Article: Ultimate Brand Review And Rating

White boucle couch and grass green velvet armchair
Article has been around since 2013, but 10 years later are they still the same online couch shopping pioneers? Or has their growth impacted their quality and their offerings? In this total brand breakdown, I take a look at the current state of Article and reveal their PotatoMeter rating.

Overall Potatometer Rating:

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Article’s clean and uncluttered website makes couch shopping a joy. Their chic couch selection and delivery timeline gives them an edge over the competition. Lack of customization options and a shorter warranty period were the main knocks against them. A few 1 star reviews isn’t a major concern, though it does indicate that occasionally an unlucky person might get a lemon.

96%

Online Shopping Experience

98%

Shipping & Lead Time

91%

Customer Focus

90%

Durability & Quality

88%

Vibe Check

Our Own Rating System

The PotatoMeter is Couch.com’s very own rating system that grades furniture retailers on a variety of – what we consider to be – essential criteria. While we aim to be fair and objective in our assessment, subjectivity based on our expertise and personal biases is unavoidable.

96%

Online Shopping Experience

Article: Online Shopping Experience

Article has a beautiful, minimalist website that’s easy to navigate and displays all the info you need in a clean, clear, and uncluttered manner. Its strength is in its simplicity. It’s not as eye-poppingly stunning as some competitors, but it’s elegant and practical.

Ease of Navigation

  • The homepage has nice, full-width lifestyle images that give you a great idea of Article’s style and sensibilities. The “Shop By Room” section below the main image was a bit plain in comparison. But scrolling further down revealed more beautiful imagery. It’s a very nice welcome to the brand.
  • The menu is rather plain. Each item is a simple dropdown menu without images or other items vying for your attention. It’s a clean approach, but I think it could benefit from having a nice lifestyle image beside the list of categories. But it’s functional and looks sharp.
  • Category pages have a sleek, minimalist style. The white backdrop with ample spacing allows each couch to shine. It made it very easy to see the individual details of each couch. The red font works incredibly well to highlight important details like price and fabric choice. This is a theme that carries through to product pages where the red outline and red text is both beautiful and practical.
  • Article lists all its filters on the left side of the category page, which is incredibly convenient. They also offer a good number of filters that can really help you narrow down your search. I like this approach because it emphasizes the filters. Many sites hide filters in small dropdown menus that you might never notice. Filters are such a useful tool for shopping online so I always appreciate when they’re highlighted like this.
  • The product pages make it extremely easy to shop. The images and important information are right at the top of the page. The red text and outlines makes it easy to see the significant details. Without doing any scrolling on a computer I was able to see all of the product details, shipping information, financing information, full carousel of photos, fabric options, etc. And if you need to jump to a different section, there’s a simple tab list at the top that lets you zip right to the Details, Reviews, or Bundle options. It’s honestly difficult to find a single thing wrong with the format of these product pages. It’s a home run.


Information Available “At-A-Glance”

  • On category pages, Article shows a photo of the couch, the name of the couch, the price, and whether there are additional fabric options available. There are also tags to let you know if a product is nearly sold out.
  • The product photo changes to a lovely lifestyle photo when you hover over it. The fabric color also changes in real time when you hover over one of the additional options.


Product Images

  • Product images on main category pages are sharp and clear. They look like real images as opposed to computer renderings, regardless of which fabric color you have selected. This makes them look very true-to-life, which is what you want to see when shopping for a couch online.
  • On product pages, the main carousel of couch images is really fantastic. Each couch page generally features images of the couch from every angle, close-ups of certain details, and one or two lifestyle images.
  • Most image carousels also feature a close-up of the fabric or leather. In some cases, they even have a close-up of the fabric shown in three different lighting scenarios. This is a truly fantastic addition, since the color of a fabric can look drastically different depending on the lighting.
  • Choosing a new fabric color or fabric type will change the entire carousel of images to match. Even the lifestyle image! This is impressive considering a couch like the Sven has multiple color options in three different fabric types (fabric, leather, and velvet). Having a lifestyle image of each color is super helpful when trying to determine how a couch might look in a real room. Many competitors only have one lifestyle photo in one fabric.


