Experts Say This Simple Rule Can Help You Choose a More Comfortable Sofa

The sofa is probably where a lot of your family life happens. It’s where you cozy up with your favorite people (and pets) for movie night, enjoy a cup of coffee on Saturday morning, and relax at the end of a long day. Choosing the right one is important, so we tapped experts to explain why sofa height matters more than you think. While most people focus on things like color, shape, length, and depth, experts say the height of your furniture is often overlooked.

“We want to optimize body comfort and blood circulation as we are usually stationary for a longer period of time on a sofa,” explains Emilie Whittemore, physical therapist and co-owner of Fall Line Fitness in Squamish, British Columbia. “When lounging or lying down, the goal is to keep the spine and body in a relaxed position.”

So how tall should your sofa be? It depends. Whittemore says a height between 17 and 21 inches is often the sweet spot, but caveats that there are a lot of factors to consider. “I look beyond the overall height of a person and consider specific proportions, such as leg length and trunk length, because proportions vary between individuals,” she notes.

Below, Whittemore explains why sofa height matters and offers tips for finding a sofa that’s supportive and stylish.

Whittemore says the “90-degree” rule can help streamline the process. “While sitting comfortably against the backrest, your feet should be flat on the floor with your knees bent at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees,” she explains. “If your feet dangle, the sofa is too high, but if your knees are tucked significantly higher than your hips, it is too low.”

While the 90-degree rule is a great place to start, Whittemore wants you to consider in chronic ailments and other lifestyle factors. For example, someone with sciatic, nerve-related pain might experience more symptoms when they sit upright with their legs propped straight out. Meanwhile, those with circulation issues shouldn’t have their knees and hips excessively bent as that can compromise blood flow. “If budget allows, an adjustable recliner option might be worthwhile to consider in these situations,” she recommends.

Since couches are meant to be enjoyed by a crowd, consider who else will be sitting there, too. Households with toddlers or older family members should consider a lower sofa, which can mitigate the risk of falls.

Of course, sofas don’t live in silos, so you’ll want to think about how its height relates to the rest of your décor. To create a “cohesive environment that supports both comfort and ease of use,” Whittemore recommends matching the height of your coffee table to the height of your couch. (Or vice versa.)

“It should not be a challenge to reach for an object, such as a book or a glass of water, on a side table,” she explains. “If the table is too low, the act of leaning forward and reaching from a deep, high seat becomes physically challenging and ergonomically inefficient.”

In addition to finding a sofa that’s as tall as the rest of your stuff, Whittemore says you’ll also want to make sure your armrests are the right height: Not so high that it impedes your movement, but not so low that you have to reach significantly to access the table surface.

The last thing you’ll want to consider when sussing out the perfect sofa height? Believe it or not, the upholstery material. While the fabric might seem like it has nothing to do with your couch’s dimensions, Whittemore says it can actually affect your overall sitting position.

“Leather offers less friction, making it easier to slide and can sometimes be harder to stabilize,” she explains. “In contrast, fabric provides more texture and resistance to small movements, which helps keep the individual in a stable ergonomic position and prevents sliding down.”

Still need a little help finding the perfect couch? These editor-approved options will get you one step closer to finding the best seat in the house.