Short answer: Our Ciello sofa is comfortable because of its cushions, its seat depth and the support you can choose. Its feather-free seat cushions wrap soft fibre around a D35 high-density foam core, with an extra 1.5-inch (about 4 cm) layer of D35 foam above the seat base. You choose the seat size (Regular or XL), the back style (Original or High Angled) and where the loose back cushions sit, and the covers are removable and machine washable.
Comfort on a sofa is personal, and two soft sofas can still feel very different once you lean back. Ciello is one of our softest modular sofas, so it helps to know exactly what is inside it and which choices change how it feels before you pick a size.
On This Page
- What makes Ciello feel so soft?
- How deep is a Ciello seat?
- How do the backs and arms support you?
- What can you adjust on a Ciello?
- Will the cushions stay comfortable?
- Are the covers washable?
- Who Ciello suits, and who may prefer another sofa
- A 10-minute sit test: questions to ask yourself
- Our recommendation
- Explore our sofas
What makes Ciello feel so soft?
Softness comes from how the seat is built, layer by layer. Here is what sits under you and behind you in a Ciello.
What makes Ciello feel so soft?
| Part | What it does | What we use |
|---|---|---|
| Seat cushion | Gives the soft, sink-in feel | Soft synthetic fibre (no feathers) around a D35 high-density foam core that is 2.4 inches (6 cm) thick |
| Seat base | Adds cushioning between you and the frame | An extra 1.5-inch (about 4 cm) layer of D35 foam on top of the base |
| Under the base | Supports your weight | Steel springs and elastic webbing in a plywood frame |
| Back cushions | Let you lean back and shape the support | Loose cushions that you can fluff and reposition |
Higher foam density does not automatically mean a firmer feel, which is why a D35 core can sit under soft fibre and still feel plush. Each seat supports up to 350 lb (159 kg).
We added the extra 1.5-inch layer in 2026 after customers told us they could feel the wooden frame through earlier seats. It puts more cushioning between you and the frame. Our sofa comfort guide ranks Ciello with Gaia as our softest collections, ahead of Atmosphere, Cassini, Orian and Neptune.
How deep is a Ciello seat?
Seat depth decides whether you sit, perch or sprawl. We measure it from the front of the seat cushion to the front of the back cushion, so it changes a little with the tilt of the back cushion.
How deep is a Ciello seat?
| Measurement | Ciello Regular | Ciello XL |
|---|---|---|
| Seat depth | 21.7 inches (55 cm) | 26.4 inches (67 cm) |
| Seat width | 31 inches (79 cm) | 33.75 inches (86 cm) |
| Seat height | 21.3 inches (54 cm) | 21.3 inches (54 cm) |
| Overall depth of a seat module, back included | 37.4 inches (95 cm) | 40.2 inches (102 cm) |
Ciello XL adds about 4.7 inches of seat depth and 2.75 inches of seat width over Regular, and the seat height stays the same. XL is made for curling up, sitting cross-legged or stretching out. Regular is the better fit when floor space is tight or when you prefer to keep your feet on the floor while your back rests on the cushion.
A deeper seat is not always more comfortable. If the seat is too deep for your leg length, it can be hard to rest your feet on the floor and keep your back against the cushion. In our own assessment, Ciello XL suits taller people and lounging, and Ciello Regular suits people who want a less deep seat. Our seat depth and height guide compares every collection.
How do the backs and arms support you?
Ciello has two back and arm styles, and the back is where you choose how much support you want.
How do the backs and arms support you?
| Back style | Back height (floor to top of cushion) | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Original, Regular | 33 inches (84 cm) | Lower, classic, relaxed |
| Original, XL | 34.3 inches (87 cm) | Lower, classic, relaxed |
| High Angled, Regular and XL | 37 inches (94 cm) | Taller and more reclined, with more upper-back support |
The High Angled back adds about 4 inches to the Original back height on Regular and about 2.75 inches on XL. We introduced it after some customers told us the original backs were lower than they preferred. In our own assessment, Ciello XL with High Angled backs is one of our deepest and softest sofas and also one of our best configurations for back support, so it is our top pick for long stretches of lounging.
If you want a taller back, but with a more upright seat than Ciello, our Gaia sofa shares the same cushion build with a more upright backrest. Our Ciello vs Gaia comparison sets the two side by side.
What can you adjust on a Ciello?
Ciello does not recline mechanically. What you can adjust is the shape of the sofa and the position of its loose cushions, and those choices change how it feels.
- Seat size: Regular for a 21.7 inch (55 cm) seat depth, XL for 26.4 inches (67 cm).
- Back and arm style: Original for a lower profile, High Angled for a taller, more reclined back.
- Back cushion position: the back cushions are loose, so you can fluff and reposition them, and the seat depth changes slightly with their tilt.
- A place for your feet: a chaise adds a seat 54.5 inches (139 cm) deep, and the storage ottoman matches the seat height at 21.3 inches (54 cm), so it works as a footrest. It also holds 75 litres (2.65 cubic feet).
- How the sofa grows: you can add seats, corners, a chaise or a plateau later, so the sofa can change as your needs do. Our guide to how many modules you need helps you plan.
Our Ciello product guide lists every module and measurement.
Will the cushions stay comfortable?
Loose cushions change over time, and Ciello is no exception. They may feel somewhat firmer when new and then become softer and more relaxed as the fill settles with normal use. The seat cushions arrive vacuum-packed and can take up to two weeks to expand fully.
Because the fill is loose, a little care keeps the feel consistent. We suggest fluffing the cushions every one to two weeks, and rotating the seat cushions. Our guide to keeping sofa cushions plump shows how. If you prefer a seat that feels the same from week to week, our layered-foam collections such as Atmosphere and Neptune are designed to keep a more consistent feel.
Are the covers washable?
Yes. The seat, back and arm cushion covers zip off, and the base cover is held under the seat base with Velcro. Our Ciello fabrics are 100% polyester and machine washable: wash cold on a gentle cycle, air dry, and avoid bleach and high heat. Compatible replacement covers let you change the colour without replacing the frame.
Mocha is now offered on Ciello, in Performance Textured Weave rated at 54,000 Martindale double rubs. A higher Martindale number means a more durable surface. Our sofa fabric guide compares every weave.
Who Ciello suits, and who may prefer another sofa
Ciello suits you if you want a deep, soft seat for curling up, lounging, napping or watching a screen, and a sofa you can add to later. It may not suit you if you want a firm, upright seat. In that case, Neptune is our most upright option, and Atmosphere sits between the two, with a medium-firm seat. Our Atmosphere vs Ciello comparison explains the difference.
A 10-minute sit test: questions to ask yourself
Use these questions in a showroom or at home. This is general advice, not a product specification.
- Feet: can you rest your feet on the floor with your back against the cushion? If not, choose Regular.
- Legs up: do you like to sit cross-legged or with your legs on the seat? If so, choose XL.
- Back: do you want to lean back with your upper back supported? If so, choose High Angled.
- Feel: do you like to sink in, or do you want to feel held up? If you want to be held up, look at Atmosphere or Neptune.
- Care: are you happy to fluff the cushions every week or two?
Our recommendation
- Small room or apartment: Ciello Regular with Original back and arms.
- Lounging, napping or a larger living room: Ciello XL.
- Leaning back with more support: High Angled, in either size.
- Stretching out: add a chaise, or add a storage ottoman as a footrest.
- A firmer, more upright seat: look at Gaia, Atmosphere or Neptune instead.
If you are unsure which size fits your room, our sofa size guide walks through it.
Explore our sofas
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.