AllModern is an online-only retailer offering trendy, modern furniture at budget-friendly prices, making it a go-to for quick and affordable home updates. In contrast, West Elm operates as a mid-range to premium brand focused on high-quality materials, sustainable sourcing, and a sophisticated mid-century BOHO aesthetic with both online and physical stores.
Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right home retailer for your space.
AllModern: The Affordable Modern Marketplace
AllModern is a Wayfair-owned online store that curates a large selection of modern, mid-century, and contemporary furniture and decor at accessible price points. It's designed for shoppers who want a stylish, on-trend look without a major financial investment, making it particularly popular with first-time homeowners, apartment dwellers, and anyone furnishing a space on a budget.
- Product mix: A wide range of furniture for every room, including sofas, beds, dining sets, office furniture, rugs, lighting, and decor. Their inventory is extensive, functioning as a one-stop-shop for modern design.
- Style/vibe: Minimalist, Scandinavian, and mid-century modern. The aesthetic is defined by clean lines, geometric shapes, and a palette that mixes versatile neutrals with bold, trendy colors.
- Price point: Highly affordable. Sofas generally range from $300 to $700, bed frames from $200 to $600, and decorative items are often available for under $100.
- Quality: Quality is consistent with the lower price point. Most items are constructed from engineered wood, MDF, and budget-friendly fabrics, designed more for style and immediate use than for long-term durability.
- Delivery & Assembly: As an online-first retailer, shipping is a core part of their service. They offer standard and expedited shipping, with white-glove delivery available for larger items. Most furniture requires self-assembly.
- Sales: Constant sales, promotions, and daily deals are a key part of AllModern's pricing strategy. It's rare to pay full price for any item on the site.
- Return policy: A fairly standard 30-day return window for most items in their original condition, though return shipping fees often apply.
AllModern is the ideal choice for finding fashionable furniture quickly and affordably, especially for those who prioritize current trends over heirloom quality.
Shop AllModern: allmodern.com
West Elm: The Sustainable Modern Standard
Part of the Williams-Sonoma family of brands, West Elm has established itself as a leader in modern design that blends style with a strong commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Catering to a discerning customer who values quality craftsmanship and eco-conscious production, the brand offers timeless furniture and decor that feels both sophisticated and authentic.
- Product mix: Comprehensive home furnishings, including living room, dining, and bedroom furniture, plus a well-regarded selection of rugs, textiles, lighting, and artisanal accessories.
- Style/vibe: A refined mix of mid-century modern, bohemian, and contemporary design. West Elm’s look is characterized by warm wood tones, rich textures, and unique, globally inspired details.
- Price point: Mid-range to premium. Sofas typically start around $1,200, dining tables from $800, and bed frames from $800, reflecting their higher-quality construction.
- Quality: West Elm emphasizes durable and premium materials like solid, kiln-dried wood, FSC-certified woods, organic cotton, and recycled materials. Pieces are designed to be more of a long-term investment.
- Customization: Many upholstered items like sofas and chairs are available in a wide selection of custom fabrics, including performance and sustainable options, allowing for a personalized look.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers full-service delivery, including white-glove service that includes room-of-choice placement, assembly, and packaging removal for large furniture items.
- Rewards program: "The Key" Rewards program is shared with sister brands like Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma, earning members rewards across all stores.
- Return policy: Most items can be returned within 30 days, although furniture has a shorter 14-day window. Made-to-order and custom items are typically not returnable.
West Elm is for the consumer who wants to invest in stylish, well-made furniture with a positive environmental and social impact.
Shop West Elm: westelm.com
AllModern vs. West Elm Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a significant price gap between the two brands. AllModern squarely targets the budget-conscious consumer. You can furnish an entire living room for the price of a single sofa from West Elm, with major pieces often costing under $700. It's a brand built on making modern design accessible to almost any budget.
West Elm occupies a mid-to-high tier in the market. Its pricing reflects a commitment to better materials, ethical production, and original design. While they hold regular sales, base prices are considerably higher. A West Elm purchase is more of a planned investment, whereas an AllModern purchase can be more spontaneous and trend-driven.
Style & Aesthetic
Both brands champion modern design, but their interpretations differ. AllModern's aesthetic is clean, straightforward, and trend-focused. Its inventory feels like a showcase of what's popular in modern design right now - think minimalist forms, sleek metal legs, and pops of color. It's perfect for creating a sharp, contemporary look that feels very current.
