The Zone Cream Couch from Living Spaces and the highly customizable couches from Joybird serve different customer needs primarily due to their differences in price, style, and construction. Living Spaces offers an affordable, contemporary, and ready-to-ship option for shoppers who prioritize value and convenience, while Joybird provides a premium, handcrafted, mid-century modern sofa for those who value unique design, customization, and sustainable materials.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide between these two popular sofa brands for your living room.
Living Spaces Zone Cream Couch
The Living Spaces Zone Cream Couch is part of a collection known for its versatility, comfort, and affordable price point. It’s designed as a practical, everyday sofa with a clean, contemporary aesthetic that can easily adapt to different decor schemes. Its popularity stems from its balance of style, function, and accessibility, making it a go-to choice for first-time homeowners, renters, and families.
- What it is: An affordable and versatile contemporary sofa with neutral cream upholstery, designed for everyday comfort and functionality.
- Key features: Clean lines, soft polyester-blend fabric, high-density foam cushions for supportive seating, and a modern silhouette.
- Price: Typically ranges from $799 to $1,099.
- Style: Contemporary and transitional, with a neutral color palette that makes it easy to style in modern, minimalist, or eclectic spaces.
- Materials/Construction: Built with an engineered wood frame, high-density foam for the cushions, and upholstered in a durable polyester-blend fabric.
- Pros: Highly affordable compared to competitors. Versatile style easily fits most interiors. Available to test in physical showrooms. Often available for quick delivery.
- Cons: Materials are less premium than Joybird's. Limited customization options. May show wear and tear sooner with heavy use.
This couch is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a stylish, comfortable, and budget-friendly sofa without a long wait time.
Shop this product: livingspaces.com
Joybird Couch
A couch from Joybird represents a commitment to handcrafted quality, distinctive mid-century modern design, and eco-conscious manufacturing. Rather than one specific model, Joybird offers a range of iconic sofas that can be heavily customized with dozens of fabric and color options. Each piece is made to order, appealing to discerning buyers who want a unique statement sofa that aligns with their personal style and values.
- What it is: A premium, customizable sofa known for its mid-century modern aesthetic, high-quality materials, and eco-friendly construction.
- Key features: Handcrafted from kiln-dried hardwood, high-resilience foam cushions, and an extensive selection of fabric choices, including performance and eco-friendly textiles.
- Price: Generally ranges from $1,500 to $2,500+, depending on the model and customizations.
- Style: Signature mid-century modern with features like tapered legs, clean lines, and plush, tufted cushions for a retro-inspired look.
- Materials/Construction: Features a robust kiln-dried hardwood frame for longevity and is available in premium fabric options that resist stains and wear.
- Pros: Superior craftsmanship and durable materials. Highly customizable fabric, color, and leg options. Strong commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. A unique-looking statement piece.
- Cons: Significantly higher price point. Online-only retailer means you can't test it in person. Longer wait times due to its made-to-order nature.
A Joybird couch is perfect for the design-conscious individual willing to invest more in a durable, sustainable, and highly personalized piece of furniture.
Shop this product: joybird.com/sofas/
Living Spaces Zone Cream Couch vs. Joybird Couch Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The Living Spaces Zone couch is typically offered in standard sizes, with lengths around 84-90 inches and a seat depth of around 22-24 inches. This makes it a great fit for small to medium-sized living rooms, apartments, and guest rooms where maximizing space is important. Its clean, armless options and straightforward configurations are designed to be space-efficient without feeling undersized.
In contrast, Joybird couches come in a much wider array of sizes, from smaller loveseats to large 96-inch sofas and expansive sectionals. Because each piece is highly customizable, you can often tailor the dimensions, seat depths, and configurations to perfectly fit your room's specific layout. This makes Joybird more versatile for very large or uniquely shaped spaces where a standard-sized sofa might not work as well.
Comfort & Feel
Living Spaces focuses on immediate, everyday comfort. The Zone couch uses high-density foam cushions that provide a medium-firm supportive feel that is comfortable for lounging and sitting. The polyester blend upholstery is soft to the touch and designed for regular daily use.
Joybird prioritizes long-lasting, resilient comfort. Their sofas feature high-resilience foam, which tends to hold its shape better over many years compared to standard high-density foam. The feel can range from plush to firm, depending on the model and custom options selected, often giving a more luxurious and "sink-in" experience.
Materials & Construction
Living Spaces uses cost-effective yet durable materials suited for its price point. The Zone series is built with engineered wood frames and upholstered in polyester-blend fabrics that are good for handling everyday life. While sturdy enough for most homes, the construction is not intended to be a generational, heirloom-quality piece.
