Paul discovered three barns full of pottery from the factory of Glidden Parker in Alfred, New York, who had stored extras and seconds up the road from the business, hence the inspiration of the chain's name.

In 1999, the company introduced Pottery Barn Kids as a premium children's home furnishing and accessories brand.

The store has a sub-brand Pottery Barn Dorm for young people starting college life.

[13] In 2018, Pottery Barn Kids partnered with John Lewis which marked the first appearance of the brand in the United Kingdom.

[9] Pottery Barn Teens partnered with Aquafil on the Spring 2020 collection "Watercolor Dots" rug, which uses regenerated nylon made from waste gathered in the ocean and other bodies of water.

[18] Pottery Barn is referenced in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen, as a location where the title character works.

"[19] In the season 3 episode of the American family sitcom Boy Meets World titled "What I Meant to Say", Corey Matthews confesses to his girlfriend, Topanga Lawrence, that he loves her.

Eric Matthews, Corey's older brother, then under social pressure, tells his girlfriend, Christie, that he loves her as well.