Restoration Hardware's Luxe collection features bold, fashion-forward pieces defined by high-gloss finishes, sleek metallic accents, and glamorous materials, while its Classic collection focuses on timeless, understated elegance with traditional silhouettes, natural woods, and fine leathers. Luxe is designed for contemporary spaces that make a dramatic statement, whereas Classic appeals to those seeking refined, enduring quality for traditional or transitional homes.
Let's compare these two distinct styles to help you discover which RH aesthetic is right for your space.
RH Luxe: The Modern & Glamorous Statement-Maker
The Luxe aesthetic from Restoration Hardware (often found within their RH Modern collections) embodies a contemporary, glamorous, and decidedly bold approach to luxury living. Pieces are designed to be focal points, featuring sleek lines, high-shine surfaces, and plush textures that speak to a fashion-conscious sensibility. This collection is ideal for someone looking to create a sophisticated, upscale, and dramatic ambiance.
- Style/vibe: Modern, glamorous, and bold. Expect clean lines, minimalist forms, and an emphasis on creating a dramatic visual impact. It suits contemporary lofts, penthouses, and chic, minimalist interiors.
- Materials & Finishes: High-gloss lacquer, polished steel and brass, chrome, thick acrylic, and rich velvets are common. The finishes are often reflective and sleek, prioritizing a modern and polished feel.
- Price point: Generally positioned at the upper end of RH’s already premium pricing. Sofas often start around $6,000 and can easily exceed $15,000, while statement lighting and dining tables are significant investment pieces.
- Product mix: Known for its dramatic sectional sofas, avant-garde lighting fixtures, monumental dining tables, and streamlined case goods.
- Customization: Offers extensive customization with unique high-shine finishes, luxe fabrics like Italian leather and cashmere, and made-to-order sizing to create jaw-dropping, personalized statement pieces.
The Luxe line provides striking, architecturally-inspired furniture for those who want their home to feel curated, modern, and undeniably high-end.
Shop RH Modern: rh.com/rhmodern
RH Classic: The Timeless & Refined Choice
The Classic collection from Restoration Hardware is founded on principles of timeless design, traditional craftsmanship, and enduring elegance. Drawing inspiration from European antiques and classic forms, these pieces feature warm wood tones, refined details, and sophisticated-yet-comfortable materials. This line is perfect for those who prioritize longevity and a warm, inviting atmosphere that transcends fleeting trends.
- Style/vibe: Timeless, traditional, and refined. Silhouettes often reference historical European furniture styles, with comfortable proportions and a focus on subtle, sophisticated details.
- Materials & Finishes: Employs natural solid woods like oak and cherry, top-grain leather, Belgian linen, and burnished metal hardware. Finishes are typically matte or have a soft sheen, celebrating the authenticity of the material.
- Price point: More accessible within the luxury RH ecosystem, though still a premium investment. Classic sofas like the Lancaster often start around $4,000, with solid wood dining tables in the $3,000–$7,000 range.
- Product mix: A comprehensive offering of living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture including iconic pieces like chesterfield sofas, solid wood media consoles, and elegant four-poster beds.
- Customization: Highly customizable with dozens of fabric and leather options, multiple wood finishes, and various hardware choices, allowing customers to create an heirloom-quality piece that fits their home perfectly.
The Classic collection provides a foundation of understated luxury, offering versatile and sophisticated pieces that feel both established and comfortable.
Shop RH Interiors: rh.com/rhinteriors
RH Luxe vs. RH Classic Comparison
Style & Aesthetic
The most significant difference lies in the overall feeling each collection evokes. RH Luxe is intentionally dramatic and contemporary. Its aesthetic is built on sharp geometry, minimalism, and the interplay of light on reflective surfaces, creating a gallery-like atmosphere best suited for modern architecture or eclectic interiors. Polished chrome, high-gloss white lacquer, and deep charcoal velvets define its palette.
In contrast, RH Classic is warm, comfortable, and elegant. It leans into historical reverence, with gentle curves, turned legs, and familiar forms that feel inviting and permanent. The vibe is that of a well-appointed European estate or a traditional American home, focusing on a neutral, calming color palette of linens, weathered woods, and rich leathers.
Materials & Finishes
Materials directly shape the aesthetic of each line. Luxe prioritizes manufactured perfection and shine: think polished stainless steel, seamless lacquer waterfall tables, and luxurious textures like mohair or Italian sheepskin. The materials are chosen for their visual impact and sleek, almost futuristic feel.
