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Foam furniture is incredibly durable and resistant to wear and tear, making it an excellent choice for a busy home. From sofas and beds to arm chairs and floor cushions, foam furniture is versatile and available in many different variations and firmesses.
What is foam furniture?
It’s all in the name – simply put, it is furniture made from foam instead of other common furniture materials such as feather and down or other synthetic filling. Foam is used across various parts of a furniture item, such as in the seat pads, backrests and arm rests, and to pad out the surrounding core frame.
What is furniture foam made of?
Furniture foam is typically a type of closed cell polyurethane foam that is of a medium or firm density. It is commonly known as upholstery foam and comes in a range of thicknesses and densities to meet a user’s needs.
Furniture foam is lightweight and durable, and its different densities mean that an item of furniture can be easily customised. For example, a ‘firm’ sofa is created with foam of a higher density, and – on the flip side – can be made softer with a lower-density foam.
The rising demand for furniture foam
Benefits of foam furniture
Usually, foam furniture can be easily cleaned. Sofa and seat cushion covers are typically removable and the foam itself can be cleaned with damp cloth and water, unlike other fillings such as feather and down that require specialist treatment. Similarly, furniture foam doesn’t trap dust or other particles.
Likewise, foam furniture is generally very resistant to wear and tear, making it suitable for homes with children and pets. When a higher density foam is used, a piece of furniture is typically more resistant to wear and tear.
Foam furniture is also known for retaining its shape far better than both its fibre and feather and down counterparts.
2 types of foam used in furniture
Polyurethane foam is most popular in furniture pieces, but some items are available with memory foam. Memory foam offers the luxurious ‘bounce back’ feel and is a specially-formulated type of polyurethane foam that is mixed with other components to create its properties. Memory foam furniture, therefore, typically commands a higher price point.
How to select the right foam for your furniture?
Choosing the right foam furniture for your living room is down to personal preference. For greater wear and tear, and a firmer more supported feel, higher density polyurethane foam is for you. For a softer feel, a low-medium density foam is most appropriate. A luxurious ‘sunk in’ feel is achieved by using memory foam.
Tips to order furniture foam online
Many furniture foam suppliers sell to the general public online and often have furniture foam cut to size tools on their website where you can simply enter your required dimensions. Buying furniture foam this way is popular with upholstery enthusiasts and is very easy.
Before placing your order, you should decide on how you would like your furniture item to feel – whether firm and supportive or soft – and if you would only like standard or memory foam. If desired, you can combine the two and also order a memory foam ‘topper’ component, although be sure to factor this into your measurements.
