I’m a Home Editor, My Mother’s a Designer—Here’s Why the Crate & Barrel Tidal Sectional Earned Our Stamp of Approval

Bring on the wine spills and pet paws

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Published Jan 11, 2025

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Sydney Meister for PureWow

Aesthetic: 20/20
Comfort: 18/20
Pet-Approved: 18/20
Quality: 20/20
Delivery: 20/20

TOTAL: 96/100

Let me set the stage: My family practically lives on the sofa. Movie nights are our love language, and some of my favorite memories involve all of us—me, my parents, my sister and our Sheepadoodle, George—piled onto one couch with stacks of blankets and popcorn buckets. It’s one of the many reasons why the stakes were high when it was time to upgrade our living room.

See, before PureWow, I worked for high-end designers across New York—and I’ve spent hours sourcing comfortable sofas for clients. But this piece wasn’t just for me—it was for my Mother, a seasoned interior designer (aka my hardest client). For her, every detail matters, from the loop of the fabric to the clean lines of the frame. Add to that the fact that she was set on finding something a) ultra-comfortable, b) large enough for four people to sprawl out on, c) durable enough to withstand our dog’s muddy paws and d) luxurious enough to be featured in Architectural Digest.

That said, we’ve tried plenty of couches over the years, each with its own set of issues. The Restoration Hardware Cloud Couch? Beautiful, but after a year of heavy use, the cushions looked like they’d been through a war zone. As for a bouclé loveseat I tested? As stiff as a park bench, and an absolute nightmare to clean—denim stains left it looking more “distressed” than “chic.”

So, after months of hunting, we finally stumbled across the Tidal Sectional from Crate & Barrel. It promised the size, comfort and durability we needed, wrapped in a design sleek enough to satisfy my mom’s aesthetic taste. And when we saw that it was upholstered in a pet-friendly performance fabric, we were sold.

Below, find my full unbiased review of how this sofa ranks in every category—from comfort to durability to my Mother’s design standards. (Because as Dan Humphrey once called Blaire Waldorf, “she’s a dictator of taste”).

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First Impressions

First and foremost, I’ll say Crate & Barrel’s white glove service is worth every penny (especially if you need to haul a sofa up multiple flights of stairs). Their team coordinated everything with Mom beforehand—an exact delivery date with a time window that worked with her schedule. Plus, despite the narrow staircase in my parent’s townhouse, they managed to maneuver each piece with the skill of a Tetris player. In under two hours, the sectional was unpacked, assembled and sitting in its new home—no scratches, dings or dents on the walls.

As for the piece itself, Mom sent me an influencer-style video (above) five minutes after delivery. Its oversized silhouette looks substantial without overpowering the room, and the stepped seat decks create a subtle floating effect. It has an ash veneer plinth base, which provides an organic foundation—and it all comes together to balance out the sofa’s chunky proportions. (We were also excited about the ‘Oasis Sand’ fabric, but more on that below.)

Crate & Barrel

Comfort and Cushions

Crate & Barrel

Let’s get into comfort. The cushions, crafted from a foam and polyester fiber blend wrapped in polyester casing, were a pleasant surprise. We hadn’t had a chance to test the sofa in person, so we were a bit skeptical about firmness. Upon the initial sit, the cushions did feel firm—sturdy, but not overly plush. My Mom’s first remark was, “They’ll soften,” and after three months of daily use, they absolutely have. Now, they offer the perfect balance of support and give.

To that end, the back cushions feature a feather-down blend encased in down-proof ticking, which adds just the right amount of softness. Unlike our previous down-filled sofa (which required constant fluffing), the Tidal’s cushions have held their shape remarkably well. Even with George the Sheepadoodle, who treats it like his personal throne, the cushions still look and feel fresh. (The sinuous wire suspension system ensures that the seats stay supportive and don’t sag, no matter how much use they get.)

Then, when it comes to versatility, the sectional comes in six different configurations to fit almost any space. We opted for the largest setup—including a left-arm chaise, armless sofa, corner piece and right-arm sofa—and it was exactly the size we wanted. With an overall width of 152.5 inches, it’s massive in the best way. It can not only fit four adults comfortably stretched out (hello, movie nights) but during our Hanukkah party, we easily seated ten people without feeling cramped. The left-arm chaise, in particular, has become a favorite spot for lounging, while the deep inside seat makes it great for both sitting upright and curling up with a blanket.

Crate & Barrel

Pet- and Wine-Approved Fabric

Crate & Barrel

Now for the performance fabric. For those who don’t know, this is a special type of fiber that’s engineered for durability. It’s resistant to stains, spills and wear—thanks to tightly woven yarns—which repel dirt, liquids and even odors. Better yet, our sectional’s Oasis Sand finish is Greenguard Gold and Seaqual Certified, meaning it’s not only eco-friendly (crafted from recycled ocean plastics) but also built to last.

It’s also worth mentioning that this fabric was a major upgrade compared the bouclé loveseat I mentioned testing . That loveseat’s high-pile fabric trapped lint, hair and denim stains like a magnet—and it took hours to clean up after even the smallest mishap. In contrast, the micro-chenille weave of this sectional has been a dream. Its textured surface feels soft to the touch but doesn’t hold onto dirt or debris the way bouclé does. Even George’s dirty paw prints and a Hanukkah party wine spill were no match—both cleaned up in minutes with a warm damp cloth and a drop of laundry detergent (life hack).

Plus, durability aside, the fabric is gorgeous. The light gray shade is a neutral that grounded the space seamlessly while tying together black-and-white accents with the bold and bright painting behind it. The subtle texture of the weave adds textural interest and depth, elevating the sectional from simply functional to effortlessly chic.

Crate & Barrel

The Bottom Line

Crate & Barrel

After three months of heavy use, I can confidently say that this sectional is everything we hoped for. Yet, if you’re looking for an ultra-plush option—something velvety, sheepskin-like or designed for immediate sink-in coziness—this likely isn’t for you. The Tidal’s cushions are firmer by design, though they soften beautifully over time. It’s also worth noting that its size and price may be a factor for smaller spaces or tighter budgets. Configurations start at $3,218 for a two-piece and go up to $5,766 for a four-piece.

Still, I’d argue that it’s worth every penny; this is an investment piece that’s meant to last for years. Between the performance fabric that laughs in the face of wine spills—the thoughtful sleek plinth base strikes that perfect balance between cozy and contemporary—and the cushions that hold their shape no matter how many naps we take, the Tidal sectional has proven it can handle everything we throw at it. Not to mention that it’s earned the stamp of approval from Jaimi Meister, mother to me, designer to countless clients across the Tri-State area, and picky tastemaker to all.

FROM $3,218 AT CRATE & BARREL

Sydney Meister

Associate Editor

Writes across all lifestyle verticals, including relationships and sex, home, finance, fashion and beauty
More than five years of experience in editorial, including podcast production and on-camera coverage
Holds a dual degree in communications and media law and policy from Indiana University, Bloomington

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