Wondering which brand crafts the coziest couch - Modloft or West Elm?
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
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Curious about the better pick between Modloft and West Elm for your next couch investment? Join us as we dissect, compare, and reveal which brand emerges as the champion in the world of furniture comfort and style.
Side By Side
Features
Modloft
West Elm
Made to Order Lead Times
N/A
8+ weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$99+
$279-$429
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA + Import
Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$$-$$$$
$$-$$$
When choosing between Modloft and West Elm sofas, Modloft stands out for its ultra-modern designs and high-quality full-grain leather, whereas West Elm boasts a diverse selection of luxurious couches and strong sustainability initiatives. Modloft's financing options and free fabric swatches appeal to those seeking convenience, while West Elm's 3-year Allstate Protection warranty caters to those prioritizing long-term care for their furniture.
BRAND #1: Modloft
Founded in 2005, Modloft has carved a niche for itself in the modern furniture market with its sleek and sophisticated designs. They pride themselves on offering "great design at reasonable prices," bridging the gap between low-cost and high-end options. Their unique approach to manufacturing, often sourcing materials and producing furniture in the same country, adds an interesting dimension to their brand story. While their commitment to accessibility is commendable, their overall brand presentation could benefit from greater transparency and a more customer-centric approach.
Modloft | Brand Summary
Modloft has a bit more style than substance. Their website will make you desperately want their couches, but digging a little deeper into their lead times, quality, and customer service might make you think again. The couches they do have are technically good, but the rest of the experience makes it difficult to recommend them over other options.
Use of high-quality full-grain leather on some models
White glove delivery included with every order
Financing options available through Affirm
Free fabric swatches offered
ADA compliant website
Cons
Inaccurately advertised lead times (customer complaints)
Expensive for the level of quality and customer service
Limited transparency regarding materials and construction details
Potentially expensive return shipping and restocking fees
Limited delivery area (not nationwide)
Modloft, with its undeniably chic and modern aesthetic, offers sofas that will undoubtedly elevate the style of your living space. Their use of high-quality full-grain leather on select models is a noteworthy feature, and the included white-glove delivery service adds a touch of luxury to the buying experience. However, the allure fades a bit when you consider their less-than-transparent practices regarding lead times and materials, as well as their limited delivery range and potentially expensive return process.
While their designs are undeniably eye-catching, the quality and customer service might not live up to the premium price tag. If you prioritize style above all else and are willing to gamble on the accuracy of lead times, Modloft could be a good fit. However, if you're seeking a more transparent and customer-centric experience with comparable quality at a potentially lower price, you might want to explore other options.
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.
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.
In the showdown between Modloft and West Elm, Modloft emerges victorious due to its top-tier modern designs, use of high-quality full-grain leather, and convenient financing options. For those seeking a blend of style, quality, and accessibility, Modloft is the winning choice that will transform your living space with sophistication and durability.
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.
