The short answer is: City Furniture is worth it if you’re looking for stylish, affordable furniture for short-to-medium term use, but it may not be the best investment for long-term durability. Quality is decent for the price but can be inconsistent, with many items built from engineered woods and standard synthetic fabrics prone to showing wear within a few years.
The brand occupies a competitive mid-range space, offering trend-forward designs at prices lower than West Elm or Joybird, but with construction quality that can be hit-or-miss. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you need to know before buying.
How Is City Furniture's Quality?
City Furniture’s quality is adequate for its price point but varies significantly across product lines. You'll find a mix of budget-friendly materials and average construction methods. Here’s a closer look:
- Frame Construction: Higher-end pieces may feature kiln-dried hardwood frames, a solid choice for durability. However, many of their more affordable sofas and bed frames use engineered woods like particleboard or MDF, which are less sturdy and more prone to loosening or breaking over time.
- Materials & Upholstery: Most upholstered furniture uses polyester blends or faux leathers. While easy to clean, these fabrics are less resilient than natural fibers and can show pilling, fading, or cracking after 2-3 years of heavy use. Cushion foam is typically around 1.8-2.0 lb/ft³, a standard density that often sags within 3-5 years.
- Longevity & Durability: Don’t expect heirloom quality. Most pieces are designed to last for a few years of regular use before showing signs of wear like wobbly joints, creaking frames, or flattened cushions. This makes it a good option for renters or first-time homeowners but less ideal for "forever" furniture.
- Common Complaints: Customer reviews frequently mention inconsistent quality control. Common issues include sagging sofa cushions, wobbly bed frames and dining chairs, loosening joints, and veneers on tables that chip or peel with moisture exposure.
Is City Furniture Good Value for the Price?
City Furniture's value proposition is centered on style and affordability rather than long-term durability. You get on-trend looks without the high-end price tag, but there are clear trade-offs.
Price Positioning
City Furniture is a mid-range retailer, competing directly with brands like Ashley Furniture and Raymour & Flanigan. Sofas typically cost between $500 and $1,200, and bedroom sets range from $1,000 to $2,500. While more expensive than IKEA, the quality isn't always a significant step up, meaning you’re often paying for a different aesthetic rather than a major improvement in a piece's lifespan.
What You're Paying For
Primarily, you're paying for contemporary design that mimics more expensive brands. City Furniture excels at producing trendy and visually appealing pieces. You're also paying for the convenience of large showrooms and fast delivery on in-stock items. However, a significant portion of the cost covers retail markup, not necessarily premium materials or construction.
Where You Get Good Value
- Low-Traffic Rooms: Furniture for guest rooms or formal living areas that don’t see daily use can be a great value, as the stylish designs will hold up well with less wear.
- Holiday Sales: City Furniture often runs promotions and holiday sales. Buying during these events can improve the price-to-quality ratio significantly.
- Higher-End Collections: Pieces that specifically list "kiln-dried hardwood" frames offer better durability and are a smarter buy than their cheaper particleboard alternatives.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- High-Use Items: The family couch or primary bed frame may need replacing in under five years, making the long-term cost higher than investing in a more durable brand upfront.
- Cheapest "Entry-Level" Lines: The lowest-priced items almost always use particleboard frames and lower-grade fabrics, which rarely stand up to daily life for more than a year or two.
- Delivery Fees: Standard delivery can cost $99-$199, and white-glove setup is extra. Factoring this into the total price can diminish the perceived value of a promotional deal.
City Furniture Quality by Category
Quality can differ greatly from one product type to another. Here's how their main categories generally stack up.
Sofas & Sectionals
Ranging from $500-$1,200, City Furniture sofas offer good visual appeal. Construction is mixed, some frames use kiln-dried wood while many cheaper models use engineered wood that can lead to creaking and instability. Expect standard-density foam cushions to flatten and polyester fabrics to pill with daily use. Verdict: A decent starter sofa that will look good for a few years, but not a long-term fixture.
