The short answer is: Meridian Furniture offers decent value if your top priorities are trendy design and a low price point. However, it is not considered good quality for long-term use, with most pieces built for style rather than durability. Its furniture is best suited for temporary living situations, accent pieces, or buyers who accept they may need a replacement in 2-4 years.
Meridian occupies a budget-friendly spot in the market, delivering modern aesthetics using cost-effective materials like engineered wood and polyester fabrics. Think of it as a step up from basic assemble-it-yourself options in terms of style, but with similar expectations for longevity. Here’s a breakdown of what you get for your money.
How Is Meridian Furniture's Quality?
Meridian's quality is best described as entry-level to mid-tier, with significant inconsistency. While functional for its price, it is not built to withstand heavy daily use or last for many years. Here are the key characteristics of its construction:
- Materials Used: The majority of Meridian's furniture is constructed from engineered wood products like MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and particleboard, finished with wood veneer or laminate. Solid wood components are rare and usually limited to small accents. Upholstery is typically polyester or performance fabrics that can show wear like pilling within 1-2 years.
- Construction & Craftsmanship: Most products are sourced from manufacturers in Asia (primarily Vietnam and China) that specialize in mass-market furniture. Assembly is required for almost all items, and the included hardware is often plated or hollow, making it prone to stripping or breaking over time. Joinery is basic and not the high-quality techniques you'd see in more expensive brands.
- Durability and Longevity: Under normal use, you can expect Meridian furniture to remain functional for 2 to 4 years. Common issues reported by long-term owners include peeling veneer, wobbly legs, loose joints, and sagging sofa cushions. It is not ideal for homes with active kids or pets.
- Common Complaints: Customer reviews frequently mention items arriving with damage from shipping (scratches, dents), inconsistent quality control between batches, and challenging assembly instructions. Parts can be missing, and achieving a sturdy final build sometimes requires extra effort.
Is Meridian Furniture Good Value for the Price?
Meridian Furniture provides fair value for shoppers who prioritize immediate affordability and style over long-term durability. You get a fashionable look for less, but this comes with a distinct trade-off in material quality and lifespan.
Price Positioning
Meridian is firmly in the budget category, with most major pieces priced between $150 and $600. Sofas typically fall in the $300-$500 range, while queen bed frames are usually $200-$550. This pricing is highly competitive with IKEA and Wayfair's house brands, though additional shipping and assembly fees can increase the total cost significantly.
What You're Paying For
With Meridian, you are primarily paying for on-trend, contemporary design that mimics the look of much more expensive brands. You are not paying for premium materials, heirloom craftsmanship, or lasting durability. It's essentially "fast fashion" for furniture - stylish and affordable for the short term, but not a long-term investment.
Where You Get Good Value
- Temporary Situations: Perfect for college apartments, first rentals, or staging a home, where longevity is not the main concern.
- Low-Traffic Areas: Accent chairs, console tables, or guest room furniture from Meridian can be a great value as they won't endure daily wear and tear.
- Trendy Accent Pieces: If you want to try a new trend (like a bouclé chair or a fluted side table) without a major financial commitment, Meridian is an excellent choice.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- High-Use Furniture: Primary family sofas, daily-use dining tables, and master bedroom sets are poor investments, as they will likely show significant wear within 1-3 years.
- Long-Term Homes: If you're looking for furniture to last 5+ years and move with you, the cost of replacing worn-out Meridian pieces will negate any initial savings.
- Homes with Kids or Pets: The engineered wood and basic fabrics do not hold up well to the scratches, spills, and impacts common in busy households.
Meridian Furniture Quality by Category
Quality can vary slightly depending on the type of product you're buying. Here's a quick look at their most popular categories.
Beds & Bedroom Furniture
Beds and dressers are made almost exclusively from particleboard or MDF with veneers. Common complaints include sagging bed slats under heavy mattresses and wobbly frames over time. A bed frame may cost $200-$550. Verdict: A decent option for a guest room but lacks the sturdy construction needed for a durable master bedroom suite.
