Havertys offers classic, traditional, and transitional furniture with an emphasis on quality craftsmanship and customization, positioning it as a mid-range investment. In contrast, Sofa Mart, part of the Rooms To Go family, focuses on trendy, affordable furniture designed for budget-conscious shoppers who prioritize style and quick delivery.
Let's explore everything you need to know to decide which of these furniture brands is the right choice for your home.
Havertys: The Classic Choice for Quality
Havertys is a long-standing furniture retailer catering to customers who seek durable, timeless pieces for their home. The brand has built a reputation for its quality construction, personalized in-store service, and a broad selection of furniture that goes beyond a single aesthetic, fitting comfortably in classic, traditional, or updated transitional homes.
- Product mix: Full range of home furnishings including living room collections (sofas, sectionals), bedroom sets, dining tables and chairs, and home office furniture. They also offer mattresses, accent decor, and rugs.
- Style/vibe: Primarily classic, traditional, and transitional. Expect refined silhouettes, quality wood finishes, and sophisticated upholstery that feels both elegant and comfortable.
- Price point: Mid-range. Sofas generally start around $799 and can go up to $2,000+, while dining tables typically start around $499.
- Quality: A key selling point for the brand. Havertys often uses solid wood frames, high-density foam cushions, and durable upholstery, with construction intended for long-term use.
- Customization: Significant customization is available for many pieces, including a wide selection of fabrics, finishes, and configurations to match your specific style and space needs.
- Sales: Holds periodic sales events, particularly around major holidays like President's Day, Memorial Day, and Black Friday, offering solid discounts on popular collections.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers white-glove delivery, meaning their team will deliver, assemble, and place your furniture in your home for you.
Havertys is ideal for an established homeowner looking to invest in high-quality furniture that will last for years, with a style that won't feel dated quickly.
Shop Havertys: havertys.com
Sofa Mart: The Affordable & Stylish Option
As the seating specialist for Rooms To Go, Sofa Mart focuses on providing stylish and functional furniture at a very accessible price point. The brand targets budget-conscious buyers, including first-time homeowners, renters, and families, with trendy designs that are easy to purchase online and have delivered quickly.
- Product mix: Specializes in living room seating like sofas, sectionals, loveseats, and recliners. They also offer related items like coffee tables, accent chairs, and a selection of dining and bedroom furniture.
- Style/vibe: Casual, modern, and transitional with a focus on current trends. You'll find a wide array of options from sleek contemporary sectionals to cozy, family-friendly sofas.
- Price point: Budget-friendly. Sofas can start as low as $399, with many stylish options available well under $1,000. Dining sets often begin around $299.
- Quality: Made to be affordable, furniture is typically constructed with cost-effective materials like engineered wood and polyester fabrics. The quality is suitable for everyday use but is not intended to be a lifetime investment.
- Sales: Prices are already low, but Sofa Mart frequently offers sales, package deals, and special financing options to enhance affordability.
- Shopping Experience: Primarily an online experience focused on convenience and speed. The website is straightforward, making it easy to find deals and complete a purchase quickly.
- Delivery & Assembly: Emphasizes quick and hassle-free delivery. Assembly requirements vary, but many items are designed for simple setup.
Sofa Mart provides fantastic value for anyone who needs to furnish a space affordably and wants fresh, modern styles without a huge financial commitment.
Shop Sofa Mart: sofamart.com
Havertys vs. Sofa Mart Comparison
Price Comparison
The most significant difference between the two brands is price. Sofa Mart is the clear winner for shoppers on a strict budget. With sofas starting at $399, it provides an immediate and affordable way to furnish a home. Frequent deals and financing make it even more accessible.
Havertys operates in a higher mid-range market. A starting sofa price of around $799 reflects better materials and more robust construction. While more expensive upfront, Havertys positions its furniture as a better long-term value, as the pieces are designed to last much longer, potentially saving money over time compared to replacing less durable furniture more frequently.
Style & Aesthetic
Your style preference will quickly guide you toward one brand or the other. Havertys is an excellent choice for a timeless, classic, or transitional look. Their designs emphasize understated elegance with refined details, neutral color palettes, and rich wood tones. It's furniture that fits seamlessly into a more established, traditional home.
