Reviewer: Kate McLaughlin, digital features editor
Model tested: Koala Wanda Sofa Bed
The details: Koala, a furniture brand from Sydney, had been on my radar for a bit before testing this model. The company describes its ethos as “cozy, simple, and sustainable,” they’re both Certified B Corp and a One Percent for the Planet member, sourcing recycled fabrics and PFA-free materials to create their designs.
The Wanda Sofa Bed is one of their newer models and comes in four colors (olive green, burnt orange, grey, and butter yellow). I was most interested in the modularity of the piece—it can be reconfigured four ways—and the fact that it comes in separate parts. Add in that it can be fashioned into a queen-size bed and includes hidden storage in the footrest, and it seemed like the potentially perfect NYC sofa—one that can work for multiple uses, in multiple locations, and is relatively easy to move.
Before Delivery
How much does it cost? Are there payment plans available?
The sofa costs $3,295, and the company offers payment plans through ShopPay. Additionally, there is a first-time buyer discount that new customers can redeem for up to $250 off.
What are the upholstery or customization options? Did you choose any?
The Wanda Sofa Bed comes in four colors in the same material, a recycled polyester that has a coarse-ish texture (it’s not rough, but you can feel the woven strands when running a hand over it). I’d describe it as a performance fabric. I opted for the rusty orange Bronzed Aussie shade, though they also offer Olive Butter (an earthy green), Morning Fog (a soft grey), and Pearl Moon (a butter-yellow-leaning cream).
What is the lead time for customization, manufacturing, and delivery?
From order placement to delivery, it took less than two weeks for my sofa to arrive. The couches are not made-to-order, so if they are in stock, they ship and deliver quickly (shipments go out in two to four business days; mine arrived to my apartment in less than two weeks).
What kind of couch or seating arrangement did you have before, and what drew you to your new couch?
My previous sofa was a vintage rust-colored leather find that I unfortunately had to sell when it wouldn’t fit into my new apartment. Since it matched so well with my existing decor, I was on the hunt for a couch that fell in a similar color family. At the same time, I wanted a silhouette that could easily come apart to avoid another tragic moving issue. Something I appreciated about my ex-couch was the fact that it was great for guests (it was basically the size of a twin bed), so a replacement that would also accommodate visitors was a must.
I’ve moved six times in eight years (par for the course in New York City), so I was drawn to the Wanda’s modularity. I figured that a flexible design wouldn’t hurt, given that it’s very possible I’ll end up in a new apartment in a few years, and something like this gives me higher odds that it will work in those units too. Lastly, there’s nice storage in the footrest, and I will never pass up an extra place to stow away extra items (it’s currently housing some blankets, a small handheld vacuum, and the mattress topper, with plenty of room to spare).
Delivery and Assembly
What was the delivery process like?
The Wanda arrived in four boxes, and it took about 20 minutes total for two couriers to bring them up the stairs into my apartment. I was able to select a delivery window that worked for me and had no issues with the process.
What was the assembly process like? How long did it take and how many people?
Myself and one other person were able to assemble the couch in about an hour; we both found the instructions clear and easy to follow. I loved that it didn’t require any tools. The couch is mainly assembled through connector brackets (in essence, everything clicks into place).
Because it’s quite long, there was one moment where we probably could’ve benefited from a third person to help hold pieces together while lining up the brackets. We were able to get it together as a pair, but an extra set of hands would’ve sped up the process.
After Delivery
What are the dimensions? How does it fit in your space?
The sofa is 99 inches across and 39 inches in depth. The L-shaped addition adds 30 inches to one side (69 inches total from the seat back to the end) and is 31 inches across. It fits great in my apartment, and I appreciate that the chaise can go on either side of the sofa, depending on what makes sense in the space. An additional footrest can pull out to create a 99 by 68 rectangle for maximum lounging space. In this format, an included mattress topper also transforms the sofa into a queen-size bed.
Sit test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well-made? Does the couch have a tendency to sag?
My friends and I joke that it’s a “Midwest sofa” because it’s got that plush, loungeable quality that feels distinctly like the suburban sofas of our childhood. It doesn’t sag but isn’t too firm either—supportive without being stiff. I love it.