West Elm's style is more layered and curated. It blends core mid-century modern principles with softer, bohemian textures and artisanal, global influences. Their pieces often feature more detailed craftsmanship, varied material finishes, and a warmer, more "lived-in" modern vibe. It’s less about chasing trends and more about building a timeless, sophisticated space.
Quality & Construction
Quality is a primary differentiator. AllModern's furniture typically uses materials like engineered wood, MDF, and polyester blends to keep costs low. While perfectly functional for everyday use, the construction isn't designed to last for decades. It's great for immediate style needs but may not withstand multiple moves or heavy wear.
West Elm invests heavily in superior construction. You’ll find solid wood frames (often kiln-dried to prevent warping), FSC-certified wood, marbles, and high-quality textiles like linen and performance velvet. This focus on materials and craftsmanship means the furniture isn't just stylish - it's built to last and retain its value better over time.
Shopping Experience
Shopping with AllModern is an entirely digital experience. The website is efficient, with powerful filters that let you sort through thousands of items by price, color, size, and material. It's designed for a quick, self-service transaction from discovery to checkout.
West Elm offers a richer, multi-channel shopping experience. You can browse online or visit one of their many physical showrooms to see and feel the furniture in person. They also offer valuable services like free in-store and virtual design consultations, which helps customers visualize pieces in their space and make more confident decisions.
Sustainability & Ethics
This is arguably West Elm's biggest advantage. The brand is a leader in the home furnishings space for sustainability. A large percentage of their products are Fair Trade Certified, handcrafted, and made from sustainably sourced or recycled materials. This commitment is a core part of their brand identity.
AllModern does not have a comparable focus on sustainability or ethical production. As a brand focused on affordability and volume, their manufacturing priorities are centered on cost and efficiency. Some products may use eco-friendly materials, but it is not a central tenet of the brand.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends entirely on your budget, priorities, and what you’re looking for in your furniture shopping experience.
Choose AllModern if:
- You're furnishing on a tight budget and want the most style for your money.
- You need furniture quickly and enjoy the convenience of a vast online marketplace.
- You live in an apartment or smaller space and need stylish, compact furniture.
- Your style changes frequently, and you prefer not to invest heavily in pieces you might replace in a few years.
Choose West Elm if:
- You prioritize quality construction and long-term durability in your furniture.
- Sustainability and ethical sourcing are important factors in your purchasing decisions.
- You prefer a timeless, sophisticated modern style over fast-fashion trends.
- You value in-person shopping, design services, and seeing pieces before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AllModern or West Elm cheaper?
AllModern is significantly cheaper than West Elm across all categories. It's a budget-focused brand, while West Elm is a mid-range to premium retailer, making their furniture a larger financial investment.
Which has better quality furniture?
West Elm has better quality furniture. They use superior materials like solid and FSC-certified woods, more durable fabrics, and focus on craftsmanship intended for longevity. AllModern's furniture is designed to be affordable and stylish but uses more cost-effective materials like MDF and engineered wood.
Is AllModern part of Wayfair?
Yes, AllModern is a brand that is part of the Wayfair portfolio. It operates as a curated selection of modern furniture within Wayfair's larger ecosystem, sharing its logistics and customer service infrastructure.
Which brand is better for small apartments?
AllModern is generally better for small apartments. Their product lineup features a wider variety of compact, space-saving designs explicitly geared toward urban living and smaller footprints. West Elm has some smaller-scale collections, but their offering is typically scaled for medium-to-large sized rooms.
Can you return furniture to both brands?
Yes, both brands accept furniture returns, but policies differ. AllModern offers a 30-day return window, though you may be responsible for return shipping costs. West Elm has a general 30-day policy, but in-stock furniture must be returned within 14 days, and custom-made furniture is often not returnable at all.
Which brand is better for sustainable furniture?
West Elm is the clear leader for sustainable furniture. A large portion of their product line is Fair Trade Certified, handcrafted, and made from FSC-certified or recycled materials. This is a core part of their brand mission, whereas it is not a focus for AllModern.
Does West Elm or AllModern have better sales?
AllModern has more frequent sales, with deals and discounts being a constant feature on their website. West Elm has fewer, more structured sale events (like a President's Day or end-of-season sale), but their discounts can offer significant savings on higher-priced investment pieces.
Do I need to assemble the furniture myself?
With AllModern, you should expect to assemble most of your furniture yourself. For West Elm, many large items come with white-glove delivery, meaning a team will deliver the piece to your room of choice, assemble it, and remove the packaging for you.
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