Arhaus distinguishes itself with handcrafted, artisan-inspired furniture that champions sustainability and unique rustic designs, often using reclaimed and natural materials. In contrast, Restoration Hardware (RH) operates in the high-end luxury space, offering timeless, opulent pieces with a sophisticated, modern aesthetic built from premium materials like leather and marble.
Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right home furnishings brand for your space.
Arhaus: The Artisan-Inspired Sustainable Home
Arhaus is celebrated for its unique, handcrafted furniture that merges traditional craftsmanship with an eco-conscious philosophy. The brand appeals to design-savvy shoppers who value sustainability, natural materials, and distinctive pieces that feel both personal and environmentally responsible. The overall vibe is warm, inviting, and textured - perfect for creating a home with character.
- Product mix: A full range of home furnishings, including sofas, sectionals, bedroom furniture, dining sets, lighting, rugs, and decorative accessories.
- Style/vibe: Rustic, bohemian, and transitional designs that emphasize natural textures. Expect reclaimed woods, organic textiles, and artisanal finishes that give each piece a unique, cozy feel.
- Price point: Mid-to-high range. Sofas typically begin around $2,000, and solid wood dining tables often surpass the $3,000 mark.
- Quality: Arhaus focuses on artisanal quality, using durable materials like kiln-dried hardwoods and reclaimed timbers. The craftsmanship reflects an attention to detail that highlights the natural beauty of the materials.
- Customization: Offers customization options for many of its upholstered pieces, allowing customers to choose from a variety of fabrics and finishes to suit their style.
- Sales: Holds seasonal promotions and sale events throughout the year, providing opportunities to purchase its high-quality pieces at a discount.
- Return policy: Most items can be returned within 30 days, though restrictions and fees may apply depending on the product type and location.
- Sustainability: This is a core tenet of the brand. Arhaus prioritizes the use of reclaimed and recycled materials, FSC-certified wood, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.
Arhaus is the perfect fit for those seeking beautifully crafted, eco-friendly furniture that brings a warm, unique, and artisan feel into the home.
Shop Arhaus: arhaus.com
Restoration Hardware: The Timeless Luxury Furnishing Brand
Restoration Hardware, now known as RH, is synonymous with high-end luxury home furnishings. The brand is known for its grand, statement-making furniture, timeless designs, and sophisticated, often minimalist, aesthetic. RH caters to an upscale clientele seeking premium quality, classic elegance, and a cohesive, architectural look for their homes.
- Product mix: Extensive catalogs of indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, textiles, bathware, decor, and hardware. RH offers collections for every part of a luxury home.
- Style/vibe: Modern luxury with nods to classic and traditional silhouettes. The aesthetic is sophisticated, elegant, and often monochromatic, with a focus on clean lines and opulent materials.
- Price point: High-end luxury. Sofas generally start around $3,000, with larger, premium, or custom pieces easily exceeding $10,000.
- Quality: Focused on premium, high-end materials such as top-grain leather, Italian marble, solid hardwood, and cast metals. Construction is robust, designed for durability and a refined, polished appearance.
- Rewards program: The RH Members Program ($200/year) offers significant discounts (typically 25%) on all full-priced items, complimentary interior design services, and other benefits.
- Sales: Most savings are channeled through the membership program, though the brand also has outlet locations for deeper discounts.
- Return policy: Offers a 30-day return window for most items. Shipping and delivery fees are typically non-refundable.
- Shopping Experience: RH provides an immersive experience through its expansive "galleries" - large, beautifully designed showrooms. They offer premium design services to help clients plan their spaces.
Restoration Hardware is designed for discerning buyers who are willing to invest in large-scale, classic, and elegant furniture that defines a high-end living space.
Shop Restoration Hardware: rh.com
Arhaus vs. Restoration Hardware Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a distinct difference in pricing between the two brands. Arhaus positions itself in the mid-to-high end of the market, offering luxury furniture at a more accessible, though still premium, price point. For example, you can find many quality sofas starting in the $2,000–$4,000 range.
Restoration Hardware is firmly a high-end luxury brand. Its sofa prices typically start near $3,000 and can easily climb above $10,000 depending on the model and materials. For shoppers seeking true luxury with a budget to match, RH is the choice, for those wanting high-quality, unique furniture without the highest luxury price tag, Arhaus offers better relative value.
Style & Aesthetic
The brands' styles are worlds apart. Arhaus leans into a rustic, warm, and eclectic aesthetic. Its collections have a global, artisan-inspired feel, featuring natural wood grains, organic textures, and a comfortable, lived-in vibe perfect for rustic, coastal, or transitional homes.
Restoration Hardware offers a look that is polished, sophisticated, and grand. Its aesthetic is a blend of modern simplicity and classic elegance, dominated by neutral color palettes, clean lines, and symmetrical designs. RH pieces are designed to feel timeless and architectural, fitting seamlessly into upscale contemporary or classic interiors.
