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Raise your hand if you’re plus size and have ever feared sitting on a piece of furniture…

Shopping for a couch that will be sturdy and support your fat body is a true test of endurance. I’ve been researching brands and weight limits for couches and loveseats for the last 2 years, and it ain’t easy!

What’s surprised me the most about finding sturdy sofas for plus size people, is how little information brands want to give out about their weight limits and how they serve the plus size community. You can’t imagine how many emails have gone unanswered or how many “your brand isn’t a good fit for our product” responses I’ve received.

If you’ve tried to look up “sturdy couches for fat people” before, you know that there are lots of sites claiming they know what’s best, but often the couches they’re pushing haven’t been tested or are just mass produced disappointments.

In my 20’s I was a bonafide furniture sales-person so, I’d like to think I know a thing or two about construction and durability of furniture. At the end of the article I’ll tell you a little bit about what to look for when shopping for a sofa for you or your plus size family member!

Best Sofas for Plus Size Bodies

• Lovesac: The Best Adaptable Sectional
• Dream Sofa: The Best Custom Sofa
• Cozey: The Best Fully Exchangeable/Washable Sofa Covers
• Flexsteel: The Best Sturdy Sofa
• Allform: The Best Fully Steel Frame Sofa

Lovesac

This bean-bag turned sofa manufacturer has a cult following with fat people. Every time I ask my community what sofas they recommend for plus size people I hear numerous glowing reviews of the Lovesacs many sofa configurations. All of Lovesac’s “Sactionals” include a guarantee for life on hard pieces, and you can add pieces to your sofa anytime – they will remain compatible with new products for life. Plus, a 60 day in-home trial and free shipping on all orders! Word to the wise, these sofas do require a beginners knowledge of putting furniture together. On delivery day call a couple friends to make the job easier! Prices start around $2500.

Dream Sofa

Dream Sofa is a unique and exciting option in direct to consumer furniture. They offer a huge range of fully customizable pieces in a myriad of fabric options. When you start the design process someone helps guide you through your choices, and helps you decide on upgrades. Their upgrades include the oh-so-elusive spring coil cushions that will hold up to larger frames for lifetimes, and extra feet for added support and stability – everything plus size babes could ask for! Even better, every design has a lifetime warranty on the frame!

Cozey

Canadian brand Cozey, has made and tested one of their sofa designs to 400lbs/seat. We love the atmosphere sofa for it’s sleek modularity, and ease of putting it together (i’ve done it ya’ll – it really is easy!). The sofa comes in a myriad of beautiful colors, and usually arrives within 10 days of ordering. All of their covers come off and can be washed, and switched out any time you’d like – and the covers are even reasonably priced starting at $70/seat. Cozey is a medium firm feeling sofa that would be great for people struggling with knee or hip problems. It’s super easy to get in and out of, none of that sinking in that makes you feel stuck to your couch for days. Prices for a loveseat start around $1000.

Flexsteel

Flexsteel sofas can be found at furniture dealers across the country. They’re known for their durable construction and steel springs. Sturdy couches could be their middle name (but it’s not because brands don’t have middle names, silly!). Flexsteel carries petite apartment sized couches that are budget friendly, and also carry more expensive pieces like their reclining sectionals. Prices start around $1000.

Allform

Allform doesn’t offer the couch variety that many other companies do, but sometimes doing one thing really really well makes for a great product! Their frames (not just the springs) are made completely of steel. They offer one one style in various configurations. This sofa gets rave reviews on reddit, and is super affordable at $1,495.

What should you look for when shopping for sturdy couches?

• Ask about the weight limit. In general, companies like Ashley Furniture and other mass produced (*cough* crappy *cough*) brands will have weight limits on their sofas that allow the company to not honor warranties if the owner is over the set amount. Many of the brands seen on this list don’t have stated weight limits because their sofas should be able to hold up to use from all bodies.
• Many of us grew up with the pleather craze of the 90’s and have grown averse to leather. But when you’re spending a pretty penny on a sofa there is nothing that will stand the test of time quite like it. Consider looking for top grain leathers and trying a few couches that don’t use any fake leather in their pieces and see if you change your mind – your sofa could last years longer! Tightly woven fabrics are your next best bet!
• Ask how the piece is constructed. In general, hardwood and plywood are strongest while MDF and particle board don’t hold up. Additionally, the more use of things like dovetail joints in the construction, the better.
• Give it a good shake!!!! If your sofa is going to stand up to plus size bods the arms should not wiggle or move at all when you pull back and forth on them.
• Ask how long a companies “lifetime” warranty is and what it covers. Many companies offer additional coverage for accidents – if you’re spending more than 2k on a sofa it’s never a bad idea to get the additional coverage!
• Ask what the springs in the sofa are made of and how far apart they are. In general, the more springs the better. And springs in your seat cushions mean that you won’t be re-filling your cushions with fluff every few years!

Are you feeling ready to find your next plus size sofa? Have you had a great experience with a brand that wasn’t mentioned here? Let me know in the comments!