Ashley Furniture stands out as one of the most affordable and widely accessible furniture brands in the country, offering trendy, budget-friendly pieces for every room. In contrast, Living Spaces positions itself as a more style-forward retailer, focusing on modern and transitional designs with better-quality materials at a slightly higher mid-range price point.
Let's compare everything you need to know to decide which brand is right for your home and budget.
Ashley: The Accessible & Affordable Option
As one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world, Ashley Furniture (often found in Ashley HomeStore locations) is known for its massive selection and wallet-friendly prices. They cater primarily to budget-conscious shoppers, first-time homebuyers, and families looking for functional, stylish furniture without a huge investment. Their business model revolves around making current trends accessible to the masses through frequent sales and a vast network of showrooms.
- Product mix: A complete range of home furnishings, including sofas, sectionals, beds, dining sets, mattresses, kids' furniture, and home decor. Their recliners and large sectionals are particularly popular.
- Style/vibe: Broad and varied, covering everything from traditional and rustic farmhouse to casual contemporary. While they offer trendy pieces, the core aesthetic is often comfortable, familiar, and functional.
- Price point: Very affordable. Sofas can start as low as $399, dining room sets are often under $800, and entire bedroom sets can be found for less than $1,500.
- Quality: To keep costs low, Ashley predominantly uses engineered woods, particleboard with veneers, and synthetic fabrics. It's functional furniture for everyday use but is not built to be passed down through generations.
- Where to buy: Widely available through their network of Ashley HomeStore locations across the country, online on their website, and at authorized third-party retailers.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers various delivery options, including front-door drop-off and in-home setup. Assembly requirements vary by product, but many items require some self-assembly.
Ashley is a solid choice when affordability and a wide selection are your top priorities, making it easy to furnish an entire home on a budget.
Shop Ashley: ashleyfurniture.com
Living Spaces: The Modern & Style-Forward Retailer
Living Spaces is a contemporary furniture retailer that strikes a balance between modern design, quality, and mid-range pricing. They focus on providing a curated but extensive selection of trend-forward furniture, appealing to young professionals and design-conscious homeowners who want a stylish, updated look. Their showrooms are known for being beautifully merchandised, offering inspiration and a more pleasant shopping experience.
- Product mix: Full home furnishings, including sofas, sectionals, beds, dining furniture, home office, outdoor collections, and decor. They often collaborate on exclusive collections with designers.
- Style/vibe: Primarily modern, transitional, and contemporary. You'll find clean lines, neutral palettes, innovative designs, and trendy upholstery options.
- Price point: Mid-range. Sofas typically begin around $799, with most falling in the $1,000–$2,500 range. Bedroom sets generally run from $1,500 to $2,500 and up.
- Quality: A step up from budget brands. Living Spaces uses more solid wood, higher-density foam cushions, and durable performance fabrics, resulting in furniture that's built for better longevity.
- Customization: Offers significant customization options on many of its upholstered pieces, allowing customers to choose from a wide array of fabrics and sometimes even sofa configurations.
- Delivery & Assembly: Provides reliable delivery services, including options for full-service in-home setup and assembly, which are highly rated by customers.
Living Spaces excels at offering stylish, well-made furniture for shoppers who are willing to invest a bit more for modern aesthetics and better durability.
Shop Living Spaces: livingspaces.com
Ashley vs. Living Spaces Comparison
Price Comparison
There's a clear difference here: Ashley is the more budget-friendly brand. With couches starting around $399 and frequent blowout sales, Ashley is highly accessible for those on a tight budget. They also offer a variety of financing options to make purchasing even easier.
Living Spaces occupies a higher price tier. While still considered affordable compared to premium brands, its entry-level products are more expensive than Ashley's. A sofa from Living Spaces starting at $799 reflects the brand's use of better materials and construction. For most shoppers, Living Spaces represents a better value in the long run, but Ashley wins on absolute lowest price.
