Ballard Designs vs Maiden Home: Who Has Better Couches?
Looking to upgrade your lounge with the perfect sofa? Take a front row seat as we dissect the offerings from both Ballard Designs and Maiden Home. Which brand gets crowned the king of couches? Let's unravel the mystery together!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
We independently select everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Step right up to witness the epic face-off between Ballard Designs and Maiden Home! It's a no-holds-barred comparison where every stitch and cushion counts. Get ready to discover which brand reigns supreme in the world of luxurious couches!
Side By Side
Features
Ballard Designs
Maiden Home
Made to Order Lead Times
10-12 weeks
4-8 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$145-$245
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm / Ballard Designs Credit Card
Affirm
Assembly Required
Varies
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA
USA
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$$-$$$$
$$$$
As we pit Ballard Designs against Maiden Home, we uncover distinct advantages in style, durability, sustainability, and value. Ballard Designs impresses with its timeless designs and top-quality materials, appealing to those who appreciate classic elegance. In contrast, Maiden Home stands out with its stunning contemporary style and robust craftsmanship, catering to luxury seekers. Both brands offer premium products, but Maiden Home's emphasis on durability and sustainability may sway eco-conscious buyers. Ultimately, the decision hinges on individual preferences, balancing style, durability, and sustainable practices to find the perfect fit for your home.
BRAND #1: Ballard Designs
Ballard Designs, established over 35 years ago, has become a household name in the home furnishings industry. Their enduring legacy is built upon a foundation of timeless design, quality craftsmanship, and a passion for creating inspiring living spaces. The brand's dedication to sustainability and collaboration with renowned designers further solidifies their position as a leader in the market. With their commitment to excellence and customer-centric approach, Ballard Designs continues to offer furniture that stands the test of time, both in style and durability.
Ballard Designs | Brand Summary
When it comes to Ballard Designs' couches, my overall impression is genuinely positive. Their catalog reflects a dedication to craftsmanship and style that's hard to overlook. Each sofa feels like a tribute to both comfort and design, blending practicality with a touch of luxury. Amazingly, they manage to cater to a broad range of tastes without compromising on quality. From the plush cushions to the fine fabrics, Ballard Designs prioritizes user satisfaction and durability. Their market presence is strong, not just because of their product quality, but due to their understanding of what makes a home feel like home.
Return shipping fees are not covered and a restocking fee may apply
Lack of transparency regarding warranty details
Assembly may be required
White-glove delivery is an added cost
Ballard Designs captures the essence of refined living with its elegant and timeless sofas. The brand's dedication to quality is evident in their use of high-end materials like top-grain leather and durable fabrics, all crafted in the USA. With a wide range of customization options and a generous selection of free swatches, you can create a sofa that perfectly complements your style and space.
The premium experience, however, comes with a few tradeoffs. The price tag for a Ballard Designs sofa can be substantial, reflecting their commitment to quality and craftsmanship. While they offer free shipping for smaller items, larger sofas may require additional delivery fees, and in-home delivery and assembly come at an extra cost. Additionally, returns, while possible, are subject to fees and certain exclusions.
Overall, Ballard Designs caters to discerning homeowners who appreciate quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design. While the investment may be significant, the brand's commitment to customer satisfaction and sustainable practices makes their sofas a worthy addition to any home.
Maiden Home was founded in 2017 by Nidhi Kapur when she became disillusioned by disposable furniture. She made it her goal to create heritage quality furniture with stunning style. And she succeeded. Maiden Home opened a New York City showroom in 2023 (and it's as gorgeous as the furniture).
Maiden Home | Brand Summary
Maiden Home is a luxury couch brand and they know it. Their drop-dead-gorgeous website provides an unparalleled browsing experience. They use high quality materials and they construct all their couches in the USA. Maiden Home gets nearly everything right. If their pricing were more transparent they’d have a place on the PotatoMeter Mt. Rushmore.
However, after a thorough perusal and ingesting a lot of other Maiden Home reviews, this is not a brand designed with kids and pets in mind, so if you’re looking for a family couch for a high-traffic, multi-purpose room then we’d suggest you search elsewhere. But if luxury is what you’re after, look no further.
Extremely high quality materials and craftsmanship
Female founded & independently owned
Lifetime warranty on sofa frames and spring suspensions
30-day return policy (10% fee)
Cons
Limited sofa style options
Fabric selection can significantly raise sofa price
Fabrics and styles not ideal for children or pets
Warranty does not mention fabric or seams or stitches
Only one showroom (located in New York City)
Maiden Home does have a few cons. Their base prices are already very expensive, but choosing a higher end fabric can sometimes DOUBLE the price. That $3,000 sofa might end up being $6,000 just by choosing a different fabric option (and they don’t list fabric prices when you’re choosing). This fact – in addition to a limited sofa offering with styles that aren’t suited to families with kids and pets – likely closes Maiden Home off as an option for many customers. But for those who can afford it, Maiden Home is to die for.
As far as pros, Maiden Home furniture has them in spades. First of all, Maiden Home builds all of their couches in North Carolina (the furniture capital of the US). The frames are made from sustainably sourced, kiln-dried hardwood, and the joinery methods are top-notch. They also use 8-way hand-tied spring systems in many of their couches, which is the cream of the crop. They back these frames with a lifetime warranty and even a 30-day return policy (with a 10% fee) if you don’t love your purchase. Being a female-founded, independently-owned company is a nice bonus.
Emerging victorious in this showdown, Ballard Designs excels in delivering timeless designs, top-notch materials, and exceptional durability. This brand strikes the perfect harmony between classic elegance and lasting quality, appealing to those who seek refined living spaces. With a focus on customer satisfaction and sustainability, Ballard Designs stands out as the ideal choice for discerning buyers looking for both style and substance.
Alex Back
Couch.com CEO & Founder
Alex Back is the founder and CEO of Couch.com. Previously, he was the co-founder and COO of the popular furniture brand, Apt2B, which was acquired by a large US retail furniture chain in 2018. He worked to integrate Apt2B, one of the very first online furniture retailers on the Shopify platform, into the operations of the 100 year old larger business entity and was deeply immersed in the business operations of both online and brick and mortar retail for 4 years before leaving in 2023 to start Couch.com. Working in various parts of the furniture industry since 2004, he has 20 years experience in retail sales, e-commerce, marketing, operations, logistics and wholesale manufacturing and distribution. He has worked extensively with partners such as Costco, Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon and his work has been highlighted in many publications such as Forbes, CNN and HGTV, among others. Alex is delighted to bring his experience and authority on couches and the furniture industry to this platform, along with many of his industry colleagues who are helping him keep the Couch.com audience informed and engaged on a daily basis.
