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.

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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-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 Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need

We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — 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.

As your Personal Shopper, we’ll be 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 West Elm’s Brooklyn locations and determined the kind of customer each sofa is a match for. Without further ado, read on to find the best, most comfortable West Elm sectional or sofa for you.

West Elm is an editor and reader favorite for all things home and kitchen, including, of course, sofas. Their vast selection not only looks good but also can be delivered directly to your living room with white-glove delivery. West Elm also offers free furniture customization and design guidance, if needed, as well as complimentary swatches from a plethora of upholstery options to help you find your ideal materials and colors. Below are the exact sofa models we tested, but you can also find most of them in a variety of styles, including sectionals, loveseats, and accompanied by an ottoman.

The range of sofas and sectionals carried by West Elm is not limited to this list. Visit the website for more options.

We judged every West Elm 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 West Elm

What Impressed Us: The overall sit and seat firmness.

With its supportive, upright posture and firm cushions, the Axel is our choice for those who work from their living room sofas, be it out of preference or for a lack of space for a desk and chair. Shoppers can customize the Axel’s leg height, and choosing taller legs can add some significant under-sofa storage space — another bonus for those who work from the living rooms of their smaller apartment. Its smooth leather is soft and comfortable while also giving the sofa a polished look. The firm seats and upright back offer support but enough comfort to lounge on after your laptop is closed.

What Impressed Us: The nappability and appearance.

The Harmony‘s platform-supported, extra-plush cushions make it reminiscent of the step-down sunken living rooms of the ’60s while also being one of the most contemporary sofa styles West Elm has at the moment (ah, trends). It’s truly cloud-like to lay on and the many pillows that adorn the sectional have varied amounts of fill, producing back support where it’s needed and head, arm, and neck support on the sides. It’s practically made to nap on, but its retro, stylish appearance is enough all on its own.

What Impressed Us: The multi-functionality and nappability.

The Urban Sleeper sectional, with its spacious storage chaise lounger, gives apartment dwellers the opportunity to have it all. Its traditional aesthetic, high-pile plush seating, and customizable upholstery make the Urban versatile enough to suit a range of decor schemes, but its Queen-sized pull-out and nearly person-sized storage compartment make it an overachiever among small-space sectionals. Everything moves easily and the lid of the chaise closes softly with or without the easy-pull tab — no finger-crushing here.

What Impressed Us: The multi-functionality and seat firmness.

The Shelter Queen Sleeper‘s simplicity makes it easy to add to any room. Wherever it goes, be it your home office or living room, it can transform the space into a convenient and comfortable guest quarters. Its long back pillows, arm pillows, and bench-style seat cushion give the Shelter a polished daybed look, but the (Queen-sized!) pull-out bed these cushions conceal is this sofa’s star feature.

What Impressed Us: The nappability and customizability.

The Haven is one of West Elm’s plushest sectionals. Its movable back and arm pillows, long bumper chaise, and wide, deep bench-style seat cushions make it ideal for those who love to stretch out, lay down, sit up, or get creative with their lounge positions. True to its name, the Haven makes you comfortable no matter where you end up on it, especially when you customize the modules and sizes to allow it to fit your space perfectly, so everyone can enjoy movie night (without the fidgeting).

What Impressed Us: The overall sit and customizability.

While it mimics the Haven in its shape and appearance, the Harris sectional’s higher platform and shorter cushions give it more support and buoyancy, meaning more resiliency over time if you have pets who sleep on the sofa or kids who love to bounce. All edges of the sofa are upholstered, and there’s no exposed hardware, making the Harris a safer option for families with kids. The Harris’s 35″ seat depth also makes it easy to get on and off of, whatever your height. Add your choice of performance upholstery, of which there are hundreds to choose from, and no amount of spilling or cat scratching will get in the way of you having a beautiful, comfortable, long-lasting sofa.

What Impressed Us: The appearance and nappability.

It’s all in the details with the Parker, from the curves of its walnut platform and legs to its wide, inviting seats. Aesthetic-minded shoppers (like me, admittedly) will love this sofa’s authentically mid-century modern style, which can be customized to fit spaces large and small. It’s a piece worth talking about when you see it, making it perfect for those who host guests or keep highly curated interior design. It’s got medium-firm seats and posture that leans more upright, but its wide seats and chaise make it highly nappable. The Parker can work as its own statement piece in a room with minimal decor but also pairs beautifully with eclectic, maximalist style, all while looking just as striking.

What Impressed Us: The overall sit and appearance.

Nodding both to traditional and contemporary sofa styles with sloped arms, leather upholstery, and tapered wooden legs, the Hamilton sofa can be left as is or adorned with pillows and throws to suit the design of your space. Covered with soft leather, it’s one of West Elm’s few sofas that is both handmade and contract-grade, meaning it’s durable enough for commercial use in offices and hotels. For a classic look and simple, reliable utility, the Hamilton is our pick.

What Impressed Us: The appearance and customizability.

The Dalton sectional does the most to make us feel like we’re sitting on something very expensive. Its low-profile, minimalist design and tall, bench-style seat cushions make an immediate visual impression. The Dalton’s movable, reclining, and super-plush back pillows are paired with buoyant seats, making it a perfect marriage between the contemporary, angular aesthetic and serious comfort. For a sectional that looks and feels thousands of dollars more luxurious than it really is, the Dalton is our pick.

What Impressed Us: The customizability.

The Andes sectional has a mid-century modern design, room for storage underneath, a chaise headrest with a slight recline for cozy napping, and bench-style seating for easy cleaning and seamless comfort. But you can take it steps further and fully customize your Andes with over 200 upholstery options and a wide array of unique modules to choose from (including double-width and extension pieces). This sectional is our choice for those who know exactly what they want and refuse to sacrifice comfort for a sharp appearance.