We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need

We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need

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.

For more content like this follow

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-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.

These Editor-Tested and -Approved West Elm Sofas and Dining Room Tables Are Up to 20% Off Right Now

These Editor-Tested and -Approved West Elm Sofas and Dining Room Tables Are Up to 20% Off Right Now

Talk about the deal of the century! Coming in at a whopping $700 off, West Elm’s Parker sofa is perfect for anyone looking to score a deal on a quality piece of furniture (so, um, all of us?). Beloved by our editor for its mid-century modern appeal, the Parker boasts deep, medium-firm seats and a wide chaise. Our favorite part? The chic wooden support frame, which adds a wow factor to any living room.

This Anti-Aging Sofa Will Make Living Room Magic for Years to Come

This Anti-Aging Sofa Will Make Living Room Magic for Years to Come

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.

I’ve never thought about living room sofas in the same way as I have skin care products, and yet, oddly enough, there are some parallels. Both can be major investments, and for that reason, you want to make sure you’re spending your money on something that’s going to perform over the long haul.

For more content like this follow

I’m starting to think about buying a new sofa in 2020, so I decided to ask a few Decorist designers whether they thought there truly was a style or type of sofa that was “anti-aging”—you know, built to last and something that would age gracefully—or dare I say—get better with time. Surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly if you’re a sofa savant), they all essentially had the same answer: A chesterfield sofa! For someone who was thinking about graduating from a small space loveseat to a clean-lined sectional, this recommendation is potentially a game-changer. Here’s why three designers think chesterfields are the way to go in your living room now—and forever!

For Caitlin McBride, a Decorist classic designer, it’s all about texture, and leather is her default pick for lengthening the lifetime of a sofa. “A good leather sofa—chesterfields are my favorite!—is anti-aging because worn leather gets better over time,” says McBride. “It becomes soft like butter and when the leather starts to wear, it adds character to the sofa, which is something that can’t be purchased, as it’s achieved over time.”

Technically, she’s right—you won’t get that perfect worn-in patina when buying off the shelf at a big box or home furnishings store. But if you can find a preloved leather Chesterfield sofa on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, a thrift store, or otherwise, you’ll be a leg up on the breaking in process. And you’ll probably save a lot of money buying secondhand, too.

Then there’s the whole matter of the chesterfield’s silhouette. Slouchy and super shapely sofas with lots of cushions may be trending right now—best believe I’ve been crushing on a couple of curvy beauties at Anthropologie lately. But the tight, high back of a Chesterfield always appears neat and clean. “The chesterfield sofa has the traditional rolled arms and tufting, which will look chic for years to come—maybe even decades,” says Briana Nix, a Decorist elite designer. Moreover, you don’t have to worry as much about misshapen or deflated cushions down the road because there are fewer of them on chesterfields by design. And even though there’s not much extra fluff to chesterfields, they’re still wildly comfortable to sit and lay on, especially if you find one with a deep seat.

Audrey Margarite, a Decorist Elite Designer, is also a chesterfield sofa fan. But she thinks you can solve the issue of sagging down the road by thinking about what’s actually under the upholstery when shopping. “Look for a sofa with a hard-wood frame and an 8-way hand-tied spring system,” says Margarite. “This is a quality sofa that won’t sag over time. With use, you may want to recover the sofa in a new fabric, but you can be confident that the sofa’s construction is solid.”

The Best West Elm Sleeper Sofas, According to an Editor Who Tested Them

The Best West Elm Sleeper Sofas, According to an Editor Who Tested Them

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.

For more content like this follow