The short answer is: Rooms To Go is worth it if you prioritize trendy style, affordability, and quick delivery over long-term durability. Their furniture is designed for the middle market, offering a step up from budget retailers but falling short of heirloom quality typically found in higher-end brands. Rooms To Go delivers strong value for first-time homebuyers, renters, or anyone needing a stylish, immediate furniture solution without a major investment.
However, if you're looking for furniture that will last a decade or more, you'll likely be disappointed by the materials and construction. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to know before you buy.
How Is Rooms To Go's Quality?
Rooms To Go's quality is best described as average for its price point. It looks good and functions well for a few years, but it's not built for the long haul. Here's what to expect from their materials and construction:
- Materials Used: The majority of their furniture, including bed frames and dining tables, is made from engineered woods like particleboard and MDF with a veneer or laminate finish. These materials keep costs down but are susceptible to chipping, peeling, and swelling from moisture over time.
- Upholstery Quality: Sofas and chairs typically use synthetic fabrics like polyester blends and medium-density foam cushions (1.8-2.2 lbs/cu ft). This combination offers decent initial comfort but is prone to sagging cushions and pilling fabric within 2-3 years of regular use.
- Construction Methods: For mass-market furniture, the construction is standard. Expect staples, cam lock fasteners, and other basic assembly methods. This is adequate for light to moderate use, but common customer complaints mention wobbly legs and loose joints developing over time, particularly on high-use items like sofas.
- Common Complaints: Long-term reviews frequently cite durability issues. Approximately 30% of customers report visible wear and tear within three years, including peeling veneer on coffee tables, sagging sofa cushions, and structural issues with frames.
Is Rooms To Go Good Value for the Price?
Rooms To Go offers fair value, but you get exactly what you pay for: trendy furniture with a limited lifespan. It excels at affordability but struggles with long-term cost-effectiveness.
Price Positioning
Rooms To Go sits firmly in the lower-mid price range, competing with retailers like Ashley Furniture and Wayfair. A typical sofa costs between $500 and $1,200, while a complete bedroom set can run from $700 to $2,000. These prices are attractive for those on a tight budget who want a fully furnished look without the high upfront cost of brands like Crate & Barrel or West Elm.
What You're Paying For
With Rooms To Go, you're primarily paying for style and convenience. Their curated room packages make it easy to buy a cohesive look instantly, and their quick delivery model is a major selling point. You are not paying for premium materials, fine craftsmanship, or generational durability.
Where You Get Good Value
- Complete Room Packages: Bundled room sets often provide a discount compared to buying pieces individually, making it a great option for furnishing an entire space on a budget.
- Kids' Furniture: Since children's needs and tastes change quickly, buying affordable furniture that can be replaced in a few years often makes more financial sense.
- Accent Pieces: Items that won't see heavy daily use, such as accent chairs, console tables, or bookcases, offer good value as their style is the main feature.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- High-Traffic Upholstery: A sofa or sectional used daily by a family will likely show its age quickly, with cushions sagging and fabric wearing thin. It may need replacing in 3-5 years, making it a poor long-term investment.
- Particle Board Dining Tables: The centerpiece of a dining room takes a lot of abuse. A Rooms To Go table with a veneer finish will likely chip and scratch easily, diminishing its appearance and value.
- "Forever" Furniture: If you're looking for a timeless piece to keep for 10+ years, the materials used by Rooms To Go won't meet that standard, leading to higher replacement costs over time.
Rooms To Go Quality by Category
Quality can vary significantly between different types of furniture at Rooms To Go. Here’s how their main categories stack up:
Sofas & Sectionals
Priced from $500 to $1,200, their sofas look great but cut corners on construction. With synthetic upholstery, medium-density foam, and basic frame assembly, they are best suited for low to moderate traffic. Expect comfort and appearance to decline after 2-3 years of daily family use. Verdict: Good for starter homes or apartments, but not a long-term investment.
Bedroom Furniture
Bedroom sets are one of their most popular offerings, providing a complete look for $700 to $2,000. Most sets are made of particleboard or MDF with laminate or veneer surfaces that are prone to scratching and chipping. Drawer construction is often basic. Verdict: A decent, affordable option for guest rooms or master bedrooms when longevity isn't the primary concern.
