Is The Nugget Couch Worth The Hype?
Nov 15, 2019, Updated Mar 06, 2023
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*This review is NOT sponsored by Nugget Comfort.*
One of my very favorite kids’ toys, our Nugget couch, just happens to be something I resisted for far too long- which makes for an interesting Nugget Comfort Review. I swore we weren’t going to get a kids’ couch- but now it has been 4 years of loving the Nugget!
What The Heck Is A Nugget Couch?
Below are my thoughts and 4 Nugget alternatives if you’re stuck on the waitlist.
The Nugget was originally a play couch designed to be made as a small untraditional sofa for college kids. Younger kids quickly took a liking to it, and the company realized they had a different audience than expected- this was more of a toddler couch than a dorm room sofa. The company switched tactics and turned it into a kids’ play couch!
The Nugget couch is made up of four pieces. It has two supportive pillows shaped like large triangles, one thinner soft seat cushion, and a thicker sturdy base. The two larger pieces fold together and have large handles. It is somewhat lightweight – my kids can drag it around, and the fact that it folds up makes it easy to set aside.
For so long I doubted the hype and the possibilities. How could this funny kids’ couch possibly live up to all the talk? I didn’t know if the kids would really play with the Nugget that much after the novelty wore off. After all, it was a couch!
But before I get to my own personal opinion…
Nugget Comfort Facts You Need To Know
(If you have a Montessori baby you might be interested in my own personal experience with our rainbow Pikler Triangle– it is my other Montessori toy I swear by)
The Cost of The Nugget
The Nugget will cost you $229 and ships free within the 48 US states. Certainly not a cheap kids’ couch, and sadly they do not run big sales. However, considering this is around the cost of a lot of gaming systems many of us end up buying our kids, this is a much better use of your money (in my opinion!).
We haven’t needed to even wash our cover yet, but if it were to get destroyed or you want a change the color out, they do sell the cover separately. A new Nugget cover will cost you $99. That made me feel okay about buying pink! If I want to go neutral I can shell out $99 in 5 years or so. I feel confident my kids will love our Nugget just as much at that time.
Per their website, they do take money off multiple orders in a cart – you save $25 on a 2-pack, $50 on a 3-pack, etc.
Scroll down to Nugget Alternatives down below!
Nugget Couch Colors- Piglet and More
We picked out Piglet; a light soft pink they no longer sell. If you’re wondering how my boys feel about the pink- because we do get that question – they have never brought it up. (In general, we don’t encourage pink being a girls’ color only, so that helps.)
Many of the brand new colors quickly go out of stock when released. Get on the waitlist, and pay attention to announcements.
Their communication with customers is great about expectations and future plans for releasing colors!
If you like mine, take a peek at Sweatpea. This is the closest color to Piglet- but with more blush tones.
4 Nugget Couch Alternatives
With all of these toddler couches not shipping right away, there must be something similar out there right? Some kind of Nugget couch alternative, right?? What is a mom to do?
Well, I can’t vouch for any of these Nugget couch alternatives from experience, but I did take a peek at the reviews and they all seem pretty great option for a toddler couch.
- Pottery Barn Kids has what they call a Foamnasium Blocksy Kids Couch. Shop it here.
- This guy is the best look alike on Amazon (vinyl cushions? Interesting!)
- This kids’ modular loveseat also on Amazon looks very cool and has reviews that back it up. I like all the neat configurations and colors! The reviews have images of kids building themselves fun little forts!
- Depending on what exactly you are looking for, this folding sofa and play mat look fun! This is a great nugget couch alternative. It’s also washable, and bonus- it has different sizes! I love that! It doesn’t look like the Nugget couch, but I can see how kids could really get into this. It’s self described as a “launch pad for indoor mischief.”
When you’re a mom stuck at home with kids going nuts right now (hi, me), you just sadly may not have time to sit around and wait. No shame in grabbing that kids couch from Amazon!
Nugget Comfort Delivery
The big orange box arrives within 10 days or so. Be aware these details could change if it is back-ordered. If this is a surprise, be aware it is not supposed to be stored too long in the box. The foam is compressed too tightly to be stored in a box for long periods of time! Ours was a Christmas present, so we stashed it outside of the box in my parents’ attic.
This Kids’ Couch Care
The material of this kids’ couch is a durable microsuede. The seams and zippers are heavy duty, the fabric on ours is in great condition. No pilling. Like I said, we haven’t needed to wash ours even though it’s been a year. You are encouraged to wash it in the washing machine on cold, and hang it to dry. Of course, you wouldn’t want the cover to shrink in the dryer!
How I Came To Love Our Nugget Couch
We have a history, this Nugget couch and I, as it originally was made right here in my town. Long before my blogging days, the people behind the Nugget were looking for website/marketing photos. They needed a few kids and a home with natural lighting, two things I happen to have a lot of. We spent a fun morning getting to know the Nugget, all the configurations and the fun colors.
My kids immediately thought I should buy them one. My answer was a quick “nope”- we have enough stuff!
Over the course of a full year (I resisted!) I saw first hand how this toddler couch could be the best thing to ever happen to my kids’ playroom!
