Summary: The Kova by Albany Park hits all the right notes — nontoxic, sustainably made, super versatile, and genuinely comfy. I love that it’s modular enough to grow with my family (hello, future playroom reconfigurations), and the setup was a total breeze. Plus, whether I’m curled up with a book or cuddling with my family in front of a movie, it always feels like a cozy little cloud. Stylish, supportive, and safe? Big yes from me.

What I love about this couch: 

  • Shape-shift magic: Classic sofa? L-shape? Full-on cozy pit? I love that the Kova’s got range — and it grows with you.
  • Oversized cushions: Go plush with pillow cushions or keep it structured with box ones — both are fantastic and deep enough to sink into.
  • Planet-friendly: We love an OEKO-TEX certified and non-toxic couch, especially one made with a water-saving process.
  • Snap & chill: Comes in easy-to-handle boxes and clicks together fast — no tools, no stress, just instant cozy. This also makes it easy to rearrange and clean your floors!

Things to keep in mind: 

  • Bulkier packaging: The boxes are large, and the pillows come vacuum-sealed, so you’ll be dealing with a significant amount of cardboard and plastic when it arrives. 
  • Could use an extra pair of hands: Setup is extremely simple, but the pieces are quite heavy, so having someone to assist with the unboxing is a good idea.
  • Pricey for some budgets: The Kova is a solid deal for a sustainable sofa, but if you’re on a tight budget, it might feel a little on the higher side compared to secondhand or more affordable options.

My husband and I recently moved into a new rental — a cozy, ranch-style home with a small living room — and as we’ve settled in, furnishing the space has felt less like decorating and more like preparing for a new rhythm of life. With our first baby arriving this spring, every choice we make is layered with intention. We’re not just shopping for aesthetics; we’re curating comfort, creating a space where we can truly let down and feel at home.

“When I think about a couch, I don’t just see a piece of furniture — I see the heart of the home.”

When I think about a couch, I don’t just see a piece of furniture — I see the heart of the home. More than the dining table, it’s where connection truly happens. It’s where we’ll rock and feed our newborn, host family visits, snuggle up for movie nights, take spontaneous naps, and share those unfiltered late-night conversations that only seem to unfold when you’re stretched out, half-asleep, and fully at ease. It’s where we relax, regroup, and — especially in this season — begin to build the kind of home we want to raise our child in.

Practically speaking, our living room is modest in size, so I’ve known from the beginning that a semi-modular design would be ideal. We also need something plush yet supportive — comfortable enough for long afternoons, and spacious enough for when my siblings sleep over or when my husband (a firefighter) needs a mid-day nap between shifts.

And just as important — maybe even more so — is sustainability. A desire for clean, safe, and lasting materials guides every decision we make for our home. I want our furniture to reflect our values. Style matters, sure — but also practicality, safety, and integrity.

“A desire for clean, safe, and lasting materials guides every decision we make for our home.”

After what felt like endless scrolling, too many Pinterest boards, and more than a few fabric samples taped to the wall, we finally landed on the Kova Sectional from Albany Park, in the color Spruce. We’ve had it for two months now and, truthfully, we’ve spent nearly every evening on it — watching “The White Lotus,” “The Pitt,” “The Last of Us,” and “Survivor,” to name a few. Here’s my honest review of how it’s held up so far — and why we think it’s the perfect fit for this new chapter of our lives.

About Albany Park

“The brand was born out of their frustrations with the traditional furniture-buying process — think endless options, high price tags, and delivery timelines that stretched for months.”

Albany Park was launched in 2019 by husband-and-wife duo Darryl and Jessica Sharpton. The goal? Reimagine the way people shop for sofas.

Based in Houston, Texas, the brand was born out of their frustrations with the traditional furniture-buying process — think endless options, high price tags, and delivery timelines that stretched for months. Their solution? A thoughtfully edited collection of high-quality, design-forward sofas that are both comfortable and accessible, shipped in apartment-friendly boxes and designed to make moving and setup as stress-free as possible.

The brand’s furniture is designed in California and manufactured in North America, ensuring quality craftsmanship and quicker delivery times. Albany Park stands out for its commitment to sustainability, using non-toxic materials and offering products that are both kid- and pet-friendly. Their sofas are shipped in apartment-friendly boxes and come with a 30-day in-home trial and a lifetime warranty, reflecting their confidence in the durability and comfort of their products.

