Since so many people ask me about my Crate and Barrel sofa, I thought what better time to talk about this great piece of furniture. I must mention that this is not a sponsored review it is a genuine sofa review which include my own experience with the couch.
*The following post contains affiliate links
Do you ever research something to death and then you end up paralyzed?
I think they have a term called “analysis paralysis!”
Well a couple of years ago when I was shopping for a sofa, I visited every major brand store. I checked them out for comfort, looked under the slipcovers, and tested their fabric in regards to stain removal.
I had bugged my husband forever about getting a new sofa, and finally, he caved.
Buying a sofa is a BIG investment and so research is a must.
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Once I got his blessing, I felt like I needed to research the dickens on every sofa.
So, originally, I thought maybe I could find a sofa on Craigslist. This plan would win big brownie points with my husband if I could find a cheap solution.
What I found was eye-opening
This is just my opinion, but I found a lot of the Pottery Barn sofas on Craigslist. And I should mention that the state I saw them in was pretty bad, they didn’t hold up well. I felt so badly for these sofas and their owners. They looked like they just needed to be left out on the curb and picked up on recycling day.
Ok, one sofa was taken off the list.
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Next, my mission was to check out Ikea. You can find my post about my Ikea chairs. I did buy two Ikea Ecktorp chairs, and after owning them for about three years, I must admit they are so, so. Mostly, the slipcovers attract every piece of lint that comes in contact with them.
So, I eliminated Ikea off my list and I narrowed it down to the Ethan Allen and Crate and Barrel sofas.
The Ethan Allen sofa was nice but just not the comfy type I was looking for. So, I ended up with the Crate and Barrel Harborside sofa.
Now my old post about this whole sofa research is one of my popular posts, so I thought it would be just ducky if I reviewed my sofa after owning it for a couple of years.
Crate and Barrel Harborside Slipcover Sofa | Wayfair Jameson Slipcover Sofa | Pottery Barn Basic Slipcover Sofa | Crate and Barrel Keely Slipcover Sofa | Crate and Barrel Willow Sofa | Crate and Barrel Hathaway Sofa
A Review of my Crate and Barrel Sofa My Five Observations
1. A few facts about the Harborside Sofa
I was just lucky that I ended up buying the three cushion version. Three cushions are better than two large ones in that the weight distributes better and so you lessen the amount of lumpiness.
2. The reviews say that the sofa is stiff at first
This observation is valid. I’m not sure but maybe it took a few months to break in the cushions, so don’t panic if it feels a little uncomfortable at first. Basically, now that we have had our sofa for about five years, it now feels like the Crate and Barrel floor model.
Yes, my teenage daughter has broken it in with her long lounges on the weekends.
3. The slipcovers are superior fabric
It is a cotton-blend and lint just doesn’t stick to it. Not sure why this material wicks off dirt but it does.
My Ikea chair’s material is an entirely different quality. I did a post about them, Ikea slipcover cleaning.
4. Machine washing the slipcovers is easy
My couch potato kid who loves our sofa had a nosebleed while lying on our Harborside. Yes, fresh blood was splattered on our white slipcover. This is the one thing I didn’t test for on my fabric research. Well, to clean the blood, I placed Spray and Wash stain remover on it and popped in the washing machine with cold water
This was the big test, right?
After the wash, I let it dry in my laundry room.
And oh yeah, don’t place any Oxyclean on the stain. You see the salesperson at Crate and Barrel mentioned that there is a small amount of polyester that will yellow if you use Oxyclean.
5. Holds up nicely to the basic wear and tear from years of use
So, in the above photo, the cushion to the left got washed, and at this point, I didn’t get to the one on the right. Can you see the difference? I know it is hard to make it out, but in person, it is more noticeable.
I still love our sofa! My daughter loves it as well. We both sit on the middle cushion, and I do need to flip it so that it isn’t a tiny bit droopy. But, like a bed mattress, you just need to rotate cushions, and all is good again.
So, many people have asked me about my sofa, and I have answered all your emails. I hope this helps many of the others. I know it always nice to hear from a regular person rather than from the brand’s website.
Oh, yeah, my daughter and I layout our beautiful Pottery Barn faux fur blanket before sitting on our sofa. This protects it from stains, and also, I look forward to this plush seat. It’s my furry little nest.
