The short answer is: AllModern is worth it if you prioritize trendy, contemporary style on a tight budget over long-term durability. It offers good visual appeal for the price, but the quality of materials and construction is firmly in the mid-to-low range, meaning it's not built to last for decades.
Think of AllModern as a step up from basic budget retailers, offering stylish designs that you won't find at entry-level stores. However, this affordability comes at the cost of heirloom-quality construction. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
How Is AllModern's Quality?
AllModern's quality is inconsistent and relies heavily on cost-saving materials to keep prices low. Durability is a common concern, especially for items that see daily use. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- Materials: Most furniture is made from engineered wood, particleboard, or MDF with a veneer or laminate finish. Solid wood is rare and usually costs more. Upholstery is predominantly polyester or other synthetic blends with medium-density foam cushions that can sag over time.
- Construction: Craftsmanship varies widely between products. While some pieces may use doweled joinery, many rely on simpler methods like staples, glue, and basic hardware. This can lead to issues with stability over time.
- Durability and Longevity: High-use items like sofas and dining chairs often show wear within 1-3 years. Expect surfaces to scratch or chip, cushions to lose their shape, and joints to become wobbly with regular use. It is best suited for low-traffic areas or temporary living situations.
- Common Complaints: Customer reviews frequently cite items arriving with scratches or dents from shipping. Other common issues include peeling veneer, sagging sofa cushions after 1-2 years, wobbly legs on tables and chairs, and hardware that loosens over time.
Is AllModern Good Value for the Price?
AllModern provides good value for shoppers who want a modern look without the high-end price tag, as long as expectations for longevity are realistic. The value proposition is centered on style and affordability, not investment-grade quality.
Price Positioning
As a brand under the Wayfair umbrella, AllModern sits in the lower mid-range of the furniture market. A typical sofa costs between $700-$1,200, landing it well below competitors like West Elm or Article but generally a step above the baseline furniture at IKEA. This price point reflects its design-forward approach but also its reliance on mass-produced, budget-friendly materials.
What You're Paying For
You're paying for trendy, contemporary design and the convenience of online shopping. The costs are kept down through overseas manufacturing (primarily China and Vietnam) and the widespread use of MDF and particleboard instead of solid wood. Essentially, you get the modern aesthetic without paying for the premium materials and craftsmanship that ensure decade-long durability.
Where You Get Good Value
- Decor and Accessories: Items like lamps, throw pillows, and decorative objects offer a stylish look at a fair price and don't require structural integrity.
- Low-Traffic Furniture: Pieces for a guest room, entryway, or home office (like accent chairs or side tables) that won't see heavy daily wear can be a great deal.
- Temporary Furnishings: It’s an excellent choice for a first apartment, college dorm, or any situation where you need stylish furniture for only a few years.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- High-Use Sofas and Sectionals: The main family sofa is likely to show sagging and wear quickly, making a higher-quality competitor a better long-term investment.
- Dining Room Furniture: Dining tables and chairs used daily are prone to surface chipping and joints loosening, diminishing their value over a short period.
- Primary Bedroom Furniture: Items like dressers and bed frames that are used every day may not stand up to wear and tear, with drawers becoming misaligned or frames growing wobbly.
AllModern Quality by Category
Quality can differ significantly across product lines. Here’s a glance at what to expect from their most popular categories.
Sofas & Sectionals
AllModern sofas lean heavily on polyester-blend fabrics and medium-density foam cushions (often 1.8 lb density), which look great initially but are prone to pilling and sagging within 1-2 years of regular use. Frame construction varies, with many using mixed hardwood and engineered wood instead of solid kiln-dried hardwood. For $700-$1,200, they are best for style in a formal living room, not for withstanding daily family lounging.
Bedroom Furniture
Most dressers, nightstands, and bed frames are constructed with MDF or particleboard cores covered in a wood veneer or laminate. While visually appealing, these surfaces can chip, peel, or bubble if exposed to moisture. Drawer construction often utilizes basic glides, which are less durable than a higher-end soft-close system. Verdict: acceptable for a guest room but will show its age quickly in a primary bedroom.
