Whether you’re accommodating last-minute visitors or simply indulging in a little extra legroom on a lazy night in, there’s no denying the appeal of a big, plush sofa bed. And thankfully, Koala‘s new velvet Paddo Sofa Bed is making a rather convincing case for having your cake and sleeping on it, too.
Our Koala Paddo Sofa Bed review:
If you read my recent review on the Ecosa Sienna Storage Bed, you’ll know I recently traded a spacious townhouse for a one-bedroom apartment. As a result, I’ve since become particularly discerning about the furniture I let through the front door.
So, when it came time to invest in a new sofa, a sofa bed seemed like the obvious choice. Finding one I’d actually want as the centrepiece of my living room, however, was another matter entirely. That is, until I came across the Paddo.
Upon first impressions, the design is undeniable. Dressed in luxuriously soft velvet covers and boasting enough throw pillows to overload a California King bed, nothing about this sofa bed implies that Koala‘s design team has prioritised practicality over the luxurious, aesthetically informed finish. But what I really wanted to know is whether it could do it all; that is, offer plush, luxurious comfort and maintain the allure of a beautifully curated home. And after a few weeks of rigorous lounging, napping, and stretching out, I finally have my verdict.
You might also like our Ecosa Nimble Sofa Bed Review
Guaranteed to impress overnight guests: meet Koala’s new Paddo sofa bed
Upon moving into my new abode, I originally made a grave shopping faux pas: opting for a stiff, affordable sofa just to save a few dollars. I’d spent weeks suffering from a stiff neck as the result of my attempts at horizontal lounging on a sofa so tiny before deciding that enough was enough.
I’d seen Koala’s Paddo launch all over my socials, and following a quick trip to their physical store in Moore Park for a preliminary comfort check, my order was placed.
It’s important to note that the Paddo isn’t just any sofa bed; Koala’s product team spent two years working on honing the design for a truly bed-like experience before it launched in early October. Boasting supportive foam layers, an elevated sleeping platform, and a head-to-wall configuration, it’s comfier than a great deal of affordable mattresses, and it looks expensive too.
I’m also particularly fond of the extensive size, colour, and fabric range, which allows shoppers to customise their Paddo to their liking (and still enjoy affordable next-day metro delivery – a concept that all furniture shoppers will know is basically unheard of). Translation: no settling, no big delivery fees, and no long wait times.
Koala Paddo Sofa Bed review: The verdict
- Our rating: 9 out of 10
- Why I rated it an 9/10: As someone who writes reviews for a living, I can’t remember the last time I gave any product a rating above 8.5. However, the Paddo Sofa Bed really did exceed each and every one of my expectations, both in looks and in functionality.
The new velvet fabric is incredibly soft, and the removable covers make stressing over stains a thing of the past. And, most importantly, it’s remarkably easy to sleep on. My only issue is the mountains of packaging that this sofa bed comes in; while I consider the product to be worth the hassle, I did end up having to enlist the help of an Airtasker for removal.
Pros
- Simple, tool-free assembly
- Soft, removable, and washable velvet covers
- Deep, plush seat
- Compact design, suitable for small spaces
- Easy to pull out and reconfigure
- Plenty of throw cushions for easy styling
- 5-year warranty & 120-day trial
Cons
- Packing leaves you with a huge amount of cardboard to dispose of (unless you book premium delivery)
- Boxes are heavy and cumbersome to move
- Premium prices, ranging from $2,390 to $3,590 depending on size and fabric choice
Koala Paddo Sofa Bed size options:
Koala’s Paddo Sofa Bed comes in four size options: 1.5-seater/single bed, 2.5-seater/double bed, 3-seater/queen bed, and 3.5-seater/king bed. For extra customisation, you can also pick from six colours across their standard, velvet, and luxe fabric ranges.
Editor’s tip: Using masking tape and a measuring tape, mask out a couple of different sofa sizes in the room you’re planning to put it in. It’s the easiest way to figure out which size suits your space best.
For my home, I knew I needed the washable velvet, both for aesthetics and for ease of washing, and ended up opting for the Moss colourway (after all, there’s no going wrong with a green sofa – A.K.A. the most neutral and versatile of non-neutral colours). I selected the 2.5-seater to make sure I didn’t overcrowd my very tiny living area, and the compact footprint of 175 cm lengthways and 105.5 cm deep fits perfectly.