Here is the latest photo of how my sofa is holding up. It was featured in my Spring Home Tour.
Cheers,
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Carolann
It’s really a beautiful sofa. I love how comfortable it looks too. It’s also great that you can clean it so easily!
Ruth
Do you have crate and barrel chairs too? Thanks for great info!
lynn spencer
Janine, it seems we share the the analysis paralysis affliction…please don’t ask me to make a decision. I mean, going to a Baskin Robbin ice cream store is painful for me…’you mean I have to choose?”
But…that being said, thanks for doing all the hard work on sofa buying! It’s a lovely sofa and so glad to hear your positive reviews.
Enjoy the weekend lounging on your sofa and watching a little football!
Hugs, Lynn
yuni
if i ever need a new couch, this sold me!! i love a good white slip covered couch and i love yours. thank you so much, janine. this is helpful!
Kathleen
I want to thank you for these honest reviews Janine! We are in the market for a new sofa, and I’ll be the primary decision maker. Meaning unless I were to pick something way out in left field, hubs defers to my choices! I do have to say that I noticed the color difference in the seat cushions immediately, before you mentioned (thanks for the warning about OxyClean … it’s my go to for everything, but I didn’t know about it yellowing polyester ~ so I’m glad Spray and Wash is back!). I think the difference is very obvious. I suppose it looks the same against the back cushions, too?!
I’m worried about the popularity of white sofas waning just after we buy one, so I’d like to check for other light colors in that style? I also want to see if they make sofa beds?
Thanks again … appreciate your time to do this!
Sharon
Hi Janine,
I just found your blog and I’m enjoying your posts. I wish I had read this a year ago. I bought Pottery Barn white slipcovered sofas. One for my living room and one for a loft. I even paid extra for the cushions to be wrapped in down. They give me the look I was going for but are very, very uncomfortable. I am a very unhappy Pottery Barn customer! We have just recently purchased a new sofa for our loft where we view our tv because we just can’t deal with the discomfort anymore. We will be keeping our living room sofa because it’s seldom used except for holidays. I wish other bloggers had been more honest about their opinions on the comfort of the Pottery Barn slipcovered sofas. Thank you for sharing an honest review on your Crate and Barrel sofa.
happyhappynester
Hi Sharon,
Wow, I’m super sorry you are aren’t happy with your Pottery Barn sofa. I saw a lot of them on Craigslist, and they just didn’t look all that great. So, I steered away from them. I hadn’t heard that they were uncomfortable! Mine was a bit stiff like the reviews said, but I chalked that up as a good thing since it meant it would keep it’s shape longer, and that proved so true. Now it is such a comfy sofa, and it seriously is so easy to keep clean. The fabric just kinds of wicks dirt off, unlike my Ikea slipcover chairs. Now speaking of uncomfortable, those had no support at all. I would love to replace them but can’t afford the CB chairs at the moment. Well, so glad you found me. Did you do a search and I popped up? I’m always interested to know info like that. Thanks again!
Janine
PAM
I’m curious…which PB white slip covered sofa do you have?
happyhappynester
Hi Pam,
I own the Crate & Barrel Harborside sofa. I have friends who own the Pottery sofas. I hope this answers your question. Let me know if I can answer any more questions.
Emily
Your research is SO helpful. The stain resistance is appealing, the firmness of the sofa is ideal for my family. Wondering if the same fabric is still available. Is yours “Kingston, snow” 89% cotton/11% polyester? Thanks!
happyhappynester
Hi Emily,
I love our Crate & Barrel sofa. I have searched high and low for my order info and I couldn’t find anything. The sofa doesn’t have any reference to the fabric info either. I’m so sorry I can’t tell you which color I have. But, it is the same one in the store, so I would assume it is the Kingston Snow. I noticed in the photo at CB that it is a bit creamy, but in person, it is pretty white. It has a bit of polyester that doesn’t agree with Oxyclean. I use regular detergent and some spray and wash. I can’t remember when we bought it but it is more than 3 years old and it is still holding up so well. I do flip the cushions every couple months. If you buy this sofa you will love it.
Colleen
Wish I had this info sooner. Great detective work!
