Havertys is known for its classic, high-quality furniture built for long-term durability, appealing to shoppers looking for timeless investment pieces. In contrast, Ashley Furniture is one of the world's largest furniture retailers, focusing on affordability, trend-forward designs, and providing a sheer volume of options for budget-conscious consumers.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right furniture brand for your home and budget.
Havertys: The Classic, Quality Furniture Retailer
Havertys is an established American furniture retailer that has built its reputation on quality craftsmanship and classic, enduring style. With roots going back over 100 years, the brand targets homeowners who are seeking to invest in durable, well-made pieces that won't go out of style. Their in-store experience is a key part of their business, offering personalized service and design help to customers.
- Product mix: A comprehensive selection of home furniture, including living room sets, dining room tables and chairs, bedroom collections, mattresses, rugs, and decorative accessories.
- Style/vibe: Primarily traditional and transitional. The aesthetic is elegant and refined, featuring details like solid wood construction, sophisticated upholstery, and timeless silhouettes that don't bow to fleeting trends.
- Price point: Mid-range to upper-mid-range. Sofas typically start around $799 and can go well over $2,000, while dining tables are generally in the $500–$1,500 range.
- Quality: A major selling point for the brand. Havertys emphasizes high-quality materials like kiln-dried hardwood frames, high-resilience foam, and durable, stain-resistant fabrics.
- Customization: Offers custom upholstery on many pieces, allowing customers to choose from a wide array of fabrics and, in some cases, finishes to match their decor.
- Sales: Holds sales events during major holidays, but generally isn't as promotion-driven as more budget-focused retailers.
- Return policy: Offers a return policy that is designed to ensure customer satisfaction, though custom orders may have specific restrictions.
- Delivery & Assembly: Provides full-service delivery options, including assembly and placement of furniture in your home.
Havertys is a great fit for anyone prioritizing longevity and classic style over a low price point.
Ashley Furniture: The Affordable, One-Stop Shop
As one of the largest furniture manufacturers globally, Ashley Furniture delivers an enormous selection of furniture at highly competitive price points. The brand is a go-to for first-time homebuyers, renters, and families looking to furnish a home without a huge financial commitment. Their business model is built on volume, variety, and accessibility through a vast network of physical and online stores.
- Product mix: Carries furniture for every room, including sofas, sectionals, bedroom sets, dining tables, home office desks, outdoor furniture, mattresses, and a wide array of home decor items.
- Style/vibe: Extremely diverse, covering everything from modern and contemporary to rustic farmhouse and casual comfort. The company stays on top of current trends, frequently introducing new styles to its lineup.
- Price point: Budget-friendly to mid-range. It's common to find sofas starting as low as $399 and complete bedroom sets often under $1,000.
- Quality: Varies significantly by product line. To maintain low prices, many pieces utilize engineered wood, particleboard, and fabric blends. While functional, the construction is not always as durable as higher-priced alternatives.
- Customization: Customization options are limited. Most pieces are sold as-is with specific color and fabric choices to keep inventory simple and costs down.
- Rewards program: Offers financing options and a credit card that provides special deals and discounts.
- Sales: Famed for its frequent sales, holiday promotions, and bundle deals, making their already low prices even more attractive.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers various delivery options from curbside drop-off to in-home assembly for an additional fee. Many items are stocked for quick shipment.
Ashley makes stylish, functional furniture accessible to almost any budget and is ideal for those who favor current trends and affordability.
Havertys vs. Ashley Furniture Comparison
Price Comparison
The most significant difference between the two brands is price. Ashley Furniture is built on a foundation of affordability. With sofas starting at $399 and frequent, deep discounts, it is one of the most accessible furniture retailers on the market. Their business model makes it possible to furnish an entire room for what one or two key pieces might cost at a higher-end store.
Havertys operates in a higher price tier. Their furniture is priced to reflect better materials, more robust construction, and a more classic design intended to last for years. While you can find sofas around the $799 mark, the majority of their popular items are well over $1,000. If you are looking for a long-term furniture investment, Haverty's price point can be justified by its quality. For immediate needs on a tight budget, Ashley clearly wins.
Style & Aesthetic
Your personal style will be a major deciding factor. Havertys focuses on timeless looks - think classic-rolled arm sofas, elegant wood dining sets, and transitional pieces that blend traditional and modern sensibilities. Their collections have a refined, grown-up feel that fits well in established homes and is designed to outlast passing fads.
