West Elm reviews and discussion

3.5

64% of reviewers would recommend to a friend

Reviews mention

  • Modern, mid-century aesthetic range
  • Timeless, versatile furniture designs
  • Comfortable, well-reviewed sleeper sofa
  • Reliable, stylish small decor
  • Inconsistent furniture build quality
  • Persistent shedding wool rugs
  • Fragile veneer and finishes
  • Upholstery pilling and sagging

West Elm earns mixed-to-polarized reviews: the brand delivers stylish, mid‑century‑leaning designs that many say hold up well—think Henry Sleeper Sofa, streamline coffee tables, and durable dining sets—but quality is inconsistent and larger furniture can pill, sag, chip, or shed. Reviews also flag chronic delivery delays, damaged or missing parts, and unhelpful customer service, while smaller home goods and decor are more reliably satisfying.

AI summary based on Thingtesting reviews

95 reviews and posts

  • Honestly this was a comically bad experience for installation. Not only did the instructions not match the product, the paper given for helping line up the screws for wall mounting didn't have the correct measurements. One sconce came with the incorrect screws and both sconces were missing a part. It's crazy for the price that they charged they didn't include a lightbulb but at least I knew and was able to order some ahead of time. The sconces themselves are perfectly nice but everything else is so bad for such a high price that I wouldn't necessarily waste your time and money.

    Verified purchase

  • We purchased this lamp for our mid-century modern living room. We just wanted to add some light at night. That was a little more subtle, but still add style. This was the perfect fit and we love it so much. We ended up just ordering some lightbulbs off of Amazon that are perfect and can also be made dimmable.

  • I am really disappointed with West Elm. We ordered a large media console for our basement and it was scheduled to be delivered today. Using the measurements provided on the website, my husband confirmed that although it would be tight, the piece would be able to make it down the stairs. As soon as the delivery people arrived, they expressed concern about the piece even fitting through the front door. We were extremely confused because, based on the website measurements, it would EASILY fit through the front door. Well dear reader, what West Elm fails to mention is that the packaging added an extra half foot plus to all the dimensions. They were able to just barely squeeze it into the house but there was no way it would make it through any other opening, and so they recommended we sign the document saying we were unable to receive the piece. The delivery people didn't tell us what to do next, so I reached out to customer service. I was nervous because other reviews made it sound like this could be a miserable experience. However, customer service ended up giving me a full refund (not store credit and it included the shipping and handling fee, which was what I was expecting), which I appreciate, so I am amending my original review of 1 star. I would still be wary of ordering from them in the future as I cannot be sure what the actual dimensions of the item will be when we receive it (the rep I spoke with on the phone confirmed its delivery's policy to not open the box until it is in the final room for a number of reasons).

    Verified purchase

  • After a long search, I'm very happy with this extendable dining table. I've owned it for a few months now, and I've found it to be durable, easy to clean, easy to insert and remove the leaf, and overall good looking. Delivery and set-up was also super easy.

  • Needed some basics and West Elm fits the minimalist vibe I'm trying for. That said, it took some research to buy products and while I love the soap dispensers I bought from them— it took very long for these to be delivered.

  • We have a bunch of West Elm products, but I’m basing my rating on the furniture. We have a bed frame, dining table and chairs, coffee table, couch, and credenza from them — all wood items. We bought these during a Memorial Day sale and had extra percentage off after opening a West Elm credit card. I don’t think I’d buy these items full price as the quality doesn’t warrant that high of a price. However, the design of our furniture pieces is exactly what I was looking for—mid-century modern, simple, and classic. We’ve moved three times and had these items for 4 years, and so far everything is holding up. I’m hoping they last for at least 10-15 years! There’s definitely other furniture retailers that have similar items at a cheaper price, so I don’t think West Elm is the only choice. It is very convenient if mid-century modern is your style—they have some of the best looking products out there. Just not worth the full price, in my opinion.

  • The website is efficient, returns are easy and the design is pretty good. They are usually on trend and if you want to keep up with that this is a very affordable way to do that. For design I had to give them a four out of five, for quality of three out of five. And you kind of have to know what’s good for them and what’s not for example definitely don’t buy their sofas but their beds are ok.

    Feedback

    West Elm‘s biggest challenge is that a lot of their print patterns go out of style fairly quickly because they’re not going for the trend of the moment so buyer beware on items that aren’t more classic. I’ve also heard that their sofas really do collapse after a year or two. And make sure you read the descriptions: there’s often MDF hidden somewhere even if it says a product is solid hardwood.

  • We own a lot of home decor from west elm but our favorite furniture that we own so far is the streamline coffee tables. They are so sleek and will fit well in anyones home! I love the marble top, the only downside is that they are not treated and we did not realize this when we first bought them so learn from our mistake!! USE COASTERS we have a couple spots on our tables where people left cups and it has left spots.

    Feedback

    Would be better if the marble was treated.

  • Poor quality and horrible customer service. I bought the mid century table and used it twice in 8 months. A piece of the veneer chipped off. They denied and the approved my replacement twice. Customer service was no help and the agent that told me the order was approved twice refused to return my calls or emails. Would never buy from them again.

