How to Make Your Sofa Higher: The Simple Guide to Better Comfort

Have you ever settled onto your couch only to feel like you're sinking too low? A sofa that sits too close to the floor can be uncomfortable, making it difficult for you or guests to get up, and it can throw off the entire scale of your living room. The good news is that you don't need to replace your beloved furniture! Learning how to make sofa higher is a straightforward and budget-friendly project that significantly improves comfort and usability.

Whether your couch is aging and sagging, or simply designed with a low profile that doesn't work for your knees, we have the solutions. This guide walks you through the best methods—from the easiest fixes to simple DIY leg replacements—to lift your sofa and customize its height for perfect, ergonomic seating.

3 Proven Methods: How to Make Your Sofa Higher

When you need to make your sofa higher, the best approach depends on how much lift you need and how permanent you want the solution to be. Here are three methods, ranging from quick fixes to permanent upgrades, on how to raise a sofa.

Method 1: The Easiest Fix – Furniture Risers

Furniture risers are the fastest, most affordable way to instantly lift any piece of furniture. They are ideal for addressing sagging or achieving a slight lift without any tools.

How to Install Furniture Risers:

1. Lift and Stabilize: Have a helper tilt the sofa to expose the legs. Never try to lift the sofa alone. If it's too heavy to tilt, use a jack to lift one end at a time.

2. Place Risers: Position the riser directly under the existing sofa leg. Most risers have a shallow recess on top that cradles the leg, preventing slipping.

3. Check Stability: Slowly lower the sofa back down. Gently nudge the sofa to ensure the risers are sitting flat and the entire structure is stable.

Pro Tip: This is the simplest way to learn how to make a sofa higher without any complex carpentry.

Method 2: The Best-Looking Fix – Replacing the Legs

Replacing the entire sofa leg is the most professional and permanent way to control the exact height and change the style. This works well if your original legs screw directly into the frame.

Step 1: Determine the Thread and Size

• Remove an Existing Leg: Carefully unscrew one leg and examine the screw bolt (the hanger bolt) that sticks out of the top.

• Measure: You need to know two things: the thread diameter (e.g., 5/16 inch) and the pitch (how coarse or fine the threads are). If the bolt is part of the leg, you just need to match the mounting plate on your sofa.

• Set Height: Select a new leg style that gives you the desired lift. If your old legs were 3 inches, and you want 6 inches total, buy 6-inch legs.

Step 2: Install the New Legs

• Screw-in Legs: If your new legs have the same thread as the old ones, you simply screw the new, taller legs directly into the existing mounting plates.

• New Mounting Plates: If you change the style or if the threads don't match, you'll need to remove the old mounting plates, drill pilot holes, and screw the new plates into the sofa frame before attaching the new legs.

This method gives you total control over how to make sofa higher while completely refreshing its look.

Method 3: The Heavy-Duty Fix – Blocking or Platform

For very heavy sectional sofas, or if you need a significant lift that risers can't safely provide, you can build a stable block or platform underneath the existing legs.

1. Cut the Wood Blocks: Purchase hardwood blocks (like oak or maple) sized to match the footprint of the sofa's existing legs. Cut them to the desired height.

2. Drill Recesses: For maximum security, drill a shallow circular recess (or carve a square recess) into the top center of the wood block. This cradle prevents the existing sofa leg from sliding off.

3. Secure and Set: Apply non-slip pads to the bottom of the wood blocks (where they touch the floor) and place them directly under the existing legs. The weight of the sofa will keep them firmly in place.

This DIY approach is the most stable and sturdy solution when you're looking for an extreme lift to how to raise a sofa.

How to Raise a Sofa Without Legs (Platform Sofas)

If your sofa is a modern design, a low-profile sectional, or a modular piece that rests directly on the floor without visible legs (often called a platform sofa or legless sofa), the methods above won't work. However, you still have options to raise the sofa by adding a custom base:

1. Use a Hidden Platform Base: This involves building or purchasing a custom wooden platform (like a low box or plinth) that the entire sofa frame can sit on.

   • Construction: Use 2x4s or 4x4s for the frame and cover it with plywood.

   • Aesthetics: To hide the base, paint it a dark color (like black or dark gray) so it blends into the shadow under the sofa, making the lift look seamless. You can also cover it with fabric that matches the sofa's skirting.

2. Add Hidden Glides or Feet: For a small lift (1-2 inches), you can attach small, sturdy furniture glides or low-profile feet directly to the bottom frame of the sofa.

   • Requirement: The bottom of the sofa must be a solid wooden frame suitable for drilling.

   • Function: These small additions are strong enough to elevate the entire base, keeping the low-profile look while improving the seating height and making the sofa easier to clean underneath.

These solutions successfully tackle how to make a sofa higher even when there are no legs to work with!

FAQ: Making Your Sofa Taller

Q: Are furniture risers safe and stable?

A: Yes, when used correctly. The key to making risers safe is stability. Ensure you choose risers with a deep enough recess (cup) to cradle the existing sofa leg securely. For heavy sofas, opt for risers made of solid wood or metal rather than plastic. Always verify that all four legs (or all points of contact) are level after installation.

Q: Will making my sofa higher ruin my floors?

A: Not if you take precautions. If you are using risers or wooden blocks, ensure they have felt pads or non-slip rubber grips attached to the bottom surface. This protects hardwood floors from scratches and prevents the sofa from shifting.

Q: How much higher can I realistically make my sofa?

A: Most people successfully raise a sofa between 3 to 6 inches. A change of more than 6 inches is often not recommended for stability and aesthetics, as it can look disproportionate. For the best comfort, aim for a seat height (from the floor to the top of the cushion) between 17 and 20 inches.

Q: If my sofa is sagging, will raising the legs fix the problem?

A: Raising the legs will not fix a sagging cushion or frame. If the problem is sinking in the middle, you need internal repairs—either replacing the foam or cushions, or tightening/repairing the springs or support webbing underneath the seat deck. Raising the legs only addresses the overall height of the furniture piece.

Q: Can I raise a reclining sofa or sectional?

A: Sectionals can usually be raised using the methods above, treating each section's leg separately. Reclining sofas are far more difficult because the legs are often part of the mechanical frame. Adding height to a recliner is not generally recommended, as it can interfere with the reclining mechanism's stability and function when fully extended.