Dining Furniture
Dining tables often feature veneer tops that, while stylish, are highly susceptible to scratches, heat marks, and water damage. Dining chairs are a frequent source of complaints regarding wobbly legs and loose joints after only a few months of use. This category is best suited for occasional dining, not a primary family eating area.
Decor & Accessories
This is AllModern's strongest category for value. Items like mirrors, vases, lighting, and throw pillows provide the desired modern aesthetic without needing to withstand physical stress. The quality is comparable to similar items at Target or HomeGoods, making them a safe and affordable way to add a contemporary touch to your space.
Our Verdict: Is AllModern Worth It?
AllModern is a solid choice for the budget-conscious, style-focused shopper who understands they are buying temporary furniture. It successfully delivers a high-end look for a low-end price, but it is not a wise investment for anyone seeking furniture to last five years or more in a busy household.
Quality Grade: C
AllModern earns a 'C' for quality. The grade reflects its reliance on lower-cost materials like particleboard and polyester, inconsistent manufacturing quality, and a lack of long-term durability. While the designs are excellent, the execution falls short of what is needed for lasting furniture, with many items showing significant wear within just a couple of years.
Value Grade: B
The brand receives a 'B' for value because it excels at its core mission: making modern design accessible. For the price, you get an on-trend piece of furniture that looks far more expensive than it is. If you view furniture as a short-term stylistic choice rather than a long-term functional investment, AllModern offers a satisfactory quality-to-price ratio.
Better Alternatives to AllModern
If AllModern's middling durability is a dealbreaker, these alternatives offer better construction and longevity, often at a similar or slightly higher price point.
Article
Article delivers similar mid-century modern style but with a focus on higher-quality materials. Most pieces use solid wood, durable fabrics, and high-density foam cushions, making them a significant step up in durability that typically lasts 5-7 years with proper care.
Shop now at www.article.com
Burrow
Known for its modular, durable sofas, Burrow uses sturdy hardwood frames and stain-resistant performance fabrics. Their clever, tool-free assembly and features like built-in USB chargers offer practical value that goes beyond just looks, making it great for modern life.
Shop now at burrow.com
Joybird
Offering more customization options, Joybird builds its furniture with kiln-dried hardwood frames and a wide selection of high-performance fabrics. Their pieces are made to order and carry a reputation for solid construction that holds up well for over 5 years.
Shop now at www.joybird.com
West Elm
Though priced a tier above AllModern, West Elm offers better quality materials, including sustainably sourced solid wood and more durable upholstery. Look out for their sales events, which can bring prices closer to AllModern’s, offering a clear upgrade in quality and longevity for a modest increase in cost.
Shop now at www.westelm.com
IKEA (Select Collections)
For a similar or lower price, IKEA’s higher-end collections like the HEMNES (solid pine) or STOCKHOLM lines offer better materials and durability than much of AllModern’s catalog. While less trendy, these pieces provide superior construction and are a more reliable choice for foundational furniture.
Shop now at www.ikea.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AllModern furniture solid wood?
No, most AllModern furniture is not solid wood. The majority of their products are made from engineered woods like MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and particleboard, which are then covered with a wood veneer or laminate finish to give the appearance of solid wood.
How long does AllModern furniture last?
With regular use, expect high-contact items like sofas, dining chairs, and dressers to last about 2-3 years before showing noticeable wear such as sagging, chipping, or wobbling. Decorative or lightly used pieces can last significantly longer.
Is AllModern the same quality as Wayfair?
AllModern is a brand owned by Wayfair, curated to a specific modern aesthetic. Its quality is generally comparable to Wayfair's own mid-tier private label brands but is not a reflection of everything sold on Wayfair's vast marketplace, which ranges from very cheap to high-end.
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