Quality of Product Information

  • The Details section is available right below the main product image carousel. Almost all of the important information is displayed without needing to click on anything. For general shopping it provides everything you’d hope to see.
  • If you DO want some additional information, clicking “More” under the “Specifications” section provides specific details like the frame construction and composition, cushion materials, fabric composition, and even the fabric’s double rub count. This is often information that’s extremely difficult to track down so I love that they have it available right here on the product page.
  • One of my only issues is that not every product page has exactly the same amount or type of information. One product might mention a fabric’s double rub count and another might not. One might tell you the spring system used for the cushion support and another won’t have that info listed. If every page had every bit of info it would enhance your ability to compare their couch offerings.
  • The “Care” instructions are good, but I do wish they’d list the cleaning codes of their fabrics so that it’s more clear how to clean each of their options.
  • The “Specifications” tab does a great job outlining the dimensions of each couch. I also appreciate that they include individual measurements for “seat height,” “arm height,” and “seat depth.” These are very practical dimensions that are somehow hard to find on most other websites. They also have the main dimensions overlaid over an image of each couch, which is always helpful.


Extra Bells & Whistles

  • There’s a “Bundle” feature that makes it very easy to see if a couch has an ottoman or other accessory available. You can easily add it to your cart from the couch product page. This is another practical feature that works extremely well.

98%

Shipping & Lead Time

Article: Shipping & Lead Times

Article does not custom build couches, which gives them impressive lead times. Here’s a look at how fast you can expect to receive your couch once you place an order.

Made to Order Products:

  • Article does not offer made to order couches.


In Stock Items:

  • Their in-stock couches ship out in little as 1-2 days.


Shipping Time:

  • Shipping and delivery times vary depending on how close you are to the nearest warehouse. Here’s a look at the timeline for a couple different locations.
    • Los Angeles & NYC: 2-7 days.
    • Seattle: 2-13 days.
    • Bangor: 1-3 weeks.
    • Oklahoma City: 2-3 weeks.

91%

Customer Focus

Article: Customer Focus

Our goal at Couch.com is to provide customers with the information they need to find the best couch for their home. We take customer satisfaction very seriously. One of Article’s founder, Andy Prochazka, states, “We are all about easy. If we have an opportunity to make something easier and remove complexity from customers’ lives, take it onto ourselves and try to simplify it, we will do so. I am always left with, ‘How can we do something even better.’” So with those lofty goals in mind, how does Article stack up to the competition when it comes to actually implementing customer friendly resources and offerings?

Warranty:

  • Article offers a 1 year warranty on their couches. This covers manufacturing and material defects. This is fairly standard for this type of company, though I’d love to see them extend it to 3 or 5 years to really be competitive.


Return Options:

  • Article has a 30 day return window. You can initiate a return for any reason. There will be a $49 return shipping fee if you’re within Article’s standard service area. Return shipping costs could be larger if you’re outside their standard service area (rural locations like Marfa, TX or Bangor, ME seem to fall outside their standard service area – the cost appears to be $200 for these areas).
  • You can also exchange your order within 30 days of delivery. Shipping for your first exchange for any item is free of charge. If you decide to exchange the new item, then you’ll be responsible for any forward and return shipping fees. Having one free exchange is extremely generous for this type of company, but make sure you like your second option so you don’t end up dealing with shipping and return fees.
  • Any returns or exchanges must have the original packaging. Otherwise a $50 repackaging fee per item will apply.


Delivery Options & Costs:

  • Front Door Delivery: shipping is FREE for orders over $999 if you’re within their standard service area. If you’re outside the standard service area shipping is $200. This method is a simple drop-off outside your home.
  • Inside Room: $119 within the standard service area ($299 outside standard service area). The delivery team will bring the couch into your room of choice but will not perform any assembly or remove packaging. Assembly is generally just screwing in legs.
  • Inside + Assembly: $199 within the standard service area ($399 outside standard service area). This method is the full white glove delivery package. The delivery team will bring the couch inside and perform any necessary assembly. Note: the delivery team will not discard the packaging for you. Article says they leave the packaging so that you can avoid the $50 repackaging fee if you decide to return or exchange the couch.


