Havertys is anchored in providing classic, traditional furniture that prioritizes durability and accessible pricing, making it a go-to for many American families. Pottery Barn, in contrast, offers a more premium, sophisticated aesthetic that blends classic, coastal, and rustic styles, backed by high-end materials and a higher price tag.
Let's look at the key details of each brand to help you decide which is the right fit for your home and budget.
Havertys: The Traditional & Reliable Choice
Havertys is a long-standing American furniture retailer focused on quality craftsmanship for homeowners who appreciate timeless, traditional styles. The brand is known for balancing solid construction with affordable pricing, offering collections that emphasize comfort and everyday functionality. With showrooms across the country and a full online store, Havertys is a dependable choice for families and first-time buyers furnishing their homes.
- Product mix: A complete selection for the home, including sofas, recliners, sectionals, bedroom sets, dining furniture, and accents. The focus is on foundational upholstered and solid wood pieces.
- Style/vibe: Predominantly traditional and transitional. You'll find warm wood tones, rolled arms on sofas, neutral fabrics, and classic silhouettes that are designed to be versatile rather than trendy.
- Price point: Mid-range and value-oriented. Sofas typically start around $699 and can go up to $2,500, while complete five-piece bedroom sets often fall between $1,200 and $3,000.
- Quality: Havertys uses solid wood frames and durable, often stain-resistant fabrics suitable for busy households. While some pieces may use engineered wood to maintain lower prices, the overall construction is reliable and intended for long-term use.
- Sales: The brand runs frequent sales events and offers flexible financing options, making their furniture even more accessible.
- Return policy: Havertys has a standard return policy, typically allowing returns within a few days of delivery for a restocking fee, so it's important to be sure of your purchase.
- Delivery & Assembly: Full-service delivery and in-home setup are available, ensuring furniture arrives and is assembled correctly by their teams.
For shoppers seeking sturdy, classic furniture without the luxury price point, Havertys provides a reliable, budget-friendly option.
Shop Havertys: havertys.com
Pottery Barn: The Sophisticated Classic Home Brand
As a key brand in the Williams Sonoma family, Pottery Barn is a leader in stylish, high-quality home furnishings. The brand is celebrated for its curated collections that blend classic comfort with updated styles, featuring everything from furniture and rugs to bedding and lighting. Pottery Barn appeals to design-conscious consumers who want a polished, cohesive look and are willing to invest in premium craftsmanship.
- Product mix: Extensive home furnishings, including custom upholstery, beds, a wide array of lighting, rugs, bedding, decor, and seasonal items. They are known for providing whole-room solutions.
- Style/vibe: A sophisticated mix of traditional, modern farmhouse, rustic, and coastal. Their aesthetic is refined and comfortable, using luxurious fabrics, artisanal details, and thoughtful finishes.
- Price point: Upper-mid-range to premium. Sofas generally start around $1,200, with custom sectionals often exceeding $4,000. Bedroom sets typically range from $2,500 to $6,000+.
- Quality: Pottery Barn uses high-end materials like kiln-dried hardwoods for frames, performance fabrics, and hand-applied finishes. Their construction focuses on durability and detail, meant to be investment-worthy.
- Customization: One of their biggest strengths. Most upholstered items are available in dozens of fabrics and colors, from Belgian linen to performance velvet.
- Rewards program: "The Key" Rewards program is shared across Williams Sonoma brands, offering 3% back in rewards dollars.
- Delivery & Assembly: White-glove delivery is standard for large furniture, which includes unpacking, assembly in the room of your choice, and removal of packaging materials.
Pottery Barn is perfect for those who want to create a beautifully styled home with high-quality, long-lasting furniture and have the budget for it.
Shop Pottery Barn: potterybarn.com
Havertys vs. Pottery Barn Comparison
Price Comparison
Price is the most significant differentiator between the two brands. Havertys is firmly positioned in the mid-range market, offering great value for money. A three-seat sofa might cost you $799, while an entire dining set could be under $1,500. Frequent sales and financing plans make their already accessible prices even more appealing for budget-conscious homeowners.
Pottery Barn operates in a premium space. You'll be hard-pressed to find a sofa for under $1,200, and most sit in the $2,000-$5,000 range. The higher cost reflects their use of premium materials, extensive customization options, and strong brand name. While more expensive, many shoppers feel Pottery Barn's quality and style justify the investment for long-term enjoyment.
Style & Aesthetic
Havertys doubles down on classic and traditional American style. Their pieces are designed to be timeless and comfortable, easily fitting into many existing decor schemes. The aesthetic is warm, inviting, and straightforward, focusing more on functional comfort than on making a bold design statement.