Quality & Construction
Both brands prioritize quality materials, but their focus differs. Arhaus emphasizes artisan craftsmanship, reclaimed wood, and other sustainable materials. Their pieces feel solid and personal, with kiln-dried hardwood frames and natural fabric upholstery. It is quality defined by character and eco-conscious construction.
RH’s definition of quality is rooted in premium, often new, materials. Think buttery leathers, heavy-gauge metals, solid oak, and flawless marble. The construction is robust and intended to last for decades, with a focus on polished finishes and a flawless, high-end appearance.
Fit & Sizing
Arhaus furniture often features more relaxed proportions and offers a good variety of sizes and modular configurations suitable for a range of spaces, from city apartments to sprawling homes. The brand’s designs can feel cozy and are adaptable to less formal layouts.
RH is famous for its oversized, large-scale furniture. Their pieces are designed to make a statement in spacious rooms with high ceilings. While they offer items for smaller spaces, their signature collections are unapologetically grand and work best in large, open-plan living areas.
Sustainability & Ethics
Sustainability is a central pillar of the Arhaus brand identity. The company actively promotes its use of reclaimed wood from sources like decommissioned ships, recycled copper, and other environmentally responsible materials. They are transparent about these practices, which appeals to eco-conscious consumers.
Restoration Hardware has also implemented sustainability initiatives, including responsibly sourced wood certified by the FSC and low-emitting GREENGUARD certified products. However, these efforts are a secondary aspect of their brand, which is primarily focused on luxury and aesthetic purity.
Shopping Experience
Shopping at Arhaus feels warm and personal. Their showrooms are designed to be inviting and inspirational, and they offer complimentary in-store design services. Their online store is straightforward and provides easy access to customization options.
In contrast, RH offers an elevated, almost theatrical gallery experience. Their showrooms are vast, multi-level spaces with dramatic installations, professional designers, and an air of exclusivity. This luxury experience extends to their premium interior design services and member-exclusive events, making the shopping process feel like a high-end consultation.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your personal style, the scale of your home, and your budget. Both brands offer exceptional furnishings, but they serve different homeowners.
Choose Arhaus if:
- You gravitate towards a rustic, bohemian, or handcrafted aesthetic with natural textures.
- Sustainability is a major factor in your purchasing decisions.
- You want furniture that feels unique and character-rich, not mass-produced.
- You're looking for high-quality pieces that can adapt to both casual and sophisticated settings.
Choose Restoration Hardware if:
- You prefer a timeless, sophisticated, and elegant look with precise, clean lines.
- You are furnishing a large, spacious home and want oversized, statement pieces.
- Your budget allows for a significant investment in premium materials like top-grain leather and marble.
- You appreciate a curated, cohesive design and are considering using professional interior design services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arhaus or Restoration Hardware cheaper?
Arhaus is generally cheaper than Restoration Hardware. While Arhaus is a premium brand, its entry-level prices are significantly lower than RH's, making it a more accessible choice for shoppers seeking high-quality furniture without the top-tier luxury price tag.
Which has better quality furniture, Arhaus or RH?
Both offer excellent quality, but of different types. Arhaus focuses on artisan craftsmanship with sustainable and reclaimed materials, giving pieces a unique, sturdy character. Restoration Hardware focuses on high-end luxury materials like premium leathers and marbles with a more polished and perfectly finished construction. The "better" choice depends on whether you value rustic authenticity or refined luxury.
What is the style of Arhaus furniture?
Arhaus furniture features a rustic, bohemian, eclectic, and transitional style. The look is warm and inviting, emphasizing natural wood, handcrafted details, and comfortable designs.
What is the style of Restoration Hardware furniture?
Restoration Hardware is known for a modern luxury aesthetic that combines classic, elegant silhouettes with a minimalist, often monochromatic, color palette. The style is grand, sophisticated, and timeless.
Why is Restoration Hardware so expensive?
RH's high prices reflect its use of premium materials (solid oak, top-grain leather, stone), large-scale designs, brand positioning in the luxury market, and the cost of its elaborate showroom galleries and concierge-level services.
Which brand is better for sustainability?
Arhaus makes sustainability a much more central part of its brand identity, actively promoting its use of reclaimed wood and recycled materials. While RH has sustainability initiatives, Arhaus is the clear choice for a consumer who prioritizes eco-conscious manufacturing.
Does Restoration Hardware have sales?
Yes, but primarily through its paid membership program. RH members receive a fixed percentage off (e.g., 25%) on most items year-round, which functions as their primary sales mechanism instead of traditional periodic sales.
Which brand is better for a smaller home?
Arhaus tends to be a better fit for smaller homes. They offer a wider range of sizes, more flexible modular pieces, and designs with more relaxed proportions that don't overwhelm a space as easily as RH's large-scale furniture.
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