Financing Options:

  • Article has partnered with Affirm to offer 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month financing options at 0%APR for qualified customers.


Is Assembly Required?

  • Yes, though most assembly is as simple as screwing in the legs on a couch or connecting sectional pieces together. Article also provides assembly instruction PDFs on every couch product page so you can assess the complexity of the assembly process before placing an order.
  • Article does offer a white glove “in home + assembly” option for those who do not wish to perform any assembly themselves.


Customization Options:

  • Most couches have multiple fabric options to choose from, though several options are only available in one fabric. Depending on the style, a couch might be available in fabric, velvet, and leather options. This is generally the only customization option.
  • There are no customizations available outside of what is displayed on a product page.


Does Article Offer Free Fabric Swatches?

  • Yes, though it’s a bit of a cumbersome process to order swatches. You have to search for the couch you want swatches for (there isn’t a list, so make sure you remember the name or write it down). Then you can order individual swatches for that couch. Here’s a link to the free swatch directory, since it can be a bit tricky to find on their site.

90%

Durability & Quality

Article: Durability & Quality

Durability is a major factor when it comes to purchasing a couch, especially when you’re ordering online. So do Article couches hold up over time?

Quality of Materials:

  • Many of their fabrics boast a 50,000 double rub count. This is considered commercial grade and should be great for homes with kids and pets. However, some fabrics don’t list their double rub count information, which makes it trickier to determine how durable they’ll be.
  • They mainly list their leathers as “full-aniline” and “semi-aniline.” Digging deeper, Article says that their full-aniline leather is a full-grain leather, which is incredible for the price point. However, they don’t specifically list the grade for their semi-aniline leather, which is a little concerning. But the good news is that their full-aniline leather is available on their super popular Sven Sofa.
  • Cushions are usually a combination of high density foam, polyester fill, fiber, and duck feathers. These are all about what you’d expect at this price point and should be good for most household needs.


Cleanability:

  • Article does not list the specific cleaning codes of their fabrics. However, they do state that their velvet fabrics and certain other upholstery fabrics are dry-clean only, which is not ideal for everyday cleaning.
  • Certain couches have “SimpleCare” fabrics that are more cleanable. These promise that you can easily clean up a spill by gently blotting it with a damp cloth.
  • Article specifically recommends their popular Ceni Sofa for homes with kids. The fabric on the Ceni is among their easier to clean options.


Quality of Construction & Manufacturing Origin:

  • Article manufactures their furniture in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. It is not specified which country manufactures which products.
  • Most of their couches have a solid wood frame. In some cases the frame is kiln-dried hardwood. They also use engineered wood and plywood for some of the additional shaping. This is common and expected at this price range.
  • Some of Article’s frames are corner-blocked, which is excellent. This is better than many competitors at this price range.
  • When listed, most couches have a sinuous spring support system. Other times it’s listed as rubber webbing. It’s great that they have some couches with sinuous spring systems at this price range. You should aim for those options to get the highest quality available.

88%

Vibe Check

Article: Brand Vibe Check

Vibing with a brand is important. Brands can also promote certain lifestyles and sustainability goals. That’s why it’s my goal to help you find a company and brand that you vibe with so that you’re as comfortable with your new couch as you are on your new couch.

Key Differentiators & Unique Facts:

  • Article lists their primary goal as cutting out the middle man and getting you a couch delivered to your home in 2 weeks. And after 10 years in the industry they still manage to achieve that goal (for the most part). Impressive!
  • From their website Article states, “[Our] culture is rooted in four core values: Customer Obsession, Do it Differently, Ownership Mindset, Win Together.” This modern sensibility carries through to their entire presentation.


Sustainability:

  • Article’s website does not specifically list any sustainability goals. Since their furniture is manufactured overseas, they are also part of the global cargo shipping chain, which is not ideal for their carbon emission impact.


Overall Brand Presentation:

  • Article’s website is a definite vibe. It’s chic, clean, and cool. Their lifestyle images are tasteful and their product offering is on trend and beautifully displayed. They manage to perfectly balance elegance with approachability. They stay away from the all-too-common in-your-face branding by letting their products speak for themselves.