Bedroom Furniture
Bedroom sets can be a weak point, with customer reports of wobbly headboards and fragile slats on beds made from engineered wood. Dressers often rely on basic hardware and veneers that may scratch or peel. If possible, opt for collections made from solid wood. Verdict: Be careful here - inspect materials closely, as lower-end bedroom furniture is prone to early wear.
Dining Furniture
Dining tables generally start around $300. Many use veneer or laminate over MDF, making them susceptible to damage from heat and moisture. Chairs, especially lower-cost models, can develop wobbly legs. Verdict: Suitable for light use, but households with children or frequent dinner parties may want a more durable, solid-wood option.
Our Verdict: Is City Furniture Worth It?
City Furniture is worth it for shoppers on a budget who prioritize current styles over long-term durability. It’s an ideal choice for furnishing a first apartment, a temporary space, or a low-traffic room. However, if you are looking for investment pieces that will last for a decade, you will likely be disappointed.
Quality Grade: B-
City Furniture earns a B- for quality because its products meet basic standards and serve their purpose for a number of years, but the brand’s inconsistent use of materials holds it back. While they offer some pieces with durable hardwood frames, the prevalence of particleboard, standard-density foam, and basic polyester fabrics limits the overall lifespan of their inventory. The furniture looks good off the showroom floor but isn't built for rugged, long-term use.
Value Grade: C+
The brand gets a C+ for value. The prices are accessible, but the quality doesn't always justify the cost when compared to alternatives. You're getting an average price-to-quality ratio, decent, but not a bargain. The short lifespan of high-use items can lead to higher replacement costs over time, diminishing the initial savings. For true value, shopping during major sales is essential.
Better Alternatives to City Furniture
If City Furniture's inconsistent quality and limited durability are deal-breakers, here are a few alternatives that offer a better return on your investment.
Article
Article delivers mid-century modern and contemporary styles through a direct-to-consumer model, often resulting in better materials for a similar price. Many of their sofas ($800–$1,800) feature solid wood frames and high-resilience foam, offering a clear step up in durability.
Shop now at article.com
Joybird
Specializing in customizable mid-century designs, Joybird uses high-quality materials like solid wood frames and premium textiles. Though more expensive ($1,500-$3,000+ for sofas), their furniture is built to last longer, offering better long-term value for a primary living space.
Shop now at joybird.com
Ashley Furniture
As a direct competitor, Ashley offers a massive selection at similar prices. While their entry-level quality is comparable to City Furniture's, their mid-tier lines (like "Signature Design by Ashley") often provide slightly better construction and materials for the same price point.
Shop now at ashleyfurniture.com
West Elm
For a higher budget, West Elm offers contemporary furniture with a focus on better materials, American-made options, and sustainable sourcing. Their solid wood furniture is significantly more durable, and you're paying for both style and more reliable construction.
Shop now at westelm.com
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
If you're looking for heirloom quality, MG+BW is the ultimate upgrade. They use solid hardwood frames, premium natural fabrics, and meticulous craftsmanship designed to last for decades. This is an investment-grade brand for those who want to buy once and enjoy for 10+ years.
Shop now at mgbwhome.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does City Furniture last?
Durability depends heavily on use. High-traffic items like a daily-use sofa or mattress are often reported to last 3-5 years before showing significant wear. Furniture placed in low-traffic areas can last much longer while still looking good.
Is City Furniture better quality than Ashley Furniture?
They are very similar in quality in their entry-level collections. However, Ashley Furniture is a larger company with more distinct product tiers, and their mid-range to higher-end series often use better construction techniques and materials than a typical City Furniture piece.
What kind of wood does City Furniture use?
City Furniture uses a mix of materials. Some of their better items use kiln-dried hardwoods for the frame, which is a sign of good quality. Many of their more affordable products rely on engineered woods like particleboard and MDF, which are less durable. Always check the "materials" section on the product page.
What is City Furniture's warranty policy?
City Furniture typically offers a 1-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects in frames and mechanisms. This does not cover normal wear and tear like fading fabric, pilling, or sagging cushions. Always review the specific warranty for the item you are purchasing.
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