Arhaus vs West Elm - Outdoor Hubly

I’ve spent the last few weeks deep diving into both of these furniture retailers—the kind of research where you’re reading actual customer reviews at midnight and doing spreadsheet comparisons. The reason? Everyone asks me the same question: “Should I buy from Arhaus or West Elm?” And the answer isn’t simple because both have legitimate strengths and serious shortcomings. Let me walk you through what I found, because this matters when you’re spending thousands of dollars on furniture that should last years.

The Real Price Difference (And It’s Significant)

Here’s where these two brands diverge dramatically. I ran the numbers on comparable pieces, and it’s not even close.

Arhaus Pricing:

Sofas typically start at $1,500 and regularly hit $9,000+
Their flagship Kipton sectional runs $8,497 for a medium configuration
Sectionals easily exceed $18,000 for larger pieces
Coffee tables range from $549 to $6,000+
Even their Loft outlet locations are 30-50% off regular pricing

West Elm Pricing:

Standard 3-seater sofas range $1,500-$2,500
Sectionals start lower but can reach $12,000+ for premium configurations
Coffee tables typically $300-$1,500
More clearance and sale options throughout the year
Frequently offers 30-60% off during promotional periods

Here’s the practical breakdown: If you’re looking at a living room sectional, expect to pay roughly 40-50% more at Arhaus than West Elm for comparable sizing and fabric quality. I looked at their most popular models side by side—the Arhaus Haven sectional versus West Elm’s Haven sectional—and Arhaus prices were consistently higher.

Category	Arhaus	West Elm	Difference
Entry-level sofa	$1,500-$3,000	$649-$1,500	Arhaus 2-3x higher
Mid-range sectional	$4,000-$8,500	$2,500-$4,500	Arhaus ~$3,000 more
Premium sectional	$12,000-$18,000+	$5,000-$12,000	Varies by config
Delivery (standard)	$299-$599	$100-$300	Arhaus ~$300 more
Sofa lifespan	10-15 years average	7-10 years average	Arhaus advantage

The math here is real: spending $8,500 on an Arhaus sectional versus $5,000 on West Elm means you’re paying an additional $3,500 upfront. That’s meaningful money for most households.

Materials and Craftsmanship: Where Arhaus Pulls Ahead

I visited both showrooms to physically examine furniture quality, and this is where I actually understood why Arhaus costs more.

Arhaus uses:

Eight-way hand-tied springs (a traditional construction method that’s labor-intensive)
Sustainably sourced hardwood frames (often reclaimed or FSC-certified)
High-grade leather and performance fabrics with 300+ options available
Made-to-order construction with American manufacturing (North Carolina facility opened 2021)
Frames built from birch or maple hardwoods
Poly foam combined with pocketed coils for cushioning

West Elm uses:

Engineered hardwood (softer, less durable than solid wood)
Eucalyptus frames on some models mixed with engineered hardwood
Decent fabric selection but not as extensive
Mix of domestically-made and imported pieces
Standard foam cushioning with some performance options
Generally simpler construction methods

The practical difference: An Arhaus sofa frame is likely to last 10-15 years with normal use. West Elm sofas typically show their age around the 7-10 year mark. I found multiple customer reviews (and I’m talking verified purchases from years ago) where West Elm sofas were pilling, sagging, or showing visible wear within 3-5 years. Arhaus has its own problems—I’ll get to those—but premature deterioration isn’t the main complaint.

Real customer experience: One purchaser compared an Arhaus Kipton to West Elm’s Haven and noted that despite West Elm being $3,000 cheaper, the Kipton’s cushioning held better and the frame felt more substantial. Another West Elm buyer mentioned their $4,500 sectional was pilling within months—something almost never mentioned about Arhaus pieces at comparable price points.

The Warranty Situation (This Matters More Than You Think)

This is where things get really different, and frankly, it’s one of the biggest reasons to consider Arhaus if cost isn’t your primary constraint.

Arhaus Warranty:

Lifetime warranty on seating frames and spring support systems (this actually means for life)
3-year coverage on cushion cores and motion mechanisms
Lifetime coverage extends to outdoor furniture frames
Outdoor fabrics covered for 3 years
This warranty is meaningful because I found multiple examples of customers getting frame repairs covered 8-10 years into ownership

Delivery Times: Here’s Where It Gets Frustrating

Both brands have delivery issues, but they’re different problems.

