to function as a guest bed, movie-watching nest or occasional workstation.

Final Thoughts

The perfect sofa isn’t just stylish – it’s supportive, well-proportioned and tailored to your body. Try it as you’d use it: shoes off, bag down, laptop or tea in hand. Take your time. You wouldn’t buy a mattress after a two-minute lie-down, so don’t rush this either.

Next up: legs, or no legs? Yes, it is a serious design question. Read part three of this series: Legs or No Legs? The Sofa Debate You Didn’t Know You Were Having

For more design advice that mixes the practical with the personal, explore the rest of the blog or subscribe to my newsletter.