Sarah writes about all things shopping for Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, and Cubby helping you find the best deals and the best products for you and your home. A Brooklyn-born Jersey Girl, she loves a good playlist, a good bagel, and her family (but not necessarily in that order).
Britt is a stargazer and sunrise-chaser with a collection of magic erasers, and a fascination with the fantastic. A storyteller at heart, she finds inspiration in all the small things, and can likely be found singing show tunes, catching up on K-dramas, or going on adventures to satiate her natural-born wanderlust. (Sometimes even all at the same time.)
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
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As your Personal Shopper, we’re visiting the showrooms and stores of your favorite home brands to put all the hard-to-online-shop-for items to the test, starting with sofas. If it’s on the store’s floor, it’s on our list. We went, saw, and sat on every sofa (multiple times!) at one of Pottery Barn’s New York City locations to determine which sofa is the right match for you. Without further ado, read on to find the best, most comfortable sectionals and sofas at Pottery Barn.
As one of the premier spots across the country to shop for home decor, Pottery Barn is a reliable, well-oiled machine. It’s a brand that, overall, has demonstrated its capacity to stay on top of trends, ahead of production and shipping delays, and true to its best-selling classics and Americana roots. Beyond this, Pottery Barn has its Design Crew, or team of interior design experts across the country, to help with all things interior design planning, logistics, and aesthetics. Not only can you take your pick from virtual, storefront, or in-home meetings with crew members, but they will also listen to your every desire when it comes to your dream space — be it one room or your entire home — and develop custom renderings. Oh, and they’ll do it for free. Yep, free. No need to purchase anything, either (though, yes, we can pretty much guarantee you’re going to want to).
The range of sofas and sectionals carried by Pottery Barn is not limited to this list. Visit the website for more options.
We judged every Pottery Barn sofa and sectional in-store based on the following six criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5. These scores helped us determine who the sofa suits best, from nap lovers to movie-night hosts.
Overall sit: What posture does the sofa best support? How deep or shallow are the seats? Are the cushions soft or firm on the back and arms?
Seat firmness: How soft or firm are the seat cushions? How do they contribute to overall posture and comfort?
Customizability: Are sizing, configuration, upholstery, color, or any other details customizable? How granular can a shopper get when customizing?
Nappability: Can you nap on it? Would you want to? Would guests be comfortable sleeping on it?
Multi-functionality: Does it have storage capacity? Is it a sleeper sofa? What else can the sofa do or help with?
Appearance: What style does it best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., deep hues, busy details, flanged edges) or more contemporary (i.e., clean lines, low profiles, mid-century modern)?
What Impressed Us: The timelessness.
The Carlisle’s subtle S-curved base, intricate wood legs, and sloped roll armrests make it reminiscent of classic English design. But while its frame and dark wood legs lean more traditional in style, the Carlisle’s angular cushions — which are also available in a bench style — bring in a contemporary element. A cozy marriage between the two styles, this sofa is our pick for lovers of cottage core, farmhouse, and other vintage-inspired classic interior design.
What Impressed Us: The range of customizability.
The Carmel is available in Pottery Barn’s most slender sofa width (62″) and one of its widest (122″), so whether you’re working with a small space or all the space, there’s a version for you. You can take your pick from modern bench-style cushioning or more classic seating with multiple cushions. More importantly, this is a supremely comfortable couch with deep seats, medium-soft cushions, and a perfectly relaxed-yet-supportive back incline.
What Impressed Us: The rounded interior angle.
The center wedge piece that connects this L-shaped sectional allows this version of the Pearce to fit flush against an angular wall but maintain a softly rounded interior curve. This slight roundedness creates a comfortable sense of intimacy when multiple people are sitting on the sofa. And because its cushions are removable, the Pearce sectional is ideal for households with kids and pets. Pick the right easy-care performance upholstery and follow Pottery Barn’s recommendation to regularly vacuum the cushions, and the Pearce will become your household’s go-to.
What Impressed Us: The layered back cushion support.
When you sit down onto the York Deep Seat Sofa, it doesn’t initially feel like anything more than a more comfortable, spacious version of the original York style…that is until you feel the shorter cushions layered in front of the sofa’s already cushioned back supports. The design of this dual back support sofa is unique and yields a superior amount of coziness. The slipcover — a mainstay customization for a number of Pottery Barn’s sofa styles — gives it coverage, coziness, and a traditional aesthetic.
What Impressed Us: The supportive seating.