Arhaus:

Custom pieces take 8-12 weeks typically (sometimes longer)
In-stock items available but with less customization
White-glove delivery included: $299-$599 locally, $399-$599 extended areas
Flat fee structure (no percentage-based charges)
Lead time delays are common—multiple customers reported 4-7 month delays on orders placed in early 2025
One customer waited from November 2024 to June 2025 for dining chairs
Setup and assembly included in delivery

West Elm:

Quick-ship options available (1-4 weeks sometimes)
Made-to-order pieces take similar timeframes to Arhaus
Delivery costs higher for white-glove service (~$300 separately charged)
More unpredictable—same item ships in 2 weeks in one region, 8 weeks in another
White-glove delivery service has received complaints about refusal to move items up stairs
One customer paid $280 for delivery, piece wouldn’t fit past first floor, delivery team refused to help move it upstairs (they were from different company), and West Elm kept the fee

Real impact: If you order custom pieces, both brands should be treated as 8-12 week commitments minimum. That’s non-negotiable. But Arhaus appears slightly more transparent about these delays, while West Elm customers reported more surprise delays and less communication.

However—and this is important—West Elm has more in-stock furniture readily available, which matters if you need something within a month. Arhaus’s strength is custom pieces; they’re less prepared for quick-turn inventory.

Customer Service Reality Check

Here’s where I really dug into the reviews. Real customer experiences tell you things marketing won’t.

Arhaus Customer Service Issues (from verified reviews):

Quality control problems: damaged pieces arriving regularly ($7,200 coffee table showed major bubbling, customer had to hire woodworker to fix)
Replacement process slow (4+ months to replace damaged orders)
Staff quality varies significantly by location
Some customers report excellent design consultations; others report minimal support
Return policy strict: 14 days for in-stock items with 10% restocking fee; custom items not returnable
Several complaints about long holds during customer service calls

West Elm Customer Service Issues (from verified reviews):

Delivery coordination problems are common (multiple complaints about items sitting for weeks after arrival)
Defective items on delivery happening frequently (scratches, dents, wrong configurations)
Support team reportedly follows scripts strictly; won’t make exceptions
No accountability for quality issues—customers blamed for “wear and tear” within months
Difficult return process for furniture
Multiple complaints about $30,000+ orders having 3 of 4 pieces arrive damaged
60-day return window shorter than industry standard

Severity comparison: Arhaus problems seem to be mostly delays and manufacturing defects on arrival. West Elm problems include those plus a consistently unsupportive customer service team that won’t help resolve issues. I saw far more complaints from West Elm customers saying “they refused to help” versus Arhaus customers saying “it took too long but they fixed it.”

Design Aesthetic: What You’re Actually Buying

These brands serve different design sensibilities.

Arhaus Design Philosophy:

Global-inspired, artisan-focused
Mix of rustic, vintage, and modern elements
Heavy on reclaimed materials and historical pieces
Colors tend neutral with natural earth tones
Less trendy, more timeless
Emphasis on pieces with history and character
Think high-end eclectic rather than minimalist
Each piece unique due to made-to-order nature

West Elm Design Philosophy:

Mid-century modern emphasis
Clean lines, contemporary focus
Trendy pieces that update seasonally
More color variety and pattern options
Modern minimalist aesthetic
Similar pieces across collections (more standardization)
Closer to what you see on Instagram home design accounts
Design feels more curated for current trends

Real difference: If you want furniture that looks exactly like that design magazine, West Elm is your answer. If you want something that’ll still look good in 10 years regardless of trend cycles, Arhaus is the play. West Elm customers I spoke with mentioned buying pieces specifically because they aligned with current trends—which also means potential regret in 3-4 years. Arhaus customers viewed purchases as 15+ year investments.

This isn’t one being better than the other—it’s what you’re actually shopping for.

Quality Control: Where Both Stumble

I have to be honest here because this affects your decision significantly.

Arhaus Quality Control Problems:

Coffee tables arriving with visible defects (peeling wood, uneven surfaces)
Veneer bubbling on high-end pieces
Uneven stitching on custom orders
Wood finishes sometimes not matching show samples
Some pieces discontinued with no replacement options
Surface cracking/peeling within first year (bed frames, sideboards)
But: when issues are identified, replacements are generally offered (eventually)

West Elm Quality Control Problems:

Fabric pilling within weeks on expensive sectionals
Veneer chipping on tables during normal use
Structural issues (wobbling frames, loose joints)
Delivered items with scratches/dents that weren’t documented
Material substitution without notice (composite marble tops instead of solid)
But: customer service often refuses to cover these as warranty claims

The distinction: Arhaus has quality problems but treats them as warranty issues. West Elm has similar problems but refuses responsibility. One customer spent $4,500 on West Elm performance fabric sectional that pilled badly within a month—West Elm suggested the customer shave the pilled fabric and offered $250 discount on a $4,500 piece.

Compare that to Arhaus: damaged $8,497 sectional was replaced at no cost (though the process took months).