Classic champions natural authenticity. You'll find solid reclaimed oak with its grain and imperfections celebrated, hand-distressed leathers that develop a patina over time, and soft, natural Belgian linens. Finishes are designed to enhance the inherent beauty of the material rather than conceal it, creating a sense of history and soul.
Price Comparison
While all RH furniture is a luxury investment, the Luxe collection generally occupies a higher price tier. The innovative materials, complex construction of statement pieces, and often avant-garde designs contribute to this premium. A Luxe dining table or lighting fixture can command a price significantly higher than its Classic counterpart.
The Classic collection offers a slightly more moderate entry point into the brand. Because the designs often use more traditional materials and construction techniques, prices can be more approachable, though custom fabrics and premium leathers on a Classic piece can certainly rival the cost of a Luxe item.
Best for Your Home
Choosing between the two depends entirely on your home's architecture and your personal style. Luxe thrives in open, light-filled spaces with high ceilings and clean backdrops where its monumental forms can stand out as functional art. It is the perfect fit for a design-forward homeowner who sees their furniture as part of a curated, modern collection.
Classic pieces integrate seamlessly into a wider variety of settings, from historic colonial homes to modern farmhouses and transitional suburban interiors. Their timeless forms and neutral palettes make them incredibly versatile. This collection resonates with homeowners who value deep comfort, longevity, and a sense of inviting, understated sophistication.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both collections offer exceptional quality and style, but they serve very different design goals for your home.
Choose RH Luxe if:
- Your personal style is modern, minimalist, or glamorous.
- You love the visual impact of high-shine metals, reflective surfaces, and deep, plush velvets.
- You want to make a bold, contemporary statement with your furniture.
- Your home has clean lines and an open floor plan that can support large-scale, architectural pieces.
Choose RH Classic if:
- You prefer timeless elegance that will never go out of style.
- You value the authentic beauty of natural materials like solid wood, worn leather, and soft linen.
- You want to create a warm, comfortable, and inviting atmosphere.
- Your home's style is traditional, transitional, or farmhouse and you seek durable, heirloom-quality furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which RH collection is more expensive, Luxe or Classic?
Generally, the RH Luxe collection tends to be more expensive. Its use of avant-garde materials, specialized polished finishes, and often monumental scale contribute to a higher price point compared to the more traditional pieces in the Classic collection.
What are the main style differences between RH Luxe and RH Classic?
The primary difference is aesthetic: Luxe is modern, bold, and glamorous, with sharp lines and high-shine materials. Classic is timeless, refined, and understated, featuring traditional silhouettes and natural, warm materials like wood and leather.
Are RH furniture pieces considered good quality?
Yes, furniture from Restoration Hardware is widely considered to be high-quality. The brand uses premium materials like solid hardwood frames, top-grain leathers, and high-performance fabrics across both its Luxe and Classic lines, emphasizing craftsmanship and durability.
Can I mix pieces from the RH Luxe and Classic collections?
Absolutely. Mixing pieces is a fantastic way to create a unique, transitional space. For instance, pairing a classic, deep-tufted leather sofa with a sleek, high-gloss Luxe coffee table can create a compelling visual contrast that feels personal and curated.
Does Restoration Hardware have sales on its collections?
Rather than traditional seasonal sales, RH uses a membership model. Customers pay an annual fee for the RH Members Program, which grants them a set discount (typically 25%) on all full-priced items year-round.
Which style holds its value better, Classic or Luxe?
While both are well-made, pieces from the Classic collection may hold their value more consistently due to their timeless designs that aren't tied to specific trends. Luxe pieces, while stunning, can be more subject to shifts in design tastes over the long term.
What style is the famous RH Cloud Couch?
The Cloud Couch, known for its extreme comfort and deep, modular design, fits best within the contemporary, relaxed-luxury aesthetic. While its comfort is timeless, its super plush, low-slung silhouette aligns more with a modern, Luxe-leaning sensibility than a formal Classic one.
Where can I see RH furniture in person?
You can see both collections in person at RH’s expansive showrooms, known as Galleries. These immersive spaces are designed to showcase the furniture in beautifully styled settings, allowing you to experience the quality, scale, and feel of the pieces firsthand.
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.
