Couch Comparisons

Ethan Allen vs What A Room: Who Has Better Couches?

In the quest for the perfect couch, do you lean towards Ethan Allen or What A Room? Wondering which brand brings the ideal combination of luxury and durability? Let's explore to find your new favorite piece of furniture.
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Ethan Allen vs What A Room

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Curious about which brand, Ethan Allen or What A Room, will reign supreme when it comes to finding the ideal couch for your home? Step into the ring with us as we compare these furniture giants, each offering its own flair and craftsmanship. Get ready to find your perfect match!

Side By Side

Features
Ethan Allen
What A Room
Made to Order Lead Times 5-7 weeks 4-6 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option $99+ $99+
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option Ethan Allen Platinum Card Affirm, Shop Pay
Assembly Required Varies
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin North America USA
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price $$$-$$$$ $$$

In terms of style diversity and customization, Ethan Allen excels in offering a wide range of timeless designs in the luxury segment, catering to various tastes and preferences. Moreover, with high-quality materials like top-grain leather and performance fabrics, Ethan Allen ensures long-lasting durability and luxury at a premium price point. On the other hand, What A Room stands out for its focus on sustainability with eco-friendly, PFAS-free fabrics and high-resilience foam cushions, providing durability and comfort in the mid-range price category. Both brands emphasize customer focus and offer personalized services, making them appealing options depending on individual style preferences and budget.


BRAND #1: Ethan Allen

The image features the "ETHAN ALLEN" logo in bold, black, uppercase letters on a white background.

Founded in 1932, Ethan Allen has become synonymous with American style and craftsmanship. Their commitment to quality and innovation has made them a trusted name in the furniture industry for nearly a century. They offer a vast array of customizable designs, allowing customers to create unique pieces that reflect their personal style. With a focus on sustainability and a dedication to providing a premium customer experience, Ethan Allen continues to be a top choice for those seeking high-quality, timeless furniture.

Ethan Allen | Brand Summary

Now, here's a brand that's been crafting sofas since before your grandpa was a twinkle in his dad's eye. They've practically written the book on American furniture style, and their couches are no exception. But what makes an Ethan Allen sofa truly stand out in a sea of seating options? Let me tell you, it's their unwavering commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and creating pieces that are truly built to last.

You can expect top-notch materials, customizable designs that let you express your unique style, and a white-glove customer service experience that'll make you feel like royalty. But are Ethan Allen sofas worth the investment? Let's dive deeper into their collection and find out.

Ethan Allen | PotatoMeter Rating:

Online Shopping Experience Score 88%
Durability and Quality Score 87%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 86%
Vibe Check Score 86%
Customer Focus Score 87%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 87%
Read Our Ethan Allen Brand Review

Ethan Allen | Pros & Cons

Pros
  • High-quality materials (top-grain leather, performance fabrics)
  • Made in the USA
  • Lifetime warranty on mechanisms
  • Free swatches
  • White-glove delivery
  • Customizable designs
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Long lead times for custom orders
  • Limited warranty for upholstery
  • Limited in-stock options
  • Return policy only 10 days for Premier In-home Delivery

Ethan Allen is like the grand dame of American furniture, with a legacy that whispers of timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Their sofas, whether adorned in supple leather or plush velvet, exude a classic charm that's hard to resist. And with their commitment to quality, you can rest assured that your Ethan Allen couch will be a cherished companion for years to come. Plus, their white-glove delivery service is the cherry on top, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience from showroom to living room.

Now, let's be real – this kind of luxury doesn't come cheap. Be prepared to loosen those purse strings for an Ethan Allen sofa, as they're definitely an investment piece. And if you're the impatient type, you might want to look elsewhere, as custom orders can take weeks (or even months) to arrive. Their return policy could also use a bit of a refresh, especially for those who opt for the premium in-home delivery service.

But hey, if you're all about that heirloom-quality furniture that'll make your grandma proud, Ethan Allen might just be your perfect match. Their sofas are more than just a place to sit – they're a statement of timeless style and enduring craftsmanship. So, if you're willing to invest in a piece that'll become a cherished part of your home for years to come, go ahead and treat yourself to a little bit of Ethan Allen luxury.

Shop Ethan Allen Now

BRAND #2: What A Room

A black and white line drawing depicting a woman playing guitar. She is seated with long hair and is shown in a relaxed pose. Her eyes are closed as she strums the guitar, conveying a sense of concentration and enjoyment.

What A Room was founded with the goal of offering fully customizable sofas and sectionals, made in the USA with high-quality materials. By owning their own factory in Los Angeles, they are able to offer quicker production times (4-6 weeks) while ensuring a personalized customer experience. Their key milestone includes providing over 250 fabric choices, with a focus on pet-friendly and eco-conscious options. Known for their craftsmanship, durability, and commitment to customer satisfaction, What A Room has carved out a niche as a go-to brand for buyers seeking custom, high-end furniture with a fast turnaround.

What A Room | Brand Summary

When it comes to custom sofas made in the USA, few brands match the level of quality, customer service, and design flexibility that What A Room offers. But do What A Room reviews reflect this same level of excellence, or is it just good marketing?

As a direct-to-consumer furniture brand, What A Room manufactures its own sofas, offering full customization with high-end materials—all without sky-high retail markups. That’s a rare find in today’s sofa market. With handcrafted frames, premium foam cushions, and free design consultations, What A Room gives buyers full control over their couch.

Let’s see if they live up to the hype in What A Room reviews or if there are better alternatives.

What A Room | PotatoMeter Rating

Online Shopping Experience Score 84%
Durability and Quality Score 86%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 88%
Vibe Check Score 83%
Customer Focus Score 86%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 85%
Read Our What A Room Brand Review

What A Room | Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Fully customizable sofas and sectionals
  • Quick manufacturing times (4-6 weeks)
  • High-resilience foam cushions for durability
  • Eco-friendly, PFAS-free fabrics
  • Made in the USA with quality craftsmanship
  • Personalized customer service with design consultations
Cons
  • 20% restocking fee for returns
  • No free shipping option, delivery fees can be high

What A Room offers a customizable sofa experience, perfect for buyers seeking a unique, made-to-order product. Their quick 4-6 week production time is faster than many competitors, and they provide over 250 fabric choices, including pet-friendly options. Owning their manufacturing facility in the USA allows them to maintain high-quality standards while meeting customization needs.

However, their return policy has a 20% restocking fee, which can be a drawback for some customers. Delivery fees are also an added expense, and there have been occasional complaints about delays in receiving custom orders.

On the plus side, What A Room excels with personalized customer service and free design consultations to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want. Their use of eco-friendly, chemical-free fabrics and durable high-resilience foam cushions makes them a great choice for families, and their made-in-the-USA production is a strong selling point for those seeking quality craftsmanship.

Shop What A Room Now

And the winner is...

In the battle of the couch champions, Ethan Allen steals the show with its wide range of timeless designs, premium materials, and commitment to durability. Setting a benchmark for luxury and elegance, Ethan Allen stands out as the ultimate choice for those valuing top-notch craftsmanship and enduring style in their furniture.

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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.
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