We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Joybird — Here Are the Best Ones
Before I was familiar with Joybird as a brand, I’d walk by its Downtown Brooklyn store almost every weekend during my morning Trader Joe’s trips. The store was never open that early, but its shuttered doors didn’t prevent me from admiring the inviting, jewel-toned sofas inside. So, you can understand why I was excited to finally visit the store during operating hours for AT’s Personal Shopper series. I visited the Joybird store in SoHo, Manhattan, to look at the brand’s sofas and sectionals. If you’re not familiar with Personal Shopper, it’s a series of shopping guides for all of your favorite furniture retailers, including West Elm, Ashley, Pottery Barn, and more.
After visiting these brands’ stores to test their furniture and decor, I provide you with a detailed breakdown of which bed frame, dresser, or desk is best for your space. In the process, I look out for elements that speak to a piece’s durability and whether it would suit, for example, high-traffic households, family homes, or apartments with limited space.
During my visit to Joybird, I saw sofas in all shapes, sizes, and configurations, and if you know anything about the brand, you won’t be surprised to hear that there were numerous upholstery fabrics and colors on display, too. Keep reading to see which model is the best for your space.
Why Joybird?
Joybird’s philosophy is that every customer should be able to buy the exact sofa they want. As a result of its numerous sofa sizes (including apartment sizes), configurations, and upholstery options, the shopper also gets to be the designer by crafting the perfect piece for their living space. You’ll find that many of the brand’s furnishings take inspiration from mid-century design, so although they’re modern in appearance, they’ll also lend a slightly retro vibe to your space.
Joybird also offers free 90-day returns, white-glove delivery service, and a limited lifetime warranty. Plus, its free online design service lets you see what a given piece of furniture will look like in your home. Basically, Joybird gives you all of the tools you need for a seamless furniture shopping experience.
The Sofas
Best for Small Spaces: Holt Sofa
Best Modular Style: Daya Modular Sofa
Best Sleeper Sofa: Briar Sleeper Sofa
Best for Movie Nights: Sebastian Daybed
Best Retro Style: Chelsea Loveseat
Best for Home Offices: Hughes Twin Sleeper
Best Leather Style: Elliot Leather Sectional
Best for Lounging: Bryant L-Sectional
Best for WFH: Lewis Sectional
Best Mid-Century Style: Hopson Apartment Sectional with Bumper
Best Modern Style: Wilder Sectional
Best for Families: Miller Sectional
Best for Socializing: Carin Sectional
The Criteria
We judged every Joybird sofa in-store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5. These scores helped us determine who the sofa suits best.
Seat Firmness: How soft or firm are the seat cushions? How do they contribute to overall posture and comfort?
Seat Depth: What posture does the sofa best support? How deep or shallow are the seats?
Loungability: Could you spend hours on this sofa? Could you nap on it? And would you want to?
Durability: Is the fabric easy to care for and able to withstand everyday use? Does it require frequent upkeep and spot cleaning?
Appearance: What style does the sofa best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., rounded lines, tufted cushions, classic silhouettes) or more contemporary (i.e., clean lines, bright hues, modern silhouettes)?
Every Editor-Tested Sofa at Joybird
Best for Small Spaces: Holt Sofa
Holt Sofa
Joybird
$1,744 (was $2,906)
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What impressed us: The deep seats and soft velvet upholstery.
The Holt was displayed in two different configurations on Joybird’s store floor. I first viewed the sectional version in a peachy fabric that’s part of the brand’s Mocha Mousse collection in collaboration with Pantone. But as a small-space dweller myself, I was even more intrigued by the sofa version, which is somehow compact but with wide seats. As you can see, the Holt has a clean-lined silhouette, so even if you opt for a bold upholstery color like Terra Rose or Caribbean Twist, it won’t overwhelm your living space. Its seats are medium-firm but plush, and overall, it’s a solid Goldilocks option for those who want something eye-catching but not statement-making and also comfortable but not totally cloud-like.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
86 inches long, 42 inches wide, 34.5 inches high
Available in 77 upholstery options
Available in other configurations here
Best Modular Style: Daya Modular Sofa
Daya Modular Sofa
Joybird
$2,630 (was $4,383)
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What impressed us: The low profile and loose cushions.
Another simple and sophisticated beauty, the Daya sofa has deep, firm seats and sits very low to the ground. I viewed a two-seater version in bubblegum-pink fabric, but because this pick is modular, you can include as many seats as you want. This makes the Daya one of those rare sofas that works for both small and large homes, although I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone with mobility issues, as it takes some effort to get in and out of. That being said, there’s something incredibly cozy about being enveloped by the sofa’s tall arms. Bookworms after a new reading spot will especially love this option.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
91.5 inches long, 40 inches wide, 31.5 inches high
Available in 77 upholstery options
Available in other configurations here
Best Sleeper Sofa: Briar Sleeper Sofa
Briar Sleeper Sofa
Joybird
$2,159 (was $3,598)
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What impressed us: The tufted bench seat and easy lift-top.
