Joybird is a design-centric brand focused on customizable, mid-century modern furniture, appealing to shoppers looking for high-quality, statement pieces. In contrast, 7th Avenue is a direct-to-consumer brand offering trendy, contemporary furniture at much more accessible price points, prioritizing convenience and affordability.
Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right furniture brand for your home and budget.
Joybird: The Mid-Century Modern Customization Hub
Joybird has built its reputation on mid-century modern-inspired furniture that brings a retro yet sophisticated vibe into the home. The brand targets design-savvy consumers who are willing to invest in personalized, well-crafted pieces. With an extensive range of fabrics, colors, and wood finishes, Joybird allows you to create furniture that's truly unique to your space.
- Product mix: Specializes in customizable sofas, sectionals, accent chairs, and bedroom furniture. They also offer a full range of products for living, dining, and sleeping spaces.
- Style/vibe: Distinctly mid-century modern, with eclectic and retro influences. Known for sleek lines, tapered legs, and bold, vibrant color options.
- Price point: Mid-range. Sofas generally start around $1,200, while custom chairs are priced from $800 to $1,500.
- Quality: Emphasizes craftsmanship with kiln-dried hardwood frames, high-density foam cushions, and a large selection of durable, stain-resistant performance fabrics.
- Customization: This is Joybird's key strength. Most upholstered items can be customized with dozens of fabric options and multiple wood stain choices.
- Sustainability: Committed to eco-friendly manufacturing, using responsibly sourced woods and reducing their carbon footprint through efficient production.
- Shopping Experience: Offers a highly visual online experience with free fabric swatches, plus physical showrooms in select cities for in-person viewing.
Joybird is ideal for those who want designer-quality, customizable furniture and see their pieces as long-term investments in their home's style.
Shop Joybird: joybird.com
7th Avenue: The Affordable & Trendy Choice
7th Avenue is a direct-to-consumer brand that makes stylish, modern furniture accessible to a wider audience. The company appeals to budget-conscious shoppers - like first-time homeowners, renters, and those who like to update their decor frequently - by offering on-trend designs at a lower price point. Convenience is central to their model, with a focus on quick delivery and straightforward assembly.
- Product mix: A broad catalog including sofas, beds, dining tables, storage solutions, and bedroom furniture.
- Style/vibe: Modern, minimalist, and contemporary. Their collections feature clean lines and a mix of neutral and bold color choices that fit easily into a variety of decor schemes.
- Price point: Affordable and accessible. Sofas typically start around $600, and beds can be found in the $400–$700 range.
- Quality: Uses cost-effective materials like engineered wood and durable composite fabrics to balance affordability and decent quality. Pieces are sturdy enough for everyday use.
- Delivery: Quick shipping and easy assembly are major selling points, making it a convenient option for fast home updates.
- Return policy: Known for offering flexible and hassle-free return policies.
- Sustainability: Incorporates practices like eco-friendly packaging and responsibly sourced materials where possible, though it's not a primary brand focus.
7th Avenue provides excellent value for shoppers who want fashionable furniture now without a significant financial commitment.
Shop 7th Avenue: 7thavenue.com
Joybird vs. 7th Avenue Comparison
Price Comparison
The price difference is one of the most significant distinctions between the two brands. Joybird operates in the mid-range furniture market, with sofas starting at approximately $1,200 and custom pieces costing more. Their pricing reflects an investment in higher-grade materials, detailed craftsmanship, and extensive customization options.
Conversely, 7th Avenue is firmly positioned in the budget-friendly category. With sofas beginning around $600, it offers contemporary styles for about half the cost of a comparable piece from Joybird. For shoppers whose primary concern is affordability, 7th Avenue is the clear winner, delivering trend-forward looks without the high price tag.
Quality & Construction
Joybird places a heavy emphasis on durable construction and premium materials. Their furniture often features solid, kiln-dried hardwood frames, which prevent warping and ensure longevity. Cushioning is typically high-density foam, and the wide array of performance fabrics is designed to resist stains and wear over time, making it a more durable long-term choice.
7th Avenue achieves its low prices by using more economical materials, such as engineered wood for frames and standard fabrics. While the quality is solid for its price-point and suitable for everyday living, it may not hold up as well over many years as furniture from Joybird. It is a practical choice for those in temporary living situations or who don't need their furniture to last a decade or more.
