Innovation Living Sofa Bed Reviews and Frequently Asked Questions
Innovation Living Sofas are often given great reviews for their comfort, compact design, and ease of use. And several sleepers are in stock for quick delivery. Here we'll answer common questions we get about the sofa design, assembly, delivery, and quality. Need more info? Ask out furniture experts a question on any product page!
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Are Innovation Living sofa beds suitable for everyday sleeping?
Yes, many of our customers use their Innovation Living sofa bed as their primary sleeping surface. This is especially true for studio apartments, guest rooms that pull double duty, or anyone who wants maximum flexibility in their space. Our comfort systems are specifically engineered for regular sleep use, not just occasional guests. The Double Spring comfort in Neah and Vilander models provides excellent support for nightly use, while the Dual Memory system in Carnell offers the ultimate in sleep customization with its reversible firm/soft mattress design.
What is the long-term user experience comparing the comfort levels of the different mattresses? How do they feel after a year or more of daily use?
The Double Spring comfort in Neah and Vilander models maintains its support characteristics over time because the combination of no-zag springs with pocket springs creates what Innovation Living calls "an extra layer of elasticity" that allows the mattress to breathe. The durable metal frame construction with high-resilient foam typically holds up well to daily conversion, though the hyper soft foam layer may compress slightly after a year of regular use, which is normal for any foam-based system.
The Dual Memory system in Carnell offers unique longevity advantages since you can flip between the firm high-density foam side and the softer memory foam side. After a year of daily use, if one side shows wear or loses its preferred feel, you simply flip to the other side. The removable, washable cover at 140°F also helps maintain freshness and hygiene over time, which isn't available on other models.
The No-Zag Spring comfort in Cubed models, with its solid wood frame and thick high-resilient foam layer, tends to maintain consistent firmness longer than foam-only systems, though the seating areas may develop slight impressions after extensive daily use as the foam adapts to regular body positions.
Innovation Living's engineering prioritizes durability for daily use, but like any mattress system, the foam components will naturally conform to usage patterns over time while the spring systems maintain their structural support. The 5-year warranty reflects their confidence in long-term performance under regular use conditions.
Do the mattresses maintain its firmness and support, or will it sags in the middle over time? Are there noticeable pressure points for different sleeping styles?
Innovation Living's mattresses are designed to resist center sagging through their pocket spring technology and metal frame construction.
The key anti-sagging feature is their pocket spring system where "the individual pockets ensure that pressure is applied to each individual spring for optimal support." This means each spring responds independently rather than the entire surface moving together, which prevents the center-sagging common in traditional sofa beds. The metal mesh and rigid metal frame underneath provide structural integrity that maintains the sleeping surface's flatness over time.
For pressure points, Innovation Living acknowledges that "significant variations in individual comfort preferences" exist, which is why they offer different comfort levels. The Double Spring system in Neah and Vilander combines no-zag springs with pocket springs and high-resilient foam, creating multiple layers that distribute body weight. Side sleepers would benefit from the pocket springs conforming to hip and shoulder pressure, while the underlying no-zag springs maintain spinal alignment.
The Dual Memory system in Carnell specifically addresses pressure points with its reversible design. The memory foam side contours to pressure points for side sleepers, while the high-density foam side provides firmer support for back and stomach sleepers. The 3¼" high-density foam is substantial enough to prevent bottoming out, while the 1½" memory foam layer relieves pressure without excessive sinking.
The Excess Pocket Spring models use 6" coils with "higher absorption of pressure on each spring," suggesting they're engineered for heavier sleepers or those who need extra pressure relief. Innovation Living's approach extends from "sleek, elegantly designed sofas offering a firmer comfort level to larger, more voluminous options characterized by softer comfort," allowing customers to match their specific sleep requirements rather than accepting a one-size-fits-all approach.
How durable are the opening mechanisms for the sofa beds? Do they remain smooth and easy to operate after hundreds of openings and closings?
Innovation Living's approach to mechanism durability centers on their "design strategy that allows for easy replacement of components to prolong a product's life cycle." This suggests they engineer the mechanisms as serviceable components rather than sealed units that fail completely. The company's emphasis on "sustainable practices" includes designing "for disassembly and recirculation," which implies the transformation mechanisms are built to be maintained and repaired rather than replaced entirely.
The 5-year warranty specifically covers these mechanisms as part of ensuring "prolonged lifespan" for products designed for daily use. Given that Innovation Living has specialized exclusively in sofa bed mechanisms since 1971, they've had over 50 years to refine the engineering tolerances and wear points. Their statement about creating "innovative, durable designs for everyday use" suggests the mechanisms are tested for regular operation rather than just occasional use.
The rigid metal frames underlying all comfort systems provide the structural foundation that prevents mechanism stress and misalignment over time. Whether using metal frames in the Double Spring systems or solid wood frames in the No-Zag models, the robust foundation prevents the frame flex that typically causes mechanism binding and premature wear in lesser sofa beds.
What is the fabric's resistance to pilling, fading, and staining?
Pilling Resistance: Innovation Living achieves superior pilling resistance through their Martindale testing, with scores ranging from 27,000 to 100,000 cycles. The highest performers like Blida, Kenya, Nist, Phobos, and Weda achieve 100,000 Martindale cycles, which represents exceptional durability. The primarily polyester fiber construction provides "exceptional strength and resilience" that naturally resists pilling compared to natural fiber alternatives.
