Which seat thickness keeps the backrest under a window ledge?
The seats of 4 in (10 cm) and 8 in (20 cm) keep a standard backrest under a ledge of about 24 in (61 cm), and the seats of 12 in (30 cm) and 16 in (40 cm) cover it. A backrest stands 16 in (40 cm) tall as standard and seat thickness comes in four steps, so the total is the seat plus 16 in (40 cm).
| Seat thickness | Backrest | Total height | Against the ledge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 in (10 cm) | 16 in (40 cm) | 19.5 in (50 cm) | Clears it by 4.5 in (11 cm) |
| 8 in (20 cm) | 16 in (40 cm) | 23.5 in (60 cm) | Clears it by 0.5 in (1 cm) |
| 12 in (30 cm) | 16 in (40 cm) | 27.5 in (70 cm) | Covers it by 3.5 in (9 cm) |
| 16 in (40 cm) | 16 in (40 cm) | 31.5 in (80 cm) | Covers it by 7.5 in (19 cm) |
A ledge with only 0.5 in (1 cm) of margin is worth measuring twice, and I would ask the drawing to show the sum. How one thickness compares with another is covered in the seat-height section of our hub page for American majlis rooms.
From the atelier
Questions buyers ask
- A window ledge about 24 in (61 cm) high sits behind where the sofa goes. Will the backrest block it?
- Add the seat and backrest heights: a seat of 8 in (20 cm) with a backrest of 16 in (40 cm) tops out near 23.5 in (60 cm), just under the ledge, while a seat of 12 in (30 cm) brings the total to about 27.5 in (70 cm) and covers it. Measure the ledge from the floor.
- Is the sofa all foam, or is there a wooden base inside?
- Inside a floor sofa or a full-foam majlis there is only foam: no wood, no metal frame and no springs. A majlis can instead sit on an MDF and wood frame fitted with foam seats, and photos can look alike, so ask which build a photo shows before you order.
What do you measure when a ledge, a radiator or a doorway shares the wall?
- Measure the window ledge from the floor, not from the seat, because that figure is the one the seat and backrest have to stay under.
- Give the length of the wall each run leans on, corner to corner, and mark any radiator, vent or doorway on the sketch.
- Say whether children will climb on the set; that decides if a run stays against a wall or needs a wooden base and back.
- For two rooms, send one sketch per room, so each made-to-measure layout gets its own piece list.
Feed the lengths into the majlis planner for a seat count, and the majlis measuring guide explains each step in more detail.
Where should loose backrests sit when children climb on a set?
Backrests are separate pieces. They lean on the wall instead of being sewn to the seat, which is what lets you rearrange them, so the simplest answer is a wall behind every run. Seating that has to stand in the open needs a wooden base with a wooden back, and metal back supports are worth asking about.
A spare set of covers is the calmest answer to a house full of kids. Covers unzip, and a gentle machine wash at 86°F (30°C) with a mild detergent is enough; heat can shrink them.

Can an L and two singles share one fabric across two rooms?
An L and two single sets can be quoted together in one fabric, so the living room and a second room match. Two singles set end to end give 150 in (380 cm) along one wall, the same run as the two seats of an L, so the pair can regroup later if you move them; the L-shaped sets page lists the sizes for two walls.
How do you keep Newark, Delaware apart from Newark, New Jersey on an order?
Write the state and the full ZIP code on every message and order, because a Newark address without them is easy to read as the other Newark. Delivery covers Delaware addresses from Wilmington and Newark to Dover, and the tracking emails, one per box, start when the order ships.
Delivery to the US and Canada is by tracked express courier — ask us for the current transit estimate.
Delivery to the US and Canada is by tracked express courier — ask us for the current transit estimate.
Import duties for US deliveries are set by US Customs — ask us how they apply to your order before you pay.
Import charges for Delaware addresses are stated in your quote. Eastern time puts Istanbul 7 to 8 hours ahead, depending on the season.
| Delaware clock (Eastern) | Istanbul during daylight time | Istanbul during standard time |
|---|---|---|
| 10 a.m. | 5 p.m. | 6 p.m. |
| 2 p.m. | 9 p.m. | 10 p.m. |
| 6 p.m. | 1 a.m. the next day | 2 a.m. the next day |
Which Arab groups live in Delaware, and what does the Philadelphia metro add?
ACS 5-year estimates put Delaware's Arab-ancestry population at about 5,300, with Egyptian families the largest group. The state sits inside the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro, and our guide to Arabic sofas and majlis in Pennsylvania covers the other side of it.
| Place | What the figures show | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | About 5,300 residents report Arab ancestry (0.52%) | ACS 5-year |
| Delaware | Egyptian about 1,500, other Arab about 1,200 and unspecified Arab about 780 | ACS 5-year |
| Delaware | Middle Eastern or North African residents counted in 2020: about 6,100 (0.61%) | 2020 Census |
| Philadelphia metro area | About 40,900 residents of Arab ancestry | ACS 5-year |
| Delaware homes | Home ownership about 73%, detached houses about 59%, 20-plus-unit buildings about 5% | ACS 5-year |
| Delaware homes | Median year built: 1987 | ACS 5-year |
| South Atlantic states | Slab-on-grade foundations under about 86% of new single-family homes | NAHB analysis of Census data |
| Wilmington | Midwinter highs about 41°F (5°C), midsummer highs about 86°F (30°C); snowfall about 20 in (51 cm) a year | NOAA normals |
Local questions
Is anything ready for same-day pickup, or can I see a set first?
Nothing is held for same-day pickup, because the workshop in Istanbul makes every set. Ask us about fabric swatches and a foam sample before you order. We don't have a showroom; ask us for a sample box or a video call.
Can I order a spare cover or one more backrest later?
A lone backrest, new foam or a set of covers without foam can all be ordered later. Quote the fabric code of your set so that the new piece matches the rest, and ask the team how the new fabric will sit next to the original before you confirm.
Can the set move to a patio in summer?
Living-room upholstery stays indoors; a patio set uses a water-repellent outdoor fabric, offered mostly in plain colors. NOAA's normals for Wilmington keep average highs within 64°F (18°C) to 90°F (32°C) from May to October, which is the season to plan around.
Sources
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B04006 (ancestry)
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25024 (units in structure)
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25003 (tenure)
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25035 (median year structure built)
- US Census Bureau, 2020 Census DHC-A: the Middle Eastern and North African population
- US Census Bureau, Characteristics of New Housing (foundation type), with NAHB analysis
- NOAA climate normals, 1991 to 2020, Wilmington












