Ashley Furniture Review: My Honest Take (+ Pics & Data)
Hey there, furniture shoppers! If you‘re anything like me, you want to create a beautiful, inviting home filled with quality pieces that won‘t drain your bank account. That‘s why I‘m excited to share my full review of Ashley Furniture – one of the most popular and affordable furniture retailers out there.
I‘ve spent countless hours researching the brand, analyzing customer data, and even testing out products myself. So join me as I dive into everything you need to know before you buy, including:
- Is Ashley Furniture good quality?
- How do their prices compare?
- What do real customers think?
- Are there any red flags to watch out for?
I‘m dishing all the details (the good, the bad, and the ugly) to help you make the BEST decision for your home and budget. Let‘s go!
Ashley Furniture 101
First, let‘s rewind for a quick rundown on the brand. Ashley Furniture has been around since way back in 1945, when it started as a sales operation in Chicago. Fast forward 75+ years, and it has exploded into one of the biggest furniture retailers in the U.S. and worldwide!
According to Furniture Today, Ashley now has a whopping 12.7% market share of U.S. residential furniture and bedding retail sales. That makes them number one by a long shot! They‘ve got over 2,000 Ashley HomeStore locations across the globe, from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, Central America, Japan and beyond.
So what‘s the secret sauce behind Ashley‘s major growth and success? A few key things jump out:
- Huge, diverse selection (we‘re talking 6,000+ products!) at affordable price points
- Keeping up with trends and constantly releasing new collections
- Convenient mix of physical stores and online shopping
- Frequent sales, discounts and financing options to make buying easier
One thing I love is how Ashley has options for literally ANY style. Whether you‘re into traditional, modern, farmhouse, industrial, boho, or glam, they‘ve got you covered.
Plus, they carry everything you need to deck out your whole home, including:
- Living room sets
- Sectionals and sofas
- Bedroom sets
- Dining room tables and chairs
- Mattresses
- Home office furniture
- Outdoor furniture
- Decor and accessories
Basically, it‘s a one-stop shop to transform your space. Love that!
As if that‘s not enough, Ashley has also stepped up their sustainability game in recent years. They‘ve set some big goals to reduce their carbon footprint, like using energy-efficient equipment in their factories and investing in electric trucks for deliveries.
So now that you‘ve got the scoop on the brand, let‘s jump into the juicy details. Starting with…are their products actually any good??
Quality Check: Is Ashley Furniture built to last?
Let me start by saying this: you get what you pay for. Ashley Furniture is definitely on the affordable side compared to high-end designer brands or custom-made pieces. That means you shouldn‘t expect everything to last a lifetime or be 100% solid hardwood.
BUT for the prices, I honestly think the quality is pretty dang good overall. I have several Ashley pieces in my home and they‘ve held up well! The fabrics are durable, the cushions maintain their shape, and the tables don‘t wobble. And I don‘t baby my furniture – I have kids and pets and we really LIVE on this stuff.
One thing I always look for is "all wood" construction on any wood pieces. This means the frames, legs, etc. are made from real wood, not particle board or MDF (aka glorified cardboard). A lot of Ashley‘s products do have solid wood frames which makes them feel sturdier.
I also recommend reading the item details CLOSELY. They list out the materials used and any special features. For example, their DuraBlend upholstery is a faux leather that‘s super easy to clean – perfect if you have messy kiddos or fur babies running around.
Something else to keep in mind is the difference between Ashley‘s signature line vs. their outsourced products. Not everything in the Ashley HomeStores is actually manufactured by Ashley. According to their website, about 60% is made in their own factories and the rest comes from approved third-party suppliers. The quality can be a bit more hit or miss with the outsourced stuff in my experience.
Show me the data: What are customers saying?
Ok, but don‘t just take my word for it. Let‘s look at the cold, hard facts. I scoured tons of customer reviews from Ashley‘s website, Consumer Affairs, Google Reviews and more to see what real people are saying. I even put together this handy lil‘ chart to sum up the key takeaways:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great value for the price | Hit or miss quality control |
| Stylish, on-trend designs | Delayed or missed deliveries |
| Comfortable, durable fabrics | Some items look cheaper in person |
| Easy assembly for RTA furniture | Inconsistent customer service |
| Fast shipping (when in stock) | Slow response time to issues |
As you can see, reviews are a bit of a mixed bag. The overarching theme seems to be that most folks are pretty happy with what they get for the price. There are thousands of 4 and 5-star reviews praising the look, comfort and quality.
But there‘s definitely a fair share of disappointed customers too. The biggest complaints are around quality control issues (damaged pieces, missing parts, etc.), long delivery delays, and difficulty getting in touch with customer service to resolve problems.
