How Does Costco's Popular Sleeper Chair Compare To Options At IKEA?

Finding the right furniture for your room is not only a battle of figuring out what works best visually in your space, but also what will be the most functional. On top of it, most of us also have at least some sort of budget in mind, so it's not quite as simple as picking out the perfect piece and learning the furniture placement hack that will make your small living room feel larger — especially if you have expensive taste. If you do want quality for a good price, you're going to have to know where to look. Two great options are Costco and IKEA. Both brands are known for offering well-made products for a discounted or already low price. When they come head to head however, is there a clear winner? The best way to tell is to compare one specific item — in this case we're looking at sleeper chairs. 

Though the sleeper sofa is generally more popular, the sleeper chair can be a better option for anyone working with a particularly tight space, someone that already owns a couch, or someone that never has more than a single guest at a time. When you compare both Costco and IKEA however, both brands have a limited selection, so it's pretty easy to get into the nitty gritty. Costco offers only the Thomasville Dillard Fabric Twin Size Convertible Sleeper Chair, and IKEA has the KIVIK One Seat Sleeper Sofa, as well as a newer and cheaper option, the TORNSBORG Chair-bed. While both have their pros and cons, ultimately, there is probably a best option for you. 

If you want something that truly looks like a chair, Costco's Thomasville Dillard Fabric Twin Size Convertible Sleeper Chair will be the one for you. It looks like an oversized reading chair with a decently tall back and twin bed-width seat. One of the best features of this sleeper chair is that when you fully extend it, you will still be left with an upright back, so it makes a great option for couples wanting a movie-night snuggle spot. Plus, it is easy to pull out and put back in a matter of seconds. One customer on Costco's website wrote, "This chair sleeper is really nice and very well made! The simple design is lovely, the fabric color is nicely neutral, and it very easily converts from a chair to a sleeper." This chair is also a smaller version of everyone's favorite Costco sleeper sectional. 

Like anything, however, this chair does have some downsides. It is the most expensive of the bunch, reaching a $700 price tag. It also only comes in one color — though the light gray is neutral and pairs well with almost any palette. Some customers also felt that it was a bit too firm and noted that it was not comfortable to sleep on, with one even saying that sleeping on it would be unrealistic without a mattress topper. 

If you're looking for something cost-effective, then IKEA is usually going to come out on top. Their most expensive option — the KIVIK Sleeper Sofa — is $50 less than the Costco option. It also comes in a total of 13 colors, so you may not be saving a ton of money, but you do get a whole lot more color choices. The seat is lacking arm rests, but that could be a benefit if you're working with a tight space. Plus — like the Thomasville — this also still gives you a back rest when fully extended into sleeping mode. Since it is part of the KIVIK line, it also can be paired with other items in the line to form a larger modular seating arrangement — which is actually a great tip to make a sofa work seamlessly in a small living room. 

For a particularly budget conscious option, the TORNSBORG Chair-bed that costs only $400 is an excellent candidate. The sleek and simple design is classic Scandinavian, and the light pine gives it a practical but appealing look. Wheels on the two front feet allow you to roll the chair to bed-length, and supports underneath ensure that it won't concave. Since this is a newer item, there aren't any reviews as of yet, but the wider sleeper sofa from the same line received a couple positive reviews that mentioned easy assembly, a sturdy build, and firm but comfortable cushions.