Side-By-Side Comparison:
Lulu and Georgia vs West Elm
Features
Lulu and Georgia
West Elm
Lulu and Georgia and West Elm both occupy an incredibly similar market space. This is very clear when you look at the chart above. Aside from a few minor differences in white glove delivery costs and lead times, the main areas where they differ are in fabric options and overall prices.
But before you decide, let’s take a closer look at certain features. On the surface the return options look similar. But importantly, neither company allows you to return made to order couches. “Made to order” in this case means choosing any fabric that’s not specifically labeled as “In-Stock” or “Quick Ship.” In other words, 98% of these companies’ couches can’t be returned. Of the couches that can be returned, Lulu and Georgia has a 60 day return window, whereas West Elm only has a 7 day return window. And even then, your couch may not qualify.
Lulu and Georgia averages about 6-8 fabric choices for their couches while West Elm has 50+ options in most cases. West Elm also offers a few more customization options on some of their couches like deeper frames or down filling.
Still can’t decide? Let’s break it down even further.
Brand Focus: Lulu and Georgia
Lulu and Georgia
Lulu and Georgia is an online-only retailer that launched in 2012. The founder, Sara Sugarman Brenner, named the company after her grandfather, Lou, and her father, George.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Designer sofa styles In-Stock couches ship quickly Some couches made in the USA Female founded & independently owned Excellent sustainability glossary |
Can't return made to order couches No warranty available Expensive compared to competitors Limited fabric selection No brick-and-mortar locations |
Pros & Cons: Lulu and Georgia
Lulu and Georgia partners with designers to offer exclusive sofa styles, which are absolutely gorgeous. But they also supply couches from third party manufacturers. This results in some couches being made in the USA while others are imported from overseas. However, the quality of construction is good regardless of their origins. On top of that, we love the fact that they’re a female founded company. Lulu and Georgia also puts an emphasis on sustainability, especially as part of their future plans. Always a plus!
We do wish that Lulu and Georgia’s customer focus were stronger. You can’t return their made to order couches, but they do have a 60 day return window for their In-Stock or Ready to Ship couches (if you can stomach the 25% fee). But their lack of couch warranties is a real killer. On top of that, their limited fabric options and limited customizations are also disappointing. These shortcomings could be overlooked, but Lulu and Georgia’s prices are also quite high compared to competitors. When standard, 3-seater sofas are $3,000 – $4,000 you’d hope for more peace of mind with your purchase.
PotatoMeter Ratings
Lulu and Georgia
The PotatoMeter is Couch.com’s very own rating system that grades furniture retailers on a variety of essential criteria.
Brand Focus: West Elm
West Elm
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.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
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 |
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 |
Pros & Cons: West Elm
West Elm 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. For their quality and the number of sofa styles available, the pricing is actually wonderfully competitive. West Elm has a major edge over Lulu and Georgia on that front. 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. But they are part of a big corporate umbrella, which might be a negative for some shoppers.
PotatoMeter Ratings
West Elm
The PotatoMeter is Couch.com’s very own rating system that grades furniture retailers on a variety of essential criteria.
And The Winner Is...
Both of these couch companies have drop dead gorgeous sofas to choose from. If supporting independent businesses is important to you, Lulu and Georgia is a good option. If you want elevated styles at lower prices, West Elm is the better bet. But if warranties and return options are must-haves, then you’ll want to steer clear of both of these companies.
Want more comparisons? Check out these other articles: