A sofa-in-a-box sounds like a great idea, right? You order it online, it arrives at your doorstep, and voila! You have a brand new sofa without having to leave your house or even lift a finger. But is it really that simple? Here’s what you need to know about a sofa in a box before you make your purchase.
A sofa-in-a-box is exactly what it sounds like—a sofa that comes in a box. These sofas are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their convenience and relatively low cost. Plus, with more and more people shopping online for furniture, sofa-in-a-boxes offer an easy way to get the furniture you want without having to leave your house or pay exorbitant delivery fees.
The Pros of Sofa-in-a-Boxes
There are some definite advantages to buying a sofa-in-a-box. For starters, they’re incredibly convenient. If you’ve ever tried to purchase a traditional sofa, you know that it can be quite the process. You have to find a reputable store, pick out the perfect couch, haggle over the price, wait months for the sofa to be built and then schedule a time for delivery. And if you live in an urban area with limited parking, good luck finding a delivery truck that can actually get to your house! With a sofa-in-a box, all you have to do is place your order online and wait for it to be delivered straight to your door.
Another advantage of sofa boxes is that they’re often much cheaper than traditional sofas—especially if you’re buying from a major retailer like Ikea or Wayfair. And since they come in preassembled pieces (more on that later), there’s no need to pay for professional assembly, which can add hundreds of dollars to the final price tag.
The Cons of Sofa Boxes
Of course, there are some downsides to consider as well. One major downside is that most sofa boxes don’t come with assembly instructions— but dont Panic all of smart sofas assembly instructions are available on site so you don’t need to be handy with a screwdriver (and patient enough to put together complicated furniture). Additionally, many people find that assembling modular furniture can be quite frustrating and time consuming, which is why all smart sofas, chairs and sofas slot into place easily making it quick and easy for you to assemble them.
Ultimately, whether or not you should buy a sofa in a box depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for something convenient with minimal hassle, then go ahead and join the growing number of people who are ordering a sofa in a box and give them a try today.
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)?
Every Editor-Tested Sofa and Sectional at Pottery Barn
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-outmattress.
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.
After a long day, when you finally get a chance to sprawl out on the couch and relax, you don’t want anyone or anything disrupting your leisure time. That goes not just for loud roommates, but also for out-of-reach snacks, remotes that fall through the couch cushions, and food that drips onto your clothes on the way to your mouth. Side tables and coffee tables are great, but they still don’t put everything within arm’s reach.Fortunately, home improvement TikTokers are amazing when it comes to discovering and sharing cheap solutions to even the most niche problems. That’s how we discovered an Amazon find that makes your sofa even more comfortable than it already is: the Sofa Arm Clip Table.
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This affordable Amazon gadget is designed to solve all your lounging woes. It’s sort of like a TV tray, except instead of balancing over your lap and shaking at the slightest movement, it clamps securely onto the arm of your sofa. If you don’t have a side table at all, this product is a great alternative — maybe even better, considering it doesn’t require any assembly. Just take it out of the box, slide it on, and you’re all set! Amazon customers also love how multifunctional it is. “Y’all this tray is a lifesaver,” one reviewer wrote. “I can get up and sit down on my couch without worrying about if my drink will fall over… Definitely worth every penny.”
Like a regular table, this tray can hold just about anything, including drinks, phones, food, glasses, remotes… you get the idea… but you don’t have to leave your comfy position to reach them. The clamps can open up to 9″ to fit even the widest sofa arms. Live in a smaller apartment and don’t have enough space for more than one table in your living room? This tray can add that much-needed extra surface area. “Our living room is smaller, and this is a great space saver!” one reviewer shared. “It’s sturdy and stays put.”
With its black finish and simple round design, this genius product will look stylish in just about any room. Snag yours now, and get ready to leisure in luxury.
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).
Savannah is Assistant Editor for the Home Team at Apartment Therapy. When she’s not writing about style tips, product launches, or interviewing designers, you can catch her re-watching Gossip Girl or on Facetime with her grandma. Savannah is a proud HBCU graduate and Clark Atlanta University alumna who believes there’s nothing good food can’t fix.
