Who reigns supreme in the world of couches - Medley or Pottery Barn? It's time to find out!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Looking to invest in a comfy couch from either Medley or Pottery Barn? We've got the perfect guide to help you choose the best one for your living space!
Side By Side
Features
Medley
Pottery Barn
Made to Order Lead Times
8+ weeks
8-12 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$175
$279-$429
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA
USA + Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$$-$$$$
$$-$$$
In the side by side comparison, Medley and Pottery Barn show differences in key areas. Medley offers made-to-order lead times of 8+ weeks compared to Pottery Barn's 8-12 weeks. While Pottery Barn provides a wide selection of stylish sofas, Medley stands out with eco-friendly material options like Latex + Wool. Additionally, Medley offers a lifetime warranty on sofa frames, while Pottery Barn lacks an official sofa warranty. When it comes to pricing, Medley's average 3-seat couch falls in the $$$-$$$$ range, whereas Pottery Barn's range is $$-$$$.
BRAND #1: Medley
Medley was founded in 2017 by two brothers, Travis and Ryan Nagle. But their story actually begins in 2005 when they were selling sofas out of their living room. They are one of the only couch companies offering ultra-green material options.
Medley | Brand Summary
Medley is a rare company that actually delivers on its promises of top-of-the-line craftsmanship, all-natural material options, and sustainability. They offer an excellent, hand-crafted product, but their prices can be a bit too high for the average consumer and their lead times can be excessive. Medley was founded with a mission to create eco friendly furniture that not only lasts but also minimizes harmful chemicals and toxins, catering to consumers who prioritize environmental mindfulness in their purchasing decisions.
But if you want a made in the USA couch with wonderfully-natural materials, lifetime warranties, and a competitive price point, then Medley should be the first place you look. And chances are it will be the only place you have to look.
Extremely high quality materials and craftsmanship
Lifetime warranty on sofa frames and 5+ year warranty on materials
Generous 30 day return policy
Cons
Limited sofa style options
Fabric selection can significantly raise sofa price
Latex + Wool option can be pricey
Lead times can be extremely long
No brick-and-mortar stores
It can be hard to find any flaws in Medley’s business. But while their standard couches usually have lead times of 8-10 weeks (not counting delivery), their wonderful Latex + Wool options often take 14+ weeks to build. That’s a long time to wait, especially when there are no brick-and-mortar stores where you can test out their couches. Their base prices are great considering the high-quality materials and craftsmanship, but choosing a higher-tier fabric and their natural Latex + Wool materials will significantly raise the sofa price. But they’ll still be cheaper than Maiden Home’s offerings. Medley’s styles are nice, but they might be a little bland, depending on your tastes.
However, the pros vastly outweigh the cons. Their plant-based Latex + Wool material options are incredible and put Medley in a class of its own. Their wood is sourced from sustainable forests, their fabrics are eco-friendly, and every aspect of their construction process considers the sustainability impact. They also use a high-quality spring system similar to 8-way hand-tied suspensions. This is top-tier craftsmanship. Their frames also come with a lifetime warranty, the cushion filling has a 10-year warranty, and the upholstery workmanship has a 5-year warranty. Add in their 30-day return policy and there’s a whole lot to like about Medley.
Pottery Barn's story began in 1948 when two brothers stumbled upon discarded pottery and turned it into a thriving business. Acquired by Williams-Sonoma in the 1980s, Pottery Barn expanded rapidly in the 1990s, becoming synonymous with upscale home decor. Their innovative catalog and focus on creating an "elevated rustic" aesthetic resonated with consumers seeking a blend of modern and heritage-style furniture. Today, Pottery Barn continues to be a trendsetter in the home decor industry, captivating shoppers with their inviting online presence and commitment to sustainability.
Pottery Barn | Brand Summary
Pottery Barn is one of the top furniture names in the game. They've defined home decor trends for the better part of 40 years. They have gorgeous brick-and-mortar stores and their website is just as stunning.
Pottery Barn's stylish sofa selection hasn't missed a step over the years, but their customer focus has certainly stumbled. Their lack of a true sofa warranty, the inability to return most couches, and deceptively long lead times all brought their score down. Their excellent website, the quality of their couch construction for the price, and their brand vibe were all highlights.
Free fabric swatches available (including leather)
White glove delivery service available
Sofas available in various cushion configurations
Cons
Longer-than-advertised lead times
No official sofa warranty
Limited return policy (Quick Ship items only)
Expensive white-glove delivery (only option)
Limited full-grain leather options
Pottery Barn, a household name in home decor, offers a wide array of stylish sofas that can instantly elevate your living space. Their extensive fabric selection, with many eco-friendly options, allows you to find the perfect match for your aesthetic. However, be prepared for potentially lengthy lead times and the absence of a formal warranty.
While their white-glove delivery ensures your sofa arrives in pristine condition, it comes with a hefty price tag and is the only delivery option. Additionally, their return policy is quite restrictive, only applying to Quick Ship items.
Despite these drawbacks, Pottery Barn's commitment to quality shines through in their sofas' construction and materials. Their dedication to sustainability, evident in their tree-planting initiative and use of GREENGuard Gold certified fabrics, is another noteworthy aspect.
Ultimately, if you're willing to overlook the longer lead times and limited return policy, Pottery Barn's stylish sofas and commitment to quality might just be worth the investment.
When it comes to choosing between Medley and Pottery Barn, Medley takes the lead with its emphasis on craftsmanship, eco-friendly materials, and sustainability practices, making it the ideal choice for those prioritizing these aspects in a couch. However, if a wide selection and financing options are your priorities, Pottery Barn could be the better pick for your living space.
Alex Back
Couch.com CEO & Founder
Alex Back is the founder and CEO of Couch.com. Previously, he was the co-founder and COO of the popular furniture brand, Apt2B, which was acquired by a large US retail furniture chain in 2018. He worked to integrate Apt2B, one of the very first online furniture retailers on the Shopify platform, into the operations of the 100 year old larger business entity and was deeply immersed in the business operations of both online and brick and mortar retail for 4 years before leaving in 2023 to start Couch.com. Working in various parts of the furniture industry since 2004, he has 20 years experience in retail sales, e-commerce, marketing, operations, logistics and wholesale manufacturing and distribution. He has worked extensively with partners such as Costco, Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon and his work has been highlighted in many publications such as Forbes, CNN and HGTV, among others. Alex is delighted to bring his experience and authority on couches and the furniture industry to this platform, along with many of his industry colleagues who are helping him keep the Couch.com audience informed and engaged on a daily basis.
