Here at Nugget HQ, our mission is to grow imaginations through thoughtfully designed, surprisingly fun kids’ furniture — and we’re always innovating, evolving, and reimagining our products in the pursuit of that ambitious goal. Buckle up and take a trip through Nugget history to see just how far The Original Play Couch™ has come!
Nugget 1 - The Prototype
The original concept couch was 11 pieces (!) including a bamboo base and hard foam “feet,” each with foam bumps that plugged into the underside of the boards like puzzle pieces. Designed to replace the cheap, ubiquitous college futon, the prototype had many pieces, and wasn’t super easy to move from place to place — but it did demonstrate that a couch with separate, unattached pieces could be possible.
Nugget 2 - The Kickstarter Couch
We debuted our second iteration on Kickstarter, and 574 backers took a chance and helped us make it a reality! The Kickstarter version was covered in microsuede (just like the Nugget today), came in six bright colors — orange, navy, lime, chocolate, pink, and blue — and featured a twisted nylon handle and white zipper. The interior was made from a combination of foams, with a base piece made entirely of pool noodle foam!
Nugget 3 - Ready to Roll
The third stage in Nugget’s evolution was the same dimensions as Nuggets made today. The interior was made 100% from solid polyurethane foam, which meant, unlike the Kickstarter version, that we could compress and roll it for shipping. (Which was a good thing, because soon enough, we would be shipping out a lot more of them.)
Nugget 4 - Leveling Up
In 2017, the Nugget really leveled up, with a design very similar to the one Nuggeteers know today. We reoriented the zipper placement to make Cover Sets easier to take on and off for washing, color-matched the zippers and fabrics, and transitioned to a straight nylon handle, removing the “twist” from earlier models. We also introduced more colors than ever before — and put a new emphasis on playful, unique color names, like Honeybee, Starfish, and Neptune.
Nugget 5 - Focusing on the Details
We swapped out the white backing on the Cover Sets for black backing, and we changed the foam from white to gray. We also updated the zipper pull and zipper tape to increase strength. Ultimately, all these changes helped increase durability for active play!
Nugget 6 - The Glow-up
Three years since the last Nugget updates, it was time for a few more design tweaks! We added a zipper garage to keep the zipper tucked away, and redesigned the pull with a little reminder to “Play On™” emblazoned on it. We also revamped the handle to make it softer, stronger, and sleeker. What’s still to come? We don’t know yet. But if history is any guide, it’s going to be great.
Color Evolution
Throughout our history, we've also introduced and retired a variety of hues, from the brightest aquamarine and ultraviolet to subtle pastels and neutrals. Here is the definitive guide to all Nugget colors, current and retired.
Available Colors
Retired Colors
While we don't sell these colors in the Nugget Shop anymore, lucky participants of our Cover Club drawings take home a select few retired colors, all while benefitting our nonprofit partners!
Multi-column
Alice & Ames Mabel
2020
A delicate party of flowers on white
Beanstalk
2019-2020
A deep, marvelous emerald
Bearhug
2022-2023
A plush caramel brown in corduroy
Bermuda
2019
A triangle-sprinkled pastel mint
Blackbeard
2019-2021
A true onyx black
Blue
2014-2017
Bluejean
2020-2021
A washed medium blue
Brightside
2022-2024
A sunny tropical mango in microsuede
Broadway
2019-2020
A cool, cardinal red
Cactus
2017-2019 / 2021-2023
A saturated mint green in microsuede
Cantaloupe
2017-2018
A cheery, creamsicle orange
Chocolate
2014-2017
Cloud
2017
J&J Confetti Dot
2020
A party-inspired polka dot print, with June & January
Coco
2022-2023
A celebratory pattern inspired by Miguel’s love of music, part of our Disney and Pixar collection
Cookie Monster
2022-2023
A scrumptious, cookie-covered pattern with our friends at Sesame Workshop
Daybreak
2020-2023
A misty agave in microsuede
Dewdrop
2020-2021
A dusty, powder blue
Dragonfly
2023
A lush emerald green in double-brushed microsuede
Elmo
2022-2023
A lovable, huggable Elmo pattern with our friends at Sesame Workshop
Grape
2016-2017
Hello Kitty
2022-2023
A powder pink and gingham pairing inspired by Hello Kitty’s iconic style
Honeybee
2017-2018
A warm, buttery marigold
Hopscotch
2022
A sidewalk-inspired, quartz gray
Jetpack
2017-2018
Lagoon
2018-2020
A dusty, teal blue
Lemon
2014-2017
Lilypad
2022-2023
A fresh fern green in corduroy
Lime
2014-2017
Lobster
2016-2017
Majesty
2018-2019
A brilliant, rich burgundy
Mayberry
2020-2022
A modern mauve
Midnight
2015-2017
Monsters, Inc.
2022
An electric pattern inspired by Sulley and Mike Wazowski, part of our Disney and Pixar collection
Navy
2014-2017
Nuggeteer
2023
A playful, celebratory orange in microsuede
Nuggeteering Across the Universe
2020
A primary planetary party
Orange
2014-2017
Peachtree
2019-2020
A warm, upbeat peach
Pebble
2019-2021
A neutral, mousey taupe
Piglet
2017-2018
A bright, pastel pink
Pink
2014-2017
Potion
2021
An enchanting ultraviolet
Redwood
2020-2022
A warm, earthy brick
Rodeo
2020-2023
A rusty burnt orange in microsuede
Rosebud
2019-2020
A blooming, rosy pink
Rumpus
2019
A playful parade of shape and color
J&J Rust
2018
A rusty, cozy terracotta with June & January
Multi-column
Saturn
2020-2021
An atomic, dijon yellow
Signature
2022-2023
A bright, colorful combination featuring the iconic style of Disney’s Mickey Mouse
Skydive
2017-2018
A light, airy, Carolina blue
Snorkel
2021
A splashy aquamarine
Stardust
2019-2020
A magical baby lavender
Starfish
2021-2023
A bright vibrant coral in microsuede
Studio
2022
A modern, neutral Nugget with just the right amount of Disney’s Mickey Mouse flair
Submarine
2017-2021
A classic, nautical navy
Sugarplum
2023
A deep jewel-tone plum in corduroy
Sweetpea
2020-2021
A blush pink
Taxicab
2019-2020
A taxi-inspired saffron
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
2021-2022
A delicate, caterpillar-covered pattern with our friends at World of Eric Carle
Toy Story
2022-2023
A nostalgic nod to Andy’s playroom, part of our Disney and Pixar collection