Macy's operates as a department store, offering a broad, trend-conscious selection of furniture from multiple brands and exclusive lines, while Ashley Furniture functions as one of the largest furniture manufacturers, focusing on affordable, durable, and practical pieces designed in-house. A key difference lies in their approach: Macy's curates fashion-forward collections and relies heavily on seasonal sales, whereas Ashley Furniture emphasizes consistent value, durability, and a wide network of dedicated showrooms.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right home furniture retailer for your space.
Macy's: The Stylish Department Store Destination
Macy's is a household name in retail, and its home department offers an extensive range of furniture that aligns with current trends. As a multi-brand retailer, it provides a diverse selection that caters to various tastes, combining its private labels with well-known brands. Shoppers often head to Macy's for its big promotional events and the convenience of furnishing a dining room while also picking up new bedding and kitchenware in one trip.
- Product mix: A full spectrum of home goods, including sofas, bedroom sets, dining furniture, mattresses, rugs, and decor. Macy's features its own private labels like the "Martha Stewart Collection" alongside other brands.
- Style/vibe: Highly varied and trend-focused. You can find everything from sleek modern and contemporary designs to more classic and transitional pieces.
- Price point: Affordable to mid-range. A fabric sofa can start around $399 during a sale, while bedroom sets typically cost between $700 and $2,000.
- Quality: Quality can vary by collection and brand. To keep prices competitive, many pieces use engineered wood and veneers. Higher-priced collections will offer better construction and materials.
- Shopping Experience: Customers can shop online or visit a physical Macy's store, which typically has a dedicated home and furniture gallery for an in-person look.
- Sales: Macy's is famous for its frequent sales, especially around holidays like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, and Black Friday, when discounts can be substantial.
- Delivery & Assembly: White-glove delivery services are available, which include placing furniture in your room of choice, assembly, and removal of packaging materials.
- Return policy: Macy's generally offers a fair return policy, but exceptions should be checked on large furniture return windows.
Macy's is an excellent choice for shoppers who prioritize style trends and enjoy the convenience and deep discounts of a department store model.
Shop Macy's: macys.com
Ashley Furniture: The Affordable & Durable Choice
As one of America's largest furniture manufacturers, Ashley Furniture has built its brand on providing accessible, reliable, and comfortable home furnishings for a mass audience. They manage the process from design and manufacturing to sales, which allows them to offer consistent quality at a competitive price. Their target customer is often a first-time homeowner or a family seeking functional, long-lasting pieces that can withstand daily use without a huge financial investment.
- Product mix: Comprehensive home furnishings, from living room sectionals and reclining sofas to complete bedroom and dining room collections, home office furniture, and outdoor pieces.
- Style/vibe: Leans toward casual, comfortable, and versatile designs. Common styles include relaxed contemporary, cozy traditional, and rustic farmhouse. The focus is more on timeless comfort than on momentary trends.
- Price point: Very competitive mid-range pricing. Sofas also start around $399, with large bedroom sets often in the $800–$2,500 range. They are known for bundle deals and financing offers.
- Quality: Tends to be dependably durable and constructed from solid and/or engineered wood. The company prioritizes sturdy frames, high-density foam cushions, and resilient fabrics suitable for everyday life.
- Customization: While not fully custom, many sofa and sectional collections offer modular components to fit different room layouts and sizes.
- Shopping Experience: Ashley sells through its website and a massive network of independently owned "Ashley HomeStore" showrooms, where customers can test products in person.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers several delivery options, including "no-hassle" delivery and assembly services where they set up the furniture for you.
- Sales: Sales are very frequent, with promotions running on its website most of the time for different types of goods.
Ashley Furniture excels at delivering practical, sturdy, and budget-friendly furniture that is built for the realities of everyday family living.
Shop Ashley Furniture: ashleyfurniture.com
Macy's vs. Ashley Furniture Comparison
Price Comparison
Both Macy's and Ashley Furniture compete strongly in the affordable to mid-range market. Entry-level sofas at both stores can be found starting around $399-$500, especially during sales. Macy's is renowned for its colossal holiday and seasonal events where markdowns can reduce prices significantly, making it a great place for deal hunters who time their purchases right.
Ashley Furniture tends to have more consistent everyday low prices along with frequent promotions and attractive financing offers. Their strength lies in "package deals," where you can furnish an entire room for a single bundled price, providing exceptional value for those buying multiple pieces at once.
Style & Aesthetic
Macy's offers a more fashion-forward and eclectic range of styles. Because they carry furniture from various designers and brands, their catalog is a diverse mix of modern, contemporary, farmhouse, and traditional aesthetics. If you're looking for furniture that reflects current design trends, Macy's is more likely to have a piece that feels very "of the moment."