Lay test: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well-made? Does the couch have a tendency to sag?
The couch is equally comfortable to lay on, both in sofa and bed form. I take so many naps on it and love to pull out the additional footrest when friends come over for cozy movie nights. In this silhouette, we can easily fit four people and even squish in a fifth.
Is the sofa suitable for particular decor styles? If so, which ones?
I could see this couch working for a number of styles, although I think it leans contemporary. It’s simple on purpose, which means it can blend in fairly well to many aesthetics. That said, I don’t personally see it as a showpiece of a room given its relatively understated profile, but I find that chameleon-like quality part of the draw. Depending on how you decorate around it, I think it could work in many contexts.
Is it durable and practical in a modern home?
So far, I’ve found the couch to be very durable. My one small qualm is that the fabric pills a little, especially in the areas where we sit the most. I’ve been able to take care of this really easily with a fabric shaver and wouldn’t call it a dealbreaker, but it does require a little extra care. Otherwise, it’s sturdy, well-made, and great for everyday use.
Is the couch kid- and/or dog-friendly?
Child and pet-free, I can’t attest to this personally, though I don’t imagine it would be an issue. Because I’m an obsessive cleaner, I lint roll and vacuum the couch a few times a week, and it always looks perfect after. So if kids dropped crumbs or pets shed, the couch would welcome that and be easy to remedy.
What are the care and cleaning instructions? Do you think stains could be easily removed?
Luckily I haven’t had to deal with any stains yet, and I hope I don’t have to. That said, Koala claims all fabrics are stain-resistant. The main care instructions are to vacuum weekly, avoid direct sunlight, and spot-clean with warm water and mild detergent mix. As a trial, I put a few water drops on the couch, which were super easy to wipe away and didn’t immediately soak into the fabric.
Do the photos do this product justice? Was there anything you were surprised to see IRL?
I think the photos line up very accurately with what you receive. There was nothing surprising or unexpected about the way the couch looked once it arrived.
Would the couch be easy to move into another room? Would it be easy to move to another apartment or home by yourself?
I definitely couldn’t move the couch alone, but with other people, it would be easy to transport. The fact that all of the parts detach makes it much more portable than other sofas I’ve had. The seat, chaise, backrest, and armrests are all individual pieces, in addition to the two removable backrest cushions.
Sleep Test
What type of mattress does your sofa have?
While the couch comes with a thin sofa topper made from polyester and polyurethane foam, so much of the density comes from the couch itself, which is definitely on the firmer side. Additionally, there are two inserts that fit into the couch’s seams to ensure a smooth feel.
Lay test (pulled out): Does the couch easily convert into sleeper mode?
The couch converts into sleeper mode by pulling out the additional footrest (which is designed like a drawer), then adding the inserts, and finishing with the topper. Overall, it’s an easy process and very doable alone. However, I have had some trouble getting the footrest to pop up after extending the drawer. It always works eventually, but it’s definitely stiff. I’m curious to see if this process will get smoother as I use it more.
Comfort: Is it comfortable? Does it feel well-made? How does it compare to the traditional mattresses you’ve slept on?
Once it’s in bed mode, I do think this is one of the most comfortable sofa beds I’ve ever used. I’m somewhat scarred by hotel pullout beds and the sleeper sofas of my youth that I remember as pokey and wiry due to their collapsable frames. Because this design has such a substantial base, it provides a sturdy foundation for well-supported sleep. Given it’s a queen-size mattress, there is more than enough room for my five-foot-two self and an additional person. I tend to sleep on my back or side and find it really supportive in either position.
Did you put sheets on the sleeper sofa? Was it easy to put them on?
I put a flat queen-size sheet on the sofa rather than a fitted one—a decision based purely on the fact that this was the only sheet I owned that would fit, as my actual bed is a full-size. The topper, however, is designed similarly to a fitted sheet and was very easy to put on and off.
Sofa Grades
Comfort: A+
Value: A-
Delivery and assembly: A
Style: A
Overall couch rating: A
