Ashley Furniture is known for its vast selection of affordable, trend-focused furniture, making it a go-to for budget-conscious families and first-time homeowners. In contrast, Havertys emphasizes high-quality craftsmanship and timeless, classic designs, positioning itself as a long-term investment for those willing to spend more on durability.
Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right furniture brand for your home.
Ashley Furniture: The Accessible & Trend-Forward Choice
As one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world, Ashley Furniture delivers an extensive range of stylish home goods at prices that are hard to beat. The brand's focus on volume and affordability makes it a popular choice for furnishing entire homes, from living rooms and bedrooms to dining areas. Their collections are designed to appeal to a broad audience, with styles that are contemporary, casual, and easy to incorporate into most spaces.
- Product mix: A comprehensive selection of home furniture, including sofas, sectionals, beds, dressers, dining tables, home office desks, and outdoor sets. They also offer mattresses and a wide variety of home decor.
- Style/vibe: Primarily casual, transitional, and contemporary. You'll find many pieces with clean lines and neutral color palettes that align with current trends, making them versatile for modern family homes.
- Price point: Very budget-friendly. Sofas often start around $399, dining sets can be found for under $500, and complete bedroom sets typically range from $800–$2,000.
- Quality: Built for value, with materials often including engineered wood, particleboard, and durable fabric blends. The quality is suitable for everyday use but may not offer the same longevity as more premium brands.
- Dimensions/Scale: Offers a wide variety of sizes, including many compact options that are well-suited for apartments or smaller rooms. Their scale is generally standard and versatile.
- Sales: Known for frequent sales and promotions, especially around major holidays. Financing options are almost always available to make purchasing more accessible.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers various delivery options, including front-door drop-off and in-home setup. Many items require self-assembly to keep costs low.
Ashley Furniture is the solution for shoppers needing stylish, functional pieces on a tight budget, offering an unbeatable combination of variety, accessibility, and value.
Havertys: The Durable & Timeless Investment
With a history dating back to 1885, Havertys has built a strong reputation for selling high-quality, durable furniture with a more classic and refined aesthetic. The brand appeals to homeowners looking to invest in pieces that will last for years, both in terms of style and construction. Their focus is on craftsmanship, premium materials, and providing a more personal shopping experience through their showrooms.
- Product mix: A curated selection of furniture for the living room, dining room, and bedroom, as well as home office pieces, mattresses, and occasional decor. The assortment feels more curated than Ashley's vast inventory.
- Style/vibe: Leans toward classic, traditional, and transitional designs. Expect to see rich wood finishes, elegant upholstery, and timeless silhouettes that don't bow to fleeting trends.
- Price point: Mid-to-upscale. Sofas typically start around $899 and can go up to $3,000+, while bedroom sets often fall in the $1,200–$4,000 range.
- Quality: Emphasizes superior construction with materials like kiln-dried hardwood frames, solid wood, and high-quality fabrics. Their furniture is built for durability and longevity, and they stand behind their craftsmanship.
- Dimensions/Scale: Pieces are often more substantial in scale, making them a great fit for larger homes and more formal living spaces. While they have options for various room sizes, the general feel is generous and solid.
- Services: Known for its exceptional customer service, including complimentary in-home design consultations. This high-touch service helps customers create cohesive, well-appointed spaces.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers a top-tier delivery service that includes full setup and placement of furniture in your room of choice, with all packaging materials removed.
Havertys is ideal for those who prioritize long-lasting quality and timeless style, offering well-made furniture designed to be a centerpiece of the home for decades.
Ashley Furniture vs. Havertys Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a clear price difference between the two brands. Ashley Furniture operates on a high-volume, low-margin model, making it significantly more affordable. With sofas starting at $399 and frequent, deep discounts, it’s an accessible brand for almost any budget.
Havertys positions itself in a higher tier, with prices that reflect better materials and more robust construction. A sofa from Havertys might start at $899, which is more than double Ashley's entry-level price. The value proposition for Havertys lies not in the initial cost savings but in the long-term durability and timelessness of its pieces.
Quality & Construction
Quality is Havertys’ main differentiator. The brand uses superior materials like kiln-dried hardwood for frames and often features solid wood construction in its case goods. This level of craftsmanship ensures their furniture can withstand years of use and is sturdy enough to be considered a long-term investment. They often back this up with more comprehensive warranties.
