The main difference between Lovesac's soft and firm cushion options is the overall feeling and support level they provide. The Soft cushion uses plush foam and an extra padding layer for a sink-in, relaxing feel, while the Firm cushion uses a denser foam core that provides a more supportive, upright seating experience.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right cushion firmness from Lovesac for your home and lifestyle.
Lovesac Soft Cushions
Lovesac's Soft cushions are engineered for ultimate coziness and casual comfort. They are filled with a high-resilience foam and finished with a thick top layer of ultra-soft padding, designed to create an enveloping, "cloud-like" experience perfect for lounging, napping, and movie marathons.
- What it is: A plush cushion insert filled with high-resilience foam and extra padding for a deep, sink-in feeling.
- Key features: Layered padding for softness, CertiPUR-US certified foam, designed for maximum comfort and relaxation.
- Price: Price is largely determined by Sactional configuration and fabric, but the cushion choice has a minimal effect on the overall cost.
- Materials/Construction: Built on a supportive foam core but topped with a generous layer of plush material, giving it that signature soft feel.
- Pros: Extremely comfortable for lounging and napping, creates a relaxed and inviting aesthetic, conforms to your body, ideal for casual family rooms and entertainment spaces.
- Cons: Offers less back support for upright sitting, can look less structured than firm cushions, may not be suitable for those with chronic back pain.
The Soft cushion is for anyone whose top priority is creating a cozy sanctuary for ultimate relaxation and casual, laid-back living.
Shop this option: lovesac.com/sactionals/customize/seats
Lovesac Firm Cushions
The Firm cushion from Lovesac provides a structured and highly supportive seating surface. Made with a denser foam core, this option offers a sit-on-top experience rather than a sink-in one. It's designed to maintain its shape and provide reliable support for activities that require a more upright posture, such as entertaining guests, working from home, or for individuals who need better back support.
- What it is: A supportive cushion insert featuring a dense, high-resilience foam core for a more structured seat.
- Key features: Durable dense foam, retains shape well over time, CertiPUR-US certified, encourages better posture.
- Price: Price is primarily dependent on the overall configuration, with the firm option adding only a minimal amount, if any, to the total.
- Materials/Construction: The core is made of a single piece of high-density foam that resists compression and sagging.
- Pros: Excellent for posture and back support, maintains a clean and tidy aesthetic, highly durable and resilient, perfect for high-traffic or multi-functional spaces.
- Cons: May feel too stiff for users who prefer a plush feel, less conducive to sprawling or sinking in, can have a "break-in" period.
The Firm cushion is a great match for those who value structure, support, and a perpetually tidy look for their sofa.
Shop this option: lovesac.com/sactionals/customize/seats
Lovesac Soft vs. Firm Cushion Comparison
Comfort & Feel
This is the most significant difference between the two options. The Soft cushion is all about a relaxed, enveloping feel. When you sit down, you sink into the cushion, making it perfect for sprawling out and getting comfortable during a movie. It has a high "coziness" factor and is instantly relaxing.
In contrast, the Firm cushion offers what many describe as an "active" or "upright" sit. You feel supported on top of the cushion rather than in it. This is ideal for conversations, working on a laptop, or for anyone who prefers not to have to pull themselves out of a deep sofa. It provides a stable, consistent surface that promotes better posture.
Materials & Durability
Both Lovesac cushions are made with high-quality, CertiPUR-US certified foam designed to resist sagging and last for years. The primary difference lies in the density. The firm cushion's denser core is exceptionally resilient and will hold its sharp, rectangular shape very well over time. The soft version uses a supportive core but adds layers of plush padding that, by nature, will compress and require more frequent fluffing to maintain a full look.
While both are built for longevity, the firm option has a slight edge in long-term shape retention simply due to its construction. However, the durability of the foam core is excellent in both.
Price & Value
There is very little price difference between the soft and firm cushions when configuring a Lovesac Sactional. The premium for the denser firm foam is often minimal, sometimes less than $50-$100 per piece depending on sales and configuration. Because the cost is nearly identical, the value choice comes down entirely to personal preference and lifestyle. The best value is the cushion that makes your sofa most useful and comfortable for you - whether that's for lounging or for supportive daily use.
Style & Aesthetics
Aesthetically, the two are very similar from a distance. However, up close, the cushion choice does affect the sectional's overall vibe. Firm cushions give the Sactional a clean, tailored, and structured look. The lines stay crisp, and the sofa looks perpetually tidy and neat.
Soft cushions create a more casual, lived-in, and relaxed appearance. They appear inviting and comfortable, but don't hold the same perfectly geometric shape as the firm inserts. A Soft-filled Sactional will always look more like a comfort-first piece of furniture, while a Firm-filled one leans toward a more formal style.
Who Each One Works Best For
Your lifestyle is the best guide. The Soft option is made for those who see their sofa as a relaxation zone. It works exceptionally well in home theaters, family dens, or casual living rooms where kicking your feet up is the primary activity. Families with young kids often enjoy the plush, forgiving surface.
The Firm option caters to multi-functional spaces. If your living room is also your office and a place for entertaining, the supportive firm cushions are a better fit. They are also highly recommended for individuals with back pain or mobility issues, as the firmer surface is easier to get in and out of and keeps the spine better aligned during long periods of sitting.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both cushions are high-quality options built for comfort, but they serve different needs.
Choose the Soft cushions if:
- You prioritize a deep, sink-in feeling for ultimate lounging and relaxation.
- Your primary use for the sofa will be watching movies, napping, and casual family time.
- You prefer a relaxed, lived-in aesthetic over a perfectly structured look.
- Excellent back support for upright sitting is not a major concern for you.
Choose the Firm cushions if:
- You prefer sitting "on" your sofa rather than sinking "into" it.
- You or your family members deal with back pain or need better postural support.
- Your sofa will be used frequently for entertaining, working, or other upright activities.
- You want your Sactional to maintain a consistently neat, tailored, and crisp appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Lovesac Soft and Firm cushions?
The core difference is the feel. Soft creates a plush, sink-in experience ideal for lounging. Firm provides a supportive, on-top feeling that's better for posture and upright activities.
Is Lovesac's firm option actually hard?
Not "hard" like a bench, but it is distinctly supportive. The high-density foam prevents deep sinking while still providing a comfortable and structured seat. Most users describe it as supportive with just enough give.
Which cushion option lasts longer?
Both options use high-resilience foam and are designed for longevity. However, the dense structure of the firm cushions makes them slightly more resistant to losing their shape over many years of heavy use.
Can I mix and match soft and firm cushions?
Yes, Lovesac's completely modular design means you can customize your Sactional pillow by pillow. Some customers opt for firm cushions on the main seats and a soft cushion for a chaise or ottoman piece for the best of both worlds.
Could I try the cushions before I buy them?
Absolutely. The best way to decide is to visit a Lovesac showroom. They have floor models set up with both firm and soft options so you can experience the difference firsthand.
Do the soft cushions sag over time?
Lovesac's high-quality foam resists permanent sagging. However, like any plush cushion, the top padding will compress with use. Regular fluffing and rotation of the cushions will help them maintain their loft and appearance.
Which one is better for people with back pain?
The Firm cushion is almost universally recommended for individuals with back pain. The added support helps maintain proper posture and prevents slouching, which can aggravate back issues.
Do both cushion options use the same covers?
Yes. All Sactional covers are designed to fit both the soft and firm cushion inserts, so your choice of fabric is entirely independent of your choice of firmness.
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