The short answer is: Living Spaces is worth it if you prioritize modern style and affordability over long-term durability. The brand offers trendy, functional pieces that look good initially, but their quality and materials often don't stand up to years of heavy use, much like fast fashion for your home.
Living Spaces provides decent value for short-term needs - think first apartments, guest rooms, or transitional periods - but if you're looking for furniture to last 5+ years, you will likely be disappointed. Here's a detailed breakdown of their quality, value, and what you're really getting for your money.
How Is Living Spaces' Quality?
Living Spaces' quality is best described as inconsistent, with a grade ranging from C+ to B-. Their furniture is primarily mass-produced overseas and designed for affordability, which means materials are often a weak point.
- Materials &, Construction: Most of their furniture is constructed from engineered wood, such as particleboard or MDF, covered in thin veneer or laminate finishes. While some higher-end sofas feature kiln-dried hardwood frames, this is the exception, not the rule. These engineered wood pieces are highly susceptible to chipping, peeling, and water damage.
- Upholstery &, Cushions: Sofas and chairs typically use synthetic fabrics like polyester and low-density foam cushions (around 1.8-2.0 lb/ft³). This density is on the lower end, which is why a top complaint is that cushions sag, flatten, and become uncomfortable after only 1-2 years of regular use.
- Durability &, Longevity: Under normal daily use, you should expect most Living Spaces furniture to show significant wear within 1 to 3 years. It's not designed to be heirloom furniture and lacks the robust construction needed to withstand heavy, long-term use, especially from families with kids or pets.
- Common Complaints: Customer reviews frequently cite a few key issues: cushions that sag quickly, veneer finishes that chip or peel on tables and dressers, wobbly or unstable joints on furniture requiring assembly, and pieces arriving damaged during delivery.
Is Living Spaces Good Value for the Price?
Living Spaces offers good initial value - you get a stylish piece of furniture for a low price. However, its long-term value is questionable because you may need to replace items much sooner than you would with a higher-quality brand.
Price Positioning
Living Spaces sits squarely in the budget-to-mid-range market, with prices comparable to IKEA and some Wayfair brands. Sofas typically range from $400 to $1,200, bed frames are $300 to $1,500, and dining sets cost between $300 and $1,200. Be mindful of added costs like delivery, which can run from $99 to $399 depending on your location and service level.
What You're Paying For
At Living Spaces, you are primarily paying for on-trend design and immediate availability. The brand excels at replicating popular mid-century modern, industrial, and minimalist styles at a fraction of the cost of high-end retailers. You're not paying for premium materials, fine craftsmanship, or furniture built to last a decade.
Where You Get Good Value
- Accent furniture: End tables, console tables, and decorative pieces that won't see heavy daily use can be a great way to add style on a budget.
- Guest room furniture: For rooms with infrequent use, the furniture's lower durability is less of a concern, making it a cost-effective option.
- Short-term needs: If you're a renter, student, or furnishing a temporary space, Living Spaces provides functional, good-looking furniture without a big investment.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Your primary sofa: If you use your sofa daily, the low-density cushions will likely sag and become uncomfortable within two years, making it an unwise long-term investment.
- High-traffic "case goods": Coffee tables, TV stands, and dining tables made from particleboard and veneer will quickly show scratches, chips, and water rings in a busy household.
- Heirloom pieces: If you want furniture to move with you through life, this is not the place to shop. The basic construction and materials simply aren't built for longevity.
Living Spaces Quality by Category
Quality can vary significantly depending on what you buy. Here's how their main product categories stack up.
Sofas &, Sectionals
Construction uses a mix of hardwood frames on better models and engineered wood on cheaper ones. The main issue is the 1.8-2.0 lb/ft³ foam cushions, which are known to sag quickly. Fabrics are mostly polyester-based and prone to pilling with heavy use. Priced from $400-$1,200, they are best for light use or temporary living situations.
Bedroom Furniture
Primarily made from engineered wood with veneer finishes, expect pieces that look great from afar but can feel flimsy up close. Drawer glides are often plastic or lightweight metal, and surfaces can easily scratch or peel. Prices range from $300 to $1,500 for beds. This furniture is suitable for a guest room but will show its age quickly in a primary bedroom.
