When compared to many consumer products, furniture has a relatively long functional life. Because furniture lasts so long, wear is always slow and gradual, making it hard to tell when something is finally beyond use. Instead of realizing things like cushions are starting to age and replacing them proactively, we often have the experience of going to sit down at the end of the day and realizing the couch or chair cushion is way too worn out to be comfortable any longer.

Fortunately, keeping in mind how long particular items should be expected to last can help us avoid a situation where we’re stuck without a good seat in the house. The age of a furniture cushion is the easiest factor to consider. For a cheap seat, the foam materials used are lower quality and will probably need to be replaced in as little as a couple years. Conversely, high quality furniture uses high quality materials, and these foams can last as long as a decade if not abused. Another credible method for assessing your seat cushions and furniture is the eyeball test. Foam is supposed to be full looking and expand against its covers for a plush, overstuffed appearance. If patio or seat cushions look saggy or wrinkly, the foam inside has worn substantially and needs to be replaced.

Making an objective evaluation of the cushion’s feel can be difficult, but it is the most important factor in realizing that they need be replaced. Because wear happens so gradually, we are always used to how a couch or chair feels. The only way to overcome this is by considering how you feel when you’re relaxing on the foam pads, or even how they felt when they were brand-new. If you’re sitting on a couch that was once supportive but is now giving you a sore back, it’s time for replacement. Keeping these tips in mind should help you stay ahead of the game and know when it’s time to get a replacement cushion before your furniture is completely unusable.