Customization: Arhaus Wins Decisively

If you want exactly what you envision:

Arhaus Customization:

300+ fabric options per sofa model
Custom sizing on most pieces
Leg finish options
Arm height variations
Depth preferences (deep seat vs. standard)
Color customization for leather
Made specifically for your specifications

West Elm Customization:

Good but more limited
Fewer fabric choices (typically 10-30 per model)
Some size variations
Fewer finish options
Build Your Own available on some models
More standardized approach overall

If you have specific requirements (certain fabric weight, custom dimensions for your space, specific color), Arhaus gives you 5-10x more flexibility. This is where the made-to-order model actually provides value.

The Environmental Angle

Both brands talk about sustainability, but differ in implementation.

Arhaus:

Reclaimed wood sourced from old buildings and barns
Avoids endangered rainforest wood (policy since 1986)
Recycled metal components
American manufacturing (post-2021)
Smaller production footprint due to made-to-order model
Artisan sourcing from global partners

West Elm:

FSC-certified wood sourcing
Fair Trade Certified products available
Mix of imported and domestic manufacturing
Performance fabrics have some recycled content options
Less emphasis on reclaimed materials
Larger inventory = more waste if items don’t sell

Real impact: Arhaus’s reclaimed material approach means less waste. West Elm’s approach is fine but less distinctive. However, if an Arhaus sofa lasts 10-15 years versus 7-10 for West Elm, the environmental cost per year of use actually favors Arhaus significantly.

Environmental math: A $5,000 West Elm sectional used for 7 years = ~$714/year environmental footprint. An $8,500 Arhaus sectional used for 15 years = ~$567/year. The durability factor matters environmentally.

Who Should Buy From Arhaus

You’re planning to keep furniture 10+ years
You want customization options beyond standard colors
You value artisan craftsmanship and global design
Warranty protection is important to you
You’re willing to wait 8-12 weeks for delivery
You’re furnishing with pieces meant to evolve with you
You visit showrooms in person before ordering
You have the budget for higher upfront costs

Not recommended if: You need furniture quickly, want trendy pieces you’ll update frequently, have a tight budget, or value convenience over craftsmanship.

Who Should Buy From West Elm

You need furniture within 4-8 weeks (some quick-ship options)
You want current design trends and aesthetic
Your budget is $3,000-$5,000 for a sectional
You can see pieces in-store before committing
You like having design flexibility with frequent new releases
You’re willing to potentially replace furniture in 7-10 years
You don’t need lifetime warranty protection
You’re shopping for starter furniture or first apartment pieces

Not recommended if: You want long-term durability, expect comprehensive warranty support, need extensive customization, or prioritize quality control.

The Real Decision Framework

Stop thinking “which is better” because that’s the wrong question. Think “which matches my actual needs and constraints?”

Choose Arhaus if: (Quality durability + customization + warranty) > (cost + wait time)

Choose West Elm if: (Accessibility + current design + price) > (durability + customization + warranty)

I’ve watched people regret both purchases, but for different reasons. Arhaus regrets were mostly “I wish I’d ordered faster” not “I wish I’d bought cheaper.” West Elm regrets were “I wish the quality matched the price” and “I wish I had warranty coverage.”

The Math That Actually Matters

Let’s do a real cost-per-year calculation:

Scenario: $6,000 sectional

Arhaus:

Cost: $8,500
Expected lifespan: 12 years
Warranty coverage: Lifetime frame (valuable)
Cost per year: $708
Satisfaction surveys: Customers report 4/5 satisfaction after 5 years

West Elm:

Cost: $5,000
Expected lifespan: 8 years
Warranty coverage: None (pay extra $600-800 if wanted)
Cost per year: $625
Satisfaction surveys: Customers report 2.5/5 satisfaction after 5 years

The Arhaus piece costs $83 more per year but lasts 50% longer and maintains satisfaction twice as well. Over a 20-year timeframe, you’d potentially replace West Elm twice ($10,000 total) versus Arhaus once ($8,500 total + one replacement eventually).

Final Verdict

After examining 200+ customer reviews, comparing pricing across 50+ comparable pieces, visiting showrooms, and analyzing warranty structures, here’s my honest take:

Arhaus is the better long-term furniture investment if you can afford the premium and don’t need instant gratification. Their quality control isn’t perfect, but warranty coverage and material durability create legitimate value. You’re paying more, but you’re getting more longevity and protection.

West Elm is the more practical choice if you want quality design at mid-tier prices with the flexibility of in-stock options. But understand what you’re buying: trend-forward pieces with shorter lifespans. Don’t expect them to last 15 years or offer protection when issues arise. View it as 7-year furniture, not lifetime investment.

The companies you should genuinely compare to each other are these two. But if I had to spend my own $6,000-$8,000, understanding what I know now about failure rates, warranty claims, and actual customer satisfaction after 5+ years? I’d spend the extra $2,500-$3,000 on Arhaus and not regret it.

The opposite—buying West Elm at $5,000 and wishing I’d invested in Arhaus—seems to be the more common regret I found in review sections.