Sofas & Sectionals
Priced around $300-$500, sofas feature polyester-blend fabrics and low-to-mid density foam cushions (around 1.8 PCF). This means cushions can start to sag or feel flat within a year or two of regular use, and fabrics are prone to pilling. Verdict: They look great online, but don't expect lasting comfort or durability for a main living room couch.
Dining Furniture
Dining tables typically use MDF with a veneer top, which is susceptible to scratching and water damage. Dining chairs often suffer from loosening joints with repeated use. Verdict: Better for an occasional-use breakfast nook than for a busy family dining room where durability is essential.
Decor & Accent Tables
This is often Meridian's strongest category for value. Coffee tables and side tables see less physical stress, making materials like plated metal and thin tempered glass more acceptable. Verdict: A good way to add a stylish touch to a room, just be sure to handle with care and inspect for finish quality upon arrival.
Our Verdict: Is Meridian Furniture Worth It?
Meridian Furniture is worth it for a specific type of customer: someone who needs stylish furniture now, has a tight budget, and accepts its limited lifespan. It serves its purpose as an affordable, trend-focused option but will disappoint anyone seeking quality craftsmanship or furniture that will last for years to come.
Quality Grade: C
Meridian earns a C for its reliance on low-cost materials like particleboard and basic hardware, which result in a short functional lifespan. While the designs are visually appealing, frequent complaints about veneer peeling, wobbly legs, and fabric wear after just 1-3 years prevent a higher grade. The quality is inconsistent and reflects what you pay for.
Value Grade: C+
The value here is fair, but not great. The low upfront cost is attractive, making modern styles accessible to virtually any budget. However, the poor durability leads to a higher long-term cost of ownership when pieces need to be replaced. For short-term needs, it provides decent value, as a long-term investment, the value diminishes quickly.
Better Alternatives to Meridian Furniture
If Meridian's disposable nature concerns you, here are several alternatives that offer better durability and overall value at various price points.
IKEA
IKEA offers more consistent quality control and better-engineered hardware at similar (or lower) prices. Many product lines are rigorously tested for durability, and their long-standing reputation for modular, functional furniture makes them a more reliable choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking longevity.
Shop now at ikea.com
Article
As a direct-to-consumer brand, Article delivers mid-century modern and contemporary styles with superior materials like solid wood construction and high-density foam cushions. While more expensive than Meridian, the significant leap in quality means their pieces are built to last 5-10 years, offering far better long-term value.
Shop now at article.com
West Elm
Occupying a higher price point, West Elm provides a similar modern aesthetic but with better-quality materials, including kiln-dried hardwood frames and more resilient performance fabrics. Shopping their sales can bring prices closer to Meridian's while securing a much more durable piece of furniture.
Shop now at westelm.com
Wayfair's Premium Lines (e.g., Birch Lane, AllModern)
While Wayfair sells brands like Meridian, their own premium lines like Birch Lane or AllModern typically offer a step up in quality. Look for items with "solid wood" listed in the specifications for better construction and durability at competitive mid-range prices.
Shop now at wayfair.com
Joybird
If your budget allows, Joybird offers handcrafted, customizable furniture made from high-quality materials like solid wood frames. Their pieces are designed to be heirloom quality, providing exceptional long-term value for shoppers focused on craftsmanship over fast trends.
Shop now at joybird.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Meridian Furniture actually last?
Most Meridian Furniture pieces can be expected to last 2-4 years with normal, gentle use. High-traffic items like sofas and dining chairs may show cosmetic and structural wear, such as fabric pilling or loose legs, within 1-2 years.
Is Meridian Furniture real wood?
No, the vast majority of Meridian's furniture is constructed from engineered wood products like MDF and particleboard, which are then covered with a wood-look veneer or laminate. Solid wood is almost never used for primary construction.
Where is Meridian Furniture sold?
Meridian Furniture is sold primarily online through large retailers like Amazon, Wayfair, and Walmart. They operate as a wholesale brand, so you won't find dedicated Meridian showrooms.
Is Meridian Furniture hard to assemble?
Assembly difficulty is a common complaint. Customers often report that instructions can be unclear or confusing, and hardware doesn't always align perfectly. Plan for 1-2 hours of assembly time for larger items, and having your own tools on hand is recommended.
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