Style & Aesthetic
Ashley casts a wide net, offering styles that appeal to a mass market. You'll find an abundance of traditional, casual, and rustic-inspired pieces alongside trendy designs. Their focus is on comfortable, safe choices that can fit into a variety of homes without being too bold.
Living Spaces is much more focused on a modern, contemporary aesthetic. Their collections feature cleaner lines, more sophisticated color palettes, and fabrics that align with current design trends. If you're looking for a chic, of-the-moment look for your home, Living Spaces is the clear go-to.
Quality & Construction
The price difference between the two brands is most evident in their quality and materials. Ashley uses materials like engineered wood, particleboard, and basic fabrics to achieve its low price points. While perfectly functional, these materials are less durable and more susceptible to wear and tear over time.
Living Spaces invests more in craftsmanship. Its furniture frequently features solid wood frames, higher-density foam cushions that resist sagging, and higher-quality performance fabrics. This results in furniture that not only feels more substantial but is also designed to withstand more use, making it a better option for high-traffic households or those seeking greater longevity.
Shopping Experience
With thousands of storefronts, Ashley is incredibly convenient for in-person shopping. Their showrooms are straightforward and sales-focused. Their online experience is simple and easy to navigate.
Living Spaces offers a more elevated and curated shopping experience, both online and in-store. Their physical showrooms are designed like creative vignettes to provide inspiration. Customers often praise their helpful staff and well-organized website, which includes detailed product information and room planning tools.
Sustainability & Ethics
While Ashley has made some progress in improving its manufacturing processes, sustainability is not a core part of its public messaging. Information about sourcing and certifications can be difficult to find.
Living Spaces is more transparent about its efforts, promoting eco-friendly materials and GREENGUARD certifications for low chemical emissions on some products. Their focus on more durable furniture also inherently aligns with less waste, as the products are intended to last longer.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer solid furniture options, but they are tailored to different priorities and decorating goals.
Choose Ashley if:
- You're on a tight budget and need the lowest possible price.
- You are furnishing a starter home, apartment, or a temporary space.
- You prefer classic, casual, or traditional styles over modern trends.
- You value widespread availability and the convenience of having a showroom nearby.
Choose Living Spaces if:
- Your style is modern, transitional, or contemporary and you value trend-forward design.
- You're willing to pay a bit more for higher-quality materials and better long-term durability.
- Customization is important to you, you want more options for fabrics and finishes.
- You want a more inspiring and design-focused shopping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashley or Living Spaces cheaper?
Ashley is definitively cheaper. Their sofas, bedroom sets, and dining tables are offered at lower entry-level prices than Living Spaces, making them the superior choice for budget-driven shoppers.
Which has better quality furniture?
Living Spaces generally has better quality furniture. They use more durable materials like solid wood frames, higher-density foams, and more resilient fabrics, leading to a sturdier, longer-lasting product compared to the engineered wood and particleboard commonly used by Ashley.
Which brand is better for a modern look?
Living Spaces is the better choice for modern, contemporary, and transitional styles. Their product catalog is specifically curated to reflect current design trends with clean lines and sophisticated palettes, whereas Ashley's range is much broader and leans more traditional or casual.
Is Living Spaces furniture good for families?
Yes, Living Spaces is generally a good option for families due to their focus on durability and the availability of performance fabrics that are resistant to stains and wear. Their sturdier construction holds up well to the demands of everyday life with kids and pets.
How long does Ashley furniture last?
The lifespan of Ashley furniture depends heavily on use. For moderate use, it can last several years, but its particleboard and engineered wood construction mean it's less durable than solid wood furniture. It’s a good choice for short-term needs or less frequently used spaces.
Does Living Spaces have more customization options?
Yes, Living Spaces offers far more customization options, especially for sofas and sectionals. Customers can often choose from dozens of fabrics and colors, and sometimes even select different leg finishes or cushion fills, allowing for a more personalized piece.
Can I try furniture from both brands in a store?
Yes. Both Ashley and Living Spaces have extensive networks of physical showrooms where you can see, touch, and test out furniture before buying. However, Ashley HomeStore locations are much more numerous and widespread across the United States.
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