Sofa Mart aligns with more contemporary and casual aesthetics. Their collections often reflect current trends, featuring modern lines, a wider range of colors, and versatile designs perfect for apartments, family rooms, or a first home. If you want a stylish space that feels fresh and current without looking too formal, Sofa Mart has plenty to offer.
Quality & Construction
Havertys places a strong emphasis on craftsmanship. They build their furniture with durability in mind, frequently using solid wood frames, higher-density cushions that resist sagging, and quality upholstery fabrics. This focus on better materials and traditional construction techniques means their furniture is built to withstand years of regular use.
Sofa Mart, by design, uses more economical materials to keep its prices low. This typically includes engineered wood frames (like MDF or particleboard), standard foam cushions, and synthetic fabrics such as polyester. While perfectly functional for daily life, this construction is less durable and may show wear more quickly than Havertys' furniture, especially in high-traffic households.
Shopping Experience
Shopping at Havertys is often a more consultative process. With a strong network of showrooms, customers can see and touch the furniture, get advice from knowledgeable sales staff, and explore a wide range of customization options for fabrics and finishes. They also offer in-home design services to help customers create a cohesive look.
Sofa Mart offers a fast, transaction-focused experience, primarily online. It's built for convenience and speed, allowing you to browse, find a deal, and complete your purchase in minutes. There's less emphasis on customization or in-person service, which is ideal for shoppers who already know what they want and prioritize a quick, easy process.
Sustainability & Ethics
Havertys has made public commitments to responsible sourcing. They offer products made with sustainably harvested wood and incorporate other eco-friendly materials into their collections. For consumers who prioritize environmental impact, Havertys provides greater transparency and more certified options.
Sofa Mart's business model is centered on affordability, which means sustainability is less of a prominent marketing point. While they follow standard manufacturing regulations, there is less information available about eco-friendly initiatives or the sourcing of their materials.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right furniture brand comes down to your personal priorities, budget, and long-term goals for your space.
Choose Havertys if:
- You view furniture as a long-term investment and are willing to pay more for durability.
- You prefer timeless, classic, or traditional decor styles over chasing current trends.
- Customization is important to you - you want to choose specific fabrics and finishes.
- You value an in-store shopping experience with personalized customer service.
Choose Sofa Mart if:
- You have a tight budget and need the most affordable option.
- You're furnishing a first apartment, starter home, or a less-used space like a guest room.
- You enjoy modern, casual styles and want furniture that looks trendy and fresh today.
- You value a fast, convenient online shopping experience and quick delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havertys or Sofa Mart cheaper?
Sofa Mart is significantly cheaper than Havertys. With sofas starting at $399 and frequent sales, Sofa Mart is designed to be one of the most budget-friendly options on the market. Havertys operates at a mid-range price point, reflecting its focus on higher-quality materials and construction.
Which brand has better quality furniture?
Havertys has better quality furniture. They typically use solid wood frames, high-density foam, and more durable upholstery, all of which contribute to a longer lifespan. Sofa Mart's furniture is made with more economical materials like engineered wood to keep prices low, making it less durable over many years.
What kind of style is Havertys furniture?
Havertys' style is primarily classic, traditional, and transitional. Its collections are designed to be timeless and elegant, making them a good fit for homeowners who want a sophisticated, lasting look.
Is Sofa Mart furniture good for families?
Sofa Mart can be a good choice for young families on a budget. Their furniture is functional and stylish, but it may not hold up to heavy wear and tear as well as more durable brands. For kids' rooms or high-traffic family rooms, durability might be a concern over the long run.
Can I customize furniture at Sofa Mart?
Customization options at Sofa Mart are very limited. Most products are sold as shown to keep costs down and ensure fast delivery. Havertys, on the other hand, offers extensive customization, allowing you to choose from dozens of fabrics and multiple finishes.
Is Sofa Mart part of another company?
Yes, Sofa Mart is a division of Rooms To Go, specializing specifically in living room furniture and sofas to provide a wide range of affordable seating options.
Do both brands offer sales?
Yes, both brands offer sales. Havertys holds major sale events during holidays with significant discounts. Sofa Mart's prices are consistently low, but they also run frequent promotions, package deals, and special financing offers.
Which brand is better for a first apartment?
Sofa Mart is generally the better choice for a first apartment. Its low prices, trendy styles, and quick delivery model are perfectly suited for renters, students, and first-time buyers who need to furnish a space affordably and quickly.
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