I have my Willow Crate and Barrel sofa coming on February 13th and I can’t wait. I also looked around I was so surprised at the variance in delivery charges.
Arhaus, my first store I looked at delivery charge was $199 (I was shocked!).
Ballard Designs delivery charge $335!!! Absolutely CRAZY!
Crate and Barrel was $125!!!!
What a price difference!
I liked the Crate and Barrel sofa the best and it was on sale which made it an even easier choice!
Fingers crossed with two dogs and a grand baby around I hope it holds up!
Thank you for your legwork!
Danielle
Have harborside sleeper, 2 cushion sleeper. It is stiff and hopefully will soften with use. I have been looking for red slipcover to buy & it seems harborside anything is no longer available! I also bought white swivel, rocker chair & hate it! I will sell if anyone wants to buy!
happyhappynester
Hi Danielle,
I did have a company reach out to me that built slipcovers for the Harborside sofa. So maybe google it, and you’ll find them. I want to say they are located in Sweden. I hope your sofa softened up, ours did, and I still love it after many years of owning it.
Willow
I found a Sectional Sofa Crate & Barrel on Craigslist with 4 years of age. The fabric was not completely well maintained and I ordered a custom slipcovers from coverissimo.net. For the sofa and the cover I didn’t spend more than $ 750. Now I too, following your excellent idea, have a new sofa from the Crate and Barrel.
happyhappynester
Yeah, I guess buying a new one is essential. I hope you purchased a new sofa!
Alisande Watterson
It is now Mar. 2019. I have a crate & barrell harborview couch and three chairs and cannot find slip covers listed anywhere. I have at least one extra chair cover but none for the couch snd my cat has torn them up.
Do you know how to get the covers?
happyhappynester
I’m sorry to hear your cat tore you couch and yes, it appears that Crate and Barrel discontinued the Harborside couch. I would check eBay and since their stock changes maybe find out if you can be alerted if a slipcover shows up. I think that might be your best best. Also, Crate and Barrel may have an outlet store, we used to have one, and they used to carry discontinued items. Good luck.
Alisande Watterson
I think we have had them since 2016. It seems like they would carry the dlip covers longer.
Thank you very much for your help,
Alisande Watterson
happyhappynester
I’ve lost track how long we’ve owned our sofa. So, I guess they don’t carry the slipcovers anymore? I think they still sell the Harborside. I know that the slipcover isn’t cheap!
Harmony
Janine
I have crate and barrel couches at my beach house in Kingston Snow…. and a I bought them with a baby who is now 2 1/2. I knew the dangers of white couches and kids! Lol But it was the look I wanted to keep the place light and airy.
Now that there is an avocado stain here and a who knows what stain there, I think they will be do for a cleaning at the end of the season. My MIL even got bronzing lotion on one of the cushions. Do you recommend taking them all off at once and machine washing them or taking them to be professionally cleaned?
I also have a Bissel little green steam machine, but was weary of cleaning them on my own without a little advice. I would use distilled water as has been recommended. Just a note on that machine, I have used it on my light grey cheap couch from Jennifer convertibles and it works like a dream. It’s amazing how yucky the water looks afterwards but feels great to know they are nice and refreshed
happyhappynester
Hi Harmony,
So, I cleaned a few of my cushion covers and haven’t cleaned the main sofa. I wanted to try one cushion to make sure I didn’t ruin the fabric. I would try one slipcover as well. I know that Crate and Barrel said not to use Oxyclean on them since the fabric has a little synthetic material and it will yellow. I think when I cleaned the blood off the slipcover, I washed it by hand first and got most of the stain out. I may have used a bit of spray and wash but didn’t let it soak in too much and washed it cleaned by hand. Then I popped it in my washing machine and used the cold setting. I didn’t use the dryer but instead placed them on the back of some plastic chairs to dry. They came out nice! Good luck and let me know how it goes. If you are nervous, you can send them to the dry cleaners, but Crate and Barrel is the only sofa that can be cleaned at home! That’s why I bought my Harborside sofa from them.
Liesa Allie
In my house, the arms of the sofas and chairs are always the dirtiest. How do you clean the arms? Thanks!
happyhappynester
Our sofa is a slipcover so I place it in the washing machine to clean it! But, place a soft faux fur throw on the arms and it will keep it nice and clean! Thanks for your visit and comment.
