AIBU to want a sofa with proper head support?

[lurchersforever]

I have an ex-display sofa I bought on impulse years ago from a place that no longer exists. I didn't love it but needed one and it was affordable. It's quite traditional and boring to look at but actually very comfortable. However, after 12 years of heavy use the back has started to come away and it needs a professional clean - don't know how successful that would be.

I've started looking for a replacement and am realising how difficult it is to get one that actually supports your head! So many only come halfway up your back, which is pretty uncomfortable. Even the higher ones don't seem to allow you to lean your head right back like mine does. I'm only 5"3 for goodness sake. The only ones that are tall enough for what I want are the big blocky recliner ones and I really don't like those. I want traditional and preferably tan leather but not seen anything I really like.

Does everyone with those low sofas actually enjoy sitting on them?!

No help but posting in solidarity. I'm on the same quest and have been for at least four years.

I would also like high wings to prop me up sitting in the corner. Hens' teeth come to mind.

Oh no - 4 years! Solidarity @Gymnopedie

I have a chesterfield, pretty much the classic low backed sofa. I've had it for years and find it really comfortable. I dread having to replace it. Sofas are so ugly and expensive now.

DH are trying to replace our sofa and having this exact same issue atm. I just don't get the current trend for sofas with a really low back, I don't even think it looks good so it's not even a case of sacrificing comfort for style. It reminds me of the type of sofa you get in a waiting room.

I've got G-Plan Malvern sofa's. Highbacked and very comfortable I bought mine from Haskins in Shepton Mallet, but I think you can get them from Furniture Village, I saw a demo one, then mine were made to order with the fabric I chose, about 10 weeks order to delivery I think

This!
Low arms on sofas- ugh- ridiculous. I want to lounge, not feel like I’m on something barely more comfortable than a park bench.

Of you want traditional looking, and a sofa you can sink into/curl up. Kind of has head support but full height sides look at the spinks and edgar Monique. Really comfortable (albeit you need to build a cushion collection for the back) and the only thing to consider is side tables aren't easy to reach.

Totally understand your pain! We managed to get one a few years ago - it’s so baffling that so many hardly go up to your shoulders. I think they’re not designed for sitting on - just for lying on. We found that most of the high back ones were the more old fashioned looking gplan type ones, though they were v comfortable.

We got one called Ashcombe from barker and Stonehouse. There are loads of options for colour etc in store (at least there were a few years ago) but hardly anything on the website https://www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk/sofas/ashcombe-medium-sofa - best to go in and see in person.

The back cushion goes up to the bottom of my head, so we put a cushion behind for full head support, though if you slump a little it supports your head well.

Looks like the original manufacturer is Tamarisk and they sell it as Somerset. https://www.tamariskdesigns.co.uk/collection/somerset-sofa/

Darlings of Chelsea sell it as Whinfell https://www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk/whinfell-range-pview. Plenty of nice fabric options to play with though.

Sitting here on my 25 year old leather sofa and not parting with it until I can find something like it, which is just as you described. Ugly it may be but my head is supported and I am 5'9. I try to convince myself it's shabby chic but it's past it

Glad it's not just me! That Barker and Stonehouse one is very similar to what I have. Boring but very comfortable and excellent back support. A shabby chic looking tan leather sofa is exactly what I want @Sometimessmiling - enjoy it, I bet it's lovely!

I understand OP. I will die before I let go of my Multiyork sofa.

Also looking and despairing! Dh really likes the sofas from Loaf. Where do I put my head?

I don't mind the low back style that's in fashion at the moment, but why do they all have those little skinny armrests. I think it makes them look really flimsy and cheap.

Multiyork! That's what mine is. I'm pretty sure my local shop has gone but I definitely don't want the same again, I want a bigger range with high backs.

ETA: Google tells me the firm has shut down and the sofas are often sought out secondhand.

We ended up buying two high backed winged arm chairs as we had the same issue.

We struggled and found this shop.Its very competitive priced and we went with the Torino

designersofasdirect.com/

We got a G Plan one with a higher back, higher backed sofas are quite hard to find though. Next sell a couple of high backed ones

Try Alston sofas

Look at Darlings of Chelsea. We have one with back cushions tall enough to rest your head on and arms wide enough to put a cup of tea on. Except we don’t put cups of tea anywhere near it!

I was on the same quest until I found exactly what i wanted in a local charity shop. Is it worth looking for a gently-used secondhand option? Older styles often have higher backs.

I'm having this conversation with my partner but about chairs!
I have a wing backed chair which I love because it supports my neck and head. I refuse to listen to

• it's ugly (it isnt)
• I don't like the colour (I do, just accept it)
• it doesn't go with anything else (I don't care, it's comfortable!)
• the seat is collapsing (it isn't, that's an excuse)

or any other negative comment. It's my chair and I love it!

We have Parker Knoll sofas, can't remember the style, but they are great. They're about 3 years old now, so might not still sell the same ones, but they are very comfortable and the back comes up to a decent height - as do the arms. Pricey, but worth it for me.

My sofa is 15 years old and ugly. It's also very high backed and supports my head without slumping. I visited my DS yesterday who has just bought a new sofa and the only way to rest your head is to slide down in a pile.

I'm thinking wing chairs sound perfect.

We have some high back sofas from Next that we bought last summer. The are called Stamford high back.

I was a bit against them at first as they aren’t as stylish but wow, the comfort and support has been so worth it. Feel so supported watching TV now.

I really wanted a loaf sofa but after sitting on a few and struggling to get out of them and having a dodgy back I swerved them.

Checking in because this issue has bugged me for YEARS! Sofas seem to be built for lying down on or 'napping' on these days! The only sofa I ever knew that had a high back was very uncomfortable, mostly wooden and the cushions would become indented by the wooden back slats. I pushed my sofa up against a storage unit and put some cushions behind where my head goes, because I can't afford to replace the current sofa and it's still fine so I can't justify getting shot of it.

I am glad to find that I am not the only person who wants head support.