Couch Comparisons

Medley vs West Elm: Who Has Better Couches?

Are Medley and West Elm's couches duking it out for the crown? Let's unveil the comfiest contender!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Medley vs West Elm

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    Picture a lounging face-off between two heavyweight champs: Medley and West Elm. It's time to unravel the mysteries of cushion comfort and style in this sofa showdown.

    Side By Side

    Features
    Medley
    West Elm
    Made to Order Lead Times 8+ weeks 8+ weeks
    Free Shipping Option
    White Glove Delivery Option $175 $279-$429
    Return Option
    Warranty Included
    Financing Option Affirm Affirm
    Assembly Required
    Large Fabric Selection
    Free Swatches Available
    Manufacturing Origin USA Import
    Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price $$$-$$$$ $$-$$$

    In the battle of Medley versus West Elm couch, Medley stands out with extensive customization options and a focus on sustainability, although with longer lead times for made-to-order items in the premium price range. West Elm, with a wide variety of styles ready to ship, impresses with its quick delivery times. Both brands offer unique value propositions, with Medley excelling in high customization and sustainability and West Elm catering to those in need of faster delivery in pre-designed styles.


    BRAND #1: Medley

    The image displays the word "medley" in lowercase letters, written in a simple, thin serif font on a plain white background.

    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.

    Medley | PotatoMeter Rating:

    Online Shopping Experience Score 90%
    Durability and Quality Score 97%
    Shipping and Lead Time Score 84%
    Vibe Check Score 97%
    Customer Focus Score 95%
    Overall PotatoMeter Rating 93%
    Read Our Medley Brand Review

    Medley | Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Latex + Wool eco-friendly options
    • All couches made in the USA
    • 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.

    Shop Medley Now

    BRAND #2: West Elm

    West Elm logo featuring the brand name in lowercase, black, sans-serif font on a white background.

    West Elm launched in 2002 and opened its first storefront in 2003. They're owned and operated by Williams-Sonoma who also owns Pottery Barn. Despite their corporate nature, West Elm actually has a great emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives.

    West Elm | Brand Summary

    West Elm has stylish, modern furniture with the quality and backing of the Williams-Sonoma brand. They have surprisingly competitive prices considering their selection and their quality. They also get some points for focusing on sustainability and supporting a worldwide community of artisans.

    But operating under the umbrella of Williams-Sonoma does have downsides. Most of West Elm's couches are imported from overseas, they don't have any meaningful warranty program, and the lead times could be better than they are. West Elm's prices are more affordable than other brands with similar styles, but there's also not a strong reason why you should choose West Elm over another brand that has better lead times and a stronger customer focus.

    West Elm | PotatoMeter Rating

    Online Shopping Experience Score 85%
    Durability and Quality Score 88%
    Shipping and Lead Time Score 84%
    Vibe Check Score 93%
    Customer Focus Score 82%
    Overall PotatoMeter Rating 86%
    Read Our West Elm Brand Review

    West Elm | Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Large selection of stylish sofas
    • In-stock couches ship quickly
    • Competitive pricing, especially on their leather options
    • 3rd party warranty option
    • Strong sustainability initiatives
    • Has brick-and-mortar locations

    Cons

    • Couches are all imported
    • No standard warranty
    • Can't return made to order couches
    • 7 day return window may not apply even to In-Stock options
    • Shockingly low 1.1 star rating on TrustPilot

    Is West Elm good quality? The brand has become a go-to brand for stylish sofas at surprisingly affordable prices. But those lower prices come at a cost. There’s no standard warranty on their couches, made-to-order couches can’t be returned, and their 7-day return window may not apply to their In-Stock or Quick Ship couches. That could make them an expensive gamble. Additionally, West Elm has a very low 1.1-star rating on Trustpilot, which could give you pause. But one saving grace is that you can purchase a 3-year Allstate Protection warranty for your sofa. This covers accidents, stains, material damage, and more.

    On the positive side, West Elm has a huge number of glamorous couches to choose from. They’re also generally available in a wide range of luxury fabrics. So you can really design a couch that you love. The pricing is wonderfully competitive for their quality and the number of sofa styles available. West Elm also has plenty of brick-and-mortar locations where you can test out their couches in person. And if sustainability is important to you, West Elm has some impressive initiatives on that front. However, they are part of a big corporate umbrella, which might negatively affect some shoppers.

    Shop West Elm Now

    And the winner is...

    Is West Elm godo quality? Is Medley legit? After a thorough comparison, Medley emerges as the superior choice for those valuing sustainability, craftsmanship, and customization. On the other hand, West Elm shines with its wide selection, quick delivery, and budget-friendly pricing. Medley steals the show with its exceptional features, making it the ultimate winner in the couch competition.

    A smiling man with short brown hair and a beard stands on a beach during sunset. He is wearing a black short-sleeved shirt with small white dots. The ocean and sandy shore are in the background, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
    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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