Finally, A Sleeper Sofa My Parents Will Actually Love
My husband and I did a lot of growing up in 2020. Like many others stuck at home, we took a good look at our space and decided it was time to get "real" furniture. Out went our Craigslist sofa and hand-me-down mattress, in went a brand new green velvet couch and a Parachute mattress.
Part of our revamp was to turn our guest quarters (which also doubles as my office) into an actually livable space. Previously, we set visitors up on an air mattress, and while most were good sports about it, you could tell it was less than ideal as they surreptitiously stretched their backs out in the morning. This was especially a concern for my aging parents who didn't outwardly complain about the air mattress ... but, ya know. They freakin' hate that thing.
I was resistant to getting a sleeper sofa for so long. For one, they are notoriously un-cool in design. Second, it's tough to find one people actually love sleeping on — especially parents. After weeks of research, I landed on Apt2B and their amazing selection of sleeper sofas (including sectional sleepers!) — all of which seemed to carry some flair. We decided on the Harper, a modern, queen-size sleeper with a sleek wood base. (For transparency, I did receive this couch in exchange for an honest review, however, all of the following thoughts and opinions expressed below are my own and are not influenced by Apt2B, in any way.)
Leonora Epstein
The Details
Opting for white glove delivery, our Harper setup was fast and easy. We were crazy-impressed by how easily the movers got the couch through our narrow doorways (although we'd measured everything before, we knew it would be tight). We opted for the Cream fabric, which is a bit lighter than the website, but is a beautiful neutral. Bonus: All Apt2B fabrics are hypoallergenic.
The Harper comes with three cushions: A single rectangular seat cushion and two back cushions, which can each be reversed (in the event they get grody), but they're all zipperable, and can therefore be removed for cleaning.
The wood base (we went for the Pecan), is solid, sturdy wood, and feels very high-quality.
There are two mattress options: innerspring and memory foam. We went with the innerspring.
Leonora Epstein
Thoughts
Style: I honestly cannot say enough good things about this sleeper. I love the way it looks in our new guest room/office. The addition of throw pillows jazzes it up, and I sometimes keep a shag throw over it to give it a more '70s vibe, which our cat loves. (And thankfully, surprisingly, our cat doesn't love to claw this couch which is another relief!)
Fabric: The fabric is wonderfully stain-resistant; within a week, my husband managed to spill a bit of a latte on it, and it wiped right up with a damp rag.
Cushions: This is one sturdy sofa, and the cushions arrive full of bulk. I love this — if you buy a couch you immediately sink into, you know it's only going to look more and more used over time. Because the cushions are so firm, they provide excellent support, but will also keep your couch looking new for at least a few years.
Leonora Epstein
Frame: One of my favorite things about the Harper is that it's actually on the more lightweight side. The last sleeper I owned was a behemoth and it honestly gave me so much anxiety thinking about having to move it (even when we weren't planning a move). The Harper is light enough that my husband and I can actually lift it ourselves.
Mattress: And finally, the important part — the mattress. The Harper's innerspring mattress is deceptively amazing. It's not very thick (5.5 inches), but is astoundingly firm and sturdy. (You definitely don't have that bar-in-the-back problem that comes with many sleepers.) I was initially worried that it wouldn't provide enough support for my aging parents, but after sleeping on the mattress myself for three nights, I became convinced that they're going to fully love The Harper. Each night served zero discomfort — one night, I even tried adding a foam topper, but ended up taking it off the following evening because I preferred the firmer feel of the mattress.
The Verdict
The Harper sleeper fully delivers on all of its promises. It's a quality couch and mattress in one, and I'm fully convinced it will withstand the test of time (from both a use and style perspective). Plus, Apt2B offers a lifetime guarantee on the frame and workmanship, so you can rest assured that your investment will be well looked after.
Buy now: Apt2B Harper Queen Size Sleeper Sofa, $2,598