Fading Resistance: Color fastness to light scores range from 4 to 5 on the 1-5 scale, with many fabrics achieving the maximum rating of 5. Fabrics like Avella, Bouclé, Melange, and Taura score perfect 5s for light fastness, indicating superior resistance to UV fading. Color fastness to rubbing ranges from 4 to 5, with several fabrics including Mixed Dance, Nist, and Twist achieving perfect 5 ratings for rub resistance, preventing color transfer and wear-related fading.
Staining Resistance: Innovation Living offers specialized performance fabrics with their LiveSmart technology that provides "unmatched stain resistance and moisture repellency." These performance fabrics are fluorine-free and PFAS-free while offering protection "down to the performance yarn" level. The LiveSmart system causes spills to "bead up" rather than penetrate, allowing cleanup with just a paper towel swipe for liquid spills like wine or coffee.
Removable Sofa Covers
Which sofas have removable covers?
The Newilla family features fully detachable covers across all configurations including Newilla with Slim Arms, Newilla with Standard Arms, Newilla with Wide Arms, Newilla Lounger with Standard Arms, and Newilla Lounger Chair with Standard Arms. All Newilla models explicitly state "Detachable covers" as a key feature.
The Carnell family has a different type of removable cover system. The Dual Memory mattress in Carnell models features a removable cover that "can be washed at 140°F/60°C." This refers specifically to the mattress cover rather than the full sofa upholstery.
Are the Newilla sofa covers truly easy to remove and put back on?
Yes, thanks to the tailoring of the Newilla cover it is easy to remove and replace.
Do Newilla covers shrink or lose their shape after washing?
Innovation Living specifies machine washing at the relatively low temperature of 86°F/30°C for detachable covers. This conservative temperature helps prevent heat-related shrinkage that can occur with higher wash temperatures.
Are new Newilla covers available for purchase after several years?
Yes, let us know which size Newilla sofa you have, and which fabric you'd like and we can send you a quote. DIY fabric options are seen here.
I have a very narrow staircase. How big is the largest piece of the sofa?
Whether it is the queen sized Grand Sofa or the smallest daybed in their collection called Zeal, we have never once experienced a delivery issue due in large part to the way these sofas are designed. Each piece arrives flat-packed into cartons so they can be maneuvered into your place and assembled on site. Most sleeping surfaces are 79" long with widths ranging from 30" to 36" for the largest pieces in the collection. This has allowed us to deliver into attic spaces with tight, 2 turn stairwells and basements where it appears difficult to make the turn. If you need help from the pros at delivery, white glove options are made available at checkout, and are often included with your purchase.
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Can I request fabric samples?
Yes, fabric samples are available upon request. Each sofa has a small set of stocked fabrics but you can also choose from the entire collection of Innovation Living Sofa Fabrics with a 12+ week lead time. These fabrics are called DIY and the option to order them is priced on each product page. You can enter your fabric selection in your cart in a box that says notes for the seller, or feel free to respond to your order confirmation with your fabric selection.
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I have 3 kids and 2 dogs, are the fabrics durable?
Yes, Innovation Living stocks 100% poly fabrics that are extremely durable and meant to meet the day to day use requirements for your family. We've gone into great detail about fabric durability ratings for those of you inclined to do your research. Find the Neah Sofa Bed and the Newilla Sleeper Sofa offered in a new, super durable performance fabric.
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How do I clean our sofa bed in the performance fabrics?
While other brands offer textiles with performance fiber OR finish, LiveSmart combines both to give Innovation Living performance fabrics unmatched durability and longevity.
Developed with years of research and testing, LiveSmart technology provides lasting performance at a great value. All Innovation Living performance fabrics meet or exceed standards for ASTM performance and safety.
Clean your sofa beds in 3 simple steps
Step 1 - Mix
Use a water based soap mixture that combines 1 tablespoon of a liquid detergent such as Tide with 16 ounces of lukewarm water.
Step 2 - Blot
Dampen the cleaning cloth in the mixture and gently blot the soiled area. Avoid rubbing the affected area aggressively.
Step 3 - Rinse
Rinse the area with a clean, damp cloth to ensure that all of the soap residue has been removed.
For superior cleanability, LiveSmart fabrics combine unmatched stain resistance and moisture repellency. Watch your spills bead up, as our innovative barrier protection prevents messes from penetrating fabric. Cleanup is transformed to an easy swipe of a paper towel.
*The removal of dried non-liquid spills may require the use of a soft brush or butter knife on the affected area before following with wet treatment.
How does free delivery work if we choose not to go with the white glove service?
Free delivery means outside, curbside delivery. With this service the freight carrier provides a delivery window one day prior to delivery and your order is placed curbside on a pallet. Because each sofa is flat packed they are fairly easy for 2 people to carry inside. Assembly instructions and the necessary tools are included with each sofa and we are here to help having assembled every sofa in the Innovation Living sleeper collection!
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Is this in stock?
We get this question a lot! And it makes sense because often times our customers have guests coming to town and need to upgrade their accommodations. We can check Innovation Living live inventory upon request. Ask A Question from any product page for the fastest response.
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Don't see your question here?
You can ask a question from any product page and one of our furniture experts will answer that same day.
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