Ashley Furniture's aesthetic is built around comfort, reliability, and timeless appeal. Their collections favor casual contemporary and traditional styles that won't feel dated in a few years. Think plush reclining sofas, sturdy wooden dining sets, and neutral-toned sectionals perfect for a family living room. The focus is less on high fashion and more on functionality and broad appeal.
Quality & Construction
In terms of quality, Ashley Furniture generally offers more consistency across its product lines. As a vertically integrated manufacturer, they control the materials and construction process, emphasizing sturdy frames, durable fabrics, and details designed for longevity. This makes their products a solid choice for high-traffic areas and families with kids or pets.
The quality at Macy's can be more variable. While they offer some excellent, well-built collections, other more budget-friendly pieces may use engineered wood and basic upholstery to keep costs down. Customers should pay close attention to the specifications and reviews for the specific item they're considering.
Fit & Sizing
Both retailers offer furniture in standard sizes appropriate for a range of American homes. You'll find everything from apartment-sized sofas to large-scale sectionals. However, Ashley Furniture has a slight advantage in flexibility. They offer a wide variety of modular sectionals and reclining pieces, allowing customers to build a configuration that perfectly fits their unique space and needs.
Shopping Experience
The shopping experiences are quite different. Shopping at Macy's means visiting a furniture gallery inside a larger department store. This allows you to see other home goods, test mattresses, and speak with sales associates who cover a wide range of products. It’s a convenient one-stop-shop model.
Visiting an Ashley HomeStore is a more focused experience. The showrooms are dedicated entirely to their brand's furniture, arranged in lifestyle vignettes that help you visualize the pieces in a home setting. Their online stores are both user-friendly, with detailed product information and customer reviews available.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands have publicly stated commitments to improving their environmental impact. Ashley Furniture often highlights its sustainable practices, such as sourcing from FSC-certified forests, reducing factory waste, and planting trees. Macy's Cares program also focuses on corporate responsibility, including efforts in responsible sourcing and reducing its operational footprint. For eco-conscious shoppers, Ashley tends to be more transparent about specific manufacturing initiatives.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on your style preferences, budget, and priorities. Both brands offer quality furniture, but they cater to different shoppers.
Choose Macy's if:
- You're a trend-savvy shopper who wants furniture that reflects current styles.
- You love hunting for bargains during big seasonal and holiday sales events.
- You enjoy the convenience of shopping for furniture, mattresses, clothing, and kitchenware all in one place.
- You appreciate the variety that comes from a retailer carrying multiple brands and exclusive collaborations.
Choose Ashley Furniture if:
- You prioritize durability, comfort, and function over fleeting trends.
- You are furnishing a family home and need sturdy pieces that can withstand daily use.
- You're looking for the best value and appreciate bundle deals for furnishing an entire room.
- You prefer a more classic, timeless aesthetic that is versatile and practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Macy's and Ashley Furniture a similar price?
Yes, both brands operate in a similar affordable-to-mid-range price tier. However, the best value proposition differs. Macy's offers dramatic savings during major sales, while Ashley provides consistent value and attractive bundle deals.
Which is better quality, Macy's or Ashley Furniture?
Ashley Furniture generally provides more consistent quality and durability across its offerings due to its in-house manufacturing process. Quality at Macy's can vary more widely between different brands and collections.
What style of furniture does Macy's sell?
Macy's sells a broad mix of styles to appeal to a wide audience. You'll find modern, contemporary, transitional, and even traditional designs from a variety of designers and its own private labels, often reflecting the latest home decor trends.
Is Ashley Furniture good for families?
Yes, Ashley Furniture is an excellent choice for families. Their focus on durable construction, stain-resistant fabrics on many items, and comfortable, functional designs make their furniture well-suited for households with children and pets.
Can you shop for Macy's furniture in-store?
Yes, many Macy's department stores have large furniture galleries where you can view and test sofas, beds, and dining sets before you buy.
Does Ashley Furniture have sales?
Yes, Ashley Furniture runs sales and promotional events very frequently. In addition to markdowns, they often feature special financing offers and package deals that provide significant savings when buying multiple pieces.
Which brand is better for smaller apartments?
Both retailers offer collections suitable for smaller spaces. However, Ashley Furniture's extensive selection of versatile sectionals and modular seating may give it a slight edge for those looking to maximize seating in a compact or unusually shaped room.
Can you return furniture to both stores?
Both stores have furniture return policies, but the specific terms can differ and often have shorter windows than non-furniture items. It is critical to review the current return policy for large items at either retailer before making a purchase, as many promotions and made-to-order items may not be eligible.
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