What to Know Before Buying a Tufted Sofa: Durability & More

Over the years, we have delivered many tufted sofas and also handled numerous post-sales issues related to them. These experiences have given us a clear view of how tufted sofas hold up in real homes.

If you are looking for a sofa that lasts longer and stays comfortable, it is best to go for a non-tufted model. Here is what we have learnt and why it matters for your home.

What Is a Tufted Sofa?

Tufting is a decorative detail where parts of the cushion or sofa are pulled in and stitched down, often forming patterns like squares or diamonds. There are two common types of tufting:

Tufting on standalone seat cushions

Each seat cushion has tufting stitched directly into it, separate from the main sofa frame. Our Castle Fabric Sofa uses this type of tufting.

Tufting on the sofa itself

This type is sewn directly into the fixed part of the sofa, not on removable cushions. Our Candy Fabric Sofa Bed uses this type of tufting.

Durability Issues We Have Observed

Foam wears out faster

Tufting is created by pressing into the foam to form the design. Over time, this continuous pressure weakens the foam faster. Tufted areas lose support faster, causing the seat to sag earlier than expected.

Threads from tuftings may cut foam

Tufting is usually done with a thread that goes through the foam from top to bottom. If the thread is not perfectly straight, it creates a cutting motion whenever someone sits down. This leads to sliced or damaged foam, which we often see when customers report sinking seats.

Tufting on the sofa body is the most problematic

Tuftings secured directly to the sofa frame create the most issues. Not only can the the threads cut the foam and weak it over time, it may further get caught in the sofa’s suspension system, such as zigzag springs or webbing. This not only creates an annoying squeaking or rubbing sound but can also damage the internal support.

The photo below shows how the tufting thread may get entagled with the suspension system, leading to squeaking sound and poorer support.

Cleaning and Changing Covers

Aside from durability considerations, there are also cleaning and maintenance concerns to factor in.

Tufted sofas are hard to clean

If you want to remove and wash your sofa covers, tufted designs are much more difficult to manage. For tufting that is sewn directly into the frame, it is almost impossible for customers to remove or replace the covers.

Re-doing tufting for standalone seat cushions is also very difficult

For tufting on seat cushions, replacing the covers is not straightforward. To get the tufted look back, you need to use a long needle to thread through the foam. You must then apply strong pressure to pull the thread down and form the tuft. This has to be repeated over and over for each tuft, and it takes a lot of force and precision to get right. It is not something most customers can do on their own.

Our Conclusion

Tufted sofas are undeniably stylish and classic in appearance. However, when it comes to long-term use, we have seen that they are not the most practical choice.

If you want a sofa that stays firm for longer and is easier to clean, we strongly recommend choosing a non-tufted model. Based on our many deliveries and service cases, non-tufted sofas offer better durability and easier upkeep for daily life.

Published: 18th June 2025