It depends - The Brick is worth it for shoppers who prioritize trendy design and immediate affordability over long-term durability. The brand offers mid-range furniture at accessible prices, making it a good choice for first-time homeowners, renters, or anyone needing a quick style update without a significant investment.
However, the quality is often inconsistent, with most pieces built for a 3-5 year lifespan rather than decades of use. If you value heirloom-quality construction and materials that last, you may want to look elsewhere. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
How Is The Brick's Quality?
The Brick's quality is firmly in the mid-range mass-market category, offering a step up from basic budget stores but falling short of higher-end brands. Here’s what to expect:
- Materials: The majority of their furniture is constructed from engineered wood, such as MDF and particleboard, finished with thin veneers or laminates. Upholstery is typically polyester or bonded leather, while hardware often consists of hollow or plated metals and plastic components.
- Construction: Mass-produced construction methods are standard, including cam lock joinery and staples. While some premium sofas feature better 8-way hand-tied springs, most rely on standard metal sinuous springs. Attention to detail can be lacking, with some customers reporting visible glue seams or wobbly legs upon arrival.
- Durability and Longevity: Most pieces are not built for the long haul. Sofas typically show noticeable wear like sagging cushions or pilling fabric within 3-5 years of regular use. Veneered dining tables and desks can chip or peel after just 2-3 years, especially with heavy use.
- Common Complaints: Customer reviews frequently cite premature wear and tear, including fading upholstery, loose joints, broken hardware, and wobbly legs. Damage during shipping is another common issue, accounting for 10-15% of negative feedback.
Is The Brick Good Value for the Price?
The Brick offers decent value for what it is - affordable, trend-driven furniture for short-term use. However, its poor long-term durability means the cost-per-year can eventually exceed that of a more expensive but better-built alternative.
Price Positioning
The Brick occupies a competitive mid-tier price point. Sofas typically range from $400 - $1,200, dining tables from $150 - $600, and bedroom sets from $800 - $2,200. This pricing is often slightly higher than IKEA but similar to other Canadian furniture chains like Leon's or Ashley Furniture. Keep in mind that prices don't include hidden costs like delivery fees (around $99 - $149) or optional assembly services.
What You're Paying For
With The Brick, you're primarily paying for style and convenience. They offer accessible, modern furniture that follows popular design trends. You get an updated look for your home at a price that doesn't break the bank, but you are sacrificing the quality materials and robust construction found in more expensive brands.
Where You Get Good Value
- Decor and Accessories: For items where longevity is less critical, like pillows, throws, and decorative vases ($20 - $80), The Brick offers good value for trendy pieces.
- Accent Furniture: Side tables or chairs for low-traffic areas can be a good buy, as they won't be subjected to the daily wear and tear that exposes quality shortcomings.
- Furniture for Temporary Use: If you need furniture for a temporary living situation, like a college apartment or a short-term rental, The Brick offers a fair price for acceptable short-term quality.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Daily-Use Sofas and Sectionals: Given their 3-5 year lifespan, a $1,200 sofa from The Brick works out to be far more expensive per year than a $2,500 sofa from a higher-quality brand that lasts 10+ years.
- Dining Tables for Families: Their veneer and laminate tabletops are prone to chipping and peeling under the stress of daily meals, children's activities, and spills.
- Primary Bedroom Sets: Frequent use of drawers and daily wear exposes the weaknesses in engineered wood and cheap hardware, leading to wobbly frames and misaligned components.
The Brick Quality by Category
Quality at The Brick can vary significantly depending on what you're buying. Here’s a breakdown of their major product categories.
Sofas & Sectionals
Ranging from $400 - $1,200, The Brick's sofas use standard polyurethane foam cushions (1.8-2.2 lb/ft³ density) that tend to sag over time. Frames are mostly engineered wood with sinuous spring support, and fabrics are typically polyester or bonded leather, which can show pilling or peeling. Expect 3-5 years of life with moderate use before noticeable deterioration. Verdict: Suitable for temporary living spaces, but not a lasting investment.
Bedroom Furniture
Most bedroom sets ($800 - $2,200) are made from MDF or particleboard with veneers that can be easily scratched or damaged. Common long-term issues include wobbly headboards, misaligned drawers, and broken hardware on dressers and nightstands. Verdict: Generally overpriced for the material quality, you can find more durable options for a similar price from other retailers.
