The short answer is: Made.com is worth it if you prioritize modern, trend-forward style over long-term durability. The brand excels at delivering a chic, designer aesthetic at an accessible mid-range price point. However, their quality is inconsistent, with many items relying on engineered wood and lower-density foam that may not stand up to years of heavy daily use.
Think of Made.com as a great choice for furnishing a first apartment or adding a stylish accent piece, but less so for finding a “forever sofa” or a dining table that will endure decades of family life. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
How Is Made.com's Quality?
Made.com's quality lands firmly in the mid-range category, focusing more on design than on robust construction. Expect pieces to look great out of the box but show wear faster than higher-end competitors. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- Materials: Frames for sofas and tables are frequently made with engineered woods like MDF and plywood, with solid hardwood components reserved for some premium lines. Upholstery is typically polyester or blended fabric, and cushion foam (around 20-30 kg/m³) is less dense than higher-end options, leading to sagging over time.
- Construction & Craftsmanship: Attention to detail is mixed. While the designs are clean and modern, customer reviews often cite issues with uneven finishes, misaligned joints, and loose fittings upon arrival. The factory-direct model keeps costs down, but quality control can be inconsistent across their different manufacturing partners.
- Durability & Longevity: Made.com furniture is best suited for moderate use. With daily wear, sofas can develop sagging cushions or flattened spots within 2-3 years. Surfaces with wood veneer are prone to chipping at the edges or peeling if exposed to moisture or heat.
- Common Complaints: The most frequent issues reported by customers include product defects on arrival (scratches, dents), inconsistent quality between orders, a noticeable decline in cushion firmness after 1-2 years, and frustrating assembly experiences with missing parts.
Is Made.com Good Value for the Price?
Made.com offers decent value for its target audience: style-conscious shoppers who want a contemporary look without a premium price tag. However, it's a trade-off between aesthetic and durability.
Price Positioning
Made.com sits in the accessible mid-range market, comparable to IKEA or Article but with a stronger focus on unique, European designs. A typical sofa costs between $600 and $1,200, a coffee table is $200 - $400, and a bed frame runs from $500 - $1,000. Keep in mind that delivery fees and optional assembly can add another 10-20% to the final cost, slightly diminishing the perceived value.
What You're Paying For
You're primarily paying for design. Made.com excels at creating trendy, eye-catching furniture that often results from collaborations with emerging designers. Their direct-from-factory model cuts out the retail markup, so you’re getting a stylish look for less. You are not, however, paying for premium materials or heirloom-quality craftsmanship.
Where You Get Good Value
- Accent Pieces: Chairs, end tables, or lighting that won't experience heavy daily use offer great stylistic value for the price.
- First Homes & Apartments: A perfect choice for renters or first-time buyers who want a stylish space now but don't want to invest in furniture meant to last 10+ years.
- Low-Traffic Rooms: Furniture for a guest room or home office is likely to hold up well given its lighter use.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- High-Traffic Seating: A family sofa intended for daily movie nights and lounging will likely sag and show wear within 2-3 years.
- Dining Room Furniture: Dining tables and chairs made with veneer over MDF will struggle to withstand the daily reality of spills, heat, and scrapes without showing damage.
- “Forever” Furniture: If you're looking for an investment piece to keep for a decade or more, Made.com's materials and construction are unlikely to meet your expectations.
Made.com Quality by Category
Quality at Made.com varies significantly by product line. Here’s a general guide to their main categories:
Sofas & Sectionals
Made.com sofas look fantastic and offer on-trend silhouettes, but durability is a common concern. Most use engineered wood frames and cushions made from medium-density foam (20-30 kg/m³) that lose their supportive feel and shape within a few years of regular use. Pay close attention to fabric options, as polyester blends are prone to pilling. Verdict: A stylish, affordable choice for a few years, but not a long-term investment.
Bedroom Furniture
Bed frames typically feature a mix of engineered and solid wood components, making them relatively sturdy for their price range ($500 - $1,000). Dressers and nightstands, however, are often made with veneer over particleboard or MDF, which can be susceptible to chips and wear over time. Verdict: Bed frames offer solid value, but be gentle with casegoods.
