Arhaus is a premium brand known for its handcrafted, artisanal furniture that emphasizes sustainability and unique, timeless designs with a rustic and transitional feel. In contrast, West Elm offers trendy, accessible mid-century modern and contemporary styles geared toward urban dwellers and style-conscious shoppers at a mid-range price point.
We'll compare everything you need to know about these two brands to help you decide which is the right fit for your home.
Arhaus: The Artisanal & Sustainable Choice
Arhaus is built on a foundation of craftsmanship and sustainability, offering unique furnishings that are often handmade by artisans around the world. The brand appeals to design-savvy consumers who are willing to invest in heirloom-quality pieces with a story. By using reclaimed wood, recycled materials, and eco-friendly finishes, Arhaus creates furniture that is as environmentally conscious as it is beautiful.
- Product mix: Full range of home furnishings, including living room sets, dining tables, bedroom furniture, outdoor collections, rugs, lighting, and decor. Arhaus has a strong focus on large-scale statement pieces.
- Style/vibe: A blend of rustic, transitional, and bohemian styles. The aesthetic centers on natural materials, textured fabrics, rich wood tones, and handcrafted details for a warm, lived-in feel.
- Price point: Luxury to upper-mid-range. Sofas and sectionals typically range from $3,000–$8,000, dining tables cost $2,500+, and accent chairs start around $1,000.
- Quality: Exceptional. Arhaus uses materials like solid, kiln-dried hardwood frames, reclaimed wood, and natural fabrics. The emphasis on handcrafted construction means pieces are built for longevity.
- Dimensions/Scale: Furniture is often substantial in scale, making it well-suited for spacious rooms, open-concept layouts, and primary residences. They offer a good range of sizes within product families.
- Sustainability: A core pillar of the brand. Arhaus partners with global artisans and utilizes responsibly sourced, reclaimed, and recycled materials whenever possible.
- Delivery & Assembly: High-end white-glove delivery is standard for most furniture purchases, ensuring pieces are delivered, unpacked, assembled, and placed in your room of choice.
Arhaus is ideal for shoppers investing in heirloom-quality, eco-conscious furniture with a unique artisanal character that will last for generations.
Shop Arhaus: arhaus.com
West Elm: The Modern & Trend-Forward Choice
Part of the Williams-Sonoma family, West Elm caters to a younger, style-conscious demographic looking for modern and mid-century designs at an accessible price. The brand has become a go-to for furnishing urban apartments and first homes, offering a versatile product range that reflects current interior design trends. West Elm is also committed to sustainability, with a growing number of Fair Trade Certified and FSC-certified products.
- Product mix: Extensive collection of furniture, rugs, bedding, decor, lighting, and kitchenware. West Elm is particularly strong in living room seating, adaptable storage solutions, and home accessories.
- Style/vibe: Primarily mid-century modern and contemporary. The aesthetic is defined by clean lines, geometric shapes, and a mix of neutral palettes with bold, trendy color options.
- Price point: Mid-range. Sofas generally run from $1,200–$3,500, dining tables from $800–$2,500, and decor items are often available for under $100.
- Quality: Solid quality for the price. Upholstery features kiln-dried hardwood frames, while case goods often use engineered wood with veneer finishes. The focus is on stylish design and good value.
- Dimensions/Scale: Pieces are designed with compact urban living in mind. The scale of the furniture is often more modest, making it an excellent choice for apartments, condos, and smaller homes.
- Sustainability: A strong commitment to ethical production. West Elm is one of the largest retailers of Fair Trade USA certified home goods and actively uses organic fibers and sustainably sourced wood (FSC-certified).
- Delivery & Assembly: A range of delivery options is available, including standard shipping for smaller items and white-glove delivery for larger furniture. Some items require self-assembly.
West Elm is the go-to for shoppers who want stylish, of-the-moment furniture at affordable prices, especially for urban and smaller spaces.
Shop West Elm: westelm.com
Arhaus vs. West Elm Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a significant price difference between the two brands. Arhaus operates in the luxury to upper-mid-range market, where individual pieces are considered long-term investments. A dining table can easily cost over $3,000, and sofas frequently exceed $4,000. This higher price reflects the handcrafted quality, premium materials like solid wood, and unique artisanal designs.
West Elm is firmly in the mid-range category, making it far more accessible for those furnishing an entire home or working within a moderate budget. With sofas often starting around $1,200 and dining tables under $1,000, West Elm offers excellent value for trendy, stylish furniture. While not as budget-friendly as IKEA, it provides a substantial step up in design and quality for a reasonable price.
Style & Aesthetic
Arhaus and West Elm serve two distinctly different design tastes. Arhaus's style is warm, textured, and grounded, drawing inspiration from global craftsmanship. Their collections feel timeless, featuring rustic woods, earthy colors, and plush fabrics that create a comfortable, elegant, and slightly bohemian atmosphere. It's a look that suits traditional, transitional, and modern farmhouse interiors.