Cynthia
I have two Harborside sofas in snow also have matching chairs.I also have the Willow in another room.I love them both.The Harborside is my favorite.They have held up beautifully for 6 years.Easy to clean and durable.Was saddened when they dropped the Harborside.I did pick up the willow ottoman at the outlet store in Livermore
happyhappynester
My husband and I were talking about our sofa! I wish I had bought the chairs before they discontinued the line. I love our sofa too. You’re so lucky to have all of the couch and chairs. Do you like the Willow Ottoman? I remember that I couldn’t decide between the Willow or the Harborside sofas!
By the way, I just cleaned the cushion covers, and they came out beautifully. I did have a couple of stubborn stains, and Borax took it out instantly. I’m going to add this to the post.
I’ll have to check out the Crate and Barrel Outlet store in Livermore. I had no idea they had a store out there!
Cynthia
The Crate and Barrel Outlet is across from the outlet mall
Cynthia
Luckily I had the foresight to buy an extra set of snow slipcovers when we bought the Harborside.Also bought an extra set in sand for the Willow.They are both great sofas.The Harborside is more comfortable.I l have a small living room so I have the two cushion ones. They have held up beautifully after six years.The Willow ottoman is great.
happyhappynester
You’re so wise to buy extra slipcovers! Way to go, Cynthia!
LOURDES FALCON
hi
I just ordered the AVONDALE chaise sectional from Crate and Barrel last night and not lying i’m a bit skeptical now, only because my daughter put some doubt in my head. the chaise sectional means i can have the chaise on the left or the right, my daughter says since the bottom separates eventually it’s going to “cave in” . any thoughts on this? i feel better that you gave Crate and Barrel fabric good reviews. i don’t have small children, actually it’s just me and my 8# maltipoo, my daughter is 25 and does not live with me. hoping i made a good choice. i cannot seem to find any reviews on the Avondale
happyhappynester
Hi Lourdes,
Thanks so much for reaching out to me. I know that buying a sofa is a big purchase and can be stressful. That’s why I wrote about my experience. I went back and forth between the brands and finally settled on Crate and Barrel. I’m sad they don’t carry my sofa style, but I’m really happy with how it has held up over the years. I can only attest to the sofa that I bought.
My sofa’s fabric is great and has withstood our kid’s activities. I do place a lot of faux throws on the sofa when we sit on it to preserve the fabric. Crate and Barrel makes quality furniture.
I can’t say if that chaise lounge is going to give you issues, but it looks like the cushion is one piece which would keep if from wiggling around too much. If CB received a lot of complaints, I would think they would rethink the design. I would go to the store and really check out the sofa if you are at all concerned.
Good luck and thanks so much for reaching out to me!
Jenn
Thank you for this review! I don’t see the harbor side sofa on their website do you know if it was discontinued or just re-named?
Thank you
happyhappynester
Hi Jenn,
Yes, they did discontinue the Harborside sofa, and I’m super bummed.
But, it looks like Willow and Keely are similar to my couch. Both are slipcover sofas. I noticed that the Keely sofa has similar design lines to the Harborside. I’m sure both sofas are lovely.
I love that I can wash my slipcovers, and the fabric holds up well. However, if you get a sofa, make sure not to use Oxiclean when washing since it can change the fabric’s color.
Good luck finding a sofa!
Ethel Mary Fusaro
Unfortunately I washed my white willow sofa covers with oxiclean as well as detergent. I do have yellow blotches. Besides tossing the whole thing is there anyway to get the yellow out?
Janine Waite
Hi Ethel,
I’m so sorry you washed your CB sofa covers with OxiClean and now have the spots. I feel your pain. The sofa should come with a warning on the care instructions.
I don’t have experience removing the yellow spots, but I read that denture tablets might help. Here is the website: https://www.ehow.com/how_7013533_do-remove-yellow-stains-fabric_.html
But before you do anything, get a fabric sample from Crate and Barrel and replicate the OxiClean scenario. Then with the yellow spots on the slipcover, use different methods to get rid of the yellow stains. I don’t think you want to try anything with your slipcovers until you know what works. You might damage them even more.
Good luck, and let me know how it turns out. I would love to add that to my post.
Janine