A lot of our friends are Nugget owners. One evening our family was visiting our friends’ home for dinner. They have two toddlers, who of course need two toddler couches – so they own two Nuggets. How excessive, right?
Well, all our kids of various ages were deep into fort building and pretending all evening with these two Nuggets. They literally played on and around them all night. We were clearly missing out!
Despite all the various ages and interests, our kids were finding different ways to play with this toy. On the ride home my husband looked over and smugly said “Admit it- you’re thinking we should get the kids a Nugget for Christmas.” At that point, I happily got on board.
My Review After Owning Our Nugget Couch For A Year+
Come see our playroom refresh, complete with hanging chairs!
For this review, I wanted to photograph typical play. I told the kids to just come play with the Nugget and do their thing, as I would be standing in the corner taking some quick pictures.
Obviously, a kids couch is not usually a “sit still” toy. Especially if you have little ones – because it is essentially a perfect toddler couch. Lots of sliding, jumping off, climbing, houses, tunnels, and their favorite – forts of course.
They drag our babysitter up here and involve her, making her get out all the blankets and drape them over it. (She loves the Nugget now too, which is hilarious.) This photo of our Nugget covered up with blankets actually made it into the local Durham Magazine:
Although it is mostly used for action and imaginative playing, the kids do some lounging on the Nugget as well. We just didn’t get any images of them relaxing (HA).
My neighbor, who has a special needs child, told me that the Nugget offers her son a better option than a bed. Rather than sleeping on a traditional bed that poses problems for some kids, the Nugget provides a soft spot low to the ground for safe sleeping. (Not actual medical advice, of course!)
Get The Look:
Our blue plaid wallpaper (it’s peel and stick!)
My Hesitations Put To Rest
I mentioned that my one fear before we bought the Nugget was that the novelty would wear off after a few weeks. But here we are over a year later, and it’s still played with weekly. The Nugget appeals to all their friends of all genders and interests. <em>I think it comes down to the simple fact that it is an oversized object in the simplest form that creates endless opportunities for imaginative and active play.
Just 4 pieces of foam. No batteries, no light up parts or beeping or movement. A Nugget couch.
Because kids don’t get tired of using their imagination when they can create anything they want (until they grow up, that is!).
My other fear was that my kids would destroy it. My kids play rough and there are 4 of them! (They ruined a certain popular and very loved company’s “Everywhere Chair” in a matter of weeks.) But the Nugget couch has retained its’ shape. The foam inside is solid.
Get The Look:
My Other Favorite Montessori Toy:
Although Nugget is a Montessori toy, we’re more “Montessori Light” kind of people. I love the ideas and adhere to them when possible. If you love the Nugget, the Pikler Triangle is another imaginative Montessori toy! It has been a “must have” since our babes were little – as in 6 months old!
Sometime around 6 months Camille was pulling up and standing on the bottom rung of the Pikler, and after her 1st birthday, she climbed over the top. I will never forget the way her face lit up- beaming in confidence. Take a peek at my Pikler Triangle Review – you will love this imaginative toy!
Or take our playroom tour here, or my recent room makeover in my 6 year old’s bedroom.
I hope my review was able to answer some of your Nugget couch questions. If you are looking for toys that will help develop their imagination, Nugget Comfort should have a top spot on your list. You can always learn more with me and shop my home to see all the items in my home.
Thank you for the review and showing how much your kids love the nugget. I would love to win a nugget because there are so many things the kids can do with the nugget. It lets the kids to be able to use their imagination and play.
Harbor is the one color I was trying to get for my kids! Loved your review, it validated why I wanted to get it! My kids will love it!
i’m DYING to gift my daughter and nieces and nephew a nugget ????
My babies would LOVE the Nugget!!! I foolishly waited on some family to order ours together and they sold out!
I have 4 year old Boy and an 8 month old baby girl! With my dude’s imagination and fighting like an Avengers superhero skills and my baby girl learning to crawl and walk, the nugget would be perfection for both!
I never win anything but as bad as I want this nugget for my babies I’m feeling hopeful!
Hey Chrissy! Loved your review on the nugget and seeing how much you guys love it! I’ve been wanting to get a nugget for a while because my kids would love it too with all the possibilities they can do with it!
What a great giveaway! And excited to check out your insta feed ? I have three kiddos (Ages 7,4, and 1) and love that this is a gift that can entertain all three!
My son plays with this at his little friends house. I would love to give him one especially since his new little brother just arrived and he’s getting a new big kid room.
We’d absolutely love a nugget in our house. Four kids soon to be five all 8 & under this would be a lifesaver. We’ve really focused on becoming minimalist and so we’ve purged so much and are focusing on the toys that will last for all the kids wether big or small. The nugget would be great because my kiddos climb around like little monkeys. Lol. Hope we win! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!!
We had a nugget on our Christmas list and didn’t beat the rush and they sold out! Our 4 year old is super active and we are moving into a new home right before Christmas where she will have her own playroom and perfect spot to play and lounge.
Oh my goodness, I absolutely love your playroom! I was excited that you touched on the idea of your kids getting bored of the nugget as that’s my concern! Im convinced- my busy guy would love a nugget!