<p>I’m looking for a sofa - preferably leather - that sits high and firm rather than low and cushy. The combination of being tall and getting old make those low ones are too hard to get out of.</p>
<p>Someone told me that sofas are described as American (soft and low) vs European (high and firm) seating. But when I tried to use that distinction in the local furniture stores, they just stared at me.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if there is a particular brand of furniture that tends to make higher sofas?</p>
<p>We have a La-Z-Boy sofa that’s relatively high and firm - I think because of the recliner function of it (the two end spots recline). You might want to check them out.</p>
<p>Dania Furniture is a good place to look for relatively inexpensive European-style furniture. They have a location in Minnesota (don’t know if that’d be too far for you or not):</p>
<p>Hancock & Moore has several styles that would work for you. You could do a search for Duane Collie (he posts on Garden Web’s furniture forum and his own forum, myfurnitureforum - dot - com) who sells H&M and has provided much advice for folks on Garden Web. He could point out the styles that would fit your frame and needs.</p>
<p>You need to have a serious talk with the sofa sales person. We had two identical sofas–both made at the same place. One has wrapped down cushions–lovely and comfy and you sink pleasantly into it; the other has high density cushions–high and firm. I hate it.</p>
<p>It’s not just design; it’s materials. Test-sit the EXACT cushions you want.</p>
<p>We have an 30yo solid oak, exposed frame, sofa that had springs under the seat cushions. It was our second piece of furniture and before our bedframe. The springs got too soft and with new cushions, we sank to far into it. I removed the springs and put in a slab of #2 grade 7/8 inch fir plywood.</p>
<p>Geez, I never even thought of adding something under the cushions. </p>
<p>BunsenBurner, thanks for mentioning Dania. I had driven past that store just last week and thought I should stop in some time - I’ve never been inside. Now I’ll definitely make it a field trip.</p>
<p>I agree with LongPrime…if you already have a sofa you really like, the plywood trick works well. The other thing you could do is have an upholsterer take a look at it. If you like a sofa but the cushions aren’t right any more, they can put the higher density foam in (provided the fabric is still good) which would be cheaper than buying new.</p>
<p>I had my office sofa “custom” made at one of those places where you pick out the style, size, leather and cushion firmness and they make it for you. Our local place is called Luxury of Leather but you probably have a similar store. Because places like that are always running sales, it didn’t cost any more than if I’d gone to a funiture store and bought something ready made.</p>
<p>Recent story: I went to see a new client; the company fancies itself cool and hip. Instead of a conference room they have a huge room filled with leather sofas and couches. The chair was so low and deep I had to sit perched on the edge for the entire long meeting…it’s not very lawyerly to be slouched back in a deep chair where your feet don’t even touch the ground!</p>