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Couches For Big And Heavy People Comparison Chart
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Post Summary
In general, people above 250 lbs would benefit from buying a high-weight-capacity sofa. The best options to support heavy people will have a heavy-duty subframe made of metal or wood, short legs, and sturdy upholstery attached to the frame via rivets. The best example of these attributes is the Modway Engage (below) with a 1700lb capacity.
There’s nothing quite like sitting on a friend’s couch….and breaking it. Not that I would know…it was a work couch that I broke… (allegedly).
As a big and heavy guy, I’ve always been hyperaware of where I sit. Not only is it draining to stand for long periods but there are also fewer spots that I fit (and will hold my weight) than for an average-size Joe. It’s a cruel world.
My size (and the lack of proper seats for people my size) is the reason that, when I take my daughter to her dance class, I choose to sit on the cement stairs for the 30 minutes she’s in class rather than try my luck on a plastic waiting-rooms chair. It is also why I spend a ton of time researching the furniture I have in my house. Having plus-size furniture supporting me is important for my comfort, safety, and pocketbook.
Long ago I decided that, since I probably couldn’t be comfortable in many places, I would make the effort necessary to find and purchase the best couches for heavy people so that I (and my family) could relax in comfort.
The 4 Best Couches For Big & Heavy People
1. Coaster Home Furnishings Weissman – Heavy Duty Option For Plus Size People
If you are just looking for the best couch for a heavy person (that doesn’t have to come from a high-end Italian showroom) this is it! It has absolutely everything that a big guy or gal could want in an affordable but heavy-duty couch.
While it’s probably not the couch I’d put in a fancy sitting room (if I ever had one….) it has a ton of awesome features that earn it the thumbs up from me:
- 1050-pound weight capacity. This is sufficient for most big and heavy couples. The best way I’ve found to avoid overloading a couch such as this is to simply limit the number of people on it. For your family, this may be a two-person couch rather than a three-person option and that’s okay!
- Wall-hugging recliner. At this price point, a mechanical reclining system is the most reliable and hard-wearing option. The end seats of this couch both recline and, as a bonus, their wall-hugging feature means they only need 4″ between the back of the couch and the wall!
- Steel bottom frame with minimal legs. The short leg situation means that this is one heavy-duty couch that won’t be bowing or bending in the middle no matter how much you weigh.
What more could you need?! A great-looking couch with high weight capacity and reclining functionality. If you are like most people, this is the best option so get it ordered!
2. HONBAY Sectional Sofa with Storage – Over 1,000lb Weight Capacity
If you’re looking for a bit more weight capacity (as well as seating capacity) and a little less reclining, the HONBAY might make just the couch that you’re looking for!
Why It’s Worth a Second Look:
- Transformative Design: Need a left-handed chaise today and a right-handed one tomorrow (and who wouldn’t need that…)? Well, that’s not a problem here! The chaise(s) chaise can be switched at will, making it a perfect fit for any room layout. As an added bonus, you can turn it into a small-ish but comfy bed if you have company!
- Stuff-Space (literally): The ottomon hinges open to reveal a fairly capacious storage area for blankets, games, etc. Or, in my case, dirty dishes before my in-laws show up…
- Space-Saving Magic: While it fits in anywhwere, this couch is extra ideal for small apartments or less spacious rooms.
As a final selling point, this couch is covered in a durable linen fabric which is easy to clean, wears better than microfiber, and is way cozier than leather. In other words, it’s practical, comfortable, and great looking. Not to mention that it’s strong enough to hold heavy people without breaking a sweat!
3. Modway Chance Mid-Century Modern Sofa
If you’re a bit on the fancier end, Moday is the perfect maker of furniture that will blend comfort, style, and obese-proof engineering.
Why Buying This Sofa Is Pretty Much Risk-Free…
- It’s Luxuriously Soft: If you thought the linen on the last couch was comfy, you’ll want to hold out and try this one. Both beautifully textured and easy to clean it really is the best of both worlds.
- Built to Last: While I wouldn’t expect it to last the rest of my life as a main furniture piece, the Chance’s solid wood frame promises service for many years to come, even if you’re much heavier than average.
As an added perk that appeals to the more stlyish among us, this sofa comes in several neutral colors to fit in just about anywhere.
This couch also has all the other hallmarks of being a great couch that is both fit for a heavy person and works well in a bit “dressier” room. It has a deep seat, sits low to the ground, and has durable fabric. Beyond that, you can pick up this couch for less than most recliners, let alone heavy-duty ones.
4. Signature Design by Ashley Faux Leather Strong Power Reclining Sofa
While this couch might look like it breaks the cardinal “best couch for heavy people” rule by not having a 1,000-pound capacity, hear me out…
Consider this couch to be a love seat for you and your significant other and it boasts a 300lb-per-seat capacity that can be stretched a bit further. Just limiting the actual number of people of a couch boosts how much you can weigh while still safely and comfortable sitting on it.
