Extra Deep Sofas in Australia: Avoid These 7 Mistakes

An extra-deep sofa sounds ideal for stretching out, watching a film or relaxing with the family. But a bigger seat doesn't automatically mean better comfort. The depth needs to suit the people using it, while the overall sofa must still work with the room.

Whether you're furnishing a Richmond apartment or a larger Melbourne home, start by comparing MOMU's Australian Made sofas and custom modular seating. Here are seven mistakes worth avoiding before ordering.

1. Choosing the Deepest Seat Without Testing It

It's tempting to think that a deeper couch will always feel better. Extra room can be useful when you want to put your feet up or curl up with a book, but that same depth may make upright sitting uncomfortable.

Before ordering, sit back against the cushions and check whether your feet rest comfortably. Pay attention to how much support you feel behind your lower back, and whether you need to move forward to sit naturally.

Then try the sofa in your usual relaxed position. Some people prefer a generous seat that allows them to change positions, while others are more comfortable with a shallower arrangement.

At MOMU, seat depth and height can be discussed as part of the made-to-order process. That means you can choose a design you like and explore suitable adjustments rather than accepting fixed seating proportions.

If possible, visit MOMU's Bentleigh East showroom to compare the different depths and cushion fillings in person.

2. Forgetting About the Space Around the Sofa

An oversized sofa can work well in a living room, but only when the complete furniture arrangement has been considered.

A sofa might fit against a wall while leaving too little room to move between the seating and nearby furniture. A deep sofa can also project further into the living area than a shallower design.

Start with a floor plan. Mark the doors, windows, television, dining area and main walking routes. Consider whether the sofa will sit against a wall or help separate the lounge from another part of an open-plan room.

In Richmond terrace homes and apartments, narrow access routes or irregular room layouts may affect the furniture arrangement. In larger Melbourne living areas, a generous sofa may help define a comfortable seating zone.

MOMU's room-planning service can help you compare furniture layouts using room measurements, scaled drawings and CAD plans.

This is particularly helpful when deciding between a straight sofa, a chaise or a larger modular configuration.

3. Three MOMU Sofas Worth Comparing for Deep Seating

Not every household needs the same type of generous seating. A straight deep sofa may provide enough room for relaxing, while a chaise offers one extended seat. A modular design can work well when several people regularly use the lounge together.

Marcus Sofa: Deep Comfort in a Straight Design

The Marcus sofa is designed with deep, comfortable seating and a straightforward upholstered outline. It is worth considering when you want generous room to relax without choosing a corner or chaise arrangement.

Its separate cushions, upholstered arms and substantial seating profile make it suitable for a lounge room where the sofa is used regularly throughout the day.

Design: Marcus features upholstered arms, a broad seating area and separate seat and back cushions. Its straight profile makes it easier to consider alongside other furniture than some larger corner configurations.

Comfort: MOMU offers Premium Comfort for a firmer sitting feel, Luxury Comfort for softer support and Feather Comfort for a plumper cushion experience. The best choice depends on how you prefer to sit and relax.

Construction: MOMU makes its upholstered furniture in Melbourne using sustainably sourced Australian hardwood frames and certified cushioning materials, including GECA-certified foams and Oeko-Tex-certified Dacron fibre.

Customisation: Marcus can be discussed in different sizes, fabrics and configurations. Where suitable, MOMU can also explore adjustments to seat depth and height to better match your preferences.

Upholstery: Choose from MOMU's range of fabrics and leather. Ask about care requirements, texture and suitability for everyday household use before confirming your material.

Best suited to: Living rooms where a generous straight sofa provides enough seating without requiring an extended chaise or corner layout.

Before ordering: Try sitting upright as well as reclining. If the seat feels too deep for your normal sitting position, discuss a custom adjustment rather than relying on extra cushions alone.

Marcus is a useful starting point when comparing locally made sofas in Melbourne that prioritise a relaxed sitting experience.