There’s something about the leather Pacifica sofa that encourages you to sit upright with two feet on the ground — still comfortably, of course — and have your side table work station nearby. Perhaps it’s the tautness of the leather upholstery or the buoyancy of the medium-firm seat cushions. It’s a compact sofa overall, allowing more space for its cushions than its arms, so it doesn’t necessarily appear small but is optimal for tighter spaces such as apartments and home offices.
What Impressed Us: The uniquely modern pull-out mattress.
The Buchanan, one of Pottery Barn’s most comfortable sofa styles overall, has finally made it possible for us to bid adieu to those uncomfortable and dangerous metal-supported pull-out sofa beds of the past. The collection’s Deluxe Twin Sleeper sofa includes a built-in memory foam mattress that doesn’t separate from or morph because of the chair itself. The sofa is essentially an extra-wide armchair — perfect for those who live solo or with a partner but also want to host guests. In-store, we were able to also try out the matching ottoman, which opens up to reveal a spacious storage compartment.
What Impressed Us: The pillow-soft armrests.
More relaxed in look and feel than the structured Carmel, the Canyon is practically made for nap time. Its rolled armrests are padded with memory foam cushioning and, in a pinch, can easily take the place of a pillow. The seats and back cushions themselves achieve a midway point between firmly supportive and cloud-like softness. For lovers of plush, slightly bouncy, super nappable sofas — the Canyon is a winner.
What Impressed Us: The room to grow.
No matter your size, extra- — nay, double– — wide seating makes for a luxe, superior lounging experience. This variation of the best-selling Big Sur sectional is optimal for movie nights since anywhere from two to four people can be seated facing forward and still have their own space to move around. Bonus: The cushion fill is a bouncy soy-based foam wrapped in a down blend that yields unbelievable comfort, all while maintaining its clean lines and sharp, modern look.
What Impressed Us: The soft, vintage-y leather.
The striking look and luxe feel of the Jake sofa in Aviator Black leather upholstery and a light wood base makes it highly memorable. This particular leather finish is soft — almost suede-like — and has an aged charm that encourages visual character to develop over time. The firmness seems to differ slightly between the seat and back cushions, which lends to a comfortable, sustainable overall sit. This version of the Jake stands out, especially among other leather sofas we’ve tested.
What Impressed Us: The old-school aesthetic.
The Chesterfield has a low profile and traditional tufted back design that, upon first impression, pretty much says, “I belong to an intellectual.” It pays homage to the intricately designed seating that always seems to adorn the offices of those with high ranks, but without the stiffness and discomfort that’s almost always expected. Its seat is quite elevated, making it easier to sit down on and stand up from. Still, the overall sit is just inches away from being fully upright, so while it’s got comfortable seats, the Chesterfield is supportive for your back.
What Impressed Us: The relaxed, luxurious feel.
The Newport‘s platform-style frame and relaxed down-fill cushions give it a lived-in feel and make it a contemporary of the higher-priced, trendy, luxury sofas of the same style by different brands. For this reason, it’s our Luxury for Less pick when it comes to sectional sofas that are both stylishly relevant and timeless. Keep in mind that this is a sectional for lovers of ultra-plush seating — the kind that sinks in when you sit and seems to envelop its guests in comfort.
What Impressed Us: The double-wide chaise.
If you’re looking for a sofa with abundant seating or something for a larger space, this version of the Dream sectional is it. With just enough structure to remain modern, its platform base and reclining pillow backrests lend an element of relaxation and coziness that gives an instantly lived-in (yet still brand-new) feel. Those who appreciate their space will love the Dream.
What Impressed Us: The buoyant cushioning.
Both plush and supportive, the seats of the Campbell are like a cozy conundrum. This classic-style sofa has thin armrests that maximize cushion capacity — and maximize it does. The cushions to this sofa are plush to the point of lifting you up, giving support from both the seat and the back. If you’re in need of a sofa that’s easy to sit down on and get up from, the tall, medium-firm seats of the Campbell could be your solution.
What Impressed Us: The customizable cushion fill.
Pottery Barn’s most coveted customizable sofa collection, PB Comfort, includes the square-arm upholstered sofa that’s any purist’s dream. Perfectly angular with a medium-firm cushion feel, this version of the PB Comfort sofa has one of the widest ranges of customizable options, from sofa width to over 110 upholstery styles. It’s comfortable, supportive, and highly nappable — a great overall sofa by anyone’s standards.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Traditionally, pull-out sofas have been looked down upon as unfashionably economical. These days, however, you can find an affordable, comfortable sleeper in just about any style, color, and fabric at a variety of price points. Whether you’re after a sophisticated convertible sofa under $250 or something with a mattress so comfortable it rivals the one in your bedroom, you never have to look for too long. A few months ago, AT’s Best List Writer and Producer Kendall Cornish visited her local West Elm brick-and-mortar store and tested every sofa the retailer has to determine the best ones on offer. In her roundup, she included a couple of sleeper sofas that are too good to pass up, especially if you live in a smaller space. But there’s no need to go searching through her post to find them (although you should definitely read it anyway) because we’ve listed them below and detailed their most notable features.