If you need a couch that will handle the heaviest guests (whether in your home or a waiting room) then this probably isn’t your best option. However, for a bedroom couch, a reading nook spot, or similar situation you’ll be hard pressed to beat its power-reclining level of comfort!
Strong Sofa In-Depth Chart Comparison
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4 Tips For Choosing A Heavy-Duty Sofa For Heavy People
When shopping for a couch, there aren’t that many things you need to be aware of…it’s just a couch after all. However, there are a few things to keep in mind that will virtually guarantee that you’re getting a couch with a higher-than-average weight capacity.
1. Look For A Heavy Duty Couch Frame/Sub-frame
When it comes to the bones of a couch, there are a few different material options, crappy, fine, and good. Avoid pressed or laminate wood frames and look instead for hardwood and steel. Commonly, couches for heavy people have a hardwood frame with metal supports, particularly if you’re looking for a heavy-duty reclining couch.
2. Choose Short Legs (Or No Legs)
Legs are typically a weak point of designer couches and can easily cause the entire couch to fail. Long and angled legs are typically the opposite of what we want.
Since it’s the strength that we’re after, look for “husky” legs that keep the bulk of the couch low to the ground.
A better option is to eliminate the leg situation which allows the subframe of the couch to be supported by the floor but this is rarely necessary unless you’re going to have 1,000 plus pounds on your couch.
3. Opt For Sturdy Upholstery/Fabric
It probably wasn’t the first thing to come to mind, but I have had to fix three different couches I’ve owned because I was too fat for the fabric!
My above-average weight caused the fabric to pull/stretch farther than it was meant to and ended up either ripping or pulling loose the fabric along the back/top of the couch. While this is pretty easy to staple back in place, it is a better option to get a couch with heavy-duty fabric in the first place.
The best couches for a heavy person will always be made of fabric that will stand up to the additional wear and tear it will face.
4. Get Quality (Dense) Stuffing
When I think of a couch breaking, I typically imagine a spring popping up out of the seat and launching me into the ceiling just like every cartoon I used to watch. However, it is far more likely that a couch becomes unusable because it is stuffed with low-quality foam over poor-quality springs which will slowly sag over time.
Look for a couch that has a good amount of support and rebound qualities. This typically means that you need to deal with a couch that is pretty firm at first but don’t worry, it’ll loosen up after a while.
How to Increase the Lifespan of a Heavy-Duty Couch
Couch shopping isn’t that much fun. At least it isn’t for me. Even if I had a bunch of money, I wouldn’t enjoy finding a couch that matches, getting it delivered (and possibly assembled), disposing of my old couch, etc.
Now, this all leads to the question, after I buy one of the best couches for a heavy person, how do I take care of it so it’ll last for years? Well, we’ve got 3 tips:
1. Keep It Clean
When it comes to keeping a couch for years, keeping it clean should be your number one priority. Obviously, a clean couch looks better and you’ll like it for longer, but keeping a couch clean will actually protect the fabric, the foam, the reclining mechanisms, and even the springs!
When dirt (sand, pet hair, etc.) gets worked through the fabric of your couch it thins and tears up the fabric on a microscopic level. Let this go on long enough and your fabric will soon be crusty and more likely to tear. Crud build-up has the same effect on the foam in your couch. Dirt breaks foam down and stops it from rebounding, leaving you with a sunken and uncomfy couch.
So what can you do besides hiring a cleaner? The ultimate solution would be to get a cover (or at least a seat cover) but, if you don’t like that idea, the best way to keep your couch clean is to keep dirt from getting on it in the first place. So no pets, no eating on the couch, etc.
2. Have Additional Seating Options
When my wife and I first got married we didn’t have a spot for a dining room table. Which meant we ate on the couch. This wasn’t great for spending quality time together or for keeping our couch clean. Once we were able to get some heavy-duty dining chairs for mealtimes our “couch health” improved greatly.
Having dining chairs for mealtime, a recliner for relaxing, beanbags for the kids, etc. will diffuse the time spent on your couch which, in turn, will help it last longer.
3. Buy Once, Cry Once
While there’s something to be said for getting a great deal, buying the cheapest couch possible shouldn’t be your goal if you want durability. I only recommended couches that I felt were very high quality so, unless you want to do a huge amount of research or pay way more money, stick to the options above and you’ll get the durability you’re looking for!
In Conclusion
Whichever couch you choose, it’ll be hard to go wrong with any of our recommendations! While I did my best to bring you the best couches for a heavy person, you’ll have to decide which one is right for you! Happy Hunting!
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