Looking for the coziest couch around? Join us as we unravel which brand, What A Room or Frontgate, provides the ultimate snuggle spot for your living room. Let's embark on a comfy adventure together!
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
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Are you torn between Where A Room and Frontgate for your couch cravings? Get your popcorn ready as we delve into the ultimate sofa showdown. Let the battle of style, quality, and customer focus begin!
Side By Side
Features
What A Room
Frontgate
Made to Order Lead Times
4-6 weeks
8-10 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$99+
$179-$449
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm, Shop Pay
Frontgate Credit Card / Affirm / Klarna
Assembly Required
Varies
Varies
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA
USA + Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$$
$$-$$$$
When comparing What A Room and Frontgate, both brands offer a wide array of styles to suit various tastes. What A Room excels in durability with its high-resilience foam cushions and eco-friendly fabric options, ideal for families looking for long-lasting comfort. Moreover, Frontgate's emphasis on sustainability and their use of top-grain leather cater to eco-conscious buyers seeking luxury and style. In terms of overall value, Frontgate's 10-year frame warranty and commitment to quality craftsmanship tip the scales for those prioritizing long-term investment in furniture.
BRAND #1: What A Room
What A Room was founded with the goal of offering fully customizable sofas and sectionals, made in the USA with high-quality materials. By owning their own factory in Los Angeles, they are able to offer quicker production times (4-6 weeks) while ensuring a personalized customer experience. Their key milestone includes providing over 250 fabric choices, with a focus on pet-friendly and eco-conscious options. Known for their craftsmanship, durability, and commitment to customer satisfaction, What A Room has carved out a niche as a go-to brand for buyers seeking custom, high-end furniture with a fast turnaround.
What A Room | Brand Summary
When it comes to custom sofas made in the USA, few brands match the level of quality, customer service, and design flexibility that What A Room offers. But do What A Room reviews reflect this same level of excellence, or is it just good marketing?
As a direct-to-consumer furniture brand, What A Room manufactures its own sofas, offering full customization with high-end materials—all without sky-high retail markups. That’s a rare find in today’s sofa market. With handcrafted frames, premium foam cushions, and free design consultations, What A Room gives buyers full control over their couch.
Let’s see if they live up to the hype in What A Room reviews or if there are better alternatives.
Personalized customer service with design consultations
Cons
20% restocking fee for returns
No free shipping option, delivery fees can be high
What A Room offers a customizable sofa experience, perfect for buyers seeking a unique, made-to-order product. Their quick 4-6 week production time is faster than many competitors, and they provide over 250 fabric choices, including pet-friendly options. Owning their manufacturing facility in the USA allows them to maintain high-quality standards while meeting customization needs.
However, their return policy has a 20% restocking fee, which can be a drawback for some customers. Delivery fees are also an added expense, and there have been occasional complaints about delays in receiving custom orders.
On the plus side, What A Room excels with personalized customer service and free design consultations to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want. Their use of eco-friendly, chemical-free fabrics and durable high-resilience foam cushions makes them a great choice for families, and their made-in-the-USA production is a strong selling point for those seeking quality craftsmanship.
Frontgate, established in 1991, has carved a niche for itself by offering furniture that blends classic design with modern touches. They cater to customers who appreciate quality and are willing to invest in timeless pieces. The brand's emphasis on exclusive designs and customer experience, coupled with their commitment to sustainability, differentiates them in the market. While their sofas may not be the most budget-friendly option, they offer a luxurious and stylish addition to any living space.
Frontgate | Brand Summary
Frontgate has carved out a unique niche in the furniture market. They cater to a customer who appreciates classic design aesthetics but with a modern twist. Think clean lines, high-quality materials, and a focus on comfort that doesn't sacrifice style. While their sofas may not be the most playful or trendy, they're built to be timeless additions to your living room. But is timeless the same as boring? And how does their customer service stack up? In this review, we'll put Frontgate sofas to the test, assessing everything from comfort and construction to value and after-sales support. Get ready to peel back the layers and see if a Frontgate sofa deserves a spot on your Potatometer podium.
Frontgate, a haven for those seeking classic elegance with a contemporary flair, offers a diverse selection of sofas crafted from premium materials like top-grain leather and performance fabrics. Their commitment to quality is underscored by a generous 10-year warranty on frames, ensuring that your investment piece stands the test of time. Additionally, their 90-day return policy provides peace of mind, allowing ample time to determine if your new sofa is the perfect fit for your home.
However, this level of craftsmanship and attention to detail comes at a cost, as Frontgate sofas tend to be on the pricier side, with some models reaching luxury price points. While they offer free fabric swatches to aid in your decision-making process and provide a range of delivery options, including white-glove service, returns aren't entirely hassle-free. You might encounter restocking fees and have to handle the return shipping yourself, which could be a significant expense for larger items.
Despite these considerations, Frontgate's commitment to sustainability is a noteworthy highlight. Their efforts to incorporate recycled materials and utilize renewable energy demonstrate a conscious approach to furniture production. So, if you're drawn to timeless designs, prioritize quality, and value eco-conscious practices, Frontgate might be worth the splurge, even with the potential drawbacks and longer lead times for custom orders.
Frontgate takes the crown in this enticing couch clash thanks to its dedication to quality craftsmanship, top-tier materials like top-grain leather, and an unmatched focus on sustainability. For buyers seeking a blend of luxury, durability, and eco-consciousness, Frontgate offers the ultimate sofa experience.
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.
