If you’re curious if a pottery barn sectional might be for you, you’ve found the right blog post! Here I’ll be answering all the common questions I’ve gotten about our PB Comfort Square Arm Slipcovered Sectional.
We bought our new sofa a few months ago, and I’ve been loving it ever since. Choosing between the PB comfort roll arm slipcovered sofa vs square arm styles vs York Sofas vs Big Sur kind of made my head spin. But when it really came down to three factors – comfort, versatility and durability- PB comfort was the winner.
The simplicity of the sofa gives it so much flexibility, allowing you to easily style it with different decorative accents or throw pillows. It fits seamlessly into a variety of styles and can evolve with your taste over time.
Would I Buy the PB Comfort Slipcovered Sectional Again?
I’ll cut to the chase… yes! I love it and it works well for our family. However, there are a few factors to consider to decide if it’s right for YOURS and what specifications you may want.
This was definitely a big investment—especially compared to our last couch from IKEA—but we felt it was time for a more “grown-up” piece of furniture. That being said, I have nothing but good things to say about our IKEA sofa; it gave us years of use and held up incredibly well. But this Pottery Barn sofa? This feels like a huge deal in the best way.
PB Comfort Square vs Rolled Arm
If you’ve narrowed your decision down to the PB Comfort, next you’ll need to decide between the square or rolled arm. Both are beautiful with the rolled arm leaning a little more traditional.
We opted for the square arm, because while still timeless, I wanted just a slightly more modern look. It doesn’t compete with the curves of our Carlisle dupe chair, and it really helps give our space that relaxed look I was going for.
Why Slipcovered?
I knew I wanted a white sofa which always comes with a big risk of stains. Cleanability was the primary reason we went with a slipcovered sofa option. A white sofa is quite different than a white SLIPcovered sofa when it comes to durability and life with a white living room sofa. It was essential to still be able to LIVE ON our couch, meaning being able to keep it clean was key.
Not only do I love the casual look of a slip covered sofa, but the fact you can easily remove cushion covers for cleaning was a huge selling point.
Plus, if we ever want to change things up down the road, replacement covers are available. That means we can get new slipcovers without having to buy a whole new sofa, which is a good reason to go with Pottery Barn slipcovers in the first place.
Selecting the Right Sofa Size
One thing I learned—don’t rely solely on the salespeople at the store when it comes to choosing the right sofa size. I’m sure not all recommendations are created equal, but take their suggestions with caution. When we visited the showroom to test different styles, a salesperson offered to mock up our room dimensions to scale and suggest a layout. I sent over our measurements, and according to her rendering, she suggested a full-size sofa and a loveseat vs a 106″ sectional with possible console addition between the sofa and window. But let me tell you… there was absolutely no way that setup would have fit in our space.
One important thing to keep in mind with custom sofas: they’re non-returnable. That can be pretty nerve-wracking when you’re investing so much in a single piece. For how much money you’re considering spending, take your time, and double (or triple!) check the fit before you commit.
My advice? Do your own measuring. Better yet, tape out the dimensions on your floor and live with the layout for a few days. It’ll give you a much clearer idea of how the furniture will feel in your space. We ended up going with the PB Comfort Sectional 106″ size.
Pottery Barn Fabric Choices
When it came to fabric choices, the options that pottery barn has can be a little overwhelming, but also a great thing to be able to truly customize it to your space. For me, a performance fabric was a must. I didn’t want to feel like I had to tip-toe around my new white couch.
I wasn’t willing to give up drinking red wine on the couch, eating takeout or lounging with my dog … all the normal “life” things, just because I was too afraid of getting our couch dirty! Before ordering, I tested the fabric selections using swatches and even poured wine on them to see how easy they were to rinse off. Some fabrics had a built-in repellency, and that sold me.
My top contenders for fabric were Performance Boucle in oatmeal, Performance Basketweave in Parchment, and Sunbrella fabric Performance Herringbone in Oatmeal.
We ultimately chose the Performance Boucle in Oatmeal, which has a lovely, nubby texture that adds warmth and a cozy factor. I love how the oatmeal color contrasts with our more regal accent chair and keeps the room feeling casual, but put together.
And the fact that the fabric is machine washable in cold water? Total game changer for white sofas! I haven’t had to wash the slipcover yet, so I’ll definitely update this post after the first time, but I’m looking forward to the easy care instructions.