  • Made to order sectional,ordered in December - arrived in April after almost a month of delay. A month after it arrived I filed a complaint that the fabric was pilling and stretching and it looked worn and tiered, like furniture would, but only after a long period and/or negligent use. Not after a month! A technician came to fix, but only confirmed that " this fabric tends to do that". No one ever mentioned that at the time of purchase, which would have definitely been used to make an educated decision if i wanted to spend $4330 for this cheap fabric and I consider that dishonest and deceitful. Now West Elm doesn't want to return and refund, because it was made to order and because they consider this regular wear and tear. So yes, they will sell you furniture with super low quality fabric, won't tell you anything about that at the time of purchase, and then try to convince you that regular wear and tear does happen a month after you receive your new sectional, that you should shave it, that they can offer a small discount for the inconvenience or covers for the sectional so you could hide the cheap fabric that comes with an expensive price tag. Words can't express how disappointed i am with West Elm!

  • HORRIBLE experience with mid-century table. Developed ugly long bubbles along a seam in the top - seems like glue bubbling up and the line of bubbles is growing. Since I've had it a little over a year, customer service refuses to repair or replace it. Such a pretty table is now unpresentable. I will NEVER purchase anything from them again.

  • Purchase 2 items from them and very discounted. Expensive store, poor quality and bad customer service. The sofa came with flat uncomfortable cushions on seat while in showroom the same sofa had nice fluffy ones - before ordering I’m personally checked how comfortable sofa to sit. The second item was a fabric bed frame. It came with a hole on headboard. It was difficult to exchange- their company wasn’t interested in exchanging, and they just promising to contact me or call me while I was only waiting, I have contacted them 3 times and spend like more then a month before they arrange and exchange. After they delivered a bed bed frame in 5 months it started make a noises like and old bed while moving. It’s expensive store with poor quality items. And they also disabled reviews on their products on websites. If too look at other companies websites you can see what people are telling. I think they have a problem with quality so they don’t want people see it. I will never buy anything from them again.

  • It’s been the worst experience with our patio furniture paid $20,000 2 1/2 years ago and it’s all falling apart. I would not recommend the port side furniture to anyone. Reclaim wood is supposed to last long than regular furniture. I know it’s been 2 1/2 years, but we take care of our things and it’s a shame that they won’t stand behind their products and I have contacted them.

    No firm. Is shit
  • I bought a beautiful West Elm coffee table with a brass base and a Carrara marble top. Less than two years later, the edges of the top of the table are breaking off. This allowed me to discover that the top is not solid marble, but a composite material covered with a very thin marble veneer. This table was not advertised as “marble veneer.” With very light use, it is breaking apart. Of course there is no warranty, and of course I cannot leave a review on their website to warn others. Buyer beware…cheaply made furniture with a high price tag!

  • One star is wasted on them. Horrible customer service and problem resolution is nonexistent. I purchased a floor lamp over Memorial Day weekend and was sent wrong size but exact same (table) lampshades Four separate times, and after promising different outcome each time. So on fifth phone call, CS rep wanted me to return via UPS and I no longer had original packaging, nor a car to drop off at their store. Simply, I refused to spend any money or any more time to resolve this. So after talking with her manager, (who, as policy, don’t speak with customers directly) she wanted to arrange a ups pick up and will send an email to confirm pickup date and time in a few days. That was in June 13th. Disgusted, I called my cc to dispute this charge right then and I received notification today that westelm countered this transaction as valid. And CC company is requesting more info if I’m to go forward. I called westelm today, July 15, and spoke with CS rep. She’ll have a manager call me in 24 to 72 hours and that there is no ups pickup at all. I have zero confidence anything will come of all this back and forth with five different CS reps. Westelm charges a hefty fee for service and delivery for furniture, which is alow to boot. It’s apparent their Customer service policy is to obfuscate and outright lie. Don’t give them any business.

  • I really liked the look of West Elm's modern designs and after my first purchase, I fell in love with their crafmanship. Over the years, the pieces I have purchased for my living room, dining room, bar, and bedrooms are all very sturdy and built to last. I feel that the timeless designs are also easy to mix and match and have practical storage. I also appreciate that West Elm collaborates with artists and material are responsibly sourced.

    Feedback

    I experienced a challenge when trying to remove the drawers from the dressers, buffet, and TV stand during a move. I was unable to manage to get them out but I had movers. You may want to reasearch if you'll be doing the lifting since they are very heavy. I also never received a replacement part.

  • I purchased a sofa from them with a matching ottoman. So far it has held up well and is extremely comfortable!

  • Just bought most of my apartment furniture from West Elm. I got it mostly at their outlet stores which have loads of amazing deals & it’s available to take with you right away rather than waiting weeks for shipping.

    Feedback

    Shop at their outlet, but be careful when purchasing, the staff is pretty careless when moving items around. They ripped my couch on the way out.

  • West Elm products are timeless and well-crafted. That being said, while I want to say that price and construction go hand in hand, I know of other, smaller brands that create timeless and well-crafted products at a lower cost.

    Feedback

    Despite the high cost, designers are still paid $17 an hour on average and we can't forget the whole scandal when they were claiming their products were made in New York when they were being made in China, likely in unsafe factories. Being such a large store, I think more transparency and payment to folks designing/on the store floors would be great.

  • I would live in a West Elm store if I could and I'd buy everything there if I had the money! Everything is truly so well made, you really get what you pay for in terms of quality.