Paddo 1.5-Seater Sofa Bed
from $2,590 at Koala
Paddo 2.5-Seater Sofa Bed
from $2,790 at Koala
Paddo 3-Seater Sofa Bed
from $2,990 at Koala
Paddo 3.5-Seater Sofa Bed
from $3,390 at Koala
Koala Paddo Sofa Bed delivery and assembly
Regarding delivery, customer service, and the assembly process for my new Paddo Sofa Bed from Koala, my experience was generally very positive (especially given the amount of silly mistakes I made during the ordering and delivery-organising stages). However, there was one specific aspect that brought my overall rating from what would have been a perfect 10 down to a 9.
But first, allow me to run through the positives.
Most notably, Koala’s customer service team is excellent. After my order was placed, they offered me next-day delivery, which I gladly accepted. And when I realised I’d double-booked myself and couldn’t be home to receive the boxes, getting through to a representative on the phone and changing my time slot took under 5 minutes.
But if you think this comedy of errors stopped there, you’d be mistaken.
On delivery day, I locked myself out of my second-story apartment (with an incredibly small landing) while running out to let the movers in. I had assumed that Koala’s delivery drivers would, understandably, leave the boxes at the bottom of the stairs for me to lug to my apartment later. Instead, they put a lot of effort into Tetris-ing as many of the boxes as they could on the precarious top landing so I’d have an easier time with them later. Big props for that.
When I finally dragged the boxes inside, however, I realised just how much cardboard I’d be left to deal with once all was unpacked. Transparently, this was my own fault; I could have opted for premium delivery, which includes assembly and rubbish removal, but my foresight failed me on that front. As such, I was left with more cardboard than my tiny abode (or my claustrophobic tendencies) could handle, resulting in a speedy Airtasker call-out and that -1 star I mentioned earlier. However, as far as issues go, this is fairly minor.
From that point onwards, assembly was a breeze. Setting up the Paddo required absolutely zero tools and only took about 15-20 minutes as a solo (and very physically weak) handywoman.
Comfort test
When it comes to comfort, I’m a pretty tough critic, especially for furniture I plan to spend a lot of time lounging or sleeping on. For this reason, I wasn’t expecting to love the Paddo Sofa Bed as much as I did. After all, sofa beds have somewhat of a reputation for leaning a tad stiff.
My comfort test for sofa beds follows a pretty standard methodolodgy. I need to be able to spend a full day working from home on the Paddo without developing a stiff neck or sore back, and I need to log a few naps on it, too (ideally the kind where I wake up with seam imprints ingrained in my face). And after attempting both a sit and a snooze, I’m happy to report that the Paddo passed with flying colours.
What really sets it apart from other sofa beds, in my mind at least, is how similar it feels to an actual bed. With the head-to-wall layout, elevated platform, and backrest that functions just like a headboard, sleeping on the Paddo doesn’t feel anything like the usual experience associated with pull-outs. And as anyone who has spent a night on a Koala mattress might guess, the cushioning strikes that all-important balance between cloudlike and supportive.
It’s worth noting, however, that the velvet fabric does seem to be a lot comfier than the standard or luxe fabrics. For this reason, I do recommend that those who want an extra-plush feel opt for the velvet (if the Moss or Burnt Butter colourways suit your aesthetic, of course).
Get the look:
Tan France Anaya Tea Table
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Acqua Di Parma Gelsomino Diffuser
$227 at David Jones
Double Otago Washable Wool Rug
$1,220 at Double
Curated Style, Kerrie-Ann Jones
$79.99 at Amazon
Is the Koala Paddo Sofa Bed worth it?
As you might have already guessed from my very high rating (and raving review), I definitely believe that Koala’s Paddo Sofa Bed is worth the investment.
If you have the money to spend on a premium sofa bed, the Paddo is one of the most luxurious models you could possibly treat your overnight guests, or yourself, to. Between the uncomplicated assembly, easy reconfiguration, and plush comfort, there’s a lot to love; in my mind, it’s proven itself to be the ultimate guest room upgrade (or living room, if you’re feeling so inclined).
Where to buy the Koala Paddo Sofa Bed
Want it cheaper? Keep an eye on our Koala sale roundup for up-to-date coverage of the brand’s best deals and promotions.
The Koala Paddo Sofa Bed is available to buy now from the brand’s Australian website. It’s worth noting that select size and fabric combinations are already showing as low in stock, so make sure to get in quick.
