Back in 2020, my colleague Scott Gilbertson tried the Joybird Eliot sofa. And he hated it. Ever since, the Joybird Eliot has been the only pick in the “Avoid” section of our couches buying guide. When Joybird reached out explaining that it had revamped the Eliot (and its customer service—more on that later), I was skeptical about trying it. But I did it for you, reader, and I’m happy to report that after three months of testing, this improved couch earns a passing grade in my book.
From Swatch to Finish
Photograph: Louryn Strampe
Every Joybird Eliot couch is a custom, made-to-order affair. The Eliot is available in several styles and configurations. I opted to try the Sleeper Sofa, since I’ve been on the hunt for a good couch with a built-in bed for our buying guide. Joybird sent me a swatch kit full of delightful little fabric squares in a rainbow of colors. (Customers can get this kit for free, too.) There are nearly 80 different fabrics to choose from, including pet-friendly options and lush velvet affairs. Some of these fabrics add an upcharge.
After sifting through the swatches for a few days, I opted for the Royale Berry, a durable and plush pink velvet that was labeled pet-friendly and stain-resistant. The mattress had two options—Standard or Tempur-Response Memory Foam (yes, from Tempur-Pedic). The website has helpful tools like AR visualization, plus specific dimensions so you can measure for your space or for delivery.
There are some benefits and some drawbacks to this process. Since the couches are bespoke, the manufacturing process can take weeks. But on the positive side, these couches come with in-person white-glove delivery, wherein a team will come in and place your new sofa wherever it needs to be. This adds an additional fee that varies in pricing depending on where you’re getting the couch delivered. Once the couch is ready, you can set a delivery date. Make sure the area where your couch will live is clear, and the team will handle the rest. Delivery of my couch took less than 10 minutes, and the team took the packaging materials with them.
The couch looked even better than I was envisioning, with well-constructed cushions and even stitching. It has two seat cushions and two back cushions, with a pull-out sofa bed. I like the mid-century modern styling, which blends in well with the rest of my house, and the hot, berry-pink velvet fabric is soft and plush to the touch. It’s also durable and stain-resistant, and it’s held up well to numerous spills. I love the way it looks in my living room, and I’ve had many houseguests say the same thing.
From Sitting to Sleeping
Photograph: Louryn Strampe
One of Scott’s biggest complaints regarding this sofa was uneven filling distribution, which Joybird has since reworked. The company said it redesigned the corner blocks, adjusted cushioning, and worked with the supplier to improve the tufted buttons. Some specific Eliot models got further tweaks, like an added support beam. My couch has even fill distribution, and even though I’m the kind of person who sits in the same spot on the couch for hours every day (I usually work from the living room), mine has held up well and remains comfortable to sit on. It’s a little on the firm side, which I like in my couches—I don’t get that sinking, stuck-in-the-couch feeling that I have with some previous sofas I’ve tested.