Style & Aesthetic
When it comes to style, the brands cater to different tastes. Joybird's aesthetic is distinct and highly curated, focusing almost exclusively on mid-century modern and retro-inspired designs. Their pieces are meant to be focal points, with unique silhouettes, bold colors, and an overall sophisticated but playful vibe.
7th Avenue's style is more versatile and mainstream. Their designs are primarily contemporary and minimalist, featuring clean lines and neutral palettes that can easily blend into many different interiors. While on-trend and fresh, their pieces are generally more subdued and less "statement-making" than Joybird's collections.
Customization Options
Customization is Joybird's signature strength. Nearly every upholstered piece can be tailored with dozens of fabric choices and multiple wood stain options for the legs. This allows customers to create a piece of furniture that perfectly matches their personal style and existing decor.
7th Avenue offers a more limited selection. While they provide multiple color options for most pieces, they do not offer the extensive, made-to-order customization that Joybird does. Their model prioritizes keeping popular styles in stock for quick shipment rather than bespoke creation.
Shopping Experience
Joybird provides a detailed and personalized shopping journey. Their website includes high-resolution images, 360-degree views, and a free fabric swatch program. For those who prefer to see items in person, Joybird has a handful of physical showrooms in major cities. Customer service also includes design consultations.
7th Avenue offers a streamlined, convenient online experience designed for quick, easy purchases. Their website is straightforward, and the checkout process is simple. The brand's focus is on efficiency, from browsing to fast delivery and hassle-free returns.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands incorporate green practices, but Joybird places a stronger emphasis on sustainability in its marketing and operations. They are more transparent about their use of responsibly sourced woods (like those with FSC certification) and their eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
7th Avenue is making progress with initiatives like eco-friendly packaging, but sustainability is less central to their brand identity. For the eco-conscious consumer who prioritizes transparency and certified materials, Joybird has the edge.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your personal priorities, budget, and design aspirations. Both brands serve their target customers well, just with very different approaches.
Choose Joybird if:
- You love a distinct mid-century modern or retro aesthetic.
- You want to invest in a high-quality, long-lasting piece of furniture.
- Customization is important to you and you want to choose from a wide array of fabrics and finishes.
- You prioritize shopping with brands that have a strong, transparent commitment to sustainability.
Choose 7th Avenue if:
- You are furnishing a space on a tight budget.
- You need stylish furniture quickly and value fast shipping times.
- You are furnishing a first apartment, dorm room, or a more temporary home.
- You prefer contemporary, minimalist styles that can easily adapt to different decor trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joybird or 7th Avenue cheaper?
7th Avenue is significantly cheaper. Their sofas start around $600, whereas Joybird's start closer to $1,200. 7th Avenue is firmly in the budget-friendly category, while Joybird is considered a mid-range brand.
Which brand has better quality furniture?
Joybird generally has better quality furniture. They use higher-end materials like kiln-dried hardwood frames and high-density foam, which contribute to greater durability and longevity. 7th Avenue offers good quality for its price but uses more economical materials like engineered wood.
What is the style difference between Joybird and 7th Avenue?
Joybird specializes in a very specific mid-century modern aesthetic, with retro and eclectic details. 7th Avenue offers a broader, more mainstream contemporary and minimalist style that blends easily with different types of decor.
Does Joybird offer customization?
Yes, extensive customization is one of Joybird's biggest selling points. Shoppers can choose from a vast selection of fabrics, colors, and wood finishes to create a personalized piece of furniture.
How quickly does 7th Avenue deliver?
7th Avenue prioritizes a quick and convenient shopping experience, which includes fast shipping. While timelines can vary, they are known for delivering their in-stock products much faster than brands that offer custom, made-to-order furniture.
Is 7th Avenue furniture difficult to assemble?
No, 7th Avenue designs its furniture for easy assembly. This is part of their value proposition for customers who want a convenient, hassle-free experience from purchase to setup.
Which brand is better for a long-term investment?
With its superior materials and construction, Joybird is the better choice for a long-term furniture investment. Their pieces are built to withstand more wear and tear over a longer period.
Is Joybird a sustainable brand?
Joybird has a strong commitment to sustainability, utilizing eco-friendly manufacturing processes and responsibly sourced woods. They are one of the more transparent brands in the mid-range market regarding their environmental practices.
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