Spruce is worth it if you prioritize trendy, modern style on a tight budget and don't expect your furniture to last for a decade. The brand delivers on fashionable aesthetics at accessible prices, but its reliance on engineered woods and standard-quality upholstery means durability is a significant weak point.
Spruce is a solid choice for temporary living situations, first apartments, or staging, but for high-traffic, long-term furniture, you'll find better value and longevity elsewhere. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
How Is Spruce's Quality?
Spruce's quality is average and aligns with its low price point. While functional and aesthetically pleasing for short-term use, their furniture is not built to withstand years of heavy, daily wear. Here’s a breakdown:
- Materials: Most furniture is constructed from engineered wood - like MDF or particleboard - covered in a thin veneer. This construction keeps costs down but makes pieces susceptible to chipping, peeling, and swelling if exposed to moisture. It is not solid wood.
- Upholstery & Cushions: Sofas and chairs typically use standard foam cushions and polyester-blend fabrics. Customer reviews frequently note that cushions begin to sag or flatten within 1-3 years of moderate use, and the synthetic fabrics may stain or fade over time.
- Construction & Hardware: Sofa frames are typically basic plywood, and assembly hardware often consists of lightweight metal or plastic connectors. This can lead to pieces, especially larger ones like shelves or sideboards, feeling wobbly or loosening at the joints after a year or so.
- Common Complaints: The most common issues cited by customers are veneer finishes that peel or chip easily, cushions that lose their shape quickly, and inconsistent quality control, with some items arriving with minor defects.
Is Spruce Good Value for the Price?
Spruce offers fair value for shoppers who prioritize immediate affordability and current trends over long-term durability. You get a fashionable look for less, but understand the trade-off is in product lifespan.
Price Positioning
Spruce operates in the entry-to-mid-level market. Sofas generally range from $400-$900 and coffee tables from $150-$350. This pricing is more budget-friendly than competitors like Article or West Elm but reflects the compromise in material quality. Compared to IKEA, the pricing is similar, but the aesthetic is often more curated and less modular.
What You're Paying For
With Spruce, you are primarily paying for design. Their pieces capture modern, minimalist, and Scandinavian-inspired aesthetics effectively. You are not paying for premium materials, heirloom craftsmanship, or furniture designed to last a generation. You are paying for a stylish look, right now, on a budget.
Where You Get Good Value
- Accent Furniture: Side tables, entryway consoles, and other pieces in low-traffic areas can be a great deal.
- Decorative Items: Mirrors, small shelves, and accessories provide a trendy look for a low investment.
- Temporary Furnishings: Ideal for furnishing a dorm room, a first apartment, or for home staging where longevity is not a priority.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- High-Use Sofas: A primary family sofa from Spruce is likely to show sagging and wear within 2-3 years, making it poor long-term value.
- Dining Tables: The veneer finishes on dining tables can be easily scratched or damaged from daily use, heat, and spills.
- Heavy Storage Units: Bookcases or dressers made of particleboard can bow or lose stability over time under heavy loads.
Spruce Quality by Category
Quality and value can differ greatly depending on the product type and how you plan to use it.
Sofas & Sectionals
Priced between $400-$900, Spruce sofas feature plywood frames, standard foam cushions, and synthetic upholstery. They look great initially but are prone to sagging cushions and fabric pilling with regular use. Verdict: a reasonable short-term solution for a formal living room or temporary space, but not suited for a family's main seating.
Bedroom Furniture
Beds and dressers are typically made from particleboard with veneer finishes. While aesthetically pleasing, the drawers may not hold up to heavy contents, and the frames lack the sturdiness of solid wood construction. Verdict: acceptable for guest rooms but likely to show wear quickly in a primary bedroom.
Dining Furniture
Dining tables and chairs use a mix of engineered wood and metal. The veneer tabletops are sensitive to scratches and heat. Chairs are functional but may loosen at the joints over time. Verdict: best for occasional use rather than daily family meals.
Tables (Coffee & Side)
Coffee and side tables offer a big stylistic impact for a low price ($150-$350). However, their veneer tops are highly susceptible to chips, water rings, and peeling edges, requiring careful use with coasters and placemats. Verdict: good for achieving a certain look on a budget, but handle with care.
Storage & Shelving
Usually constructed with MDF or particleboard, these units are best for light storage. Heavy books or items can cause shelves to bow. Larger units may also lack the structural integrity of higher-priced alternatives. Verdict: functional for light decorative storage but not a durable, long-term solution for heavy items.
Our Verdict: Is Spruce Worth It?
Spruce is worth it for shoppers on a strict budget who value current design trends far more than durability. For renters, students, and those needing a temporary furniture fix, it fits the bill. However, if you're looking for furniture to last more than a few years, your money is better spent elsewhere.
Quality Grade: C
Spruce earns a C for its reliance on builder-grade materials like particleboard, standard-density foam, and basic hardware. While the assembly and initial appearance are acceptable, the furniture does not hold up well to real-world, daily use. Common complaints of chipping veneer and flattening cushions within 1-3 years prevent a higher grade.
Value Grade: B-
For the price, you get a highly fashionable product, which provides good initial value. Frequent sales make Spruce very accessible for furnishing a space affordably. However, the relatively short lifespan of high-use items diminishes its long-term value, as you may end up replacing pieces much sooner than you would with a more expensive brand.
Better Alternatives to Spruce
If Spruce's limited durability and mixed reviews concern you, here are some alternatives that offer better construction and stronger long-term value.
Article
Article offers a similar mid-century modern aesthetic but at a significantly higher quality level. They often use solid wood, kiln-dried hardwood frames for sofas, and high-density foam cushions that last much longer, justifying their higher but still reasonable prices.
Shop now at article.com
West Elm
As a step up in price and quality, West Elm provides more robust construction, more durable materials, and a focus on Fair Trade certified options. While not heirloom quality, it offers a noticeable improvement in longevity over Spruce for key pieces like sofas and beds.
Shop now at westelm.com
IKEA (Premium Lines)
While often seen as a direct competitor, IKEA's higher-end series like HEMNES (solid wood) or STOCKHOLM offer superior durability and better warranties for a similar price. If you prioritize longevity on a budget, these specific IKEA lines are a smarter investment.
Shop now at ikea.com
Joybird
Specializing in customizable upholstered furniture, Joybird is more expensive but built to last. They use solid hardwood frames and high-density foam, and offer extensive fabric options. Their lifetime frame warranty signals a commitment to quality that far exceeds Spruce.
Shop now at joybird.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Spruce furniture actually last?
For high-use items like a primary sofa or dining table, expect to see significant signs of wear (sagging, chipping) within 1 to 3 years. Low-use accent pieces may look good for closer to 5 years with careful handling.
Is Spruce furniture made of real wood?
No, the majority of Spruce furniture is not solid wood. It predominantly uses engineered woods such as MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and particleboard finished with a thin wood-look veneer.
Is Spruce quality better than IKEA?
Spruce's quality is comparable to IKEA's cheaper, entry-level product lines. However, many of IKEA's mid-tier and premium collections (like HEMNES or PAX) offer superior durability, often using solid wood and providing much longer warranties (up to 10 years).
What is Spruce's warranty and return policy?
Spruce typically offers a 1-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects but does not cover normal wear and tear like peeling veneer or sagging cushions from use. Customer service reviews are mixed regarding the ease of returns and damage claims.
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