Couch Comparisons

Pottery Barn vs Restoration Hardware (RH): Who Has Better Couches?

Looking for the perfect perch to unwind? Wonder no more as we compare Pottery Barn versus Restoration Hardware (RH). Strap in to find out who dominates the seat game!
Pottery Barn vs Restoration Hardware (RH)
Hold onto your hats as we unravel the battle of the couch titans: Pottery Barn versus Restoration Hardware (RH)! In this no-holds-barred comparison, find out which brand is ready to elevate your lounging game to new heights. Get cozy because we're about to dissect these chic seating contenders.

Side By Side

Features
Pottery Barn
Restoration Hardware (RH)
Made to Order Lead Times 8-12 weeks 8-10 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option $279-$429 $299-$849
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option Affirm RH Credit Card
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin USA + Import USA + Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price $$-$$$ $$$-$$$$

In the battle of Pottery Barn versus Restoration Hardware (RH), the heart of your home can find its match. Pottery Barn excels in providing a wide range of styles, durability, and sustainability at a mid-range price point, appealing to value-conscious buyers seeking quality. On the other hand, Restoration Hardware shines brighter with unmatched style, durability, and sustainability, making it a premium to luxury choice for those looking to invest in long-lasting, trend-setting sofas.


BRAND #1: Pottery Barn

The image displays the words "Pottery Barn" in bold, black, uppercase letters on a white background. The font used is a classic serif style.

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.

Pottery Barn | PotatoMeter Rating:

Online Shopping Experience Score 92%
Durability and Quality Score 88%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 84%
Vibe Check Score 90%
Customer Focus Score 82%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 87%
Read Our Pottery Barn Brand Review

Pottery Barn | Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Wide selection of stylish sofas
  • High-quality fabrics (many GREENGuard Gold certified)
  • Most fabric sofas made in the USA
  • 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.

Shop Pottery Barn Now

BRAND #2: Restoration Hardware (RH)

The image features a logo with the letters "RH" in large, bold, black font. Below the letters, the words "Restoration Hardware" are written in a smaller, elegant black font, aligned centrally. The background is plain white.

Restoration Hardware, now known as RH, is the epitome of luxury in the home furnishings world. They have established themselves as the go-to brand for affluent customers and a source of inspiration for those aspiring to upscale living.

Restoration Hardware (RH) | Brand Summary

Restoration Hardware is the quintessential luxury brand. Yet their website shopping experience, their customization options, and their customer focus are all decidedly lackluster. Restoration Hardware sofas, however, are often highlighted for their modern styling and ability to serve as focal points in living spaces. That being said, RH does have decent lead times and their materials are extremely high quality.

But the real question is whether or not RH’s couches are worth the price of admission. If you want the clout of owning an RH couch then the answer is “yes.” If you’re looking for a high quality couch at a reasonable price, then there are plenty of other worthwhile options.

Restoration Hardware (RH) | PotatoMeter Rating

Online Shopping Experience Score 79%
Durability and Quality Score 93%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 91%
Vibe Check Score 88%
Customer Focus Score 81%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 86%
Read Our Restoration Hardware (RH) Brand Review

Restoration Hardware (RH) | Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Exceptional, trend-setting style
  • High-quality materials
  • Lifetime "guarantee" on frame, springs, and cushions
  • Free swatches with no limit
  • In-stock couches ship quickly
  • White-glove delivery included

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Strict return policy (no returns on custom orders)
  • 50% non-refundable deposit on custom orders
  • Lack of transparency regarding some manufacturing origins
  • Some couches lack channeled down cushions

Restoration Hardware (RH) is synonymous with luxury, offering sofas with exceptional, trend-setting style and top-notch materials. With a wide selection of fabrics and leathers, and a lifetime "guarantee" on frames, springs, and cushions, their couches promise both elegance and longevity. White-glove delivery ensures your RH sofa arrives in pristine condition and is set up hassle-free in your home.

Luxury, of course, comes at a price. RH sofas are a significant investment, and their return policy is less than ideal, especially for custom orders, which are non-returnable and require a 50% deposit. While in-stock couches can be returned, the details of this process are not readily available. Additionally, some customers may find the lack of channeled down cushions in certain models a drawback.

Overall, RH offers an aspirational brand experience and high-quality products, but potential buyers should be aware of the cost and limitations involved.

Shop Restoration Hardware (RH) Now

And the winner is...

In this showdown, Restoration Hardware (RH) emerges victorious, offering unparalleled style, durability, and sustainability that truly stands out. With a focus on luxury living and top-notch materials, RH takes the crown for those looking to make a sophisticated investment in their home decor.

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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.
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