Joybird invests heavily in premium materials and craftsmanship. Its sofas are built on kiln-dried solid hardwood frames, which offer superior durability and resistance to warping. The extensive fabric library includes performance materials that resist stains and high-end textiles that provide a more elevated look and feel, reflecting a clear focus on longevity.
Price & Value
There is a significant price difference between the two. The Living Spaces Zone Couch, at approximately $799-$1,099, offers incredible value for shoppers on a budget. You get a stylish, functional, and comfortable sofa for an accessible price, making it a very practical choice.
A Joybird couch, starting around $1,500 and easily exceeding $2,500 with customizations, represents a long-term investment. The value here comes from its superior durability, timeless design, bespoke nature, and sustainable manufacturing practices. While the upfront cost is higher, it is designed to last much longer, potentially offering better value over its entire lifespan.
Style & Versatility
The Living Spaces Zone Cream Couch has a chameleon-like quality that allows it to blend seamlessly into many different types of decor - from modern and minimalist to coastal and transitional. Its neutral color and clean lines provide a perfect canvas for you to personalize with throw pillows, blankets, and surrounding decor.
A Joybird couch is undeniably a statement piece. Its mid-century modern aesthetic is distinct and trend-forward, perfect for rooms that center around a design-driven look. While less versatile than its Living Spaces counterpart, its wide range of custom colors allows it to go from a subtle, sophisticated neutral to a bold, vibrant centerpiece.
Shopping Experience & Delivery
Living Spaces offers an omnichannel experience. You can browse online and order for quick delivery, or visit one of their numerous physical showrooms to sit on the couch and feel the fabric before you buy. This is a huge advantage for shoppers who are hesitant to purchase a large piece of furniture sight unseen.
Joybird is an online-only brand. Its experience is centered around customization and personalization, with free fabric swatch delivery to help you make decisions. The made-to-order process means delivery takes longer, but the brand’s customer service is excellent and tailored to helping customers design their perfect sofa from afar.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both couches are excellent options, but they are designed for very different buyers and priorities.
Choose the Living Spaces Zone Cream Couch if:
- You're furnishing on a tight budget and need an affordable option.
- You need a sofa quickly and prefer a faster delivery window.
- You want a neutral, versatile style that will easily blend with your existing decor.
- You prefer to see and test a sofa in a physical store before you commit to buying it.
Choose a Joybird Couch if:
- You prioritize high-quality craftsmanship and materials built to last a long time.
- You love the specific mid-century modern aesthetic and want a unique statement piece.
- Customization is important, and you want to choose the exact fabric and color.
- You are an eco-conscious shopper who values sustainability and ethical manufacturing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between a Living Spaces and Joybird sofa?
The main differences are price, style, and construction. Living Spaces sofas are budget-friendly, contemporary, and ready-made, while Joybird sofas are premium, mid-century modern, and custom-built with higher-quality, sustainable materials.
Is Joybird worth the extra money?
For many, yes. If you value unique design, superior durability, and the ability to customize your sofa completely, Joybird's higher price provides long-term value. The use of solid hardwood frames and high-resilience foam means the sofa is built to last significantly longer than many budget options.
Which couch brand is better for small apartments?
Living Spaces is generally a better choice for small apartments due to its space-efficient, standard sizing and more affordable price point. However, Joybird's customization options allow you to build a sofa to specific dimensions, which can be useful for uniquely shaped small spaces if your budget allows.
How long do Joybird couches last compared to Living Spaces?
A Joybird couch is designed to last over a decade with proper care, thanks to its kiln-dried hardwood frame and high-quality cushions. A Living Spaces sofa is built for everyday use and can last for many years but may show signs of wear, like cushion sagging, sooner - typically within 3-7 years depending on use.
Can I see these couches in person before buying?
You can only see the Living Spaces Zone Couch in person at one of their physical showrooms. Joybird is an online-only retailer and does not have showrooms, but they do offer free fabric swatches so you can see and feel the upholstery options at home.
Which brand is more family-friendly?
Both can be great for families for different reasons. Living Spaces is friendlier on the family budget, meaning spills and wear-and-tear feel less catastrophic. Joybird is friendly in terms of durability, offering performance fabrics that are specifically designed to resist stains and stand up to heavy use from kids and pets.
Is the Living Spaces Zone cream fabric easy to clean?
Yes, the polyester-blend fabric used on the Zone couch is generally easy to maintain. Most spills can be spot-cleaned with a mild detergent and water. However, as with any light-colored fabric, it's wise to treat stains quickly to prevent them from setting.
What does Joybird's eco-friendly commitment mean?
Joybird prioritizes sustainability by using wood from responsibly managed, FSC-certified forests. Their manufacturing processes are designed to reduce waste, and they often use eco-friendly materials in their products and packaging. This makes them a great choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
