Habitat is worth it if you're looking for stylish, modern furniture at a mid-range price and don't expect it to last a lifetime. The brand excels at offering contemporary, Scandinavian-inspired designs that are more curated than IKEA but without reaching the heirloom quality of higher-end brands like West Elm or Made.com.
Think of Habitat as a solid step-up from fast furniture. You get good design and decent materials for the price, but durability can be a concern for high-traffic items. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
How Is Habitat's Quality?
Habitat's quality is generally solid for its mid-tier market position, but it's crucial to know what you're buying. Construction is reliable for moderate daily use but isn't built for decade-long durability.
- Materials: Habitat primarily uses engineered woods like MDF and particleboard, often finished with a wood veneer or laminate. While some higher-end collections feature solid wood, it's not the standard. Upholstery is predominantly polyester and performance fabrics which are practical but can pill over time.
- Construction: Frames are typically assembled with staples, nails, and cam lock fittings, which are standard for furniture in this price range. Sofas and chairs use sinuous springs rather than more durable eight-way hand-tied springs, and cushions are filled with medium-density foam (1.8-2.0 lb/ft³) that can sag after a few years.
- Durability: Most pieces are built to last 3-5 years with regular use. High-traffic items like sofas may show wear sooner, such as compressed cushions or pilling fabric. Veneered surfaces are prone to chipping or scratching, especially in households with kids or pets.
- Common Complaints: Customer reviews often point to minor quality control issues like pieces arriving with small chips, misaligned drawers, or missing hardware. Delivery delays and wobbles in self-assembled furniture are also mentioned.
Is Habitat Good Value for the Price?
For shoppers prioritizing modern style on a budget, Habitat offers a strong value proposition, even if its products aren't lifetime investments. Here's how the value breaks down:
Price Positioning
Habitat is firmly in the affordable-to-mid-range category. A typical sofa costs between $600 - $1,200, a sideboard runs $300 - $800, and dining chairs are about $80 - $200 each. This puts Habitat in direct competition with brands like IKEA's premium lines and the entry-level collections of Made.com, offering a more curated aesthetic without a huge jump in price.
What You're Paying For
With Habitat, you're primarily paying for design and convenience. The brand excels at creating trendy, minimalist pieces that look more expensive than they are. The tradeoff is in the materials and construction - you're getting engineered wood instead of solid hardwood and foam cushions instead of high-resiliency foam and coil springs.
Where You Get Good Value
- Storage and Casegoods: Sideboards, TV stands, and bookshelves offer excellent style for the price. As they see less physical stress than a sofa or dining chair, their engineered wood construction holds up well.
- Dining Tables & Chairs: This category provides a strong balance of contemporary design and functional durability for moderate use.
- Accent Pieces: Items like coffee tables, side tables, and decorative lamps are typically good buys where the trendy design is the main selling point.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Heavy-Use Sofas: If you're looking for a "forever sofa" for a busy family room, Habitat's offerings might disappoint. Their standard foam cushions and polyester fabrics can show significant wear within 2-3 years.
- Investment Pieces: Don't expect Habitat furniture to become a family heirloom. The materials and construction methods are designed for affordability and style, not multi-generational longevity.
- Textiles and Accessories: While stylish, rugs and decor often feel lower quality compared to their furniture counterparts and can be overpriced for what you get.
Habitat Quality by Category
Quality and value can differ significantly depending on what you're buying. Here's a look at Habitat's key product lines:
Sofas & Sectionals
Habitat sofas generally feature engineered wood frames, sinuous spring support, and foam-filled cushions, priced from $600 with higher-end models reaching over $2,000 for larger pieces. While comfortable and stylish upfront, expect the foam to soften and polyester to potentially pill within 3-5 years of everyday use. For occasional use, they offer excellent style for the money, but for a primary family sofa, you might want to invest elsewhere.
Bedroom Furniture
Bed frames, dressers, and bedside tables are almost always made from engineered wood with veneer or laminate finishes. The designs are clean and modern, making them a great choice for a stylish look on a budget. Their durability is sufficient for bedroom use, though drawers may not feel as sturdy as those from brands using solid wood and dovetail joinery.
Dining Furniture
Dining tables and chairs from Habitat represent solid value. Tables often use a sturdy engineered wood or a metal base that holds up well. Chairs are designed for style and comfort for entertaining, not necessarily for hours of daily use, but they provide a fashionable look without a high price tag.
