Calligaris is worth it if you are looking for stylish, modern European furniture without a luxury price tag. The Italian brand excels at delivering a contemporary aesthetic and innovative, functional designs at a mid-to-high-end price point. While the quality is solid enough for daily residential use, it doesn't reach the heirloom standards of premium European brands, sometimes relying on engineered woods and veneers over solid hardwood.
Calligaris represents a strong balance between design-forward thinking and accessible quality. Their furniture will reliably elevate a modern space, but shoppers prioritizing long-term durability above all else might find better value in brands that use more robust materials for a similar cost. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you should know before buying.
How Is Calligaris's Quality?
Calligaris offers good, consistent quality with a focus on design and Italian craftsmanship. Their products are built for years of regular use but are not intended to be heirloom pieces. Here’s what defines their construction:
- Materials: Calligaris uses a mix of materials to balance cost and design. Most tables and case goods feature veneered MDF or plywood with protective finishes, paired with metal or tempered glass elements. Their famous chairs often combine durable steel frames with injection-molded polypropylene or upholstered seats. While effective, these materials are a step below the solid woods and top-grain leathers found in high-end luxury furniture.
- Construction &, Craftsmanship: Assembly relies on standard joinery and hardware, emphasizing efficient production while maintaining structural integrity. Higher-end lines may showcase more meticulous details, but the core product range is designed for durability and function over intricate craftsmanship. The execution is typically clean and precise.
- Manufacturing &, Sourcing: The brand proudly manufactures its products primarily in Italy and other Eastern European countries like Croatia, ensuring compliance with European safety and quality standards (EN and ISO certifications). This European production is a key differentiator from many competitors who manufacture exclusively in Asia.
- Common Complaints: Customer feedback sometimes points to minor inconsistencies. The most common issues are veneers chipping at the edges on high-traffic surfaces, occasional wobbliness in chairs that may require re-tightening, and assembly challenges with more complex pieces.
Is Calligaris Good Value for the Price?
Calligaris offers fair value, prioritizing aesthetics and innovative design for its price. You are paying for a distinctive European look and brand reputation more so than premium raw materials.
Price Positioning
Calligaris occupies a mid-to-high-end position in the furniture market. Dining tables typically range from $800 to $2,000, while their popular chairs cost between $150 and $400 each. This puts them in direct competition with brands like BoConcept and the higher end of West Elm, though Calligaris often presents a more cutting-edge, distinctly Italian design at a slightly more accessible price point.
What You're Paying For
You're paying for Italian design innovation, versatility, and the brand's reputation for modern style. Calligaris frequently collaborates with noted European designers to create unique and functional pieces you won't find at mass-market retailers. The cost reflects the design pedigree, European manufacturing standards, and the sophisticated use of mixed materials.
Where You Get Good Value
- Dining Chairs: The brand’s chairs are often their best value proposition. Pieces combining metal frames with molded plastic or durable upholstery are stylish, comfortable, and built to withstand daily use.
- Extendable Dining Tables: Calligaris offers clever and well-engineered extension mechanisms in their dining tables, providing excellent functionality for those who entertain.
- Statement Pieces: For accent chairs or coffee tables where design is the primary goal, Calligaris provides a high-end look without the exorbitant cost of a luxury showroom piece.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Veneered Case Goods: A storage unit or sideboard made of veneered MDF for over $1,500 might not feel like a great value, as the surfaces can be prone to chipping over time. At this price point, some other brands begin to offer solid wood alternatives.
- Basic Upholstery: While their performance fabrics hold up well, their entry-level upholstered goods don’t offer significantly better quality than competitors that may have lower prices.
Calligaris Quality by Category
Quality can vary slightly depending on the product line. Here’s a general overview of what to expect from their main categories.
Dining Tables
Often the centerpiece of their collection, dining tables feature tempered glass, ceramic, or veneered tops with sturdy metal or wood bases. Their extension mechanisms are a highlight. With price points from $800 to $2,000, they are a good investment for style and function, though care must be taken to avoid scratching or chipping the surfaces.
