The short answer is yes, Restoration Hardware (RH) offers good quality furniture, but it comes at a premium price and isn't a simple value proposition. RH excels at creating statement pieces with high-end materials and a distinctive, grand aesthetic that justifies its luxury price tag for many. However, quality can be inconsistent across collections, and you are paying a significant amount for brand cachet and design over pure material substance.
Their strength lies in solid wood furniture and premium leather upholstery, but some of their veneered pieces may not hold up as well as competitors. Before you invest, it's crucial to understand where RH shines and where it falls short.
How Is Restoration Hardware's (RH) Quality?
RH's quality is generally high, with an emphasis on premium materials and traditional craftsmanship. However, not every piece is built to heirloom standards, and durability varies by product line. Here’s a breakdown:
- Materials: RH frequently uses solid hardwoods like oak and walnut for its casegoods and frames, and top-grain leather for its upholstery. Cushions are typically made from high-density foam (2.0 lb/ft³), often with down-feather fills, providing a balance of support and comfort that ages well.
- Construction: The brand emphasizes classic construction techniques. This includes kiln-dried hardwood frames to prevent warping, detailed joinery like dovetail drawers on dressers, and eight-way hand-tied springs in their higher-end sofas - a gold standard for durability and comfort. Many pieces feature meticulous hand-applied finishes.
- Durability and Longevity: Solid wood pieces and high-quality leather sofas from RH are known to last 10-20 years with proper care. Many long-term owners report that leather develops a desirable patina rather than deteriorating. However, this longevity doesn't apply to all products uniformly.
- Common Complaints: The most frequent issues stem from pieces that use veneers. Customer reviews often cite veneer delamination or finish chipping, particularly on high-use items like coffee tables, after just 3-5 years. Inconsistent finishes and damage during delivery (reported in around 10-15% of cases) are also common pain points.
Is Restoration Hardware Good Value for the Price?
RH's value depends heavily on what you’re looking for. If you prioritize a specific, cohesive, and luxurious design aesthetic, it may be good value for you. If a pure price-to-construction ratio is your main concern, its value diminishes.
Price Positioning
RH is a clear luxury brand, positioned well above mass-market retailers like Crate & Barrel or West Elm, but below true bespoke artisans. Expect sofas to range from $3,000 to $8,000 and solid wood dining tables from $4,000 to $12,000. It's also important to factor in significant delivery fees, which can run anywhere from $300 to over $1,500 depending on the size of your order and location.
What You're Paying For
With RH, you are paying for a distinct, curated aesthetic that blends classic European design with modern minimalism. The price includes the substantial investment in design, the use of premium materials like solid oak and top-grain leather, and the brand prestige. This isn't furniture you buy for function alone, it's an investment in a particular lifestyle look.
Where You Get Good Value
- Solid Wood Dining Tables: Often made from large cuts of solid oak or walnut, these pieces are heavy, durable, and serve as true centerpieces. The craftsmanship here often justifies the high price tag.
- Leather Sofas and Upholstery: RH's top-grain and full-grain leather pieces are built to last and look better with age, making them a worthwhile long-term investment.
- High-End Bed Frames: Their large, solid wood or upholstered bed frames are generally very sturdy and are designed to anchor a room aesthetically for decades.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Veneered Furniture: For dressers or side tables using wood veneers, the price doesn't always align with the quality. You can find equally durable (or better) veneer pieces at lower-priced competitors.
- Lighting & Decor: While aesthetically beautiful, much of RH's lighting and decor is incredibly overpriced for the materials used. You're almost exclusively paying for the unique design.
- Performance Fabric Upholstery: Although durable against stains, some customer reviews report pilling or wear on performance fabrics that does not live up to the luxury price, especially compared to their excellent leather options.
Restoration Hardware Quality by Category
Quality and value can differ significantly from one category to the next. Here’s what to expect from their most popular product lines.
Sofas & Sectionals
RH sofas (around $3,000-$8,000+) are among their strongest products, particularly the leather options. Most feature kiln-dried hardwood frames and supportive suspension systems like eight-way hand-tied springs. While pricey, a well-chosen RH sofa can last over a decade, making it a solid investment. Verdict: Worth it, especially in leather.
Bedroom Furniture
RH bedroom furniture quality is mixed. Solid wood bed frames are typically robust and well-constructed. However, many dressers and nightstands in the $2,000-$4,000 price range use veneers, which are prone to chipping. Carefully read the product specifications to ensure you are getting solid wood if that's what you expect for the price. Verdict: Choose solid wood pieces, scrutinize anything with veneers.