Storage & Casegoods
This is one of Habitat's strongest categories. Sideboards, bookshelves, and media units deliver the brand's signature modern aesthetic in a functional package. Since these items typically face less wear and tear, the veneer and MDF construction is more than adequate and offers great visual impact for the cost.
Lighting & Decor
Habitat offers a wide range of trendy lighting, rugs, and accessories. The quality is a noticeable step down from their furniture - on par with what you'd find at a fast-fashion home store. These items are best for adding a temporary, fashionable touch to a room rather than being investment pieces.
Our Verdict: Is Habitat Worth It?
Habitat is a great choice for shoppers who want contemporary, design-forward furniture without a premium price tag. It successfully fills the gap between budget retailers like IKEA and more expensive, quality-focused brands, making it ideal for first-time homeowners, renters, or anyone looking to furnish a room with style for the next few years.
Quality Grade: B
Habitat earns a solid B for its dependable mid-tier quality. Materials like engineered wood and standard foam are used effectively to create stylish, functional furniture that aligns with its price. Although it lacks premium features like solid hardwood frames or eight-way hand-tied springs, the construction is reliable for normal residential use. Weaknesses include inconsistency in quality control and materials that aren't designed for long-term, heavy wear.
Value Grade: B
Habitat provides a strong B for value by delivering a curated, modern aesthetic at a competitive price. Their furniture is significantly more design-focused than many budget alternatives. While it might not last a decade, the cost-per-year of use is reasonable for someone who prioritizes current style. Sales and promotions further enhance this value, making it an accessible way to get a high-end look.
More Quality Brands Like Habitat
If you appreciate Habitat's modern design aesthetic and mid-range positioning, here are some other brands offering similar quality and style that you might also like:
Made.com
Made.com offers contemporary, design-forward furniture that often feels like a slight step-up in quality from Habitat, especially in solid wood options and upholstery. With a similar pricing structure, it's a great brand to cross-shop for trendy, European designs with a focus on good craftsmanship.
Shop now at made.com
West Elm
Leaning more into mid-century modern style, West Elm offers higher quality materials like kiln-dried hardwood frames and more resilient upholstery. While the price point is about 20-30% higher, it's a great choice if you love Habitat's vision but are ready to invest in pieces with greater longevity and sustainably-sourced materials.
Shop now at www.westelm.co.uk
IKEA (Premium Lines)
Don't overlook IKEA's higher-end collections like STOCKHOLM or BESTÅ. These lines often use solid wood, natural fibers, and more robust construction that can compete directly with Habitat in terms of quality and durability, often at a slightly lower price. It's a pragmatic choice for specific pieces where function and build quality are key.
Shop now at ikea.com
Loaf
If your main interest is exceptionally comfortable and durable sofas, Loaf is a worthy upgrade. They specialize in "laid-back" furniture with solid wood frames and high-quality cushions built for serious lounging. The aesthetic is cozier than Habitat's sharp modernism, but the quality is undeniable.
Shop now at loaf.com
Muuto
For those willing to invest in heirloom-quality Scandinavian design, Muuto is a premium choice. This brand offers meticulously crafted furniture with an emphasis on simple, beautiful forms and superior materials. While much more expensive, it represents the high-end aesthetic that Habitat emulates.
Shop now at muuto.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Habitat better quality than IKEA?
Generally, Habitat is seen as a step above IKEA's baseline products in terms of design curation and aesthetic finish. However, IKEA's premium collections (like STOCKHOLM) often use better materials (like solid wood) and can offer superior durability at a similar or lower price point.
How long do Habitat sofas last?
With regular daily use, you can expect a Habitat sofa to look and feel good for about 3-5 years. After this period, you may notice the foam cushions beginning to sag or the fabric showing signs of wear like pilling, especially on high-contact areas.
Is Habitat furniture solid wood?
The vast majority of Habitat furniture is not solid wood. Most casegoods (sideboards, bookshelves, dressers) are made from engineered wood such as MDF or particleboard with a wood-effect veneer or laminate finish. Some exclusive collections may feature solid wood components, but this is the exception, not the rule.
What are the most common complaints about Habitat?
The most frequent complaints lodged by customers typically involve delivery delays and logistics, minor quality control issues upon arrival (e.g., chipped veneers, misaligned parts), and furniture not holding up to long-term, heavy use as well as expected.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