Albany Park sofa options

When I first started browsing Albany Park, I was honestly surprised by how streamlined everything felt. They keep it simple with five core collections, which, as someone who gets overwhelmed by too many options, I really appreciated.

“They keep it simple with five core collections, which, as someone who gets overwhelmed by too many options, I really appreciated. “

There’s the Albany for a clean, modern look; the Park, which is all about cozy lounging; the Kova, my personal favorite (more on that in a sec); the Lido, which has this light, elegant vibe; and the Barton, which is super plush and sleek. Each one has its own personality, so whether you’re furnishing a small apartment or a big family room, there’s something that fits the mood.

Why we chose the Kova

The Kova really stood out to us, mainly due to its modular design — it can work in many layouts and genuinely grows with you. That felt perfect for this season of life, with a baby on the way and a living room that’s cozy but not huge. You can choose from a classic sofa, an L-shape (which is what we went with), a spacious U-shape, or go full lounge mode with the Kova Pit — it’s basically a cloud you can live in.

“The Kova really stood out to us, mainly due to its modular design — it can work in many layouts and genuinely grows with you.”

Before committing, we ordered fabric swatches — a step I highly recommend. The colors online are helpful, but they looked different in person. I was initially unsure about the Spruce color (it wasn’t even in my top picks), but when the swatch arrived, it completely changed my mind. In real life, it reads more blue than green, with this calming, rich tone that feels both bold and grounding. I fell in love with it immediately.

Albany Park offers several fabric options, including performance linen, velvet, chenille, boucle, and brushed canvas, and the swatches helped us make our decision. We ultimately chose the chenille, which checked all the boxes: it’s machine washable, kid- and pet-friendly (important with our dog), and OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it has been tested for harmful substances and deemed safe for home use. It’s also stain- and liquid-resistant, and even better, it’s made using a water-free manufacturing process that saves around 300 liters of water per sofa. That kind of sustainability, especially from a performance fabric, made it a no-brainer.

A card describes "Spruce Performance Chenille" fabric by Albany Park, listing features like machine washable, pet-friendly, and sustainable, with fabric swatches and business cards nearby.
A scattered arrangement of Albany Park fabric swatches in various neutral tones, including beige, gray, and taupe, displayed on a dark wood surface.
Fabric swatches are a must! We ordered a handful and ultimately decided on the Spruce Performance Chenille.

Delivery and packaging experience

When our Kova Sectional arrived, it came in several large boxes—each one designed to fit through standard doorways and stairwells, which is a huge plus if you’re working with limited space. The boxes weren’t too heavy, but they were definitely bulky, so if you live in an apartment or need to carry them upstairs, I’d highly recommend having a second set of hands. We got lucky — the delivery drivers kindly brought them right into our living room. Just a heads-up though: there’s a good amount of cardboard and some plastic wrap (the pillows come vacuum-sealed), so plan for recycling. It took us a few trash days to fully clear it out, but honestly, that’s expected with a sectional this size.

Couch cushions and parts wrapped in plastic are arranged on a wooden floor in a living room, with a TV and empty shelves in the background.
The Kova arrived in large cardboard boxes, and the cushions were shrink-wrapped in plastic.

The setup? Shockingly simple. Albany Park designs its sofas to be assembly-friendly, and the Kova is no exception. The hardest part was just unboxing everything — once that was done, it took us maybe twenty minutes from start to finish. Each modular piece clicks together with metal claw-style connectors, requiring no tools for assembly. The seat cushions feature anti-slip backing to keep them in place. The back cushions fluffed up beautifully after being unsealed, and within half an hour, we were lounging like pros.

“The hardest part was just unboxing everything — once that was done, it took us maybe twenty minutes from start to finish.”

What’s especially great about the Kova is how modular it is — you can start with a two-seater and expand over time, reconfigure it into a pit, L-shape, or U-shape, or even split it up into smaller seating arrangements if your layout changes. It’s one of the most adaptable sofas I’ve encountered, making it ideal for renters, growing families, or anyone who enjoys rearranging their furniture periodically.

The back and bottom pieces were extremely easy to put together. Everything clicks into place with gator clamps, requiring minimal effort. This also makes it a breeze on cleaning day or when I want to rearrange furniture.