Dining Furniture
Dining tables ($150 - $600) often feature veneer or laminate tops that look great at first but are prone to chipping, peeling, and water damage. The frames of both tables and chairs may loosen over time. Verdict: Not recommended for high-traffic kitchens or homes with active families.
Rugs
The Brick offers a reasonable selection of affordable rugs. Materials are typically synthetic (polypropylene, polyester), so they lack the feel and durability of wool but offer decent stain resistance. Verdict: A good option for adding style or comfort on a budget, especially if you plan to change up your decor frequently.
Decor & Accessories
This category ($20 - $80) is one of The Brick's stronger points. For lamps, vases, pillows, and throws, you're paying for style, not an heirloom. The quality is on par with other mass-market decor stores. Verdict: A safe and budget-friendly way to shop for trendy home accessories.
Our Verdict: Is The Brick Worth It?
The Brick is a practical choice for buyers who prioritize current styles and low upfront costs over long-term durability. It serves a specific market: those needing to furnish a space quickly and affordably. However, most of its furniture is not built to last, making it a poor choice for anyone seeking a "buy it for life" investment.
Quality Grade: C+
The Brick earns a C+ for quality. Its products are serviceable for casual, short-term use, but the reliance on engineered wood, basic construction methods, and lower-grade upholstery leads to a limited lifespan. While styled to look like more expensive pieces, the actual materials and craftsmanship don't hold up to daily wear and tear beyond a few years.
Value Grade: B-
The pricing is competitive and frequent sales make The Brick even more accessible, which is a big draw. This provides reasonable short-term value for budget-conscious buyers. However, when you factor in the 3-5 year replacement cycle for major pieces, the long-term cost is much higher, diminishing the overall value proposition.
Better Alternatives to The Brick
If The Brick's limited durability and inconsistent quality are dealbreakers, several other brands offer better construction and stronger value for your money.
IKEA
At a similar or lower price point, IKEA often features more durable materials in key product lines, including solid wood frames and more robust hardware. Their modular designs and reputation for longevity provide better value for budget-conscious buyers seeking practical, long-lasting furniture.
Shop now at ikea.com
Leon's
As a direct competitor, Leon's offers a similar price range but often includes more options with solid hardwood construction and better finishes. Many of their furniture lines are built to be heavier and more durable, providing a slightly better quality-to-price ratio for classic and contemporary styles.
Shop now at leons.ca
Structube
Structube also targets the affordable modern market but with a stronger focus on Scandinavian-inspired designs using more durable materials. You can find solid wood dining tables and metal-framed furniture at prices comparable to The Brick's particleboard offerings, delivering superior longevity and value.
Shop now at structube.com
Article
While slightly more expensive, Article's direct-to-consumer model provides significantly better quality for the price. With solid wood construction, high-density foam cushions, and better fabrics, their furniture is built to last 7-10 years, offering far greater long-term value than The Brick.
Shop now at article.com
EQ3
For those able to invest more, EQ3 offers high-quality, customizable Canadian-made furniture with a focus on modern, minimalist design. With its use of solid wood frames, premium fabrics, and advanced craftsmanship, EQ3 pieces are true investment items that are built to last a lifetime.
Shop now at eq3.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does furniture from The Brick last?
On average, high-use furniture from The Brick, such as sofas and dining tables, lasts between 3 to 5 years before showing significant signs of wear like sagging, pilling, or chipping. Low-traffic items may last longer, but the brand is not known for long-term durability.
Is The Brick better quality than IKEA?
Generally, IKEA offers better and more consistent quality at a comparable or lower price point. IKEA uses a greater amount of solid wood finishes and sturdier hardware in many of its popular furniture lines, resulting in better long-term durability compared to The Brick's reliance on particleboard and veneers.
What kind of wood does The Brick use?
The Brick primarily uses engineered woods like MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) and particleboard with veneer or laminate finishes. While some higher-end pieces may feature solid wood accents, it is not the standard material for their core product lines.
Does The Brick charge for delivery?
Yes, The Brick charges for delivery, and it is not included in the item price. Delivery fees typically cost between $99 and $149, depending on your location and the size of your order.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
