This Common Habit Is Destroying Your Couch

You can't sit there! You probably heard it as a child – maybe multiple times – but now that you're the adult, you can sit wherever you want. That doesn't always mean you should. One such place you should avoid sitting is on the arm of a couch.

On occasion, you may find yourself seated on the arm of your couch if a room is crowded, or perhaps you find it's more convenient when you're just passing through. But besides being dangerous, sitting on the arm of the couch can wear out the padding, destroying the look and value of your couch much faster. It turns out your parents weren't on a power trip when they yelled at you to stop sitting there, despite how you may have construed things. They actually knew what they were talking about. There are tons of cozy living room seating ideas that ensure your family members and guests have proper seating and don't have to resort to couch arms.

When it comes to making your couch look new again, there are several approaches to keep things clean and presentable, but perhaps the best way is to take preventative measures against damage. Implement rules, like no eating or jumping on the couch. Practice self discipline and stop sitting on the arms of your couch; extend these expectations to your guests or family members. These standards can minimize the damage your couch endures to prolong its lifespan.

Even sitting on the proper part of the couch can lead to premature indentations and damage over time if you always sit in the same spot. But when you sit on the arm of your couch, you unintentionally apply pressure to a section that isn't intended to withstand that force, causing damage . The arm simply is not built to carry your weight and may even break — with you still on it. It can also cause a tipping hazard if the couch is particularly light. 

If your couch cushions aren't enticing enough for you to break the habit, consider alternatives for living room seating, like a hammock. Just avoid sitting on the arms of furniture. Your couch will thank you.