Weekender Chaise: Room to Put Your Feet Up

The Weekender Chaise is designed for relaxed family living, combining standard sofa seating with a dedicated section for stretching out.

Rather than making every seat extra deep, the chaise provides one extended area where you can recline while other household members use the remaining seats.

Design: Weekender Chaise combines upholstered arms, comfortable seat and back cushions and a longer chaise section. This provides different sitting options within the same piece of furniture.

Comfort: The Weekender range prioritises comfort for family use. Buyers can discuss MOMU's Premium Comfort, Luxury Comfort and Feather Comfort cushion options according to their preferred sitting feel.

Construction: Weekender Chaise is part of MOMU's Melbourne-made upholstered furniture range, using Australian hardwood frame construction and certified cushioning materials.

Customisation: Size, upholstery and configuration choices can be discussed. It is especially important to consider which side of the sofa should accommodate the chaise and whether the room leaves enough surrounding space.

Fabric choices: Select from MOMU's available upholstery fabrics and leather, with attention to cleaning and maintenance if the sofa will be used frequently by the family.

Best suited to: Family lounges and media rooms where at least one person regularly prefers stretching out instead of sitting upright.

Before ordering: Check whether the chaise will interfere with access to a doorway, balcony or another seating area. Use the room layout to decide which configuration is more practical.

You can discuss these details through MOMU's furniture planning service before confirming a made-to-order configuration.

Palermo Modular: Generous Seating for the Family

The Palermo Modular combines generous upholstered seating with the flexibility of a modular arrangement.

Its connected sections can create a comfortable space for several people, making it worth considering for open-plan homes and larger family lounges.

Design: Palermo Modular combines multiple upholstered seating sections in a connected layout. Its substantial cushions and upholstered arms create a relaxed setting for shared use.

Comfort: MOMU offers cushion filling options ranging from firmer Premium Comfort to softer Luxury Comfort and plumper Feather Comfort. Test the options before choosing a configuration.

Construction: Palermo Modular is made in Melbourne using Australian hardwood frame construction and the certified cushioning materials used across MOMU's upholstered furniture range.

Configuration: The modular layout can be discussed around your room and required seating arrangement. Custom sizing, depth, height and upholstery options allow the design to be adapted where suitable.

Upholstery: MOMU provides fabric and leather choices, with samples available for comparing colours, textures and maintenance requirements.

Best suited to: Larger living rooms and open-plan spaces where several people use the seating together and a connected arrangement suits the floor plan.

Before ordering: Check that the modular sections create useful seating without obstructing the main routes through the room. Pay attention to how the corner configuration works with nearby furniture.

Compare Palermo with other MOMU modular sofas if your home requires a different layout.

4. Choosing Softness Without Thinking About Support

Soft cushions can feel inviting, but softness and support aren't the same thing.

A deep sofa with softer cushioning may suit someone who enjoys reclining. Another person may prefer a firmer seat that makes it easier to sit upright and change positions.

MOMU offers Premium Comfort, Luxury Comfort and Feather Comfort, allowing buyers to compare different sitting feels rather than choosing one standard option.

During a showroom visit, try each filling and take a few moments to sit naturally. Check whether the cushions provide the level of support you prefer.

Learn more about MOMU's furniture construction and cushioning materials when comparing options.

5. Overlooking Fabric Care

An oversized sofa often becomes one of the most-used pieces of furniture in the home. That makes upholstery care particularly important.

If children or pets use the sofa regularly, ask about cleaning instructions, everyday wear and suitable fabric protection.

MOMU provides a range of fabrics for custom sofas, including selected materials with built-in protection. Other suitable fabrics may be professionally treated.

You can compare natural-look upholstery, velvet fabrics and leather upholstery options.

Take samples home if possible and view them against your flooring, curtains and surrounding furniture. Fabric can look different in morning daylight and evening lighting.

6. Forgetting About Supporting Furniture

Once you've chosen a large sofa, consider how the rest of the room will work.

An upholstered ottoman can provide an additional place to rest your feet without committing to a permanent chaise.