West Elm champions a modern, urban aesthetic rooted in mid-century modern design. Their furniture features clean lines, slender tapered legs, and smooth surfaces. The overall look is crisp, chic, and often minimalist, though they also incorporate boho and eclectic elements. It's the perfect choice for contemporary apartments and homes aiming for a stylish, design-forward look.
Quality & Construction
Arhaus places a premium on construction and materials. Their furniture is built to last, often using solid or reclaimed wood, hand-forged metals, and high-quality upholstery fabrics. The emphasis on handcrafted techniques means there's a durable, substantial feel to their pieces, justifying their position as an investment brand.
West Elm’s quality is good for its price point but emphasizes different priorities. To achieve accessible pricing, they frequently use materials like engineered wood with high-quality veneers and performance fabrics. Their frames are often made from kiln-dried hardwood, providing durability, but the overall longevity may not match the heirloom quality of Arhaus furniture used in a high-traffic environment.
Dimensions & Scale
Arhaus furniture pieces are often larger and more substantial, designed to fill spacious living areas and master bedrooms. Their generous proportions provide a sense of luxury and comfort, making them a great fit for larger suburban homes or open-concept living. While they offer items for smaller spaces, their signature look is often bold and commanding.
West Elm excels at creating furniture for urban environments. Many of their sofas, tables, and storage units are scaled specifically for apartments and smaller homes where space is at a premium. Their designs are clever, often incorporating smart storage solutions without feeling bulky, making them a practical choice for city living.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable and ethical practices, though they emphasize it in different ways. For Arhaus, sustainability is woven into their brand ethos, evident in their heavy use of reclaimed and recycled materials, giving old resources new life in beautiful designs.
West Elm's approach is more focused on certifications and fair labor. They are a leader in Fair Trade Certified products, ensuring workers receive fair wages and work in safe conditions. They also carry a wide range of FSC-certified wood products, guaranteeing the wood comes from responsibly managed forests.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your personal style, budget, and long-term goals for your home.
Choose Arhaus if:
- You have a larger budget and view furniture as a long-term investment.
- You appreciate the beauty of handcrafted, artisanal details and natural materials.
- Your style leans toward rustic, transitional, or an earthy bohemian aesthetic.
- Durability and heirloom quality, built with solid wood, are your top priorities.
- Sustainability, especially the use of reclaimed and recycled materials, is important to you.
Choose West Elm if:
- You are working with a mid-range budget and want stylish furniture without the luxury price tag.
- You love a mid-century modern or contemporary, trend-forward look.
- You are furnishing a smaller space like an apartment or condo and need appropriately-scaled pieces.
- You want to update your decor frequently and prefer not to be tied down to heavy investment pieces.
- Ethical sourcing through programs like Fair Trade USA and the use of organic materials matter to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arhaus or West Elm cheaper?
West Elm is significantly cheaper than Arhaus. West Elm is a mid-range brand with sofas starting around $1,200, while Arhaus is a premium brand where sofas often start above $3,000. For shoppers on a budget, West Elm is the more accessible option.
Which brand has better quality furniture?
Arhaus generally offers higher quality and more durable furniture due to its focus on handcrafted construction and premium materials like solid wood and natural fibers. West Elm provides good quality for its price point, but its use of veneers and engineered wood reflects its more budget-conscious positioning.
Is Arhaus furniture considered a luxury brand?
Yes, Arhaus is considered a premium or luxury home furnishings brand. Its pricing, use of high-end materials, artisanal craftsmanship, and emphasis on unique, lasting design place it in the upper tier of the furniture market alongside brands like Restoration Hardware.
Is West Elm good for small apartments?
Yes, West Elm is an excellent choice for small apartments. Many of their product lines, especially sofas, sectionals, and dining tables, are specifically designed with smaller footprints and proportions suitable for urban living.
Which brand is more sustainable?
Both brands have strong sustainability initiatives. Arhaus's identity is deeply connected to using reclaimed and responsibly sourced wood as a core design feature. West Elm stands out for its vast number of Fair Trade USA and FSC-certified products, focusing on ethical labor and forestry practices. The "better" choice depends on which aspect of sustainability you prioritize most.
Do Arhaus and West Elm ever go on sale?
Yes, both brands have sales. Arhaus typically holds sales during key seasonal events and holidays. West Elm has more frequent sales and promotional events throughout the year, making it easier to find a deal on their products.
What style is West Elm furniture?
West Elm's signature style is mid-century modern, characterized by clean lines, organic shapes, and tapered legs. They also incorporate contemporary, Scandinavian, and bohemian elements into their collections, making their look versatile and trend-focused.
Does Arhaus furniture come assembled?
Most large furniture pieces from Arhaus are delivered via their white-glove delivery service, which includes full assembly, placement in your room of choice, and removal of all packaging materials. This premium service ensures a hassle-free experience.
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