Gifty, Joybird’s director of merchandising & trade, led me to the Briar sleeper shortly after my arrival, so it’s actually the first sofa I viewed. She told me it’s the brand’s number-one bestseller, and if you see how easily the bench seat lifts up and unfolds into a queen mattress, you’ll understand why. Shoppers have a choice between a standard foam mattress or a TEMPUR-Response memory foam mattress for a little added comfort and long-lasting support. When closed, the Briar looks like any other stylish apartment sofa or loveseat, thanks to its tufted seat, prominent piping, and roll side pillows. It’s a dream if you ever host overnight guests!
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
79 inches long, 36 inches wide, 35 inches high
Available in 77 upholstery options
Available in other configurations here
Best for Movie Nights: Sebastian Daybed
Sebastian Daybed
Joybird
$2,233 (was $3,722)
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What impressed us: The rounded silhouette and double back pillows.
I actually viewed the Sebastian in chaise sectional form, but this daybed version looks even better for lounging. Its seats remind me of movie theater seats — only infinitely more comfortable, thanks to their foamy sink-in softness. I was told that this is yet another bestseller — especially for families with young children. The rounded corners make the Sebastian a safer model than something angular, and kids love to curl up on the deep seats. But even as an adult, I enjoyed lying back and taking a load off on this small-space couch. I was also delighted to find that the Sebastian has not one, but two sets of back pillows, which make it feel that much cushier.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
82 inches long, 66 inches wide, 31.5 inches high
Available in 70 upholstery options
Available in other configurations here
Best Retro Style: Chelsea Loveseat
Chelsea Loveseat
Joybird
$1,351 (was $2,252)
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What impressed us: The channel-tufted back and brass-accented legs.
How stunning is this vintage-inspired loveseat? Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s even prettier in person. The Chelsea loveseat might’ve been hidden toward the back of the store, but it’s impossible to ignore the dazzling channel tufting on its back or the glitzy gold-toned accents on its legs. Although it’s technically a loveseat, I think this would make a solid option as the main piece of seating for a small living room. It has a firm, mid-deep bench seat, and although it might look fancy, the Chelsea is wholly practical. Because Joybird offers a host of stain-resistant performance fabrics, you never have to worry about permanently ruining your gorgeous new couch.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
74 inches long, 35 inches wide, 31 inches high
Available in 77 upholstery options
Also available as an ottoman and sofa
Best for Home Offices: Hughes Twin Sleeper
Hughes Twin Sleeper Sofa
Joybird
$1,261 (was $2,101)
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What impressed us: The small footprint and mid-century design.
The Hughes sleeper has an almost hexagonal shape, which, coupled with the tufting on its back, reminded me of a honeycomb. Not only that, but the version I saw was upholstered in a banana-yellow fabric. In other words, it was downright groovy. If the Hughes is a tad too vibrant for your living room, you could use it to brighten up your home office. It’s the perfect size for a workspace, and, of course, it folds out into a twin-size bed. When closed, the Hughes has a firm seat, as is customary with sleepers. But there’s no way to not be drawn to its joyful frame every time you enter the room.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
66 inches long, 37 inches wide, 33 inches high
Available in 77 upholstery options
Available in other configurations here
Best Leather Style: Elliot Leather Sectional
Eliot Leather Sectional with Bumper (2 piece)
Joybird
$3,272 (was $5,453)
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What impressed us: The distressed upholstery and all-over button tufting.
Another retro-inspired piece, the Elliot sectional is characterized by distressed leather upholstery. Anyone who doesn’t know otherwise might think you got it from an antique shop or one of those pricey secondhand online furniture retailers. It’s a gem, thanks to its all-over tufting and slim but long chaise. I was feeling the ’70s vibes as I slid back on its cool, mid-firm seats. You can get the Elliot in either a left- or right-hand chaise configuration, and you’ll be happy to learn that it’s covered in an undetectable top coat that resists spills and stains. Even if you were to somehow minorly blemish the sectional, that would only add to its lived-in charm.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
104 inches long, 36 inches wide, 33 inches high
Available in Santiago Bisque leather upholstery
Also available as an accent chair and sofa
Best for Lounging: Bryant L-Sectional
Bryant L-Sectional (4 piece)
Joybird
$3,364 (was $5,607)
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What impressed us: The pillowy cushions and tall back.