Dining & Coffee Tables
Most tables feature manufactured wood cores (MDF) with a wood veneer or laminate surface. While aesthetically pleasing, these surfaces are not very durable against scratches, heat, or moisture. Real-world reviews frequently mention wobbly legs and veneer chipping at the edges within the first year. Verdict: Best for careful users in homes without kids or heavy entertaining.
Our Verdict: Is Made.com Worth It?
Made.com is a worthwhile choice if your primary goal is to achieve a trendy, modern aesthetic on a budget and you're willing to accept a shorter lifespan for your furniture. It's an excellent source for accent pieces and furnishing low-traffic spaces, but shoppers seeking durability for high-use items should look elsewhere.
Quality Grade: C+
Made.com earns a C+ for quality. The appealing designs and factory-direct pricing are undone by inconsistent craftsmanship and the prevalent use of materials like MDF, particleboard, and lower-density foam. While acceptable for a mid-range brand, the high volume of customer complaints about premature wear - such as sagging cushions and peeling veneers - prevents a higher grade.
Value Grade: B-
The brand gets a B- for value. You get a lot of style for your money, and for someone prioritizing appearance for a rental or a temporary home, this is a strong proposition. However, the value decreases when you factor in the shorter usable lifespan, a sofa that needs replacing in 3 years isn't as good value as one that costs 30% more but lasts twice as long.
Better Alternatives to Made.com
If Made.com's inconsistent quality and durability concerns don't align with your needs, here are some alternatives that offer better construction or stronger value:
Article
Article offers a similar mid-century modern and Scandinavian aesthetic but generally uses higher-quality materials, such as kiln-dried hardwood frames and high-density foam cushions. Their direct-to-consumer model provides strong value by cutting retail markups while delivering more consistently durable furniture.
Shop now at article.com
IKEA
While often seen as a budget option, IKEA provides exceptional value for durability, with many product lines using solid wood at prices lower than Made.com’s MDF equivalents. For functional, long-lasting basics, IKEA remains a superior choice for shoppers focused on longevity per dollar spent.
Shop now at ikea.com
West Elm
Positioned a step above Made.com in both price and quality, West Elm offers better craftsmanship with more solid wood construction and higher-end finishes. If your budget can stretch, you’ll get more durable pieces that better withstand the test of time, sharing a similar modern aesthetic.
Shop now at westelm.com
Joybird
Specializing in custom-built furniture, Joybird offers higher-quality construction with solid wood frames and premium upholstery options in a massive range of colors. They stand behind their products with longer warranties, making them a superior option for a long-term investment piece.
Shop now at joybird.com
La Redoute Intérieurs
As another European design player, La Redoute often provides better material quality at comparable prices, featuring more items made from solid oak, linen, and other natural materials. It's a great choice for achieving a chic European look with a step up in durability.
Shop now at laredoute.co.uk
Habitat
Previously a standalone UK brand, Habitat offers stylish, contemporary furniture with a focus on good finishes, solid woods in key pieces, and durable textiles. Their products generally outperform Made.com in terms of build quality and material integrity within a similar price bracket.
Shop now at habitat.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Made.com furniture last?
With daily use, durability varies. Upholstered items like sofas often show noticeable wear, such as sagging cushions or pilling fabric, within 2-3 years. Casegoods like tables and shelves can last longer but are susceptible to surface damage like chipping or scratching.
Is Made.com better quality than IKEA?
Not necessarily. Made.com is often more design-forward and trendy, but IKEA frequently uses better materials (like solid pine or birch) at a similar or lower price point. For sheer durability and value-for-money, many IKEA products outperform their Made.com counterparts.
What are the main complaints about Made.com?
The most common complaints center on inconsistent quality control. This includes items arriving damaged or with defects, cushions losing their shape too quickly, veneers peeling from edges, and frustrations with delivery and assembly.
Are there hidden costs when buying from Made.com?
Yes, standard delivery fees are not included in the item price and can be significant for larger items. Additional services like white-glove delivery, room-of-choice placement, and old furniture removal can add 10-20% or more to your total cost.
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