Are you torn between Kardiel and Medley for your next couch investment? Join us on a sofa showdown to find out who emerges as the champion of comfort and style!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
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Dreaming of the perfect couch companion but torn between Kardiel and Medley? Get comfy and join us as we delve into the depths of premium materials, exquisite designs, and top-notch comfort to unveil the ultimate sofa superstar!
Side By Side
Features
Kardiel
Medley
Made to Order Lead Times
N/A
8+ weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$549-$759
$175
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
Vietnam
USA
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$-$$$$
$$$-$$$$
Kardiel and Medley present unique offerings in the couch realm. Kardiel, positioned in the mid-range to premium price range, focuses on luxurious designs and ample comfort, utilizing high-quality materials such as full-grain leather and kiln-dried hardwood. On the other hand, Medley, also in the premium category, distinguishes itself with a strong emphasis on sustainability, providing eco-friendly options and a lifetime warranty on frames. While Kardiel emphasizes style and comfort, Medley stands out for its eco-conscious manufacturing and materials, offering distinct advantages tailored to individual preferences. Both brands offer top-notch quality, ensuring a tough choice in selecting the perfect couch.
BRAND #1: Kardiel
Kardiel, a family-owned business with a passion for mid-century modern aesthetics, has made its mark in the furniture world by reviving classic designs with a contemporary twist. With a focus on high-quality materials and craftsmanship, Kardiel offers sofas that are built to last. Their commitment to comfort is evident in their thoughtful designs and use of premium materials like full-grain leather and kiln-dried hardwood. While they may not be the most transparent about their manufacturing practices, their dedication to creating stylish, well-made furniture is clear.
Kardiel | Brand Summary
Kardiel makes a strong first impression with its sleek designs and focus on quality. It's clear they're catering to a design-savvy crowd that doesn't want to sacrifice comfort. I was impressed by their attention to detail, and overall, my experience felt surprisingly high-end. If you're looking for a stylish, well-made sofa that'll turn heads, Kardiel is worth a serious look. Is it perfect? Of course not, but when it comes to the balance of craftsmanship and contemporary style, they're definitely near the front of the pack.
Kardiel, a family-owned business with an eye for mid-century modern design, offers sofas that are as stylish as they are comfortable. With a focus on quality materials and construction, these sofas are built to last. However, their lack of customization options and limited transparency about manufacturing might leave some buyers wanting more.
While the generous 365-day return policy is a major plus, the 15% restocking fee after 15 days and the fact that you'll have to foot the return shipping bill could be a deterrent for some. Also, if eco-consciousness is a priority, Kardiel's limited information about sustainability might leave you wanting more details.
Overall, Kardiel's sofas bring a touch of luxury to any living space, with their sophisticated designs and attention to detail. If you're willing to overlook the minor drawbacks and prioritize style, comfort, and quality, Kardiel might be the perfect match for your home.
Medley was founded in 2017 by two brothers, Travis and Ryan Nagle. But their story actually begins in 2005 when they were selling sofas out of their living room. They are one of the only couch companies offering ultra-green material options.
Medley | Brand Summary
Medley is a rare company that actually delivers on its promises of top-of-the-line craftsmanship, all-natural material options, and sustainability. They offer an excellent, hand-crafted product, but their prices can be a bit too high for the average consumer and their lead times can be excessive. Medley was founded with a mission to create eco friendly furniture that not only lasts but also minimizes harmful chemicals and toxins, catering to consumers who prioritize environmental mindfulness in their purchasing decisions.
But if you want a made in the USA couch with wonderfully-natural materials, lifetime warranties, and a competitive price point, then Medley should be the first place you look. And chances are it will be the only place you have to look.
Extremely high quality materials and craftsmanship
Lifetime warranty on sofa frames and 5+ year warranty on materials
Generous 30 day return policy
Cons
Limited sofa style options
Fabric selection can significantly raise sofa price
Latex + Wool option can be pricey
Lead times can be extremely long
No brick-and-mortar stores
It can be hard to find any flaws in Medley’s business. But while their standard couches usually have lead times of 8-10 weeks (not counting delivery), their wonderful Latex + Wool options often take 14+ weeks to build. That’s a long time to wait, especially when there are no brick-and-mortar stores where you can test out their couches. Their base prices are great considering the high-quality materials and craftsmanship, but choosing a higher-tier fabric and their natural Latex + Wool materials will significantly raise the sofa price. But they’ll still be cheaper than Maiden Home’s offerings. Medley’s styles are nice, but they might be a little bland, depending on your tastes.
However, the pros vastly outweigh the cons. Their plant-based Latex + Wool material options are incredible and put Medley in a class of its own. Their wood is sourced from sustainable forests, their fabrics are eco-friendly, and every aspect of their construction process considers the sustainability impact. They also use a high-quality spring system similar to 8-way hand-tied suspensions. This is top-tier craftsmanship. Their frames also come with a lifetime warranty, the cushion filling has a 10-year warranty, and the upholstery workmanship has a 5-year warranty. Add in their 30-day return policy and there’s a whole lot to like about Medley.
In the ultimate showdown of couch contenders, Medley steals the spotlight as the clear winner, offering unmatched sustainability initiatives and top-tier craftsmanship that prioritize eco-conscious buyers. With its dedication to longevity and eco-friendly materials, Medley shines as the standout choice for those seeking both style and sustainability in their sofa investment.
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.
