5 Sturdy Couches For Fat People
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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!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Be careful with the lovesac sofas. The frame is very very sturdy, but the cushions don’t even begin to hold up to fat bodies. You’ll sink right to the bottom and it gets painful pretty quickly. Still no danger of breaking it so I get why it’s recommended.
oh this definitely isn't the feedback I've heard! Have you reached out to Lovesac about this? I'd be interested to see how they respond!
@Jenna, What kind of fill did you get? They have different kinds.
THANK YOU for this article. It is so hard to find furniture as a fat person. I'm very grateful for the time and effort you put into this. It really helps!
That's what I'm here for <3
I've heard such good things from fellow fats about Ikea's sectional. I'm curious if you looked into that at all because we had considered that.
I have owned two ikea sectionals and both of them broke underneath me, so i'm definitely not comfy giving them the seal of approval.
We had an Ikea couch. While the frame is still going strong, the cushions, which are sewn as part of the couch and not separate pieces, disintegrated completely.
We're in the market for a new couch, so this came at the exact right time!
It's about time.
We did our research & purchased a Flexsteel sofa. Yes the steel portion of the sofa was fantastic. The cushions & fabric too, but the back of our sofa had wooden support. It cracked shortly after it was delivered & we got a replacement. About a year or so later the 2nd sofa broke in the same place. We were unable to get a replacement or repair. Not without extravagant cost. So much for lifetime guarantee. We did buy a swivel side chair & we still use it today. I would not purchase another flexsteel sofa.
This is so disappointing, I'm sorry.
How is your couch potatoes sectional holding up? We got an England sectional and paid for the extra special coils for things to hold up better and it has not.
really well!
@EP
I also have an England sofa that I bought two years ago and the chaise lounge portion just broke a few weeks ago. The frame is supposedly still under warranty but I’m having a hard time getting someone from the company to honor the warranty.
I’m definitely thinking about getting a Couch Potato — I’m mad I didn’t know this company when I was in the market two years ago!
Thank you so much for this guide!! I was trying to budget out some stuff and a sofa that fits me is on the list but I didn't know where to even start looking. Truly a lifesaver!
Hey jw what you think about the albany park kova couches? Im looking for a new coich and those look comfy af
How does anyone feel about these tiny little feet on couches. I’m almost 400 ILBS and my sister is at 500. I want to have comfortable seething for her when she’s over and I don’t want her mortified for sitting and breaking these little skinny legs on these couches and I don’t want to break it myself. I’m just noticing more and more they are sticking these on sofa’s.
Which sectional did you purchase from Couch Potatoes? And how has it worked out for you?
hi there! You can read all about our sectional here: https://fatgirlflow.com/the-best-sofa-for-fat-bodies/ and it is still holding strong and we LOVE it!
My 21 year old son (who will be living w/us until he graduates college in another 18 months) is 6'9" and about 375 lbs. Our sofa has been a fairly crappy futon loveseat; uncomfortable but at least w/a solid wooden mission-style frame. We also have a small house so trying to find a sofa/loveseat between 65-72 inches AND that will support 750+ pounds so more than one of us can sit on it, is a challenge. I've been looking at multiple furniture websites and it's maddening when they list a weight limit on some sofas but not on others. What does that even mean? i like the look of Couch Potatoes and love that they are made in Austin. Would never have heard of them if I'd not found your article. Thank you!
Bought a Flexsteel-steel
Portion of frame is amazing. Wooden back broke soon after delivery. Repair & replacement was a hassle. Sofa was replaced. Replacement lasted a bit longer than the previous one. Maybe a year? Had exact same breakage. Was such a hassle that we just replaced it with a different sofa. I will note that because of our small living room the model was not very deep. Did not hold up to husband plopping onto it or anybody napping on it. Cushions & steel were great. Back of sofa is what cracked. They do not stand by lifetime warranty.
What isn't mentioned is the foam on the cushions. That is what NEVER lasts long. Finding a sturdy, well built couch with cushions that will last AND have a warranty longer than 12 months is what I'm looking for.
I just wanted to share that I'm chatting right now with someone on the Kardiel website, and they are telling me the weight limits for their loveseats are 400lbs, and 500lbs for 3 seater couches, which seems pretty low - have you seen or heard other numbers from them?
I haven't! That's very interesting, and makes me want to boot them off this post lol thanks for the feedback!
I have a 16 year old Pottery Barn Buchanan square armed sofa that still holds up. I did buy one of those pads you put under the cushions to stop some sagging but overall it’s pretty good . My mother always said a quality sofa is 8 way hand tied however expect to pay a lot these days for a really well built sofa .
I'm in Canada and have a Cozey Sectional. While the frame is still in great shape 2 ears in- the cushions are not and I always feel like i'm sinking. The couch is heading to the basement as I look for something sturdier. Any idea if these other brands are also available in Canada?
@Tanya, which sectional from Cozey do you have?
We bought a King Hickory sofa more than ten years ago. I recommend this brand. It is constructed with hardwood. The couch has held up until recently but the cushions are starting to sag and it is probably time to replace with another King Hickory. My husband is about 6 foot 2 and is a big man. He has knee issues and usually plunks down and the couch has held up. You may want to check this brand out.