Almost every furniture retailer has its own version of the cloud couch, and the Bryant sectional is Joybird’s version. And honestly, it might be the best one I’ve seen. A tall platform base supports the softest pillowy cushions — those after an unstructured model will love the fluffiness. Although you have plenty of space to recline, the tall backs help give shape to the otherwise casual silhouette. As much as I was loving the Bryant, I was even more impressed when I heard that it’s available in a petite size, which would be great for an apartment or dedicated movie room. In any case, this is the model for you if you reserve your sofa time strictly for unwinding.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
120 inches long, 40 inches wide, 35 inches high
Available in 77 upholstery options
Available in other configurations here
Best for WFH: Lewis Sectional
Lewis Sectional
Joybird
$2,219 (was $3,699)
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What impressed us: The wide double chaise and lumbar support.
The Lewis sectional is also available in an apartment size, which is pretty cool when you take its double chaise into account. I viewed the regular size, which is still on the small side for a sectional, but with enough space to seat up to four people comfortably (or three if you don’t want to split the chaise). Whereas many of Joybird’s sectionals have short legs or platform bases, I like the tall legs on the Lewis, as they give it an airy appearance and make the sectional look as if it’s not taking up as much space as it is. Although you once again have a plethora of upholstery colors to choose from, a neutral shade, like gray or olive green, would suit the Lewis exceptionally well. With its slightly firm seats and overstuffed back cushions for extra lumbar support, this is Joybird’s best option for working from home.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
108 inches long, 42 inches wide, 32 inches high
Available in 65 upholstery options
Available in other configurations here
Best Mid-Century Style: Hopson Apartment Sectional with Bumper
Hopson Apartment Sectional with Bumper
Joybird
$2,345 (was $3,908)
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What impressed us: The out-turned legs and apartment size.
The Hopson apartment sectional proves that you can, indeed, have it all — plenty of seating, a beautiful living room piece, and your desired sofa configuration — even if you live in an apartment with limited square footage. It’s available with either a left- or right-hand chaise, and at 89 inches long, it’s impressively compact without sacrificing comfort. I found the chaise to be slim and short but still cozy enough for one person. The seats felt soft and foamy, while the back cushions felt a tad firmer. And, of course, if you’re into the mid-century aesthetic, you’ll adore the Hopson’s out-turned legs, slim arms, and chic back cushion tufting.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
89 inches long, 33 inches wide, 33 inches high
Available in 65 upholstery options
Available in other configurations here
Best Modern Style: Wilder Sectional
Wilder Sectional
Joybird
$2,309 (was $3,848)
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What impressed us: The clean lines and soft but supportive seats.
Some people want their home to feel like an oasis, free of bold accents and extravagant silhouettes. I’m one of those people, so trust me when I say that if you are, too, the Wilder sectional is for you. It’s one of Joybird’s newer releases and is already selling well. It reminded me of the Bryant sectional because of its plush, cloudlike seating, but the Wilder is better balanced, thanks to tall, medium-firm back cushions and its slightly more normal depth. In other words, you’ll certainly want to lounge on it, but you could also sit, read, and work. It’s modern but not austere — the perfect mix of homeyness and fashion-forward design.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
123.5 inches long, 47 inches wide, 36.5 inches high
Available in 77 upholstery options
Also available as an ottoman, twin sleeper, sofa, sleeper sectional, and corner sectional
Best for Families: Miller Sectional
Miller Sectional
Joybird
$2,464 (was $4,106)
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What impressed us: The laid-back yet refined silhouette.
Although I enjoyed testing the Wilder, my favorite piece of living room seating in Joybird’s store was the Miller sectional. It’s made up of two long chaises and would fit perfectly in a corner. Although it has deep, sink-in seats and low backs, it still has a structured shape and looks so sleek in person. I viewed the Miller in a cream-colored fabric, which contrasted beautifully against the dark, barely visible legs. This is a sofa the entire family will enjoy, but it won’t make your home look frumpy or unkempt. If you’re upgrading to a larger apartment and after a low-maintenance, grown-up couch, this is a fabulous pick for that, too.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
113 inches long, 58 inches wide, 31 inches high
Available in 77 upholstery options
Also available as an ottoman, sofa, sleeper sofa, and double chaise sectional
Best for Socializing: Carin Sectional
Carin Sectional
Joybird
$2,132 (was $3,553)
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What impressed us: The icy blue fabric and low seats.
I won’t lie — the Carin sectional didn’t look exceptionally comfortable to me at first glance. It sits pretty low to the ground, but once I was sat I was happy to find that it offers exceptional lumbar support, thanks to its rectangular back cushions. It also wasn’t as firm as I expected it to be; instead, the seats were supportive and molded to my body weight. You truly feel like you can let loose when seated on the sectional, which is why I think it would be great for people who like to host casual hangouts. It also has no visible base under its two long seat modules, which adds to its futuristic appearance.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
107.5 inches long, 56.5 inches wide, 29 inches high
Available in 77 upholstery options
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