Ashley Furniture uses materials like engineered wood, particleboard with veneers, and fabric blends to keep its prices low. While perfect for everyday use and functional for many households, the construction is not intended to last for decades. Shoppers may notice staples instead of dovetailed joints or lighter frames compared to the solid, heavy pieces from Havertys.
Style & Aesthetic
If you enjoy keeping up with current design trends, Ashley Furniture is an excellent choice. Their design team produces a wide variety of contemporary, rustic, and modern farmhouse styles that are popular today. Their aesthetic is casual, approachable, and geared toward creating a comfortable family home.
Havertys excels in classic and transitional styles. Their furniture features more traditional details, richer wood tones, and more formal silhouettes. The look is polished, elegant, and designed to outlast passing trends, making it a safe bet for someone who wants a sophisticated interior that won't look dated in five years.
Product Selection & Sizing
Both brands offer a wide selection across major home categories, but their approach differs. Ashley's inventory feels nearly endless, with countless options in every imaginable style. They have a significant advantage in options for smaller spaces, offering apartment-sized sofas, compact dining sets, and versatile pieces suitable for multi-functional rooms.
Havertys’ selection is more curated, focusing on complete collections that ensure a cohesive look. Their furniture tends to be larger in scale, reflecting their traditional customer base with more square footage to work with. While you can find pieces for different room sizes, their strength lies in furnishing primary bedrooms, formal living rooms, and spacious dining areas.
Shopping Experience
Shopping at Ashley is built for convenience. With a massive network of stores across the country and a robust e-commerce site, you can easily find and order furniture online or in person. The experience is fast-paced and transaction-oriented, supported by frequent sales promotions.
Havertys offers a more refined, service-focused shopping experience. Their showrooms are staffed with knowledgeable associates who often function as design consultants. The brand encourages a slower, more thoughtful purchase process, offering free design services to help customers make confident decisions.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right brand really comes down to your budget, style preferences, and how long you expect your furniture to last.
Choose Ashley Furniture if:
- You are furnishing your first home or apartment on a tight budget.
- You enjoy redecorating often and like to follow current design trends.
- You need smaller-scale furniture for a compact living space.
- Price is your most important consideration, and you love a good sale.
Choose Havertys if:
- You are investing in a long-term home and want furniture that will last for decades.
- You prefer timeless, classic, or transitional styles over fleeting trends.
- Quality craftsmanship and durable materials like solid wood are a top priority.
- You value a personalized shopping experience with access to professional design services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashley Furniture or Havertys cheaper?
Ashley Furniture is significantly cheaper than Havertys. Ashley's business model is focused on affordability and volume, with sofas starting as low as $399. Havertys is a mid-to-upscale retailer where prices are higher due to their focus on premium materials and durability.
Which has better quality furniture?
Havertys undisputedly offers better quality furniture. They use superior materials like kiln-dried solid hardwood frames, higher-quality fabrics, and more robust construction techniques. Ashley uses more cost-effective materials like engineered wood, which is functional but less durable in the long run.
What style of furniture does each brand sell?
Ashley Furniture specializes in trendy styles, including modern farmhouse, contemporary, and casual transitional designs. Havertys focuses on timeless looks, with a strong emphasis on classic, traditional, and refined transitional pieces that avoid short-lived trends.
Which brand is better for families with kids?
This depends on the family's priority. Ashley Furniture is a great choice for families on a budget who understand that furniture may need to be replaced after a few years of wear and tear. Havertys is better for families who want extremely durable furniture that can withstand heavy use for many years, but it requires a larger initial investment.
Is Havertys furniture worth the extra cost?
For shoppers who prioritize longevity, durability, and classic design, Havertys furniture is generally considered worth the extra cost. The investment pays off over time, as the pieces are built to last and won't need to be replaced as quickly. If your primary goal is affordability, the higher price may not be justified for your needs.
Which is better for small apartments?
Ashley Furniture is typically the better choice for smaller apartments. They offer a much wider selection of apartment-sized sofas, loveseats, and compact furniture designed to fit in tighter spaces. Havertys' collections often feature larger, more substantial pieces best suited for spacious rooms.
Do Ashley and Havertys offer design services?
While some Ashley stores may offer design assistance, Havertys is known for its complimentary in-home design service. A Havertys designer will come to your home to help you plan your space, select pieces, and create a cohesive look, making for a much more personalized service.
How often do Ashley and Havertys have sales?
Ashley Furniture is known for having sales almost constantly, particularly around holidays like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, and Black Friday. Havertys also offers sales during these periods, but they are generally less frequent and the discounts may not be as steep as Ashley's doorbuster deals.
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