To give you a better idea, here are a few direct quotes from real reviews:
"This is a really beautiful set for a great price! It is very comfortable but also very firm. The fabric seems to be very durable and easy to clean so far." – Becky K. on the Alenya sofa
"We ordered this sectional sofa and it was delivered within 2 weeks, which is amazing! The delivery crew was professional and set it up quickly. It looks even better in person and feels high-end. We couldn‘t be happier!" – Jared M. on the Ballinasloe sectional
"Looks great, feels cheap. The faux wood cracked and peeled within months and the legs are uneven so it wobbles." – Jenn D. on the Tessani coffee table
"The quality is OK but not great. The real issue was the horrible customer service after a part arrived damaged. It took weeks of back and forth to get a replacement and I had to follow up multiple times." – Michael R. on the Realyn dining set
So what‘s the verdict? I think it‘s absolutely possible to score some great pieces from Ashley. But it‘s a bit of a gamble. My advice is to REALLY do your homework first – carefully read the descriptions and reviews and take a peek at the item in-store if you can. That way you know exactly what to expect!
Price check: How does Ashley compare to competitors?
Now for the million dollar question: will Ashley Furniture give you the most bang for your buck? Let‘s compare prices on some of their bestselling items vs. similar options from a few major competitors.
Note: Prices are accurate as of March 2023 and may vary.
| Item | Ashley Price | Wayfair Price | Rooms to Go Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alenya sofa | $599 | $780 | $999 |
| Darcy loveseat | $429 | $547 | $699 |
| Baystorm dresser | $350 | $408 | $549 |
| Watson coffee table | $99 | $129 | $149 |
As you can see, Ashley comes out on top in almost every category. And this is just a small sample – from the endless price comparisons I‘ve done, Ashley is consistently 10-30% less expensive than comparable items at other big box retailers or online shops.
They also run a TON of sales, so you can often score even lower prices. I‘m talkin‘ up to 50% off during their big seasonal events like Labor Day or Black Friday. Plus they almost always have some sort of deal or promotion going on, like 12-month special financing offers with the Ashley Advantage card.
So if budget is your top priority, I think Ashley is definitely one of THE best values out there, hands down. The only caveat is that you‘ll have to be willing to put up with a few potential headaches when it comes to delivery, assembly or customer service. But for many folks, the savings are well worth the trade-off.
Psst…pro furniture shopping tips just for you!
Alright, you‘ve made it this far, so I know you‘re serious about this furniture biz. Let me share a few expert tips I‘ve learned to help you find the PERFECT pieces for your home and lifestyle:
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Measure (and remeasure) your space before you buy ANYTHING. Trust me, there‘s nothing worse than falling in love with a sectional only to discover it‘s 5 inches too long for your room. Ashley lists the dimensions on every item so you can check if it‘ll fit.
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Get hands-on in the store if possible. Online shopping is great, but there‘s no substitute for actually touching and sitting on a piece IRL to get a feel for the quality, comfort and size.
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Read the care instructions. I can‘t stress this enough. Different fabrics and finishes require different cleaning methods. Ashley lists care deets on each item so you know what you‘re getting into.
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Peek at the legs. A small detail that makes a big difference. Higher-quality pieces will have legs that are screwed in rather than just glued on. Take a look under your potential new sofa to see how sturdy the foundation is.
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Ask about the return policy and warranty. Ashley offers a 30-day return window and most upholstery and wood items have a 1-year limited warranty for manufacturing defects. Knowing your post-purchase options can give you peace of mind.
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Upgrade to doorstep delivery if you can. While Ashley does offer free standard shipping on many items, I highly recommend springing for the premium delivery service, especially for larger items like furniture sets. They‘ll bring it inside, assemble it, and remove all the packaging for you. Totally worth the extra cost IMO.
Armed with those tricks up your sleeve, you‘re well on your way to becoming an Ashley Furniture shopping pro. Go forth and beautify those rooms!
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we wrap this up, I wanted to address a few common Q‘s I see from furniture shoppers:
Q: Does Ashley have physical locations or is it online only?
A: Both! Ashley has over 2,000 stores worldwide, or you can shop their full inventory online at ashleyfurniture.com. I like browsing in-store to get a real feel for the items, but their website is super easy to navigate too.
Q: Do they offer financing options?
A: Yes! You can apply for an Ashley Advantage credit card to get flexible payment plans, like 12 months with no interest if you spend over $1000. Some purchases may also qualify for progressive leasing options. Check their website for current financing deals.
Q: What if I don‘t like my purchase?
A: Ashley offers free returns within 30 days of delivery on most items (excluding clearance, "as is," or custom orders). You‘ll just need your order number and a reason for the return. They‘ll send you a shipping label to send it back.
Q: How long does shipping take?
A: It depends on the item and your location, but most in-stock purchases will deliver within 2-4 weeks. Some bestsellers can take up to 8-10 weeks though, so I always recommend planning ahead. You‘ll get tracking info once your order ships.
Q: Is assembly required?
A: Many smaller items will come fully assembled, but larger things like dressers or TV stands will likely need some DIY. The item description usually says if assembly is needed. From my experience, the instructions are pretty easy to follow! There‘s also an option to add on professional assembly at checkout.
I know furniture shopping can be overwhelming, but I hope this deep dive into Ashley has given you a clearer picture and empowered you to make an informed decision for your home! Remember, at the end of the day, YOUR opinion is what matters most. Don‘t be afraid to take a chance on something you love.
Happy home-making!
