Yes, Article furniture is worth it for shoppers seeking modern, stylish pieces at a fair price. The brand's direct-to-consumer model delivers good quality for its mid-range cost, particularly with its upholstered sofas and solid wood items that often outperform similarly priced retail alternatives. Quality is consistent for the price point, but some pieces will not offer heirloom-level durability, with cushions and veneers showing wear after a few years of heavy use.
Think of Article as a significant step up from fast furniture, offering a strong balance of aesthetic, quality, and affordability. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you need to know before buying.
How Is Article's Quality?
Article generally offers solid quality and craftsmanship for the price, utilizing materials and construction methods appropriate for the mid-range market. Here’s a closer look:
- Frames & Construction: Most of Article's upholstered furniture, like sofas and chairs, is built on kiln-dried hardwood frames, which is the standard for long-lasting furniture as it prevents warping. Joints are typically reinforced with corner blocks and dowels, providing firm stability for years of regular use.
- Cushions & Upholstery: Cushions generally use foam with a density between 2.0 and 2.8 lb/ft³, often wrapped in Dacron. This offers a good balance of comfort and support that should last 3-5 years before potentially showing sagging. Many fabric options are high-performance polyester blends with impressive durability ratings (over 100,000 double rubs).
- Wood Furniture Materials: Casegoods like tables and dressers often use a mix of materials. You’ll find solid wood accents (like oak or ash) on legs and frames, but larger surfaces frequently use veneer over engineered wood (MDF or particleboard). While cost-effective, veneers are more susceptible to chipping and scratching over time compared to solid wood.
- Common Complaints: The most frequent durability complaints from long-term owners include cushion flattening or sagging after 3-4 years and minor fabric pilling on certain textiles. Customers also occasionally report chipping veneer on heavily used tables or dressers.
Is Article Good Value for the Price?
Article's primary advantage is its excellent value proposition. By selling directly to consumers online, it bypasses the costs of physical showrooms and retail markups, offering better quality for the price than many brick-and-mortar competitors.
Price Positioning
Article sits comfortably in the mid-range furniture market. Expect to pay $1,200-$2,500 for a sofa, $300-$700 for a coffee table, and $400-$900 for an accent chair. This pricing is highly competitive, often beating brands like West Elm or Crate & Barrel for items of similar material quality. Remember to factor in shipping costs, which typically range from $99 to $249 depending on the order size.
What You're Paying For
With Article, you are paying for original, modern design and reliable construction without the retail premium. The value comes from getting kiln-dried hardwood frames and durable performance fabrics at a price where retail brands might offer lower-quality materials. You're sacrificing the ability to see the item in person for a better price on the final product.
Where You Get Good Value
- Sofas & Sectionals: For under $2,500, you can get a well-built sofa with a hardwood frame and durable fabric that will comfortably last for years.
- Solid Wood Pieces: Any item noted as being crafted primarily from solid wood offers exceptional value and longevity compared to the brand's veneer-heavy options.
- Accent Chairs: The accent chairs provide a significant aesthetic impact for a reasonable price, typically featuring solid construction and stylish designs.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Veneer-Heavy Casegoods: Tables and media consoles that rely heavily on veneer over particleboard may not hold up to heavy use and can be prone to chipping, reducing their long-term value.
- Single Small Items: The flat-rate shipping fee can make a single, small purchase like an end table or lamp feel overpriced once delivery is factored in.
Article Quality by Category
Quality can vary slightly across Article's product lines. Here’s what to look for in their main categories.
Sofas & Sectionals
Article's sofas are their strong suit. With kiln-dried hardwood frames and generally high-performing fabrics, they are built to last. Cushion density is decent for the price and should remain comfortable for 3-5 years with regular use. Verdict: An excellent value choice for stylish, reliable seating.
Bedroom Furniture
Bed frames and dressers are a mix of solid wood and engineered wood with veneer. Look for collections that specify solid wood construction for better durability. Assembly for bed frames is usually straightforward. Verdict: Good, but prioritize designs that use more solid wood for better longevity.
