The short answer is: yes, Bassett Furniture generally offers good quality, but it's not a straightforward purchase. The brand delivers solid, durable furniture with extensive customization options, particularly in its American-made upholstered pieces with kiln-dried hardwood frames. However, quality can vary across collections, and its value is best realized during sales.
Bassett sits firmly in the mid-range market, offering a noticeable step up from entry-level brands like Ashley Furniture but falling short of the heirloom construction found at Ethan Allen or Room &, Board. Here's a detailed breakdown of what to expect.
How Is Bassett's Quality?
Bassett's quality is characterized by solid construction in its core product lines, but inconsistencies appear in their lower-priced collections. For the price, they use respectable materials and manufacturing techniques that should hold up well for years, not decades.
- Frame Construction: Most of Bassett's sofas, sectionals, and bed frames are built with kiln-dried hardwood frames (oak, maple, birch), which resist warping and cracking. This is a key quality indicator for mid-range furniture. However, some of their less expensive case goods and non-structural components may use engineered wood (MDF or particleboard).
- Upholstery &, Cushions: Upholstered pieces are a strong point. Customers can choose from performance fabrics with high abrasion ratings (over 30,000 double rubs) or genuine top-grain leathers. The standard cushion is a 2.0-2.5 lb density foam core, which provides good initial support but is a frequent subject of complaints for flattening or sagging after 3-5 years of heavy use.
- Assembly &, Finish: Higher-end collections featuring 8-way hand-tied springs are far more durable than the more common sinuous spring systems found in their standard models. Finishes on wood furniture are generally clean and consistent, although some customer reviews report minor flaws or inconsistencies from their manufacturing facilities.
- Common Complaints: The most significant and recurring complaints focus on cushion longevity, with many owners reporting noticeable sagging within a few years. Other reported issues include occasional wobbly legs, failing recliner mechanisms, and minor upholstery defects like uneven welting or stitching.
Is Bassett Good Value for the Price?
Bassett offers fair value, but not exceptional value. You are paying a slight premium for the brand name, the extensive customization options, and the in-store design consultant experience rather than for pure material superiority.
Price Positioning
Bassett is an upper-mid-tier brand. Sofas typically range from $1,200 to $2,800, dining tables from $800 to $2,000, and dressers from $300 to $1,200. This places them priced slightly higher than competitors like Raymour &, Flanigan but below premium brands like Pottery Barn or Ethan Allen. Be aware that delivery and "white glove" setup fees can add $150-$400 to your final bill, significantly impacting the overall value.
What You're Paying For
A significant part of Bassett's cost is tied to customization. The ability to choose from hundreds of fabrics, finishes, and hardware options allows you to create a semi-custom piece of furniture. You're also paying for their U.S.-based upholstery manufacturing and retail showroom experience, which includes complimentary design services - something you don't get with direct-to-consumer brands.
Where You Get Good Value
- Custom Upholstered Furniture: Their sofas and sectionals, where you can select a durable performance fabric and a kiln-dried hardwood frame, offer the best value.
- Solid Wood Dining &, Bedroom Sets: Collections made primarily from solid hardwood will provide years of reliable use and justify the price point.
- During Major Sales: Bassett frequently offers sales of 20-30% off, especially around holidays. Buying during these promotions brings the price-to-quality ratio into a much more favorable alignment.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Lower-Cost Collections: Furniture lines that heavily rely on wood veneers over MDF or particleboard are often overpriced for the materials used.
- Accessories &, Decor: Small items like lamps, mirrors, and decor often carry a significant brand markup without a corresponding increase in quality over cheaper alternatives.
- Pieces with Standard Cushions: Paying full price for a sofa with standard foam cushions that are known to sag early diminishes the long-term value of your investment.
Bassett Quality by Category
Quality can differ substantially depending on what you're buying. Here's a look at their major product categories:
Sofas &, Sectionals
This is Bassett's bread and butter. Frames are reliably made from kiln-dried hardwood, offering a sturdy foundation. The weakness is a reliance on standard sinuous springs and foam cushions that may need replacing or reinforcing within 5 years. For better durability, upgrading to firmer cushions or a collection with 8-way hand-tied springs is wise. Verdict: Good, but be selective about cushion and spring construction.
Bedroom Furniture
Bedroom collections range from solid wood construction to veneer over engineered wood. Solid wood pieces, like their BenchMade line, offer excellent quality and longevity. However, be cautious with lower-priced collections, as veneers can be prone to chipping or peeling over time. Always check the materials list to ensure you know what you are getting. Verdict: Quality varies - stick to ranges confirmed to be solid wood.
