I Sat on 11 of Pottery Barn's Best-Selling Sofas — Here Are My Honest Thoughts, and Which Ones I'd Actually Buy

The thing about buying a couch? It’s annoying. And difficult. And overwhelming, quite honestly, because there is just so much to look at. One minute, it’s 1pm, and you’re searching the web for the best couches; next minute, you look up from your computer and the sun has set. It’s total information overload — a double-edged sword, considering it's information you need to make an informed decision.

Luckily, Pottery Barn exists. The longtime American retailer (which recently launched in the UK) is essentially a one-stop shop for all things quality furniture and home goods, from luscious loveseats to luxury table linens. If you want to purchase a well-made, customizable, and long-lasting sofa without worrying whether it will break in two years (or discolor), look no further than PB. As a former shopping editor well-versed in the world of sofa buying and construction, you can trust me — this is a great place to go for that perfect, reliable, middle-of-the-road (in terms of cost) option.

To make sure my advice is trustworthy, I recently visited my local Pottery Barn to try out some of its offerings in person and essentially back up all of this talk. All in all, I sat on 11 in-store models to get a feel for things like overall style and fabric quality, as well as seat depth, cushion plushness, and armrest height. And while there was certainly not a bad option among the bunch, there were no doubt pros and cons to each. Below, I lay it all out for you.

York

I tried two York sofas: the regular York and the slipcovered York Deep. While both were great, I preferred the York Deep to the original. The slipcover was barely noticeable, and the single cushion/bench cushion style looked good and felt good (plus no one is forced to sit on that pesky cushion divide). Functionally, this piece seemed better for relaxing, reading, and loafing more than talking or hosting. You really do sink into it; it's practically begging you to put your legs up. And the extra barrel throw pillows offer something nice in the way of lower back support.

Structurally, the York boasts an engineered wood frame and mortise-and-tenon joinery, two hallmark features of a well-made couch. And if you're not too fond of the bench cushion, opt for the multi-cushion seat instead. There are lots of fabrics to choose from, including the performance twill that I tried (and liked). It felt beachy and cool, but I'd personally prefer something warmer and cozier.

Buchanan

A sleeper sofa that's actually comfortable to sleep on? Someone notify the press! Oh, wait ... All jokes aside, I was quite impressed with the seat comfort of the Buchanan. I couldn't test the memory foam mattress, but the couch itself was great. The seat depth was on the shallower side (at least in comparison to the other sofas I tried), so I felt more supported standing up and down. It would be easy to sit here and chat for longer periods. To note: Pottery Barn gives this sofa a four out of five on its own seat softness scale (five being the most firm), but I disagreed; I felt like these cushions were quite plush and soft.

Stylistically, the piece looked far better in person than it does online, so if you have any fears there, I wouldn't worry. The chambray basketweave provides an excellent but practical pop of color (this blue/gray hue is versatile, timeless, and good for disguising stains and marks). And finally, the frame is on the compact side, so it should do well squeezing into a smaller space.

Comfort Modern Square Arm

According to the sales associate I spoke with, the PB Comfort Modern sofas are some of the retailer's very best-sellers. After a few moments of lounging, plus a quick look, it was easy to see why. This guy is a jack-of-all-trades — it’s simple, but not trad; modern, but not complicated; and just the right amount of plushness; I’d probably rate it a six on the scale.

Because of this, I think opting for a bench cushion would be better than two individuals, otherwise, at least one person out of three would have to sit on the uncomfortable crevice in the middle, and who wants to do that? Lastly, the model I sampled used down feather fill, which probably added to the overall plushness of the sit. I think this is a fabulous everyday couch — the silhouette will never go out of style, it’s incredibly comfortable, and it’s entirely customizable to your needs. Definitely a starting point for someone who wants the couch-buying process to move as quickly as possible.

Moreover, the sofa frame itself felt like a great cross between sitting and lounging. I could be upright but could also easily curl up with a book. It's all about the feel you're after, since the quality here (another engineered wood frame with mortise-and-tenon joinery) is just as good as its counterparts.

Comfort Modern Square Arm Deep

Now, I also tried the Comfort Modern Deep — which isn’t much different from the Comfort Modern, outside of its noticeably deeper seat depth. There is a bit more of a lounge feel here as a result, and I definitely feel like I would be using this sofa to curl up, rather than sit upright and have a cup of coffee and conversation. To that end, I think it would be fabulous in a basement or living room, where movie watching and book-reading take precedence over chatting and working from home. The model on the floor also utilized memory foam cushions, which brought the plushness down to a comfortable 5 on my 1-10 scale; I quite liked the slight bit of added firmness.

Bellevue

This was my first time sitting on the Bellevue, and it was a very lovely experience (no surprise there). Indeed, I found it very comfortable, despite its incredibly structured, almost Chesterfield-esque frame. It has a middle-of-the-road seat depth (Goldilocks would love it, if you catch my drift), and I think it would be a great family couch, especially if ordered in the Performance Basketweave fabric I tried, which offered a nice, substantial finger feel. Definitely a strong option, and I think the corner wedge will become a fan favorite spot to sit, read, or talk on the phone.

