History of The Nugget

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!

Two college age girls sit on the kickstarter version of the Nugget couch

2012-2013

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.

Blown out schematic version of an early version of the Nugget play couch

2014

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!

Blown out schematic version of an early version of the Nugget play couch
Navy color Nugget play couch

2015

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.)

Pebble color Nugget play couch

2017

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.

Pebble color Nugget play couch
Navy color Nugget play couch

2020

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 play couch version 6 in Moonshot

2023

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.

Nugget play couch version 6 in Moonshot

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

Moonshot Cover Set

Moonshot

A fresh, futuristic lilac in microsuede

Lemonade Cover Set

Lemonade

A cheerful, classic yellow in microsuede

Dunebuggy Cover Set

Dunebuggy

A beachy, vintage beige in our double-brushed microsuede

Surfside Cover Set

Surfside

A breezy, eventide blue in our double-brushed microsuede

Bearhug Cover Set

Bearhug

A plush, caramel brown

Lilypad Cover Set

Lilypad

A fresh, fern green

Fairway Cover Set

Fairway

A crisp, kelly green

Toy Story Cover Set

Toy Story

A nostalgic nod to Andy’s playroom, with our friends at Disney and Pixar

Coco Cover Set

Coco

A celebratory pattern inspired by Miguel’s love of music, with our friends at Disney and Pixar

Neptune Cover Set

Neptune

A bold cobalt blue

Brightside Cover Set

Brightside

A sunny, cheerful mango

Elmo Nugget Cover Set

Elmo

A lovable, huggable Elmo pattern with our friends at Sesame Workshop

Lolly Nugget Cover Set

Lolly

A cool, candy pink

Blueridge Nugget Cover Set

Blueridge

A classic, grounded navy, cloaked in our cozy, double-brushed microsuede

Willow Nugget Cover Set

Willow

A verdant forest green, cloaked in our cozy, double-brushed microsuede

Starfish Nugget Cover Set

Starfish

A bright, vibrant coral

Koala Nugget Cover Set

Koala

A calm, cool gray

Harbor Nugget Cover Set

Harbor

A cozy charcoal, cloaked in our cozy, double-brushed microsuede

Atlantis Nugget Cover Set

Atlantis

An exotic, peacock teal, in our cozy, double-brushed microsuede

Bamboo Nugget Cover Set

Bamboo

A comforting, mossy sage

Sandcastle Nugget Cover Set

Sandcastle

A sandy, golden neutral

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!

Alice & Ames  Mabel Cover Set

Alice & Ames Mabel

2020

A delicate party of flowers on white

Beanstalk Cover Set

Beanstalk

2019-2020

A deep, marvelous emerald

Bermuda Cover Set

Bermuda

2019

A triangle-sprinkled pastel mint

Blackbeard Cover Set

Blackbeard

2019-2021

A true onyx black

Blue Cover Set

Blue

2014-2017

Bluejean Cover Set

Bluejean

2020-2021

A washed medium blue

Broadway Cover Set

Broadway

2019-2020

A cool, cardinal red

Cactus Cover Set

Cactus

2021-2023

A saturated mint green in microsuede

Cantaloupe Cover Set

Cantaloupe

2017-2018

A cheery, creamsicle orange

Cookie Monster Cover Set

Cookie Monster

2022-2023

A scrumptious, cookie-covered pattern with our friends at Sesame Workshop

Daybreak Cover Set

Daybreak

2020-2023

A misty agave in microsuede

Dewdrop Cover Set

Dewdrop

2020-2021

A dusty, powder blue

Grape Cover Set

Grape

2016-2017

Hello Kitty Cover Set

Hello Kitty

2022-2023

A powder pink and gingham pairing inspired by Hello Kitty’s iconic style

Honeybee Cover Set

Honeybee

2017-2018

A warm, buttery marigold

Jetpack Cover Set

Jetpack

2017-2018

June and January Dot Cover Set

June & January Dot

2020

A party-inspired polka dot print, with June & January

Lagoon Cover Set

Lagoon

2018-2020

A dusty, teal blue

Lime Cover Set

Lime

2014-2017

Lobster Cover Set

Lobster

2016-2017

Majesty Cover Set

Majesty

2018-2019

A brilliant, rich burgundy

Mayberry Cover Set

Mayberry

2020-2022

A modern mauve

Midnight Cover Set

Midnight

2015-2017

Monsters, Inc. Cover Set

Monsters, Inc.

2022

Navy Cover Set

Navy

2014-2017

Nuggeteering Across The Universe Cover Set

Nuggeteering Across the Universe

2020

A primary planetary party

Orange Cover Set

Orange

2014-2017

Peachtree Cover Set

Peachtree

2019-2020

A warm, upbeat peach

Pebble Cover Set

Pebble

2019-2021

A neutral, mousey taupe

Piglet Cover Set

Piglet

2017-2018

A bright, pastel pink

Pink Cover Set

Pink

2014-2017

Potion Cover Set

Potion

2021

An enchanting ultraviolet

Rodeo Cover Set

Rodeo

2020-2023

A rusty burnt orange in microsuede

Redwood Cover Set

Redwood

2020-2022

A warm, earthy brick, in our cozy, double-brushed microsuede

Rosebud Cover Set

Rosebud

2019-2020

A blooming, rosy pink

Rumpus Cover Set

Rumpus

2019

A playful parade of shape and color

Rust Cover Set

June & January Rust

2018

Our collaboration with June & January: a rusty, cozy terracotta

Saturn Cover Set

Saturn

2020-2021

An atomic, dijon yellow

Signature Mickey Cover Set

Signature

2022-2023

A bright, colorful combination featuring the iconic style of Disney’s Mickey Mouse

Skydive Cover Set

Skydive

2017-2018

A light, airy, Carolina blue

Snorkel Cover Set

Snorkel

2021

A splashy aquamarine

Sweetpea Cover Set

Sweetpea

2020-2021

A blush pink

Stardust Cover Set

Stardust

2019-2020

A magical baby lavender

Studio Mickey Cover Set

Studio

2022

A modern, neutral Nugget with just the right amount of Disney’s Mickey Mouse flair

Submarine Cover Set

Submarine

2017-2021

A classic, nautical navy

Taxicab Cover Set

Taxicab

2019-2020

A taxi-inspired saffron

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cover Set

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

2021-2022

A delicate, caterpillar-covered pattern with our friends at World of Eric Carle

Placeholder Blank Cover Set