Looking to invest in a new couch but unsure whether to choose Room & Board or Medley? Find out which brand has the best to offer right here!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
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Excited to discover which couch brand will reign supreme in your living room? Join us in exploring the clash of Room & Board versus Medley to uncover the ideal choice for your home decor.
Side By Side
Features
Room & Board
Medley
Made to Order Lead Times
4-10 weeks
8+ weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$119
$175
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA
USA
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$$
$$$-$$$$
When comparing Room & Board and Medley, it's clear that both brands bring unique strengths to the table. Room & Board shines in style variety and durability with its superior American-made quality. On the other hand, Medley stands out for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices, providing a niche selection. In terms of value, Room & Board caters to those seeking top-notch craftsmanship, while Medley appeals to eco-conscious buyers. The choice between these brands boils down to individual preferences, whether you value traditional craftsmanship or sustainable materials.
BRAND #1: Room & Board
Founded in 1980, Room & Board is a veteran in the furniture industry, known for its timeless designs and commitment to American craftsmanship. They partner with local artisans and prioritize sustainability, setting ambitious goals for eco-friendly practices and materials. Their transparent approach to pricing and focus on customer satisfaction make them a trusted name in the furniture market.
Room & Board | Brand Summary
Room & Boardgets it. They have a beautiful and useful website that makes shopping for a couch delightful. Their quality is excellent, their couches are made in the USA, and they have measurable and attainable sustainability goals. If their lead times were better and if they had an actual warranty on their couches then they would get a MAJOR bump in their PotatoMeter rating.
Compared to other well-known brands that offer stylish and affordable sofas, Room & Board provides a higher-end alternative with superior durability and quality. If you’re OK with those caveats, then Room & Board is a phenomenal choice for your couch purchase.
No sale events (bummer if you're looking for discounts)
Limited information on specific construction details
Room and Board offers a delightful online shopping experience with high-quality, American-made couches and a strong commitment to sustainability. However, their 4 to 10-week lead time for custom upholstery might test your patience. The $119 white glove delivery fee, while convenient, adds to the overall cost. They don't offer a warranty on their couches, relying instead on a guarantee, which could be a concern for some.
Despite these drawbacks, the focus of Room and Board furniture on quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction makes them a top contender for your next sofa purchase. Their "In Stock" fabric options are a great way to get your new couch faster, and their generous return policy provides peace of mind.
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 furniture is one of the few brands that genuinely delivers on sustainability and craftsmanship. With a focus on non-toxic finishes, FSC-certified wood, and plant-based latex cushions, Medley has become a go-to brand for buyers looking for a high-quality, eco-friendly couch.
Best Medley Couches & Sofas:
Medley Blumen Sofa – Best for deep seating & comfort
Medley Kirnik Sectional – Best for families & large spaces
Medley Rio Sofa – Best all-natural, non-toxic option
What Makes Medley Different?
Handcrafted in the USA with FSC-certified solid wood frames.
Latex + wool cushion options for an all-natural, chemical-free experience.
Lifetime warranty on frames & 10-year cushion warranty.
Downside? Lead times can be longer than average (8-18 weeks), depending on materials.
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 this clash of Room & Board versus Medley, Room & Board secures the victory with its premium craftsmanship and diverse style options. The brand's dedication to quality and American craftsmanship makes it an ideal choice for buyers seeking both durability and sophistication.
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.