White boucle couch and grass green velvet armchair

What are Article’s top couches?

Signature Best Seller:

  • The Sven Charme Tan Sofa ($1,899) is their top couch and is promoted as such on their convenient “Best Sellers” page. The incredible price (especially for a full-grain leather couch) and the vintage-meets-contemporary style make this an instant classic.


Couch That Intrigues Me The Most:

  • The Texada Taos Tan Sofa ($2,099) reminds me of riding in the backseat of a vintage Cadillac with the windows down on a warm summer’s day. The style exudes cool, from its wide-paneled leather to its chunky legs.


Hidden Gem:

  • The Divan Gray Sectional ($2,499) is my pick for Article’s hidden gem. This very unique sectional couch allows for multiple seating styles, as well as room to lounge and lay down. While not ideal for a TV room, this could be a very intriguing option for a reading room or conversation space.

How much do Article's couches cost?

Article falls right in a sweet spot between low cost and medium cost couches, so it’s not really that cheap. They’re more expensive than IKEA, but less expensive overall than many of their immediate competitors. That being said, they still have some couch options that are on the pricey side.

Average Range:

  • Standard couches range in price from $999 in traditional fabrics to $2,500 for premium leather offerings. Many couches are less than $2,000, which is great.


Most Expensive Article Couch:


Least Expensive Article Couch:

Does Article have good reviews?

Typically Article rates very highly in regard to brand trust, as well as with its customers. However, there are a decent number of 1 star reviews with similar complaints, which leads us to believe that some unlucky customers will occasionally get a lemon.

Overall Brand Reviews:

  • Article has a 4.5 star rating on TrustPilot with 692 reviews, which is exceptionally good for an online furniture company. Anything over a 3 is good. Anything over a 4 is extremely impressive.


Top Product Reviews:

  • Sven Charme Tan Sofa 5 Star Review: “I’ve had the Sven for 8 months now and I would purchase this sofa again. It started with amazing customer service and delivery. It has proven to be extremely durable. I have a large Rottweiler and he enjoys the couch as much as I do. This has just made the couch get more aged and beautiful. Super easy to clean. I feel life this couch is a couch for life and not just a phase. ” – Kristine B.
  • Sven Charme Tan Sofa 1 Star Review: “This couch is really pretty when it’s new but it doesn’t wear well. We’ve had it for a few months and it has scratches everywhere. The leather is sagging in spots as well. I guess I expected more for the steep price tag.” – Susan R.


Customer Service Reviews:

  • Once again, their customer service rating is well-regarded, but when customers leave 1 star reviews the customer service is often cited as a reason. However, this could be have more to do with the complexity of furniture manufacturing/shipping and less to do with the actual customer service department.

What kind of style is Article furniture?

The couches available on Article run the gamut from Mid-Century Modern up through contemporary. While they do have a wide variety of styles, they have what I’d consider to be a mid-range offering – not too many and not too few. There’s plenty to choose from, but you won’t be overwhelmed by the choices.

Range of Couch Options:

  • Article offers couch collection styles that span the whole spectrum from individual armchairs all the way up through big, sectional sofas. They also have modular couches to choose from.
  • Article does offer several sofa bed options, as well as two sectional sofa beds. One has a standard pull-out sofa bed mechanism and the other is more of an extended, fold-out cushion option. What’s great is that both of these practical sectional sofa beds also feature a storage chaise, which means you can store bedding and pillows right there in the couch.


Range of Couch Styles:

  • Article has a healthy mix of vintage styles and contemporary offerings. Their Mid-Century Modern options are particularly eye-catching and stylish. However, they’re lacking in more traditional styles like rolled-arm, camelback, or skirted. They lean trendy over traditional.


Does Article Have Other Products Beside Couches?

  • Yes, Article has furniture for the whole home, including smaller home decor items. I was particularly impressed by their outdoor furniture options, which are robust, handsome, and reasonably priced.

What are some alternatives to Article?

Article is an online retailer that specializes in imported couches at a reasonable price point. Their price point is at a sweet spot right at the top of the lower pricing tier. Here are a few other brands in the same range to consider.

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