Dining Furniture
Dining tables ($300-$900) and chairs often follow the same formula: stylish design with budget materials. Veneered tops can be easily damaged by spills or heat, and chair joints may loosen over time. Verdict: Suitable for formal dining rooms with infrequent use, but likely won't withstand the rigors of a chaotic family dining area for long.
Decor & Accessories
Lamps, mirrors, and area rugs are generally on par with other budget-friendly home decor stores like HomeGoods or At Home. Quality is secondary to style and price. Metal hardware is often plated or hollow, and glass can be thin. Verdict: Great for adding trendy, inexpensive finishing touches to a room.
Our Verdict: Is Rooms To Go Worth It?
Rooms To Go is worth it for shoppers who value immediate style and low prices over build quality and longevity. It’s an excellent choice for furnishing a first apartment, a temporary living space, or a low-traffic guest room. However, customers looking for durable, "forever" furniture should invest their money elsewhere.
Quality Grade: C+
Rooms To Go earns a C+ for quality. While their furniture is functional and adheres to current trends, the widespread use of engineered wood, basic construction techniques, and lower-density foams holds it back. The brand delivers on aesthetics for the price, but persistent customer complaints about a short lifespan (chipping, sagging, wobbling) prevent a higher grade.
Value Grade: B-
The brand gets a B- for value. The initial prices are highly competitive, and the convenience of their room packages offers genuine upfront savings. However, the long-term value is diminished by the need for replacements within a few years. It represents fair value for what's offered, but isn't a smart spend for those seeking furniture that will endure.
Better Alternatives to Rooms To Go
If the limited durability of Rooms To Go is a concern, consider these alternatives that offer better construction or stronger long-term value for a similar style.
Ashley Furniture
Ashley offers a similar price point but often provides better material options, including pieces with solid wood components rather than just particleboard. Their product range is vast, giving consumers a balance of affordability and a slight step up in durability, making them a strong direct competitor.
Shop now at ashleyfurniture.com
Article
Article targets a similar style-conscious shopper with its direct-to-consumer model, which cuts out retail markups. For a comparable or slightly higher price, you get much better materials, including solid wood construction, more durable fabrics, and high-density foam cushions that last significantly longer.
Shop now at article.com
West Elm
Though priced higher than Rooms To Go ($1,000-$3,000 for sofas), West Elm is a great "next step up" for quality. They focus on modern design with more durable materials like kiln-dried hardwood frames and higher-quality fabrics, making their furniture a better long-term investment.
Shop now at westelm.com
Joybird
Specializing in customizable, made-to-order furniture, Joybird offers superior craftsmanship with a focus on mid-century modern designs. Their pieces feature kiln-dried hardwood frames and a wide selection of durable fabrics, justifying their higher price point ($1,200+) with heirloom potential.
Shop now at joybird.com
Crate & Barrel
If your budget allows for a significant leap in quality, Crate & Barrel is a reliable choice for classic, durable furniture. Known for solid wood construction and robust upholstery that lasts a decade, it stands as an investment in timeless quality that Rooms To Go does not offer.
Shop now at crateandbarrel.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Rooms To Go furniture actually last?
With daily use, most Rooms To Go furniture shows visible signs of wear, like sagging cushions or chipped veneer, within 2 to 3 years. Well-maintained pieces in low-traffic areas might last up to 5 years before needing a replacement. It is not designed to be generational furniture.
Is Rooms To Go furniture made of real wood?
Very rarely. The vast majority of Rooms To Go's case goods (dressers, tables, TV stands) are made from engineered woods like particleboard or MDF, covered with a wood-look veneer or laminate. While some frames may use solid wood components, you should assume most pieces are not solid wood unless specified otherwise.
Is Rooms To Go delivery and assembly worth it?
For large items like sectionals or complex bedroom sets, the white-glove delivery fee ($99-$299) can be worth it to avoid scratches and assembly headaches. However, be aware this adds 10-20% to the total cost. For simpler items, self-assembly can save you a significant amount of money.
Is Rooms To Go better than Ashley Furniture?
The two brands are very comparable in price and style. Ashley Furniture tends to offer a slightly wider variety, including more options with solid wood construction or higher-grade materials in their pricier collections. Overall, Ashley often provides a small step up in quality for a similar price.
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