If you're a fan of Nathan James for its sleek and affordable modern furniture, you're in the right place. The brand absolutely nails that sweet spot of stylish design, functional pieces, and prices that don't make you wince. Their easy-to-assemble approach makes getting that contemporary look a total breeze.
For those who appreciate that blend of modern aesthetics and practical value, there are plenty of other great brands to explore. If you're looking to round out your space or just see what else is out there, here are 23 modern furniture brands worth checking out.
1. IKEA
The original champion of affordable, modern furniture, IKEA offers everything from sofas and beds to storage solutions, all with a minimalist, Scandi-inspired aesthetic. Known for its iconic flat-pack and easy-to-assemble designs, it’s a go-to for budget-conscious shoppers who still want functional style.
While IKEA has a more utilitarian vibe, it shares Nathan James's commitment to affordability and a modern foundation. Think of it as a much larger, more global counterpart with an even deeper catalogue of home goods. Like Nathan James, you’ll find clean lines and practical solutions perfect for a first home or apartment.
Shop now at ikea.com
2. West Elm
Occupying the mid-to-high end of modern design, West Elm is beloved for its mid-century modern and contemporary furniture. You'll find high-quality sofas, beds, and decor with pieces ranging from $300 for side tables to over $2,500 for larger furniture. They stand out with trend-forward designs and a commitment to sustainable, ethically sourced materials.
West Elm's style is in the same modern family as Nathan James's but with a more polished and upscale finish. It’s an excellent choice if you're ready to invest a bit more in designer collaborations and high-end materials while maintaining that contemporary feel.
Shop now at westelm.com
3. AllModern
As one of Wayfair's specialized brands, AllModern does exactly what its name promises: it delivers contemporary, minimalist designs to your doorstep. Their pricing is very competitive with Nathan James, with a huge selection of sofas, lighting, beds, and decor, most of which fall under the $1,000 mark.
Known for its massive variety and accessible prices, AllModern is a one-stop-shop for stylish living. The core aesthetic is very similar to Nathan James - think clean lines and straightforward silhouettes - but the product range is significantly broader, making it easy to outfit an entire home.
Shop now at allmodern.com
4. Article
Article is a direct-to-consumer favorite for high-quality, mid-century modern furniture that feels way more expensive than it is. Their collection includes everything from leather sofas and beautiful wood dining tables to sleek beds and storage units, with prices generally from $500 to $2,000.
If you love Nathan James for its clean, modern looks, you'll appreciate Article's refined aesthetic. It's a step up in quality and price, focusing on premium materials like solid wood and top-grain leather, delivered without the typical retail markup.
Shop now at article.com
5. Joybird
Joybird makes modern furniture for people who aren't afraid of color. Specializing in highly customizable pieces, you can get their sofas, beds, and chairs in a rainbow of vibrant fabrics. Prices reflect the bespoke nature of their work, typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,500.
Like Nathan James, Joybird’s style is distinctly modern, but they cater to shoppers who want to make a statement. If you've been searching for a modern silhouette but wish it came in mustard yellow or emerald green, Joybird is your destination.
Shop now at joybird.com
6. Burrow
Known for its famous "sofa-in-a-box," Burrow excels at clever, modular furniture that’s a breeze to assemble and move. Their modular sofas start around $1,200, and they've since expanded into shelving, beds, and credenzas. Their defining feature is smart, adaptable design perfect for apartment dwellers.
Burrow shares Nathan James’s dedication to practicality and painless assembly. While both have modern sensibilities, Burrow places a much stronger emphasis on modularity, allowing you to reconfigure and add to your furniture as your life changes.
Shop now at burrow.com
7. Floyd
Floyd’s mission is to create furniture for keeps. Their minimalist pieces, like the iconic Platform Bed and Shelving System, are designed for simplicity, durability, and a long life. Prices generally range from $150 for accessories to over $1,200 for larger pieces, appealing to shoppers who value timeless, functional design.
Both Floyd and Nathan James cater to a modern aesthetic, but Floyd brings an industrial, almost utilitarian edge to its designs. The focus here is on robust materials and the ability to disassemble and reassemble furniture through multiple moves.
