With classic lines, timeless style, and quality construction, Pottery Barn furniture is sought after by interior designers and admirers alike. In this Pottery Barn slipcovered sofa review, I am breaking down all the details and my thoughts after owning our Pottery Barn slipcovered sofa for almost eight years.
From the pros and cons to quality and value for money, you will find it right here. I hope this helps you decide if a Pottery Barn sofa is right for your home.
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Note: This Pottery Barn sofa review is not sponsored. We purchased the sofa with our own money many years ago.
Our Pottery Barn Sofa
We had just purchased our home and were in need of furniture for many rooms, but particularly our living room. I have always loved Pottery Barn furniture and knew we would buy our living room sofa from there.
Patterned rug (top) | Braided jute rug, off white (similar, bottom) | Floor lamp (similar)
Years earlier, we purchased two wingback chairs in an ivory basketweave fabric from a local PB store. We also bought two solid wood side tables for our living room and a modular solid wood desk with a hutch around the same time, so we were familiar with the quality.
It has been nearly eight years since we purchased our Pottery Barn sofa. At the time, Pottery Barn had a line of sofas called PB Basic. I preferred the collection, because it was a slightly smaller scale than the PB Comfort sofa that we were also considering.
With the PB Basic, the cushions were not as deep and the sofa was not as long, which matched the proportions of our living room better. I liked the 3-piece L-shaped roll arm slipcovered sectional for its casual traditional to transitional look and feel. To some, it may also feel a little coastal.
Pottery Barn no longer carries the PB Basic line. The PB Comfort Roll Arm Slipcovered 3-piece L-shaped Sectional Sofa is the most similar.
The main differences are the PB Comfort sectional has deeper cushions and it is longer. Also, our sofa has a pleat in the fabric on the bottom at the ends and middle on both the front and back that the PB Comfort does not have.
Other similar Pottery Barn sofas to the PB Basic Roll Arm:
- PB Comfort Roll Arm
- York Roll Arm
- Pearce Roll Arm
- Cameron Roll Arm
Our linen tufted ottoman that we purchased a few years earlier from a Living Spaces store fit perfectly with the sofa. I love styling our ottoman, so if you do too, read 7 Styling Tips to Decorate an Ottoman or Coffee Table.
Tufted upholstered ottoman, similar but slightly smaller | Round marble lidded dish | Patterned rug (top) | Braided jute rug, off white (similar, bottom)
Slipcovered vs Upholstered Sofa
When I was planning the layout for our living room, I knew I wanted a white slipcovered sectional sofa. I like a more cozy, relaxed feel in our home, like Nancy Meyers Something's Gotta Give movie. That sort of look and feel is easily accomplished with a plush white slipcovered sofa.
We have owned a few different sofas over the years, including two upholstered sofas at different times. One was not made well and, therefore, did not last long before it broke down. The other upholstered sofa lasted quite a few years before it was time to replace it. We were moving at the time, so we bought the Ektorp slipcovered sofa in white from Ikea. It provided the opportunity to try a slipcovered sofa for a change.
Having experienced both upholstered and slipcovered sofas, it was easy for me to choose a slipcovered sofa when it came time to buy furniture for our new home.
Pros of Slipcovered Sofas:
- Slipcovers that are machine washable can be cleaned at home whenever necessary
- Easily change out the look of your space with a new slipcover in a different color or fabric
- Relaxed yet polished look but not frumpy or stuffy feeling
Cons of Slipcovered Sofas:
- Upholstered sofas may look more polished if that is the look you are going for
- Spot cleaning is something you may have to do, unless you can wash the whole sofa slipcover depending on the sofa you buy
- Adjusting the slipcovers after some use may be necessary
Quality of Construction
In my experience, Pottery Barn furniture is built very well. That said, we have not purchased furniture from Pottery Barn since 2021, so I can only speak to that and not their newer furniture.
When we designed and ordered our sofa, we were given an estimated delivery date of several weeks. Due to the fact it was made-to-order, someone still had to build it.
Our Pottery Barn slipcovered sofa, like the PB Comfort sofa, was custom made here in the USA at their Sutter Street Factory. I believe that our specific sofa was made with kiln-dried hardwood, though I am unsure if the PB Comfort is made the same way. Both have steel springs, quality fabrics, and many colors to choose from.
Our polyester filled cushions are in excellent shape for how much use they get, and they easily regain their shape after we fluff them up or wash the slipcovers. Down-filled or memory foam cushions may also be available for some Pottery Barn sofas.
Your experience may be different depending on your home environment. We take care of our sofa, so that could be part of why it is still in excellent condition.
Customizability
Some furniture pieces at Pottery Barn are in-stock ready to ship. Ordering custom is your best option when you are looking for something specific. If you have the opportunity to order reasonably priced yet quality custom furniture without being a designer, it is a great way to get exactly what you want.
One of the best things about Pottery Barn sofas is the customization options.
Depending on the sofa, some of the choices to customize may include:
- Fabric color and material - Fabrics of twill, linen, suede, and more come in many different colors to choose from.
- Cushion fill - Down, polyester, or memory foam cushions are the typical choices.
- Slipcovered or upholstered - Many sofas are available either slipcovered or upholstered, so you can get what works best for your environment.
- Arm shape - Square or roll arm are common, though there are sloped and English arm available in some sofas.
- Configuration - Two- and three-seats, L-shaped, chaise, and U-shaped are typical.
Should You Get a Sectional Sofa?
Along with the PB Basic sofa that we have, the PB Comfort comes as two- and three-cushion sofas, and sectional sofas of different configurations. Some people think sectional sofas are only for family rooms, but I do not agree. I think you can use a sectional sofa wherever you want.
A sectional sofa is what I always pictured in our living room, even when we toured the home before purchasing. Without having to place any furniture against the walls, a sectional sofa filled out our space nicely.
I was also going for that lived in feel, where anyone could pick a spot to sit or lounge on a cozy Sunday evening. Check out the How to Make Your Home Cozy post for tips to achieve that feeling in your home.
Tip:
Use painters tape to visualize different sofa sizes on your floor before ordering. This should help you feel more confident in your decisions.
Cost and Value for Money
Pottery Barn is not the least expensive or most expensive place to buy a sofa. You will most likely find similar price points at Crate & Barrel, Arhaus, McGee & Co., and Williams Sonoma Home, though I cannot speak to quality as we have not purchased furniture from those stores.
When we bought our Pottery Barn sofa, we waited for a "Buy More, Save More" sale they used to run a few times a year. I am unsure if they do that type of sale anymore, but it is a great time to purchase more expensive pieces of furniture, like a custom sofa.
Is Pottery Barn Worth the Price?
You may be asking, is Pottery Barn worth the price? In my experience, yes, it is. Everyone has a threshold for what they believe is quality and what they are willing to pay, and that may affect your experience.
Since we bought the Pottery Barn sofa, as well as the two upholstered wingback chairs, two wood side tables, and desk years prior to that, we purchased a lovely white wood 12-drawer dresser for our guest bedroom back in 2021. Clearly, we are very happy with the quality and are willing to pay for it, especially when a piece is on sale.
Everyone has a different living situation that may impact how long furniture lasts (i.e., pets, kids, environment).
When it is time to replace our sofa, I hope Pottery Barn is around and that they still carry the York or PB Comfort sofas, because we will most likely purchase from one of those collections. Until then, I trust and hope we will get to enjoy our sofa for many more years to come.
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