Cushion talk: Box vs. pillow

We were fortunate to test both cushion styles offered by Albany Park: the original pillow cushions and the newer box cushions. While the pillow cushions are undeniably plush and inviting, we found ourselves gravitating toward the box cushions. They offer a bit more support and structure, which we appreciated — especially as we thought ahead to nursing, baby-holding, and all the lounging we’d be doing during maternity leave. They feel firm without being stiff, supportive without sacrificing comfort, like the best kind of hug.​

While the pillow cushions are more laid-back and softer, offering a cloud-like feel, I prefer the shape of the box cushions and the added support.

The box cushions feature an extra-deep frame and clean, tailored lines, maintaining their shape beautifully without the need to fluff. They’re filled with a cloud-soft, hypoallergenic microfiber blend, providing lasting comfort. Additionally, the seat cushions feature a black mesh backing to keep them in place, and the back cushions are fully reversible and cleanable for a quick and easy refresh. ​

“Both cushion styles are designed to be hypoallergenic and feature removable, machine-washable covers, making them family-friendly and easy to maintain. “

The pillow cushions, on the other hand, deliver a relaxed, casual look with their sink-in comfort. They require occasional fluffing to retain their shape but offer a laid-back aesthetic that’s perfect for lounging. Both cushion styles are designed to be hypoallergenic and feature removable, machine-washable covers, making them family-friendly and easy to maintain. ​

Overall, the Kova’s modular design and thoughtful features make it a standout choice for anyone seeking comfort, adaptability, and style in their living space.

The sustainability factor

Albany Park emphasizes sustainability in its manufacturing processes. They minimize waste by producing furniture in small batches and shipping directly from the factory to customers, reducing excess inventory and transportation emissions. This approach aligns with their commitment to more mindful consumption. Additionally, their engineered finishes on stain- and liquid-resistant fabrics are free of PFOS and PFOA chemicals, which are potentially harmful substances. This reflects their dedication to using non-toxic materials in their products. 

“They minimize waste by producing furniture in small batches and shipping directly from the factory to customers.”

Regarding certifications, Albany Park’s performance fabrics are OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring they are free from harmful substances and safe for indoor environments. While they don’t specifically mention CertiPUR-US® certification, their commitment to non-toxic materials and hypoallergenic, chemical-free fabrics supports a safer environment for families. 

Final thoughts: Is the Kova Sofa worth the hype?

If you’re looking for a sofa that’s as easy on the eyes as it is on your body (and your conscience), the Albany Park’s Kova is an easy yes. It’s stylish without trying too hard, supportive without being rigid, and — maybe best of all — designed with real life in mind.

“If you’re looking for a sofa that’s as easy on the eyes as it is on your body (and your conscience), the Albany Park’s Kova is an easy yes.”

The Kova is fairly affordable within the sustainable sofa category, starting at just under $ 2,000. When compared to other eco-friendly options, it offers excellent value, particularly given its high-quality materials and durable design. Of course, the price is relative, and there are more budget-friendly options available, such as secondhand pieces, that may better suit different needs. But for a long-lasting, sustainable couch, the Kova strikes a solid balance between quality and cost.

Shipping is free within the contiguous U.S., which is always a plus, and they also offer flexible payment options through Affirm, allowing you to break up the cost into monthly payments. Regarding peace of mind, the Kova comes with a 1-year warranty that covers defects in material and workmanship, allowing you to feel confident in your purchase. Additionally, if you’re not completely satisfied, Albany Park offers a 30-day return window, allowing you sufficient time to ensure it’s the right fit for your home.

A green sectional sofa with two cushions and a striped pillow sits in a living room with light curtains, a rug, a wooden table, and a black wire basket with a blanket.
A living room with a green sectional sofa, bookshelf, coffee table, potted plants, large window with sheer curtains, and a wall-mounted TV above a white cabinet.
For a stylish, modular sectional that fits our growing family’s needs, the Albany is exactly what we needed.

We may not have all the nursery furniture picked out yet, but at least we’ve got a sofa that makes us feel at home. And for now, that’s everything.

Kayti Christian is a Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. With an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing, her work has appeared in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. Since 2017, Kayti has been uncovering and reviewing the best sustainable home brands and wellness products. Her personal journey through four years of fertility treatments has inspired her to write extensively about women’s healthcare and reproductive access. Beyond her work at The Good Trade, Kayti is the creator of Feelings Not Aside, a Substack newsletter with 6,000 subscribers, and the cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, which delves into IVF and infertility.