Article’s Marina Sleeper Sofa Is Perfect for Apartments

For the past few years, we had what I’ll generously call a “nice-looking sofa.” It looked good. It had clean lines. It made our living room feel more adult. But we didn’t get much use out of it. Not really. We never gathered there. My husband would sit briefly, my son would drift off to the floor, and I’d end up watching Netflix in bed on the iPad. The sofa was there, but we weren’t using it. By the end, we’d abandoned it completely.

When replacing it, we knew we absolutely wanted something comfortable. If the couch could double as a guest bed for overnight visitors, huge plus. It had to be big enough to stretch out on as a family but not so massive it would overwhelm the room. Like so many New York apartments, our living room also plays the role of dining room, playroom, and occasionally office, so storage was nonnegotiable. And because of the kids, the fabric had to be capable of handling snack crumbs, post-soccer grime, and general wear and tear without looking like a disaster.

Tall order, right? I didn’t think we’d find something to do it all. But we actually found it: the Marina 90" Reversible Sleeper Storage Sectional from Article.

Article Marina 90 Reversible Sleeper Storage Sectional

Let’s start with the delivery. I wasn’t exactly sure what the assembly situation would be. I had mentally prepared for an afternoon of cardboard chaos. I cleared the living-room floor and tried to get myself in a state of calm before delivery. But then the Marina arrived in just two large pieces—fully assembled, fully ready, and delivered by what I can only describe as couch genies.

They asked us one question—“Which side do you want the chaise on?”—set it up accordingly, and vanished without a trace. No mess. No trash. Not even a stray piece of plastic wrap. We didn’t have to peel off any layers, attach any legs, or flip a single cushion. The whole thing just appeared, perfectly placed and fluffed, like it had always been there.

The best part? It looked instantly at home. No weird creases that needed a day to relax. Just a fully formed, gorgeous sofa that made our old one look like it had been pretending. It felt like a grown-up couch from the start—and, honestly, like one that had always belonged in our space.

This couch has range. Not just in how it feels but in how it fits and flexes with real life. At 90 inches wide, it hits that sweet spot for smaller spaces. It’s long enough to seat a family of three (plus a few stuffed animals) but compact enough not to overwhelm a living-dining-everything room combo, like ours.

And because it’s a Reversible Sleeper Storage Sectional, it can adapt as our needs shift. You can move the chaise to either side, which is a gift for rearranging the living room without buying any new furniture. We’ve flipped the orientation once already after moving a rug and realizing the dining chairs needed more breathing room. That took all of five minutes.

We went with the Hestia Gray upholstery, which is soft and textured but surprisingly durable. Article’s Hestia fabrics are treated with a stain-repellent finish, ready for whatever life throws at it. And life throws a lot. Popsicle drips, sneaker scuffs, and marker smudges are wiped off without drama. The color is also just right and plays well with natural light. Plus, it doesn’t show every speck of lint or snack crumb like our last sofa did.

But here’s the real magic: You get the benefit of an L-shaped sofa in a small footprint, which has completely changed how we use the space. Our last couch was too stiff and short to be somewhere any of us wanted to spend long amounts of time. With the Marina? That changed in about an hour. As soon as it was delivered, my husband claimed the chaise, propped up his feet, and started answering emails. My son cozied into the corner with a snack. And that night, we actually watched a show together on the couch for the first time in ages. No bedroom, no iPad balancing on a pillow. Just all three of us, comfortably spread out on something that finally feels like it was made for how we actually live. The seat cushions are deep enough to settle into but still supportive. You can lie back without feeling like you’re folding into a beanbag. The arms are wide and padded for draping a blanket, propping up a book, or hosting a post-dinner snooze.

After that, benefits are more hidden. The entire chaise lifts up to reveal a huge storage compartment. Inside, we’ve stashed a full comforter, two pillows, and an extra set of sheets. It’s a simple feature and one that’s common these days, but it makes an enormous difference for us. We love it.

It’s comfortable enough to nap on without pulling out the sleeper. But we’ve already put the pullout to the test by hosting my in-laws for a weekend. No complaints about sore backs or lumpy springs. No polite “We’re fine!” followed by texts the next morning asking where the Advil is. The fold-out memory-foam mattress is thick, firm, and genuinely comfy. It’s just shy of a queen in size, so two people can sleep there without feeling crammed, and the pull-out mechanism is smooth and drama-free. No wrestling. No weird angles. No pinched fingers. This sofa has been a total upgrade to our hospitality game in a small apartment where guest rooms don’t exist.

Yes. A hundred times yes. If you’re in a smaller space, need something that works deceptively harder, and aren’t into furniture that screams “I came in a flat-pack box,” the Marina sleeper sectional is it. It’s not just a couch—it’s a nap zone, a guest bed, a storage hack, and the most stylish piece of multitasking we own. And honestly? It’s the first sofa we’ve had that doesn’t feel like a temporary solution. It just works.

Article Marina 90 Reversible Sleeper Storage Sectional

The Marina was the sofa that works perfectly for our space, but if you’re still on the hunt—or just trying to avoid the mistake of falling for something that looks good but doesn’t live well—there are a few expert tips worth knowing before you add to cart.

I spoke with Lindsay Joyce, an interior designer at 3F Living in NYC, who specializes in making smaller spaces feel bigger, brighter, and smarter. She’s helped dozens of clients navigate the very specific challenge of sofa shopping in tight quarters, and her advice is solid gold if you want to get it right the first time.

1. Pay attention to height and depth.“If your dining and living areas share a space, you don’t want a high-backed sofa blocking your line of sight,” Joyce explains. A lower profile helps keep the room feeling open and airy. And as for depth? Sofas generally come in petite, medium, and full—aim for the petite or medium range (around 32 to 36 inches deep) so you’re not swallowing up valuable square footage.
2. Look for legs.“A sofa that’s lifted off the floor gives the illusion of more space,” she says. “You see more of the floor, so it feels less bulky.” Bonus points if the design includes slender arms or a slightly curved back, both of which make it easier to move around in a compact layout.
3. Choose a sofa that works harder. Joyce’s current favorite for small spaces? Chaise sofas with built-in storage and bonus features like trundles or pull-outs for guests. “You get more seating, more comfort, and more function—all without sacrificing square footage.”
4. Don’t sacrifice comfort for style. “The sofa is where everyone gathers. It needs to be comfortable first,” Joyce emphasizes. And once you’ve nailed that, focus on scale—something neutral, tailored, and proportionate to your room will always look good
5. Don’t assume you can’t have an L-shape. One of the biggest mistakes she sees? People thinking they have to settle for a love seat and two chairs. “There are so many petite L-shaped models now that aren’t overly deep. You still get that cozy, conversational setup—without dominating the room.”