Dining Furniture
This is arguably RH's strongest category. Their large dining tables ($4,000-$12,000) are often crafted from massive slabs of solid oak, walnut, or reclaimed wood. They are heavy, incredibly durable, and make a powerful design statement. Their dining chairs are equally well-made, often with solid wood frames. Verdict: Excellent quality and one of the best places to spend your money at RH.
Lighting
RH's lighting fixtures are known for their dramatic, large-scale designs. While visually stunning, they carry a massive design premium. Materials like cast brass are high-quality, but you can find comparable build quality elsewhere for far less. Here, you're paying for the artistic design above all else. Verdict: Only worth it if you can't find a similar design you love elsewhere.
Decor & Accessories
Items like mirrors, bedding, and decorative objects follow the brand's signature aesthetic but offer poor value. The quality is often no better than what you'd find at Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel, yet the price is often double. It's best to achieve the RH look with decor from more affordable sources. Verdict: Generally not worth the high price.
Our Verdict: Is Restoration Hardware Worth It?
Restoration Hardware is worth it for shoppers who prioritize a grand, timeless design aesthetic and are willing to pay a premium for it. Stick to their core strengths - solid wood furniture and leather upholstery - to get pieces that will truly last. For other categories, the high price is paying for a logo and a look more than superior quality.
Quality Grade: B+
RH earns a B+ for quality due to its commitment to premium materials like solid hardwoods and top-grain leather in its best collections. The use of durable construction techniques in its upholstered furniture and solid wood pieces is commendable. The grade is held back from an A by inconsistency, the use of veneers on pricey items, and recurring customer complaints about finish quality and shipping damage.
Value Grade: B-
The brand's B- value grade reflects a complex proposition. When the design aligns with your taste, the premium price for a unique, statement piece can feel justified. However, when compared to the broader market, many items are overpriced for the construction quality offered, especially when adding on steep delivery charges. Waiting for a clearance event or buying from an RH Outlet can significantly improve the value equation.
Better Alternatives to Restoration Hardware
If RH's prices seem too high or its quality too inconsistent, these brands offer similar aesthetics with potentially better value or more reliable construction.
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
MG+BW offers high-end, American-made furniture with a focus on modern, sophisticated design. Their construction is top-notch, with kiln-dried hardwood frames and lifetime frame warranties, often at a price point that is slightly more competitive than RH for similar quality upholstered pieces.
Shop now at mggbwhome.com
Ethan Allen
Providing classic, timeless furniture, Ethan Allen focuses on customizable pieces made from solid hardwoods and fabricated in North America. They offer a strong reputation for durability and consistent quality control, making them a more reliable, if more traditional, alternative.
Shop now at ethanallen.com
Crate & Barrel (High-End Lines)
While Crate & Barrel operates at a lower price point overall, their high-end collections offer comparable quality and style for less. Look for pieces made in Italy or the USA with solid wood construction for a great balance of modern design and lasting durability without the "RH" markup.
Shop now at crateandbarrel.com
Bernhardt Furniture
A family-owned company known for heirloom-quality pieces, Bernhardt offers a perfect blend of classic and contemporary design. Their meticulous craftsmanship, use of solid woods and fine veneers, and strong durability give them an edge in quality over many of RH's offerings.
Shop now at bernhardt.com
Arhaus
Arhaus focuses on globally-inspired, artisan-crafted furniture with an emphasis on sustainable and reclaimed materials. Their aesthetic is similar to RH but with a more eclectic, rustic touch, and their quality on solid wood and upholstered items is excellent and highly competitive.
Shop now at arhaus.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Restoration Hardware so expensive?
RH's high prices are a result of several factors: the use of premium materials like solid hardwoods and top-grain leather, investment in exclusive large-scale designs, extensive marketing, and the cost of maintaining massive retail "gallery" showrooms. You are paying for the entire luxury brand experience, not just the raw materials.
Is RH furniture solid wood?
It depends on the piece. Their high-end dining tables and some bed frames are made from solid wood. However, many of their dressers, consoles, and nightstands use wood veneers over an engineered wood or less-expensive solid wood core. Always check the "Details" section on the product page for clarification on materials.
How long does RH furniture last?
With proper care, RH's solid wood and leather furniture can easily last 10-20 years. Upholstered pieces with fabric and items made with veneers have a shorter lifespan and may begin showing significant wear within 3–5 years of heavy use, which is disappointing given the price point.
Is the RH Membership worth it?
Yes, if you plan on making any significant purchases. The RH Membership replaces temporary sales with a flat 25% discount on all full-price items for an annual fee. For any purchase over about $500, the fee pays for itself, and it simplifies the buying process by eliminating the need to wait for a sale event.
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