Dining & Coffee Tables
Table quality is highly dependent on the specific product. Many feature solid wood legs and supports, but tabletops are frequently wood veneer, which is prone to scratching and chipping with daily wear. Glass and marble tops are also available and are generally durable. Verdict: Worth it, but read the “Details” section on the product page carefully to understand what materials you’re getting.
Rugs
Article's rugs offer aesthetic value with modern patterns, but are not in the same quality tier as their furniture. Typically machine-made from materials like wool or viscose, they are suitable for moderate traffic areas but may not have the longevity of rugs from specialized retailers. Verdict: A decent option for adding style on a budget, but not a long-term investment piece.
Accent Chairs
From leather armchairs to upholstered accent chairs, this category consistently offers strong value. They often feature the same solid construction as the sofas but at a more accessible price point, making them a great way to add a high-quality design piece to a room. Verdict: Highly recommended for quality and style.
Our Verdict: Is Article Worth It?
Article is absolutely worth it for buyers who prioritize modern design and solid quality at a price that traditional retailers can’t match. For the quality of the core materials - hardwood frames, durable fabrics, and solid wood accents - the value is among the best in the direct-to-consumer furniture space.
Quality Grade: B
Article earns a B for quality. The use of kiln-dried hardwood frames in most upholstered pieces is a major strength and ensures good structural integrity. While cushion longevity could be better and the reliance on engineered wood in some casegoods prevents a higher grade, the overall craftsmanship and material choice are excellent for the price point.
Value Grade: A-
The value proposition is Article's biggest strength, deserving an A-. By eliminating the retail middleman, the brand offers beautiful, original designs and dependable quality for hundreds of dollars less than comparable items at West Elm or Crate & Barrel. Even with shipping fees, the total cost for what you receive is hard to beat.
More Quality Brands Like Article
If you love Article's dedication to style and value but want to explore other options with similar or enhanced features, here are a few brands worth checking out.
Joybird
Joybird offers mid-century modern furniture with a focus on customization. Prices are slightly higher than Article, but you get more choices in fabrics and leg finishes, along with frame warranties that are often longer. Their sofas use solid hardwood frames and high-density foam for great longevity.
Shop now at joybird.com
West Elm
For those who prefer a retail experience, West Elm offers a similar modern aesthetic. While often more expensive for comparable quality, they provide the benefit of showrooms and a wider range of coordinating decor. They frequently feature solid wood pieces, and their upholstered items often use kiln-dried wood frames.
Shop now at westelm.com
Interior Define
Interior Define elevates customization to the next level, particularly with sofas. You can specify length, depth, configuration, and cushions. Quality is a step above Article, focusing on hardwood frames and options for exceptionally durable support, though prices range 20-40% higher.
Shop now at interiordefine.com
Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel offers timeless modern design with a strong reputation for durability. You'll pay more than at Article, but you’re investing in higher-end materials like solid American hardwood frames and premium top-grain leathers, resulting in furniture built to last over a decade.
Shop now at crateandbarrel.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Article sofas hold up over time?
Yes, Article sofas generally hold up well for their price, with most owners reporting 3-5 years of use before cushions begin to show noticeable sagging or firmness loss. The kiln-dried hardwood frames provide excellent long-term structural stability.
Is Article furniture solid wood?
It's a mix. Article's sofa and chair frames are typically made from solid, kiln-dried hardwood. For other furniture like tables and media units, they often use a combination of solid wood for legs and structure with wood veneer over engineered wood (MDF) for large surfaces to keep costs down.
Why is Article cheaper than Pottery Barn or West Elm?
Article is more affordable because of its direct-to-consumer (DTC) business model. By not operating expensive physical retail showrooms and selling exclusively online, they cut out significant overhead costs and pass those savings directly to the customer.
How is Article's returns and customer service?
Article's customer service typically receives positive reviews for being responsive. They have a 30-day return policy, but customers are responsible for the return shipping fee, which can be expensive for large items. It's important to be sure about your purchase to avoid these fees.
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