Turner

To me, the Turner is a unicorn. I'm not a huge fan of leather couches personally, only because I love the warmth and feel of a basketweave or a bouclé, but I have to admit — even I enjoyed this one. The chocolate gravel leather upholstery was rich and delectable — just as beautiful in person as it looked online. I would rate this a 5 on the plushness scale (if 10 is ultra plush and 1 is rock hard). I tried the 43.5" seat depth and loved it, but if you have any accessibility issues, I'd get something shallower and more firm. My only other qualm? The armrests were a bit lower than I thought.

From a construction standpoint, I'm a big fan of the removable birch legs (excellent for move-in), the loose cushions (can be flipped in the event of spillage), the engineered-wood frame (kiln-dried to prevent warping or cracking), and the no-sag spring seat construction. These are all excellent signs of quality, according to the experts I've interviewed (which include Dan Campbell, the president of Benchmade Modern; Mads Holm Rabjerg at Carl Hansen & Søn; and Meagan Endres, category manager of upholstery at Raymour & Flanigan). Leather is also a great upholstery option if durability and practicality are top of mind; not only is it easy to clean, but many styles soften and morph with age.

Pearce

This is a chic sofa with a noticeably tall back — I felt very much like I was sitting up rather than lounging or curling up. It wasn’t my favorite for casual relaxing, but I did find it nice to lie across. It was the firmest of all the sofas I tried, but probably just a four on my scale (i.e., not terribly different from the rest).

I loved the shape of the model I sampled, and found the corner wedge to be the coziest spot to sit. As for fabric choice, I sat on a sofa upholstered in the oatmeal performance bouclé, which I wouldn’t recommend if you have pets (their claws would most definitely get stuck). (To me, it also felt more like a basketweave than a traditional bouclé— do with that what you will.)

In the age-old sectional vs. sofa debate, sectionals are considered ideal for casual, informal settings where relaxation is tantamount. But what I'll also tell you is that, per my conversation with Mads, a sectional might not be the best pick if you plan to move anytime soon. That's because it's possible the uniquely shaped and sized frame doesn't have universal appeal. So keep that in mind before investing.

Jake

Of the sofas I tried, the Jake leather sofa was, unfortunately, my least favorite. It is still very clearly well-made (according to both my sitting experience and the product details), but I was less impressed by the look of the leather. A gorgeous shade, but there were too many visible marks and scratches on the floor model for me. Possibly just wear and tear from an indeterminate amount of time on display (or something you could buff out with some leather cleaner), but there wasn't a sales rep around at the time that I could ask.

That said, it wasn't all bad. As for the positives: at 36" or 40' inches, the seat itself felt nice and deep — great for curling up and reading. The visible ash wood base adds a lovely aesthetic touch. And, in theory, of course, the leather should patina and soften further over time. As I mentioned, I'm personally skeptical of the color I tried (Sandstone in the Keystone leather), but PB offers an additional 50 leather options. One more thing to note: the seat height was (or at least felt) a bit lower, so there is less support at the top of the back and neck.

Westwood

The Westwood really is that girl. It's large, cozy, and best of all, modular, so you can rearrange the pieces as needed. If you're going to invest in a $4,000 couch, you might as well be sure it will last for years (that, my friends, is the gift of modularity)!

Comfort-wise, there was just the right amount of give here; the perfect in-between. The barrel pillows are a great support for your lower back when chatting or hosting, but you can just as easily remove them for a movie night or nap. (I tried the Westwood Deep, as well, and let me say: I would nap SO hard on that couch!).

Carmel

I'd love to lounge on the Carmel — name the time and the place and I'll be there, list of suggested movies or TV shows to binge in hand. But if I were trying to have a conversation with someone, it'd be too deep, unless I were sitting on the edge of the seat. So personally, I'd use this in a room where lounging is the top priority and the only talking is to the effect of 'pass the remote'. Don't take that as a read, either; this is an incredibly comfortable piece. You can also buy it in widths ranging from 62" to 122."

Big Sur Square Arm Deep Sectional

The Big Sur is definitely an interesting one. I had sat on this before and remember liking it, but I was less taken by it on my second go. It definitely looks fab, and I love the massive chaise; but that portion feels a bit poorly designed, if I'm being totally honest. It's comfortable, for sure, but it's also wide, not long, which means your feet will dangle off if you are at all taller than 5'5". I also felt like the seat depth was a bit too shallow for me. I left craving more of a relaxing feel. To that end, I would have to imagine that the Big Sur Square Arm Deep Chaise would better satisfy. Just something to consider.

Also worth noting, though: I adored the white performance chunky basketweave fabric on the sample model I tried, and would recommend that fabric for any sofa if you're looking for something super tactile.

Honorable Mentions

FAQs

How Should I Style a Pottery Barn Sofa?

Pottery Barn is simple; that's sort of its M.O. If you're looking for a trendy pattern or unique fabric, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you want something timeless that will last? Three words: add to cart.

So how do you style such a minimalist-looking option? Turns out, the clean lines of Pottery Barn sofas actually work in your favor when it comes to styling over time, according to interior designer Pantea Bionki.

In keeping with the retailer’s timeless aesthetic, the designer suggests selecting "a solid fabric for the sofa itself, and then incorporating patterns and textures through throw blankets and pillows." This simple styling technique "allows for easy seasonal changes without altering the sofa," she adds, providing a "cost-effective way to refresh the look throughout the year."

Seasons come and go, but a well-chosen sofa is forever. Consider pairing it with one of Livingetc's favorite Pottery Barn coffee tables and Pottery Barn rugs — a formula for the perfect living room.

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