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How to Fix Saggy Couch Cushions

Think you can’t fix saggy sofa cushions? Think again! It’s easier than you might think to repair foam couch cushions that have started to smush, sag and droop. Don’t spend money on a new couch just yet, until you’ve tried this!

When your sofa cushions are squished into hard clumps of disappointment, your favorite place to sit becomes a burden on your tushie.

If your couch cushions have zippers, you’re in luck! This super easy tutorial will show you how to restuff your couch, fixing those saggy cushions once and for all.

How to Stuff Couch Cushions | repair couch | sofa | saggy cushions | fix couch | DIY | restuff couch

Our couch has seen better days. Who am I kidding, it’s a mess. I really needed to figure out how to fix a saggy couch cushions. Or should I say, re-stuff them.

I’m actually embarrassed to show you this but here it goes. This is what my couch looks like most days.

saggy couch

Ok, that’s not entirely true. This is probably a little more accurate:

ugly couch

My couch is 5 years old…not terribly ancient in couch years, but certainly not new. Its cushions have been floppy and limp for a couple years now and I wanted a new one.

Two things held me back:

The couch (and its cousin, the chair) were purchased with an inheritance from my Nana when she passed away.

It wasn’t much, but she wanted me to have new furniture, and so I got a couch, a chair, an ottoman and a kitchen table set. Therefore it still holds a bit of sentimental value even though its functional usefulness is waning.

We are broke and can’t afford a new couch right now. We are still paying off our new refrigerator among other things, so the new couch is not high on the priority list at the moment.

So after one too many stiff and sore backs, I decided something had to be done with this couch. The cushions were like overcooked pasta: mushy and gross.

I decided to stuff my couch cushions to make them fluffier and firmer.

quilt batting couch cushionpoly-fil



How to Fix Saggy Couch Cushions:

Here’s all you need to complete this project-

  • a box of polyester fiberfill stuffing (I got a 10lb box from Walmart and I have leftovers for making throw pillows! Score!
  • 1 roll of quilt batting per cushion (I used two)

The process is unbelievably simple. Absolutely no sewing required (unless for some reason your couch cushion covers are non-removable, then unfortunately there may be some stitching in your future).

It’s super easy to stuff couch cushions!

Simply unzip the cover,

Add polyester fiberfill (polyfill) stuffing until its ALMOST too full to zip,

20150907_142324

Make sure you get deep down in all the corners too!

Pull tightly and zip closed!

The seat cushions are a little harder, but not too bad. Simply remove the foam cushion

saggy couch seat

Wrap the poly batting around the cushion evenly on all sides

restuffing couch cushions

Slide carefully back into the case and zip!

If its too thick to go back into the outer case, you can try slipping a plastic trash bag over it so that it slides in easier, then cutting away the bag and discarding it after you’re done.

You might need a second set of hands. Or go it alone if you’re brave. More power to ya, Wonder Woman!

how to fix a sagging couch

Check out the before and after. Its a remarkable difference, especially when you consider the cost breakdown:

before and after

One 10lb box of Poly-Fil-$19.97 (Walmart has it the cheapest by far I’ve seen anywhere)

Two rolls quilt batting-$7.97 each

Total investment: $35.91!

While this won’t help revive the arms of the couch (ours are pretty beat up) it will help the couch’s longevity for at least a little while longer, and if the fabric is still in good shape like ours is, chances are it will look nicer than anything you could get on Craigslist for this price!

If you’re feeling REALLY adventurous, you can remove the upholstery staples from the underside of the couch and add some batting to cover the arms, then re-staple.

I knew we were going to be moving soon and buying new furniture, so I didn’t bother with this step.

repair couch DIY throw pillows

Here’s the final result. Like night and day, don’t ya think?

Oh, and see those throw pillows? I made the 3 in the middle! No sew throw pillows, and would you believe they’re made from up-cycled canvas totes?! Super simple and only MINUTES to make!

If you like my faux barnwood coffee table, you can see how I made that in this post too.

I would love to see your pics if you try to fix a sagging couch. Tag An Exercise in Frugality on Pinterest, Instagram, G+ or Facebook if you post pictures of the finished product!

Would you try to repair and stuff couch cushions?

Bethany

Monday 1st of January 2024

This is such a great and simple idea! I was planning to buy some polyfil, but remembered I had some older throw pillows in a closet upstairs. I was originally thinking to cut them open and use the polyfil, but I just put the entire throw pillow into the back of the cushion and it plumped them right up! Thank you!

Mandy

Tuesday 28th of February 2023

Great but does it feel comfortable? I had a feather couch and was sick of plumping the cushion up so had foam inserts, uhhh it was too hard! I think maybe the wrong type of foam was used? A professional did it! Knowing what I know now I would have tried your method. Well done to you.

Jackie

Sunday 6th of June 2021

If you don’t mind sacrificing a large trash bag, you can stuff your new cushion stuffing into the bag, use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the air and the shrunken cushion goes into the cover very easily. Just slit the bag and remove before zipping up.

Sarah W.

Thursday 9th of July 2020

This is a game changer! The couch in my living room looked just like your couch- saggy and sad- but I didn't want to spend money on a new couch. I followed your process and also purchased the polyester fiberfill stuffing from Walmart. Once the process was done, I got the whole couch professionally cleaned by a local upholstery cleaning company. The stuffing and professional cleaning made my saggy couch look brand new!! I am so impressed and love how much money I saved!!

Marilyn

Tuesday 28th of May 2019

I know I am a little late to this posting, but is there any particular batting (sizing/thickness) that is best for the seat cushions? I have a total of 3 seat cushions. Also how many times would you wrap with the batting?

I am so anxious to give this a try