Choosing a comfortable couch starts with how you like to sit

If you always tuck a leg underneath you on the couch, you probably won't choose a seat the same way as someone who likes both feet on the floor. The place you reach for each evening tells you quite a bit about what feels comfortable.

Soft cushions are only part of it. You might like the feel of a couch and still find yourself moving forward to talk or searching for somewhere to put your feet.

Think about your favorite place to land

Think about the seat you choose at home. Perhaps it's the end of the couch where you can lean against an arm, or a chair that lets you sit back without shuffling forward.

If you sit upright to talk, pay attention to how the back and seat work together. If you read with your legs tucked up, you'll want room for that position too.

Use the position you spend the most time in as your starting point.

A chaise changes how you use the room

On a chaise, you can put your feet up while someone else sits beside you. You don't have to lie across the whole couch to stretch out.

Our 96-inch L-shaped couch has a chaise alongside the regular seating area. Think about who would use each part, especially if you and the person sharing the couch prefer different positions.

Look at where that chaise would face in your room. The end you naturally choose may depend on the view toward the television or the window.

Softness is only part of the feeling

The corduroy has a soft surface with visible ribs. Underneath, individually pocketed coils work with high-density foam for cushioning with support.

A seat can feel different when you stretch out and when you sit forward for a conversation. Photos give you a sense of the shape; trying a similar sitting position on furniture you know gives you something to compare it with.

If seat height has made a difference on furniture you've owned, use that experience. The listed seat height for this model is 16.5 inches. Compare it with a seat you already find comfortable, and ask about usable seat depth if that's important to your choice.

If you share the couch, ask the other person where they'd sit. It's worth answering before you both picture the same chaise as your favorite spot.