Shop now at floydhome.com
8. Modway
Modway serves up a wide selection of affordable, modern furniture with a youthful and often retro-inspired twist. They offer everything from sofas and dining sets to office chairs, with prices typically between $100 and $1,000. It's a favorite for shoppers looking for trendy styles without a huge investment.
Modway aligns closely with Nathan James on price and modern approach. The main difference lies in style - while Nathan James sticks to clean contemporary, Modway isn't afraid to get playful with retro shapes and bold colors.
Shop now at modway.com
9. Cadence
Cadence combines sleek, minimalist design with a true commitment to sustainability. They craft their modern sofas, beds, and storage solutions using eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing. Prices generally sit between $800 and $2,000 for their high-quality, responsibly made pieces.
If the modern aesthetic of Nathan James appeals to you but you prioritize eco-conscious shopping, Cadence is the perfect match. They deliver a similar look and feel, but with a stronger focus on the environmental impact of their products.
Shop now at cadencehome.com
10. Ligne Roset
For those looking for high-end, designer modern furniture, Ligne Roset is a French luxury brand with iconic status. Famous for pieces like the Togo sofa, their furniture is an investment, with prices starting around $2,000 and climbing into the tens of thousands. The brand is known for its innovative designs and artistic collaborations.
While in a completely different price bracket, Ligne Roset embodies the core principles of modern style that brands like Nathan James make accessible. It's a great brand to watch for drool-worthy inspiration in the contemporary design space.
Shop now at ligne-roset.com
11. Blu Dot
Founded by architects, Blu Dot creates modern furniture where form and function are equally important. Their minimalist sofas, beds, and tables showcase clean lines and smart details, landing in the mid-range from $300 to $3,000. They appeal to shoppers who appreciate clever design that goes beyond the basics.
Blu Dot is a stylish step up from Nathan James, sharing a contemporary aesthetic but often featuring more sculptural or artistic details. If you appreciate furniture with a stronger design point of view, you'll love exploring their collection.
Shop now at bludot.com
12. Joss & Main
Another Wayfair brand, Joss & Main offers affordable, on-trend furniture that helps you get the latest looks for less. With sofas, dining sets, accent chairs, and decor ranging from $150 to $2,000, it’s a go-to for quick and stylish home updates.
Joss & Main shares Nathan James's focus on affordable, contemporary style. However, Joss & Main tends to lean more heavily into fast-moving seasonal trends and frequently runs major sales, making it a great place to score a deal.
Shop now at jossandmain.com
13. Havertys
Havertys offers a wide variety of furniture collections in the mid-range price point, from about $400 to $2,500. While they are known for quality and durable pieces, their style inventory spans from classic and traditional to sleek and modern.
Compared to Nathan James, which is exclusively modern, Havertys gives you more options. If you're furnishing a home with mixed aesthetics or need a contemporary piece that can blend with more traditional furniture, they're a solid choice.
Shop now at havertys.com
14. Room & Board
Room & Board is celebrated for its timeless modern furniture, much of which is handcrafted in the U.S. Their commitment to quality materials and craftsmanship is reflected in their prices, which range from $300 for chairs to over $5,000 for sectionals. They truly specialize in pieces designed to last a lifetime.
If you admire Nathan James's modern aesthetic but are looking for a forever piece, Room & Board is the next step. They share a similar design soul but elevate it with customizable options, domestic manufacturing, and a focus on enduring quality.
Shop now at roomandboard.com
15. Maiden Home
Maiden Home delivers luxury-quality, handcrafted furniture at a surprisingly reasonable price point by selling direct to consumers. Their modern sofas, beds, and chairs, priced from $1,200 to $4,000, are crafted by artisans in North Carolina with a focus on sustainable, non-toxic materials.
Think of Maiden Home as a more upscale, artisan-focused relative of Nathan James. Both have a clear modern eye, but Maiden Home is for the person who values bespoke craftsmanship and premium, American-made quality.
