Just unpacked replacement foam for your sofa or chair cushions and it looks flatter or smaller than expected? It may still be recovering from being compressed for delivery.
This guide explains how to unpack your cushion foam, fit it into its cover and check its dimensions once it has had time to recover.
Allow 24–48 hours after unpacking before checking your foam’s dimensions. Measurements taken straight out of the packaging may not reflect its recovered size and shape.
Why Is My Foam Compressed for Delivery?
Foam is bulky, and the space a parcel takes up affects the cost of sending it. We compress most of our foam orders to make them smaller and easier to ship, passing those freight savings on to you.
Once the packaging is removed, the foam needs time to return to its normal size and shape. Looking undersized immediately after opening does not necessarily mean it has been cut incorrectly.
How to Unpack Your Cushion Foam
Remove the delivery packaging carefully.
Unpack your foam soon after it arrives. Take care when opening the wrapping, particularly if using scissors or a knife, so you do not nick or cut the foam underneath.
Give the foam space to expand.
Once removed from the packaging, the foam will begin returning to its normal size and shape. If you are leaving it outside a cushion cover, place it flat with enough room to expand.
Fitting it into a cushion cover? Now can be a good time.
You can take advantage of the foam still being slightly compressed and fit it while it is easier to handle. Position it correctly inside the cover and allow it to continue recovering there.
If you need to check the cut dimensions, measure the foam outside the cover after the recovery period.
Allow 24–48 hours before checking the size.
Whether left flat or fitted inside its cushion cover, give the foam time to recover before judging its size and shape.
How to Check Your Foam’s Dimensions
If you want to check whether your foam has been cut to the dimensions you ordered, wait until it has had 24–48 hours after unpacking to recover.
To check the foam itself:
- Measure it outside the cushion cover on a flat surface.
- Let it rest naturally, without stretching it or pressing it down.
- Check the length, width and thickness against the dimensions on your order confirmation.
A cushion cover can influence the foam’s shape, so measuring the outside of the fitted cushion will not necessarily give you the dimensions of the foam itself.
Foam Still Looks Undersized After 48 Hours?
If your foam still looks undersized or uneven after 48 hours, the Home Upholsterer team can help check it.
Include your order number, how long the foam has been unpacked, and clear photos showing the whole piece and the tape measure in position. Let us know which measurement does not match your order confirmation.
If your foam arrives damaged or you are unsure how to unpack it, get in touch straight away.
Get Help With Your Foam