Dining Furniture
This category tends to hold up better than upholstered pieces. While tables are still often made of veneer-over-MDF, the simple construction is less prone to failure. Chairs can be a weak point if not properly assembled. Dining sets range from $300 to $1,200 and offer decent value for those who don't host dinner parties every weekend.
Coffee Tables &, TV Stands
These pieces are consistently among the lowest quality items. Made almost exclusively of particleboard with thin laminate or veneer, they are very vulnerable to surface damage like chipping and swelling from moisture (e.g., a sweating glass). If you have kids, pets, or just use your coffee table a lot, these should be avoided.
Decor &, Accessories
Items like lamps, rugs, and decorative objects are typically budget-friendly and on-trend. In this category, quality is what you pay for. They're a good, low-risk way to incorporate a trendy style without committing to a large, expensive piece of furniture.
Our Verdict: Is Living Spaces Worth It?
Living Spaces is worth it for shoppers who are prioritizing immediate affordability and current trends over durability and craftsmanship. It's an ideal solution for temporary living situations or for furnishing secondary spaces like a guest room or home office but falls short as a long-term investment for a high-traffic home.
Quality Grade: C+
Living Spaces earns a C+ because its furniture is functional and stylish at an accessible price point, but the reliance on low-cost materials like particleboard and low-density foam leads to significant durability issues. While some pieces might surprise you, the overall lack of material quality and inconsistent manufacturing control means you can't rely on it to last.
Value Grade: B-
For initial value, Living Spaces gets a B-. You get a lot of style for your money upfront, and for someone needing to furnish a whole apartment on a tight budget, it is a very compelling option. However, its grade is lowered by poor long-term value, as the need to replace sagging sofas or chipped tables within a few years eats into the initial savings.
Better Alternatives to Living Spaces
If the durability concerns at Living Spaces are a deal-breaker, here are a few alternatives that offer better long-term quality or a more honest value proposition.
IKEA
IKEA offers a similar (or lower) price point, but its simple transparency about materials is a plus. Their solid wood lines, like the HEMNES series, offer superior material quality and durability compared to the widespread particleboard found at Living Spaces, often for a comparable price.
Shop now at ikea.com
Article
For a step up in price and a big leap in quality, Article is a great choice. This direct-to-consumer brand offers a similar mid-century modern aesthetic but uses solid wood, higher-density foam cushions, and better construction techniques. Your furniture will last significantly longer, providing much better long-term value.
Shop now at article.com
Ashley Furniture
Ashley offers a vast range of styles and quality tiers, operating in a similar market as Living Spaces. However, their mid-tier lines often provide more robust construction and material options, giving shoppers a better chance to find a durable piece if they're willing to spend slightly more.
Shop now at ashleyfurniture.com
Rooms To Go
Similar to Living Spaces with numerous showrooms and a focus on complete room packages, Rooms To Go provides another option at a comparable price. Their quality is also mixed, but they offer a different aesthetic, which might be a better fit for those seeking more traditional or transitional designs.
Shop now at roomstogo.com
Joybird
If you love modern design but demand higher quality, Joybird is an excellent alternative. Their furniture costs more but is built with kiln-dried hardwood frames and high-resiliency foam. They focus on craftsmanship for longevity, making them a much better investment for your primary living spaces.
Shop now at joybird.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Living Spaces furniture actually last?
Expect most high-use Living Spaces pieces, like a sofa or dining table, to show visible signs of wear and tear within 1 to 3 years. Items in a low-traffic guest room might last longer, but this is not furniture designed for a decade of use.
Is Living Spaces better quality than IKEA?
Their quality is largely comparable, but it varies by product line. IKEA tends to be more transparent about using solid wood in certain lines (e.g., HEMNES), which can offer better material durability than a standard veneer piece from Living Spaces. Both brands rely heavily on particleboard for their lowest-priced items.
Are Living Spaces sofas comfortable?
Most Living Spaces sofas are comfortable for the first year. However, customers widely report that the low-density foam cushions flatten and sag noticeably after 1 to 2 years of regular use, causing a significant loss in both comfort and support.
What is Living Spaces' warranty policy?
Living Spaces typically offers a 1-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects only. It does not cover normal wear and tear, such as sagging cushions or surface scratches. Customer experiences with warranty claims are mixed, with some reporting frustration and difficulty getting resolutions.
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.