A separate Australian Made armchair may provide another sitting position, particularly when someone in the household prefers a firmer or more upright seat.

Leave enough room to move comfortably around the seating and make sure the furniture doesn't obstruct access to other parts of the home.

7. Not Checking Delivery Access

Before ordering a larger sofa, check the route it will take into the home.

Think about entrance doors, corridors, staircases, lifts and tight corners. An oversized sofa might fit comfortably in the finished living room but be difficult to move through the property.

For Richmond apartments or older Melbourne homes with narrow access, share the relevant details with MOMU before finalising your configuration.

MOMU offers Australia-wide delivery, including installation and packaging removal. If you have concerns about access, contact the MOMU team with your measurements and photographs.

Construction, Warranty and Long-Term Use

Comfort is important, but the materials beneath the upholstery also deserve attention.

MOMU makes its sofas in Melbourne using sustainably sourced Australian hardwood frames, GECA-certified cushioning foams and Oeko-Tex-certified Dacron fibre made from over 99% recycled bottles.

These details provide useful information about the furniture's construction and materials. You can explore MOMU's approach to sustainable furniture making to learn more.

MOMU provides a 10-Year Warranty. Read the warranty details for the current terms, coverage and exclusions.

Your Extra-Deep Sofa Buying Checklist

1. Try the seat depth: Test upright sitting and your usual relaxed position.
2. Compare cushion options: Choose between firmer and softer sitting feels.
3. Measure the whole room: Allow for doors, walkways and surrounding furniture.
4. Choose the right layout: Compare straight, chaise and modular arrangements.
5. Consider everyone using the sofa: Different people may prefer different seating proportions.
6. Check fabric care: Ask about cleaning, durability and household use.
7. Plan additional furniture: Leave room for an ottoman or armchair if needed.
8. Review delivery access: Check entryways, hallways, stairs and lifts.
9. Confirm customisation: Discuss sizing, upholstery, comfort and configuration before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions About Extra-Deep Sofas

What makes a sofa extra deep?

An extra-deep sofa offers more front-to-back seating space than a shallower design. There is no universal definition, so test the seating position rather than relying only on the description.

Are oversized sofas suitable for smaller homes?

They can be if the proportions and layout suit the available space. Custom sizing and careful room planning may help avoid blocked walkways or crowded furniture arrangements.

Can MOMU make a sofa deeper or shallower?

Yes, depending on the design. MOMU can discuss suitable adjustments to seat depth, height, overall sizing and configuration.

Should I choose a chaise or a straight deep sofa?

Choose according to how you use the room. A chaise provides one extended place to stretch out, while a straight deep sofa offers more consistent seating along its length.

What cushion options does MOMU offer?

MOMU offers Premium Comfort for firmer support, Luxury Comfort for a softer feel and Feather Comfort for a plumper cushion experience.

Where can I try extra-deep sofas near Richmond?

MOMU's showroom is in Bentleigh East, Melbourne. Customers from Richmond and nearby suburbs can visit to compare sofa styles, cushion comfort and fabric choices.

Are MOMU sofas Australian Made?

Yes. MOMU manufactures its upholstered furniture in Melbourne and offers delivery throughout Australia.

How long does a made-to-order MOMU sofa take?

MOMU aims for approximately eight weeks of production, with its broader showroom-to-home process described as around eight to ten weeks. Confirm the current timeframe when ordering.

Choose Deep Seating That Works for Your Home

An extra-deep sofa can make your lounge more comfortable, but the right depth is the one that suits your sitting preferences and the space available.

Marcus provides generous straight seating, Weekender Chaise offers a dedicated place to stretch out, and Palermo Modular creates a connected arrangement for shared living.

Whether you're furnishing a Richmond apartment, a family home elsewhere in Melbourne or a living room further afield, the same principles apply: test the comfort, plan the layout and choose upholstery suited to everyday use.

Browse MOMU's Melbourne-made sofas, compare modular seating options or explore the wider MOMU furniture collection.