Chairs &, Stools
This is arguably Calligaris’s strongest category. They offer a wide range of designs, from molded polypropylene shells on metal legs to fully upholstered options. Construction is generally solid, and they are built to last through years of dinners and conversations. They provide excellent style and durability for their price range ($150-$400 per chair).
Bedroom Furniture
Calligaris bedroom furniture, including bed frames and dressers, follows their sleek, modern aesthetic. Construction is typically veneered MDF or plywood. Durability is adequate for residential use, but at prices of $500-$1,500 for storage units, you're paying primarily for the European design rather than robust materials.
Storage &, Occasional Tables
This category, which includes coffee tables, sideboards, and media units, is reliant on engineered woods and veneers. While aesthetically pleasing, their surfaces are the most common point of complaint regarding chips and scratches. They serve their purpose well in low-traffic areas but may not be ideal for heavy family use.
Our Verdict: Is Calligaris Worth It?
Calligaris is a worthwhile investment for the style-conscious consumer who wants modern, functional Italian design and is willing to accept mid-range materials to get it. It’s an excellent choice for furnishing a contemporary apartment or home where aesthetics are a top priority.
Quality Grade: B+
Calligaris earns a B+ for its consistent manufacturing quality, innovative design, and adherence to European standards. The brand successfully delivers durable, functional furniture that looks fantastic. The grade is held back from an 'A' by its reliance on engineered woods and veneers instead of solid hardwoods, which limits its long-term, heirloom potential.
Value Grade: B
The brand receives a B for value. You get precisely what you pay for: cutting-edge European design and solid construction at a fair mid-market price. While you might find more durable materials from other brands at a similar price, you'd likely sacrifice the unique Italian aesthetic Calligaris is known for. Buying during a sale (often 10-20% off) pushes the value proposition up significantly.
Better Alternatives to Calligaris
If you love the modern aesthetic but have concerns about long-term durability or are looking for a different style of quality, these alternatives are worth considering.
BoConcept
BoConcept offers a similar contemporary European (Danish) style at a slightly higher price but often with more robust materials and customization options. Think of it as a small step up in both price and durability, with a focus on customizable modular systems.
Shop now at boconcept.com
West Elm
West Elm provides a wider range of mid-century modern and contemporary styles, often at a comparable price. The value can be better on certain items - particularly their solid wood furniture lines - which may offer superior longevity to Calligaris’s veneered pieces.
Shop now at westelm.com
Ligne Roset
If budget is not a major concern, Ligne Roset is a significant step up into luxury furniture. The French brand offers iconic contemporary designs with exceptional craftsmanship, premium materials, and heirloom quality built to last for decades.
Shop now at ligne-roset.com
Muuto
This Scandinavian brand focuses on minimalist design with an emphasis on high-grade woods, metals, and textiles. Muuto offers greater durability and a timeless, less trend-driven aesthetic at prices comparable to or slightly higher than Calligaris.
Shop now at us.muuto.com
Roche Bobois
Another high-end European competitor known for bold, avant-garde designs and extensive customization. Like Ligne Roset, Roche Bobois offers superior quality, materials, and craftsmanship for a significantly higher investment.
Shop now at roche-bobois.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Calligaris furniture made?
Most Calligaris products are manufactured in their home country of Italy and at other company-owned facilities in Eastern Europe, including Croatia and Serbia. This European production ensures adherence to strict quality and safety certifications.
Is Calligaris better than West Elm?
It depends on what you value. Calligaris often offers more unique, daring European designs and excels in categories like chairs. West Elm provides a broader stylistic range (especially mid-century modern) and has more options made from solid wood, which tend to be more durable long-term.
How long does Calligaris furniture last?
With proper care, Calligaris furniture should last comfortably for 7-10 years of regular residential use. Its total lifespan will depend heavily on use and care, especially for items with mechanically complex parts or veneered surfaces.
Does Calligaris use real wood?
Calligaris uses engineered wood, such as MDF or plywood with wood veneers, for most of its case goods like tables and sideboards. Some product lines incorporate solid wood accents or legs, but the brand’s focus is on leveraging modern materials to achieve its design vision at an accessible price point.
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