The Cutting Table · a common question
Can I get a softer, plusher bench cushion instead of firm foam?
Also asked as:Do you offer a softer foam firmness?Plush sofa feel rather than a firm bench?
Firmness is a spec, not a mood. Change one number on the order and the seat changes character.
The quick answer
Yes, a bench cushion can be made softer by asking for 28-density foam instead of the standard 32-density medium-firm foam. The 28 sits noticeably plusher, with a slight sink-in sofa feel, and keeps the same Dacron wrap. You can also add a 3/4 in (2 cm) wadding layer on top; feather-wrapped foam isn't offered.
SaveKey facts
- Standard foam is 32-density (32 kg/m³, about 2.0 lb/ft³), medium-firm, with a Dacron wrap.
- A softer 28-density foam (28 kg/m³, about 1.75 lb/ft³) is available on request.
- 28-density foam gives a plusher, slight sink-in sofa feel.
- To order it, write “28 DNS foam” with your color in the personalization box.
- A 3/4 in (2 cm) layer of volume wadding can be added over the foam.
- Feather-wrapped foam is not offered; a Dacron wrap is the alternative.
- Soft, draped seat pads are not made, because firm long-life foam won't drape.
Have it made
Have Nate’s workshop cut this for you
Every edge and both diagonals, to the nearest 1/4 in. If the numbers do not close, the workshop will say so on the call. — Nate
Leave your details and the workshop will call you to confirm measurements, fabric, foam and piping. No prices, dates or payment on this page: it is a request, not an order.
Ways to soften a seat, and two that aren't on the menu
| Option | What changes | How to ask |
|---|---|---|
| 32-density foam (standard) | Medium-firm, Dacron-wrapped | Nothing to add |
| 28-density foam | Plusher, slight sink-in sofa feel | Write “28 DNS foam” and your color in the personalization box |
| 3/4 in (2 cm) volume wadding | A soft layer over the foam | Ask in the note or by message |
| Dacron wrap on window-seat foam | Extra comfort on top | Ask with your order |
| Feather-wrapped foam | No Not offered | Dacron wrap instead |
| Soft, draped pads | No Not made: firm foam won't drape | Choose a foam cushion |
Why the number on the order is density
The workshop names foam by density. “32 DNS” means about 32 kg per cubic meter, roughly 2.0 lb/ft³; the 28 is roughly 1.75 lb/ft³. That is a 4-point drop, about 12%, and it sits noticeably plusher.
The 28 comes from another product line and still supports everyday sitting. It is the softer choice for a foam insert on a bench you lounge on rather than perch on. Density and firmness are related but not the same thing, partner; the density vs firmness pattern and the foam firmness finder sort out the difference.
How do you sit on your bench: upright to pull on boots, or curled up with a book?
Ordering the softer build
Order the cushion as normal
Size, fabric and piping as usual.
Name the foam
Write “28 DNS foam” plus your color in the personalization box.
Add a layer if you want more give
3/4 in (2 cm) of volume wadding went over the foam on a custom 15 3/4 x 44 x 4 in (40 x 112 x 10 cm) cushion.
Skip the feathers
Ask for a Dacron wrap instead.
A draped, slouchy seat pad needs a different filling; firm long-life foam at 32 density holds its shape and won't drape.
Nate
Buyer questions
- A common question
Can I get a softer, sink-in sofa feel instead of a firm bench cushion?
The workshop's answerYes. The standard foam is 32-density, medium-firm, with a Dacron wrap. A softer 28-density foam from another product line sits noticeably plusher with a slight sink-in character, still supports everyday seating, and gets the same wrap. Write “28 DNS foam” with your color in the personalization.
- A common question
Can I get feather-wrapped foam, about 20% feather, for my window seat?
The workshop's answerFeather-wrapped foam isn't offered, but the foam can be wrapped in Dacron for extra comfort, as it was on a 4 in (10 cm) thick trapezoid about 96 in (244 cm) long at the back and 19 in (49 cm) deep.
- A common question
Can you add wadding or fleece on top of the foam?
The workshop's answerYes. A 3/4 in (2 cm) layer of volume wadding over the foam was confirmed for a custom 15 3/4 x 44 x 4 in (40 x 112 x 10 cm) cushion.
- A common question
Can you copy the soft, draped seat pads in my photo?
The workshop's answerNot that style. Those pads use a different inner filling, and the workshop works only with 32-density long-life firm foam, which can't drape. It said so before production rather than promise a result it couldn't deliver.
Questions buyers ask next
Does a custom bench cushion come with the foam inside?
Yes. Standard custom cushions ship complete with a high-density foam insert in a zippered, washable cover. Covers-only is a separate, cheaper option with no filling.
What foam goes into the floor sofa seats?
Floor sofa seats use 28-density (28 kg/m³) medium-hard high-density foam, sometimes quoted as 28-32, which the workshop says lasts for years without collapsing.
Will a fiber-filled cushion go flat?
The workshop says it is practically impossible: about 8-10 kg (18-22 lb) of soft fiber clusters go into a 60 in (152 cm) cushion, dense enough for years of daily use and even sleeping.
Will softer foam wear out sooner than the standard foam?
Generally a little sooner. Density is the best guide to how long foam holds its shape, and firmness is a separate property, so a lower-density foam chosen for softness gives up some durability. An extra wadding layer over the standard firm core softens the feel without changing the foam underneath, which is why it's often the better route on a seat used every day.
For a reading window seat, is softer foam or an extra wadding layer the better choice?
It depends on the feel you want. A softer 28-density foam lets you sink in a little all the way through; an extra layer of polyester wadding, about 3/4 in (2 cm), keeps the firm 32-density core and only softens the surface. For long reading sessions on a thin window seat, the wadding keeps support without bottoming out.
