Foam-Filled vs Cover-Only Floor Sofas: What You Are Actually Buying
- 4 min reading time
A cover-only floor sofa is a set of empty fabric cases; you buy and cut the foam yourself.
By Mariam, Floorsofa.co · Updated October 2026
A cover-only floor sofa is a set of empty fabric cases; you buy and cut the foam yourself. A foam-filled floor sofa arrives with every piece filled and ready to sit on. Cover-only listings look cheaper, but once you add foam, cutting, and your time, the gap narrows or disappears. Look for the words "covers only," "unfilled," or "foam filled" before you compare prices.
Why are some floor sofas sold as covers only?
Foam is the bulky part. Shipping empty covers is cheap, so a seller can show a low price and leave the foam to you. In countries where floor seating is common, local foam shops cut blocks to size every day. In most of the US, they are harder to find.
What does filling a cover-only set involve?
- Find a foam supplier that sells high-density foam in large blocks, not just craft cushions.
- Order the right sizes: an L set needs two 75 x 27.5 in bases, five backrests, two armrests, and possibly an ottoman and floor cushions.
- Get it cut to the exact cover size, slightly oversized so the covers fill out.
- Stuff the covers by hand, which is a two-person job for the bases.
- Wait for deliveries from two or more suppliers.
How do the two compare?
| Cover-only | Foam-filled | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | Lower | Higher |
| Foam to buy | Every piece, separately | Included |
| Fit | Depends on your cutting | Made to match the covers |
| Deliveries | Covers plus foam supplier(s) | One order, 2 or 3 boxes |
| Setup | Hours | About 10 minutes |
| Risk | Wrong size, lumpy fill, soft foam | Low |
What should the foam be?
Seat bases need firm, high-density foam so an adult does not sink to the floor. Backrests can be slightly softer. Low-density foam is cheaper and feels fine for a week, then dents where people sit. If you fill covers yourself, ask the supplier for high-density seating foam, not upholstery padding. More in our foam guide.
How can you tell which one a listing sells?
- Read the option names. "All parts foam filled" or "covers only" is usually written there.
- Check the shipping weight or box count. A full L set cannot ship as a small envelope.
- Look at the piece list for thickness. A filled base lists 4 or 8 inches; a cover may list only length and width.
- Ask the seller in writing.
What do Floorsofa.co sets include?
Every piece of every set is filled with high-density foam: bases, backrests, armrests, the ottoman, and the floor cushions. The sets are vacuum-packed so they ship small, then return to full shape within 24 hours of opening. The product page lists every piece with its size and thickness. Covers unzip for washing, and the foam stays in shape.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy only replacement covers from you?
Message us with your order number and the pieces you need. Whether we can make them depends on your fabric still being in production.
Is cover-only ever the better choice?
If you already have good foam from an old set and only want a new look, yes. Make sure the cover sizes match your foam exactly.
Why is the foam vacuum-packed?
So a full set ships in two or three boxes by UPS. Once opened, the foam draws air back in and recovers within 24 hours.
Can I feel the foam before ordering?
Yes. The Majlis Sample Box includes a foam sample and fabric swatches; after you order it, we email you a $35 code for a set of $850 or more.
See filled sets: 8-inch L-shaped · 8-inch U-shaped · 4-inch L-shaped.
