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How high does the back cushion come up on you? I know people are different heights etc. but I am noticing alot of couches/sectionals etc the back of the couch is low.

Is a low back comfortable for sitting in long periods of time?

My current sofa back isnt super tall, I can rest my head on it but it isn't so low that if the sofa was against the wall and you flung your head back, your head wouldnt hit the wall.

Alot of furniture I am seeing out right now, your head would hit the wall if it were against a wall.

All my couches would be considered shoulder high- can't rest head against back of it. Never had one any higher than that in almost 50 yrs.

Mine's pretty high...even DH can rest his head on it. But! That's only because I took off the low cushions that came with it and replaced them with taller ones! I get a sore neck watching TV if I have to hold up the weight of my head...LOL!

I had both types, a sofa and settee with high backs and a regular sofa with regular height back. This pic is of my VA sofa, I sold it when our house sold

And here is my tall sofa and love seat that we took with us.

After damaging (all the discs) in my neck in a fall, this type of back is great to resting my head on.
I could not last long on a low sofa.

I was recently viewing some Pinterest inspirational photos of sofas, and thought 'I could not watch a movie in that!' (sitting a long time in a low back sofa)

I did bring those two (sofa and love seat) with me to Florida. They are going to be reupholstered to suit my decor here.

I also brought these two wing back chairs that we use at our dining table. We like to linger at the table after dinner and talk, this gives my head a 'corner' to rest on and keep my back and shoulders snug and cozy.

Hi Always,

Here is a pic of our front LR sofa with the scroll back at 37 inches high. The fluffy cushions make it quite comfy for sitting.

The other sofa in our den is only 31 inches on the back. It's comfy too but no pics as the cushions need fluffing.

this is a constant complaint of DH. My chair has a low back and when we watch t.v. I always fall asleep and my head just lolls.

Our sofa is like yours Always 1, head hits it but it is not too high.

I have my eye on a sofa of my dreams. Second hand, $3500. But I noticed that it too has a low back (still want it though)

Living room love seats are low. Family room has high back, since recliner on each end. Previous family room was Early American. Loved that sofa, 92 inches long and hight back. Wings like on the wing back chairs posted above. So comfortable! Gave it up to get the recliners. Miss it.

Boils down to personal preference.

I have a Goldilocks sofa: not too low; not too high; just right. Of course, it took several hours of test-driving a number of sofas to get the fit that was perfect for the two of us. We liked it so much, we got a companion chair. They are great for TV watching and reading. We've had them for 6 years, and they are holding up great.

I have a pair of sofas that are 26" high at the back, and a pair that are 30 inches high at the back. Neither of my sofa groupings back up to a wall. One pair of sofas is flanking a fireplace, so if the backs were high they would look weird, and the other pair of sofas is arranged in an "L" shaped grouping in front of a focal point wall the has both a TV and a fireplace. The second pair is also floating in the room, meaning they are not backed up to any walls, so again they would look weird if they were super high and bulky.

These sofas work in my family because we have never been big TV watchers. We don't sit for hours on end needing to prop our heads. (I'm not judging those who do, it just isn't our lifestyle) The TV that gets the most watched is the little one in my kitchen that I watch while I am cooking or cleaning up. The second most watched TV is the little one in the laundry room that I watch while folding laundry. What I am saying is that 99% of my TV viewing is done while I am standing and getting things done.

I like what aychihuahua said about testing a lot of sofas to find what worked best for them. I also like Mary Ruths solutions for needing higher backs, as they are stylish and good looking.

I agree that choosing the height of your sofa backs can be a tricky combination of function and looks.

aychichuachua,
IS THAT YOUR LIVINGROOM? That photo is awesome!

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ruth:
aychichuachua,
IS THAT YOUR LIVINGROOM? That photo is awesome!

Yes, it is. The photos were done by a professional photographer using an HD digital camera. No light kit: she just asked us to turn on every light in the house. No photo styling or staging was done except for a few items I rearranged on the kitchen counter. Our backyard is featured in a local Century 21 realtor's commercial: only 15 seconds of fame.

AY,

A beautiful room you have created! Love the sconce centered between the doors. You're giving me ideas.

Beautiful space Aychihuahua...I love the style of your sofa and chair too.

I don't think I could see having a low back sofa/sectional/seating when it's our one and only sitting area. Our everything room basically. I will start noticing back heights and comfort when I'm at other people houses..pay more attention to the comfort etc.

LOS,,yes I see alot of sofas/sectionals I would like too, but the backs are too short.

Thank you very much, Always. That's kind of you to say.

I know what you mean about the low-back sectionals: my old aching back can't handle them, as beautiful as they are.

quote:

Originally posted by Beau's Rose:
AY,

A beautiful room you have created! Love the sconce centered between the doors. You're giving me ideas.

Thanks, Beau. That was actually the idea of our fabulous electrician. We had bought the chandelier and the ceiling fan, and he suggested the matching sconces. What a guy!!