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Apartment Therapy received compensation for this post, which was written and edited independently by our editorial team.
Summer is wrapping up, and what better way to usher in all things autumn than by scoring some big home essentials for less? Luckily, it’s already time to take advantage of Labor Day weekend’s deals. There are tons of discounts on things like mattresses and rugs, but we’re paying close attention to deals on that one major investment piece of functional decor: the sofa. Whether you’re in the market for a full-sized couch, a little loveseat, or something multi-tasking like a sleeper sofa or sectional, we’ve found all the best sofa sales worth shopping right now. Reader-favorite brands like Albany Park, Edloe Finch, Wayfair, and West Elm all have deals worth taking advantage of. If you need some advice before making what can end up being a big purchase, here is our complete guide on how to buy a sofa and our recent review and rating of every West Elm sofa in-store now.
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Amazon — Shop deals daily on everything from accent chairs to sleeper sofas and so much more for the home (and beyond!).
Wayfair — You can save up to 70 percent off during Wayfair’s massive Labor Day sale. Score mattresses, furniture, and appliances for a big discount. Shop our picks from the sale.
Pottery Barn — Take up to 70 percent off furniture for indoors and out (and more!) during the massive Warehouse Sale.
Macy’s — During the Labor Day Sale, score an extra 20 percent off of home essentials as well as up to 65 percent off of sofas, sectionals, and other furniture.
Anthropologie — Enjoy an extra 30 percent off of in-stock and ready-to-ship items including select sofas and seating as well as other furniture, candles, and decor during the Labor Day Home Sale.
Serena & Lily — Use the code NEWLEAF for 20 percent off of nearly everything, from sofas and rugs to bedding and decor.
Overstock — Save up to 70 percent off of thousands of items sitewide, including those already on sale, and get free shipping with your order.
Joss & Main — Use code TAKE20 at checkout to score 20 percent off of your order of home decor and furniture this Labor Day weekend.
Apt2B — During the Labor Day Sale, take 15 percent off of everything sitewide, 20 percent off of orders totaling $2,999 or more, 25 percent off of orders $3,999 or more, and 30 percent off of orders $5,499 or more.
Castlery — Get $100 off of every $1,200 spent on standout furniture, outdoor entertaining essentials, and more.
One Kings Lane — Tents are up to 50 percent off this Labor Day weekend, but outdoor furniture and decor is up to 40 percent off to boot.
Lulu and Georgia — Take 20 percent off your entire order of coveted home decor, sofas, furniture, rugs, and more.
Etsy — The Labor Day Sales Event is exclusively on the Etsy app, where shoppers can score discounts of 15 percent off or more on everything from skillfully made furniture to quality outdoor entertaining essentials and home finds.
Interior Define — Take up to 20 percent off of custom upholstery and design your ideal sofa or shop the brand’s new line of customizable bedroom furniture.
Raymour & Flanigan — Score up to 40 percent off in-stock furniture, mattresses, and more for the home during Raymour & Flanigan’s Labor Day Sale.
Lumens — Save up to 50 percent off of modern sofas as well as other furniture, lighting, and more during the Labor Day Sale.
Annie Selke — Get up to 70 percent off with code SUMMER20, an additional 20 percent off select sale items, and free ground shipping on orders over $150.
HAY — Get unique sofas as well as storage and organization solutions, lighting, and more for the home for up to 40 percent off.
Houzz — Save up to 75 percent off home furnishings to add to or recreate your space.
Sundays — Take 15 percent off of everything from living room furniture to outdoor seating during the Sundays Labor Day Sale.
Havenly — Save 45 percent off full-size design packages with code LABORDAY22. You can also take an additional 10 percent off of on-sale home decor, from lighting to accent furniture, when you use code BYESUMMER at checkout.
Rejuvenation — Take up to 40 percent off of sofas, furniture, lighting, and more.
Scout & Nimble — Score 20 percent off of all Four Hands brand furniture and decor, including dining tables, dressers, sofas, and more.
Ballard Designs — Save anywhere from 20 to 70 percent off on nearly all furniture and decor sitewide.
Modloft — Save up to 70 percent on in-stock sofas, dining sets, and other design-forward furniture during Modloft’s The Warehouse Sale.
Kathy Kuo — Save up to 25 percent off of furniture, decor, and beyond sitewide — no code necessary!