If you’re in the process of buying a new sofa, you’re probably focusing most on sofa height and width — the couch has to fit in your room, after all. But you should also consider sofa seat depth, which, depending on the couch, measures either the distance from the front of a cushion to the back, or the front of the cushion to the sofa’s back panel.
Among other things, seat depth affects both functionality and ease of lounging, which are especially important if you have kids or roommates or struggle to stand up and sit down. It’s not “one size fits all” either; just as the best sofa varies from person to person, so does the best sofa depth. Indeed, your lifestyle, age, and height could sway this number one way or another.
To help you better understand the benefits and drawbacks of sofa seats both shallow and deep, I spoke with a few different sofa experts and interior designers while conducting my own research into the matter. The result? The following user-friendly guide, which details the pros/cons of popular sofa depths so you can make the most informed choice for you and your home.
What is the average sofa seat depth?
Without belaboring the point, it bears repeating that the right sofa seat depth for you might not be the right sofa seat depth for someone else. But some standard measurements can serve as a handy benchmark for rating your couch contenders.
According to Aaron Masterson, president of Local Furniture Outlet, the standard sofa seat depth is typically between 21” and 24”. Less than 21” is quite shallow, while 24” and up inches into deeper territory. Sofas with seats in this latter depth range are "definitely for lounging on,” says interior designer Anya Bond, co-founder and design director of Kindly.
Price: $1349
Seat Depth: 19"
If I had to guess, the Godwin Upholstered Loveseat would make a great couch for a small living room. It's only 53" wide — on the shorter side, considering loveseats typically range from 48" to 72" — with a seat depth of just 19". Definitively shallow. Reviews are limited (there are just three at the moment), but all three are 5-star.
"I was looking for a small loveseat and Godwin loveseat is the best," said one customer. "Very comfy, soft pillows, great shape."
Price: $3995
Seat Depth: 23"
The Cobble Hill sofa from ABC Carpet & Home is famous in the sofa world — a furniture equivalent to Julia Roberts or Meryl Streep, and described by Alyssa Shelasky, a writer for New York Magazine and former ABC employee, as one of the "whimsical, velvety, nostalgic ABC pieces that defined my early twenties." It's contemporary and timeless, with a biscuit-tufted bench seat and armrests, plus a seat depth right in that average range of 23". Anyone of average height should feel comfortable here.
Price: $2299
Seat Depth: 27.6" (without pillow)
I have yet to try a Castlery sofa, but my coworker has raved about hers. Plus I'm constantly impressed by the reviews on the website; seemingly never less than 4.5 stars. This gorgeous three-seater is extra deep at 27.6" but it's also low-profile, so you might not enjoy it as much if you (1) have knee problems or trouble getting up and down, or (2) are taller than, say, 6'1".
How should I determine the best sofa depth for me?
Height: How tall are you? If you’re on the shorter side, you might prefer a sofa with a 21” seat depth or lower, so your feet can touch the ground, but if you’re average height, you can stick to that 21” to 24” range. Taller individuals (above 6’ at least) will likely enjoy a seat depth of 24” or more.
Physical Condition: If you have knee trouble or difficulty getting up and down, consider a shallow sofa (and add some firm cushions, too). A deeper sofa seat could prove challenging. A shallow seat depth and overall sofa depth ensures that when seated, "the feet can touch the floor and the back can rest against the backrest without too much strain," explains Christiane Lemieux, founder and designer at Lemieux et Cie. "This setup aids in maintaining good posture and reduces the effort needed to get up from the sofa."
Intended Purpose: Deep sofas (24” or greater, but maybe even 28” or greater) are nice for curling up and sinking in; if you need a cuddly, cozy place to watch movies, look no further. (They also make a great impromptu sleeper sofa in the event of a last-minute house guest.)
Room Size: A deeper seat probably means a deeper sofa overall. Make sure you’re measuring the size of your room and comparing that to the size of the whole couch — from the front right corner to the back right corner. "The size of the room and its layout are crucial. A deeper sofa might be more comfortable but could overwhelm a small room, whereas a shallower sofa might fit better in limited spaces without sacrificing seating capacity," Christiane says.
Seat Height: According to Medley Home, the deeper the seat, the lower the seat height … at least ideally. A mismatched height-depth ratio could mean discomfort for taller individuals, who might not feel fully relaxed, and inconvenience for shorter individuals, whose feet might not touch the ground. Sofa seat heights vary from piece to piece (as expected), but the average is between 17” and 18” from the floor to the top of the seat cushion.
Cushion Fill: "The type of cushioning affects how the depth feels," Christiane continues. "Softer cushions make a deep sofa feel even deeper, while firmer cushions provide better support and make a shallow sofa feel more spacious."
In what instances is a sofa with a seat depth less than 21" the best choice?
"A sofa with a seat depth of less than 21 inches, which is considered quite shallow, is best suited for specific instances and environments where functionality, space constraints, and the need for formal seating take precedence over casual comfort," Christiane tells me.
Think smaller spaces, formal settings (like formal living rooms or "areas where the seating is primarily used for socializing rather than lounging"), office or reception areas, the homes of elderly or physically impaired individuals, and bedrooms or entryways, where a shallow sofa "can serve as functional seating without dominating the space."
In what instances is a sofa with a seat depth between than 21" and 24" the best choice?
A sofa with a seat depth between 21" and 24" is "highly versatile and suitable for a variety of settings where balance between comfort and formality is needed," Christiane continues.
This depth is ideal for "most residential living rooms" and family rooms, as it's "deep enough to relax and lounge but not so deep that it becomes difficult to sit up and engage in conversation." It's "generally a safe choice for most environments," she adds.
In what instances is a sofa with a seat depth over 24" the best choice?
If you're playing with a sofa seat depth greater than 24", it's probably because you're looking for something comfortable, informal, and perfect for lounging. A sofa or sectional like this is ideal for media rooms or home theaters; large living spaces (where you need to accommodate more people); loft spaces or open floor plans, where a large deep sofa "can act as a focal point of the room; basements and dens; homes with young kids, who can then safely play on the couch; and reading areas, Christiane explains.
FAQs
How does sofa depth affect fill choice?
For a shallow couch, Christiane recommends looking for a high-resilience/high-density foam, as it "offers firm support and maintains its shape over time." For a deep couch, she suggests a down or feather for a luxurious lounging experience, or a memory foam or gel-infused memory foal for a cushion that contours to your body.