Dining Furniture
Bassett's dining tables and chairs are generally a strong category. Most are made from solid wood and are built to withstand daily use. The construction is typically robust, and the designs are classic and will not fall out of style quickly. Tables with veneer tops are more susceptible to scratches and water damage. Verdict: A solid investment, especially solid wood tables and chairs.
Case Goods (Dressers, Consoles, Nightstands)
The quality of case goods is highly inconsistent. Higher-end pieces feature solid wood construction with details like English dovetail joinery. In contrast, many of their more affordable units use MDF and particleboard skeletons with veneers, offering durability closer to that of a budget brand but at a higher price. Verdict: A mixed bag. Inspect construction materials carefully pre-purchase.
Our Verdict: Is Bassett Worth It?
Bassett Furniture is worth it for consumers who prioritize deep customization and classic American design over absolute longevity. If you want a specific fabric on a specific frame and are an informed shopper who waits for a sale, you can get a good-quality piece of furniture that will last 5-10 years. However, its inconsistent quality and durability issues with core components like cushions prevent it from being a top-tier recommendation.
Quality Grade: B
Bassett earns a solid B for quality. The use of kiln-dried hardwood frames in most upholstered items and the availability of premium leathers and performance fabrics are strong positives. They are building on a good foundation. However, frequent and credible complaints about sagging cushions, the use of lower-cost engineered woods in some lines, and inconsistencies in assembly keep them from reaching A-tier status.
Value Grade: C+
For value, Bassett gets a C+. While their products are durable enough for the price, you're paying a premium for customization and brand name that isn't always reflected in longevity. When you factor in potentially high delivery fees and the short lifespan of their standard cushions, the overall cost per year of use is just average. Competing brands often deliver similar or better durability for the same price point.
Better Alternatives to Bassett
If Bassett's inconsistent quality or merely average value gives you pause, several other brands may offer a more reliable experience for your money.
Raymour &, Flanigan
Offering a similar aesthetic and price point, Raymour &, Flanigan often provides more consistent quality control and durable cushion construction in their mid-range seating. They are a strong alternative for shoppers who want a similar in-store experience with potentially better out-of-the-box longevity.
Shop now at raymourflanigan.com
Ethan Allen
If your budget can stretch, Ethan Allen offers a significant step up in quality and craftsmanship. With a focus on heirloom-quality pieces, solid wood construction, and higher-grade materials, their furniture is built to last for decades, not years, offering better long-term value despite a higher initial cost.
Shop now at ethanallen.com
La-Z-Boy
While known for recliners, La-Z-Boy manufactures a full line of stationary sofas and sectionals that are built with a focus on durability and comfort. Many of their products feature higher-density foam cushions that resist sagging better than Bassett's standard offerings, making them a great option for durability-focused buyers.
Shop now at la-z-boy.com
Medley Home
For those who value domestic craftsmanship and sustainable materials, Medley is a fantastic choice. All their furniture is handmade in the USA with non-toxic materials and solid wood frames. The quality is a major step up from Bassett, justifying its higher price point for those investing in a "buy it for life" piece.
Shop now at medleyhome.com
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn competes at a slightly higher price point but offers noticeably better quality and consistency. Their furniture uses durable materials like kiln-dried hardwood and performance fabrics across the board, and many owners report their sofas lasting well over 10 years, making it a stronger value proposition.
Shop now at potterybarn.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Bassett furniture typically last?
With proper care, Bassett furniture can be expected to last between 5 and 10 years. The frame and construction are generally sturdy, but wear-prone components like cushions or recliner mechanisms are often the first parts to fail, sometimes within 3-5 years.
Is Bassett furniture solid wood?
It depends on the collection. Many of Bassett's higher-end and BenchMade lines use solid hardwoods. However, a significant portion of their more affordable bedroom and case goods collections use hardwood veneers over engineered wood like MDF or particleboard to keep costs down.
Where is Bassett furniture made?
Bassett has a mixed manufacturing model. A large portion of their custom upholstery is made in the USA at facilities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Many of their wooden furniture pieces (case goods) and components, however, are sourced from manufacturers in Southeast Asia.
Is Bassett better than Pottery Barn?
In terms of overall material quality and longevity, Pottery Barn is generally considered a better brand. Pottery Barn has more consistent quality control and uses higher-grade materials across their product lines. Bassett's primary advantage is its extensive fabric and finish customization, which is broader than what Pottery Barn offers.
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