Shop now at maidenhome.com
16. Design Within Reach
Design Within Reach (DWR) is a curator of iconic modern furniture from world-renowned designers. Their catalog features authentic creations from legendary names like Eames, Saarinen, and Noguchi. This is investment-level furniture, with pieces starting at $2,000 and going much higher.
DWR and Nathan James both cater to lovers of modern design, but at opposite ends of the budget spectrum. DWR offers the licensed, authentic icons of modern history, providing inspiration for the style Nathan James makes accessible.
Shop now at dwr.com
17. The Inside
The Inside is all about personalization, offering stylish furniture with a huge array of fabric choices - from classic solids to bold collaborations with designers like Scalamandré. You can customize beds, sofas, and accent furniture, with prices generally sitting between $1,000 and $3,000.
This brand brings a playful, customizable energy to the modern silhouettes Nathan James is known for. It's the perfect choice when you love a modern shape but want to dress it in an eye-catching animal print or Schumacher chinoiserie.
Shop now at theinside.com
18. Macy's Furniture
As a huge department store, Macy's offers a vast assortment of furniture from tons of different brands, with regular sales and deep discounts. Their selection covers styles from classic to contemporary, with prices starting as low as $200 for small items and going up to $3,000+ for large sofa sets.
You can find plenty of pieces with a similar look and price point to Nathan James's offerings. The key difference is the sheer variety - while Nathan James has a curated vision, Macy's is a playground where you can browse furniture from dozens of makers all in one place.
Shop now at macys.com
19. EQ3
This Canadian brand specializes in customizable and contemporary furniture with a clean, considered design ethos. With sofas, beds, and dining sets priced between $1,000 and $4,000, EQ3 stands out for its eco-conscious manufacturing and array of custom upholstery options.
EQ3 is like a more sophisticated, customizable version of Nathan James. They share a passion for modern, functional design, but EQ3 offers customers the chance to tailor fabrics and finishes to create a piece that feels uniquely theirs.
Shop now at eq3.com
20. Burke Decor
Burke Decor is a massive online marketplace for all things home, including a well-curated selection of modern furniture. While they are a go-to for decor like pillows and wallpaper, their chairs, sofas, and tables span a wide price range from $300 to $2,500.
Like Nathan James, Burke Decor is a source for trendy, modern pieces. However, its strength lies in being a decor-first destination, making it a great place to find that statement accent chair or uniquely finished shelving unit to complement your bigger pieces.
Shop now at burkedecor.com
21. Muuto
Rooted in Scandinavian design tradition, Muuto offers furniture, lighting, and accessories that feel both timeless and new. Their pieces, often created in collaboration with top contemporary designers, are minimalist and functional with a playful use of form and color. Chairs start around $300 while sofas can exceed $4,000.
Muuto shares that clean, Nordic vibe found in many Nathan James pieces but elevates it to a designer level. It’s for the true design purist who appreciates craftsmanship and innovative materials paired with a simple modern aesthetic.
Shop now at muuto.com
22. Castlery
Castlery is a direct-to-consumer brand that excels at crafting modern and mid-century modern furniture that feels high-end without the hefty price tag. They offer stylish sofas, dining sets, and beds, with prices generally sitting between Article and West Elm. Their pieces often blend timeless wood tones with soft upholstery for a warm, contemporary feel.
If you like Nathan James' accessible modern vibe, think of Castlery as a fantastic DTC alternative with a focus on great value. It's an excellent choice for a first-time big-ticket furniture purchase where you want guaranteed style and durability.
Shop now at castlery.com
23. CB2
As Crate & Barrel's edgier, more contemporary sibling brand, CB2 offers modern furniture built for city living. Their collection is full of sleek, apartment-friendly sofas, clever storage, and bold accessories using materials like velvet, boucle, and mixed metals. Prices are on par with West Elm, offering a step up in unique design.
CB2 takes the modern sensibility of Nathan James and gives it a trend-forward, adventurous twist. If you're looking for furniture with a little more personality - think sculptural shapes and unexpected materials - CB2 is your playground.
Shop now at cb2.com
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Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.