Memory Foam vs Down Blend PB Comfort Cushion Choices
We went to our local store to test the sitting experience in person—definitely a great choice. There’s a clear difference between the memory foam and down blend fill. While the memory foam option is totally fine (still significantly more comfortable than the Ikea sofa), the down blend offers that plush, sink-in comfort we were hoping for. It’s cozy without being difficult to get up from, and at 25″ deep, it’s the perfect depth for both lounging and sitting upright (which, as someone who’s 5’4″, matters a lot).
The back cushions are comfy, but do need a little fluffing every so often—especially the one Burkley (our 20-lb dog) has claimed as his perch and best seat in the house to look out the window from. But honestly, that’s to be expected with down, and I’m happy to do it on a regular basis in exchange for the added comfort.
If you have young kids that use your furniture as a jungle gym and prefer not to have to fluff, this would be the only thing that may annoy you with the down option.
What’s the Difference Between PB Comfort Sofa Modern vs Regular Edging Details?
One of the customization options for the Pottery Barn Comfort Sofa is choosing between a PB Comfort Modern Square Arm or PB Comfort Square Arm. At first glance, the difference may seem subtle, but it all comes down to one small design detail: cording edging.
The modern seam features clean, cord-free edges, which give the cushions a sleek and minimal look—perfect for contemporary or more streamlined interiors. On the other hand, the classic seam includes visible corded edges, adding a bit more structure and definition to each cushion.
We personally opted for the classic seam. I prefer the added detail the cording provides—it gives the piece a more tailored, timeless appearance that fits beautifully with the rest of our decor. While both seam styles are versatile enough to suit a variety of interiors, this small design choice can make a big impact depending on the look you’re going for.
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal taste and the overall feel you want in your space. The good news? Either option will still give you that signature Pottery Barn comfort and quality.
Lead Time:
When we placed our order in February 2025, the estimated lead time for our customizations was around 8 weeks—which felt pretty standard for a made-to-order piece. We were prepared to wait, but to our surprise, the sofa arrived much earlier than expected, just 5 weeks from the order date.
While it’s always smart to prepare for the longer end of quoted timeframes (especially with customized furniture), this early delivery was a pleasant and welcome surprise. If you’re in the process of ordering something similar, keep in mind that lead times can vary based on customizations, but sometimes you just get lucky!
What Sized Coffee Table Works with the PB Comfort 3-Piece Sectional (106″)?
Maybe by now you’ve decided to go with the PB Comfort 3-piece Sectional (106″). Now to plan for your coffee table… Our thrifted oval coffee table, which measures 26″ by 48″, fits perfectly within the shape of our sectional. Its proportions feel just right—providing enough space to move around the table without overwhelming the space.
I wouldn’t recommend going any longer in length, as it would likely extend past the longest bench cushion and start to feel too large scale for the sectional. I also love how the oval shape of the table softens the 90 degree arms of the sofa, adding some softness and curves to the family room.
Delivery & Setup
The delivery guys were fantastic! It came with white glove delivery (literally), and they had everything unloaded and assembled in under 30 minutes. Our new PB sofa arrived in immaculate condition and right on schedule with the delivery date we were given. Bottom line: 10/10 experience.
Final Thoughts
The PB Comfort Square Arm Sectional is definitely not the cheapest living room sofa option out there, but if you’re looking for a Pottery Barn couch that balances style, comfort, and practicality, it’s a great choice. It was a lot of money, yes—but knowing we can easily care for it, live on it, and change the look in the future makes it feel totally worth it.
We’re looking forward to many cozy movie nights, cuddly chats and naps on this beauty. And for anyone scrolling through Pottery Barn sofa reviews trying to decide: if you’re looking for a white, slipcovered, dog-friendly, wine-tolerant couch that actually looks good in your living room? This one just might be it.
I’ll be sure to update this blog post with our real-life review once we’ve lived it in a little longer and have put the slip cover through the washing machine a time or two to ensure they stand up to the test of time.
Girl Behind the Blog
I’m Jess, the creator of Oak & Grain. A mid-west girl at heart who now resides in Raleigh, NC. I love finding old things and giving them new purpose by way of refinishing or incorporating unexpected, overlooked thrift store finds in the modern home. I work full-time in medicine and I love dipping into my creative side and in the process, keeping my sanity. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube to see more behind the scenes action.
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