Couch Comparisons

West Elm vs Aliving Home: Who Has Better Couches?

Could West Elm's elegance outshine Aliving Home's innovation? Let's uncover which brand's couches steal the show!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
West Elm vs Aliving Home

We independently select everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

    Join us on a thrilling sofa safari as we pit the chic designs of West Elm against the innovative creations of Aliving Home. Which brand will emerge victorious in our epic couch comparison?

    Side By Side

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

    Exploring the sofa realm, West Elm showcases a plethora of stylish choices catering to different tastes and budgets. On the durability front, both brands offer robust options that can withstand the test of time. When it comes to sustainability, West Elm's commitment to eco-friendly initiatives shines, while Aliving Home impresses with innovative designs tailored for modern living. In terms of value, each brand provides unique strengths that appeal to discerning buyers seeking quality and style.


    BRAND #1: 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 81%
    Durability and Quality Score 84%
    Shipping and Lead Time Score 80%
    Vibe Check Score 88%
    Customer Focus Score 78%
    Overall PotatoMeter Rating 82%
    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

    BRAND #2: Aliving Home

    Logo with the text "ALIVINGHOME" in black. To the left, there is a stylized yellow leaf or tree design. The background is white.

    Aliving Home is a relatively new furniture brand that's making a splash with its innovative and affordable designs. They're all about creating furniture that enhances your everyday life, with a focus on functionality and technology integration. Their zero-wall recliner sofa is their flagship product, showcasing their commitment to space-saving solutions and modern convenience. While they're still a growing brand, Aliving Home's dedication to customer satisfaction and unique approach to furniture design make them a company to watch in the years to come.

    Aliving Home | Brand Summary

    Aliving Home has definitely earned a spot on my "brands to watch" list.  I'm genuinely impressed with their commitment to creating stylish, functional, and affordable furniture. Their zero-wall recliner sofa is a perfect example, packed with innovative features, like built-in charging ports and a drop-down table, that cater to modern lifestyles. Plus, it's designed with comfort in mind, with features like lumbar support and power reclining.

    What I appreciate about Aliving Home is that they're not just hopping on the latest trends. They design furniture to enhance your everyday life at an accessible price point. While they may be a newer brand with a limited sofa selection currently, I have a feeling we'll be seeing great things from Aliving Home in the future. They've earned a "Fresh Potato" rating from me!

    Aliving Home | PotatoMeter Rating

    Online Shopping Experience Score 91%
    Durability and Quality Score 90%
    Shipping and Lead Time Score 92%
    Vibe Check Score 85%
    Customer Focus Score 94%
    Overall PotatoMeter Rating 90%
    Read Our Aliving Home Brand Review

    Aliving Home | Pros & Cons

    Pros
    • Modern, stylish design
    • Zero-wall reclining mechanism
    • Integrated power system with charging ports
    • Convenient drop-down table tray
    • Easy assembly

    Cons
    • Limited sofa selection
    • Limited customization options
    • No white-glove delivery service

    The Aliving Home Three Seater Power Zero Wall Recliner Sofa is a stylish and functional option for those looking to upgrade their living room. It boasts a modern design, a space-saving reclining mechanism, and integrated technology features like built-in charging ports. Plus, it's easy on the wallet compared to other power reclining sofas on the market.

    However, there are a few things to consider before you buy. Customization options are limited, and you can't remove the cushion covers for easy cleaning. You'll also need to assemble the sofa yourself, as Aliving Home doesn't offer white-glove delivery.

    But hey, nobody's perfect, right? And this Aliving Home sofa still has a lot to offer. The zero-wall reclining feature is a game-changer, especially for smaller spaces. And the integrated power system is super convenient for charging your devices while you relax. Plus, the price is pretty competitive for a sofa with this many features.

    Overall, the Aliving Home Three Seater Power Zero Wall Recliner Sofa is a solid choice for those seeking style, comfort, and functionality in a modern package.

    Shop Aliving Home Now

    And the winner is...

    In this showdown, West Elm snags the crown with its stylish designs, diverse selection, and strong commitment to sustainability, making it the prime choice for those seeking a perfect blend of elegance and eco-consciousness.

    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.
    Expand