How to Stop a Couch from Sagging

Sagging couches tend to fall into two categories: Those that you got for free from a friend or relative (or the curb) and wouldn’t necessarily have picked out yourself, but the price was right; or a well-worn and well-loved piece of furniture that genuinely is past its prime, but is so comfortable that you can’t bear getting rid of it. Even if it’s being demoted from the living room to the basement or a playroom, it’s still something you want in your home.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to extend the life of your saggy couch, courtesy of Lee Wallender at The Spruce. Here’s what to know.

Why your couch is sagging

That droop in your sofa is typically caused by sagging cushions, loose or broken springs, or a combination of the above, Wallender writes. (There can also be problems with the wooden frame, but that’s too big of a job for us today.)

If you’re not sure what type of sag you’re dealing with, remove the cushions from the couch and see if the remaining parts are straight or still bent. Then determine whether you’ll need to fix the cushions, the springs, or both.

How to fix sagging cushions

At this point we’re going to assume you already did the obvious: Seeing if flipping or repositioning the foam in the cushions helps. If not, your best bet is purchasing new foam and re-stuffing the cushions. Wallender provides step-by-step instructions for doing that.

How to reattach or replace couch springs

Sometimes couch springs slip out of their clips and simply need to be reattached. Other times, they can actually be broken and need to be replaced. Either way, you’re going to start by turning the couch upside down, then unscrewing the legs (if possible), and removing the dust cover from the bottom of the frame.

Wallender also provides step-by-step instructions for reattaching and replacing the springs, as well as a list of tools you’ll need for each job to help get you through the project.