Ashley's style catalog is broad and ever-changing. You can find sleek modern sectionals, rustic farmhouse bedroom sets, and everything in between. They pay close attention to what's popular, making them a great place to find trendy pieces you’ve seen in design magazines without the designer price tag. If you love updating your home's look frequently or experimenting with different trends, Ashley offers more variety.
Quality & Construction
This is where Havertys truly sets itself apart. The brand consistently uses higher-quality materials like kiln-dried hardwood for frames and higher-density foam for cushions. This superior construction means their furniture is heavier, sturdier, and better equipped to handle daily wear and tear for many years.
Ashley's quality is more varied. To keep prices low, they rely heavily on engineered woods like particleboard and MDF, with simpler construction methods. While perfectly functional for everyday use - especially for a few years - their pieces generally don't have the heirloom quality of Havertys furniture. This isn't necessarily a negative, but shoppers should set realistic expectations for the longevity of budget-friendly items.
Product Selection
Both retailers offer furniture for every room of the house, but their approach differs. Ashley functions as a massive, one-stop shop with endless options in every category. The sheer volume of their collections means you are almost guaranteed to find something that fits your style and size requirements.
Havertys, while still offering a comprehensive selection, has a more curated collection focused on their signature traditional and transitional style. They also provide more customization options for upholstery, allowing you to tailor a piece to your exact preferences, something that is less common at Ashley.
Shopping Experience
Shopping at Havertys often feels like a more traditional furniture buying experience. Their showrooms are staffed with associates who can provide design advice and help you navigate customization choices. It's a more hands-on, service-oriented process.
Ashley offers a fast-paced retail environment driven by sales and high volume. Both online and in-store, the experience is geared toward easy browsing and quick purchase decisions. While staff is available to help, the feeling is less about personalized consultation and more about facilitating a transaction.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands serve their customers well, but they cater to very different priorities and budgets.
Choose Havertys if:
- You are making a long-term investment in furniture you plan to have for a decade or more.
- Quality craftsmanship and durable materials like solid wood are your top priorities.
- You prefer timeless, traditional, or transitional styles over fleeting design trends.
- You want to customize your furniture with specific fabrics and finishes.
Choose Ashley Furniture if:
- You are furnishing a home on a strict budget.
- You enjoy current, trend-forward styles and like to update your decor periodically.
- You need a piece of furniture quickly and convenience is a key factor.
- You are a first-time furniture buyer, furnishing a college apartment, or need a stylish but temporary solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havertys or Ashley cheaper?
Ashley Furniture is significantly cheaper than Havertys. Ashley's business model is centered on providing affordable furniture, with frequent sales and promotions that further lower the cost. Havertys is positioned as a mid-to-high-range brand where prices reflect higher-quality materials and construction.
Which has better quality furniture?
Havertys generally has better quality furniture. They use superior materials like kiln-dried hardwood frames and higher-density cushions, which contribute to greater durability and longevity. While Ashley offers some solidly built pieces, their overall quality can be inconsistent, with many products made from engineered wood to keep prices low.
Can you negotiate prices at these stores?
Typically, no. Both Havertys and Ashley operate on a fixed-price model. However, Ashley often has so many ongoing sales, clearance items, and bundle deals that you can find significant savings without needing to negotiate.
Which is better for families with kids?
This depends on your priority. Havertys would be better for durability, as their sturdy construction can withstand more wear and tear over the long term. Ashley is better if your priority is a lower initial cost, which can feel safer if you're worried about kids causing irreparable damage to an expensive new sofa.
Does Havertys have a lifetime warranty?
Havertys offers warranties that vary by product, but they are not typically lifetime warranties. Their frames, cushions, and mechanisms usually come with limited warranties against manufacturing defects. Detailed warranty information is available for each specific product.
What style of furniture does Ashley sell?
Ashley sells a very broad range of styles, including modern, contemporary, industrial, farmhouse, traditional, and glam. They are known for quickly adopting new trends to provide customers with fashionable options at affordable prices.
Is Ashley Furniture good for first-time buyers?
Yes, Ashley Furniture is an excellent choice for first-time buyers. Their affordability, wide selection, and accessibility make it easy to furnish an entire apartment or first home without breaking the bank.
How long does it take to get furniture delivered?
Delivery times for Ashley can be very fast, often within a week or two for in-stock items. Havertys' delivery can also be quick for stocked furniture, but if you choose custom upholstery, lead times can extend to several weeks or even months.
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