Pottery Barn offers a more curated and style-forward aesthetic. While still rooted in classic design, it incorporates popular styles like modern farmhouse, coastal, and rustic. Their pieces often feature distinct details like tufting, fine woodwork, and luxurious textures. If you're looking to replicate a specific high-end look you've seen in a design magazine, Pottery Barn catalogs and showrooms are a primary source of inspiration.
Quality & Construction
Havertys builds durable furniture designed for everyday family life. They often use solid wood frames and back their craftsmanship with limited warranties. To control costs, construction may also involve engineered woods and simpler joinery, but the focus remains on creating reliable furniture that will hold up well.
Pottery Barn is a step up in materials and manufacturing. Kiln-dried hardwood frames are standard for their upholstery, which prevents warping over time. They use higher-end fabrics, and details like hand-applied finishes and Dovetail joinery are common. This focus on premium construction results in furniture that not only looks more refined but is often more resilient over the very long term.
Product Selection
Both brands offer a full range of furniture for every room in the home. Havertys excels in core furniture pieces like sofas, dining sets, and bedroom suites. Their selection of decor and accents is present but less extensive.
Pottery Barn offers a complete home outfitting experience. Beyond furniture, they have a massive selection of rugs, lighting, bedding, drapes, and decorative accessories that are all designed to coordinate seamlessly. This makes it easier for shoppers to achieve a cohesive, designer-curated look from a single store.
Shopping Experience
Shopping at Havertys is a friendly, straightforward experience. Their showrooms are organized to be practical, and their staff are often knowledgeable and helpful, with a strong focus on customer service and financing assistance.
Pottery Barn offers a more immersive, high-end shopping experience. Their showrooms are beautifully styled to inspire, and their website is rich with professional photography and design tips. Their service includes benefits like free in-home or virtual design consultations and white-glove delivery, creating a more premium customer journey from start to finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends entirely on your style priorities, budget, and how you live in your space.
Choose Havertys if:
- Your budget is a primary consideration, and you need a balance of quality and affordability.
- You prefer classic, traditional styles that are comfortable and timeless.
- You are looking for durable furniture that can withstand the demands of a busy family.
- You value knowledgeable in-store service and accessible financing options.
Choose Pottery Barn if:
- You are aiming for a sophisticated, designer-inspired look (be it modern farmhouse, rustic, or coastal).
- You are willing to invest more for premium materials, superior craftsmanship, and artisanal details.
- You want extensive options for customizing fabrics and finishes to perfectly match your decor.
- You're looking for a one-stop-shop for furniture as well as high-quality, coordinating decor, lighting, and textiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havertys or Pottery Barn cheaper?
Havertys is significantly more affordable than Pottery Barn. For almost every category of furniture, you can expect to pay anywhere from 30% to 50% less at Havertys, making it the clear choice for budget-focused shoppers.
Which brand has better quality furniture?
Pottery Barn generally offers better quality in terms of materials and construction. They use more premium components like kiln-dried hardwood frames and higher-grade fabrics. However, Havertys furniture is known for its durability and reliability at its price point, offering excellent value for everyday use.
Which brand's style is right for my home?
If your home decor leans traditional, transitional, or classic American, Havertys will fit perfectly. If you are chasing a more specific and elevated style like rustic modern, coastal elegance, or modern farmhouse, Pottery Barn offers expertly curated collections that define those looks.
Are Havertys and Pottery Barn good for families?
Yes, both can be excellent for families. Havertys is often a more practical choice due to its lower cost and durable, often stain-resistant fabrics, which reduces stress over spills and wear. Pottery Barn also offers a wide range of rugged performance fabrics, but their higher price point may make them less ideal for homes with very young children or pets.
Can you return furniture to both stores?
Yes, both brands accept furniture returns, but policies differ. Pottery Barn typically has a more generous return window and process. Havertys usually requires returns within a few days of delivery and may charge a restocking fee. Always check the current policy before purchasing.
How long does delivery take?
For in-stock items, both brands can deliver relatively quickly, often within a few weeks. However, custom-order pieces from Pottery Barn, which include a huge range of fabrics and finishes, can take anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks to be manufactured and delivered.
Do Havertys and Pottery Barn have sales?
Havertys runs sales very frequently, with promotions happening almost every month and around major holidays. Pottery Barn sales are more seasonal, centered around events like President's Day, Memorial Day, and Black Friday, though you can often find clearance items online.
Which is a better choice for a first home?
Havertys is an outstanding choice for furnishing a first home. Their combination of affordability, durability, and classic style allows you to get quality foundational pieces without breaking the bank. You can feel confident you're buying furniture that will last without the high financial commitment of a luxury brand.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
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