If you’re shopping for new living room furniture, Coleman and Ashley are two major brands to consider. Both companies make a wide selection of sofas, loveseats, recliners, tables and more to suit any style and budget. But which is better for your needs – Coleman or Ashley?
We’ll compare quality, price, style and other key factors to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Coleman | Ashley |
| Pricing | Very affordable, budget-friendly | Higher, more premium prices |
| Quality | Decent for the low cost | Better materials and construction |
| Style Selection | Small, focused on family rooms | Huge selection for entire home |
| Custom Options | None, pre-set styles only | Many fabrics, leathers and finishes |
| Shopping | Online and select stores | 700+ Ashley HomeStores |
| Warranty | 1 year limited | Lifetime limited, 120 day returns |
| Manufacturing | Mostly imported | Mostly imported, some US made |
Overview Of Coleman And Ashley
Coleman Furniture is actually a brand name owned by the large furniture manufacturer Ashley.
So technically, any Coleman furniture is made by Ashley.
Coleman offers affordable furniture focused on family-friendly durability, while Ashley targets a broader range of styles and prices for all rooms in the home.
Ashley also owns several other furniture brands like BenchCraft and Signature Design.
Both companies sell furniture through national chains like Rooms To Go and local furniture stores.
You’ll also find Coleman and Ashley products on Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers. Ashley additionally runs their own network of hundreds of Ashley HomeStore showrooms.
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Comparison Between Coleman and Ashley
Quality and Comfort
When comparing quality, Ashley furniture tends to use more premium construction and materials than Coleman. For example, most Ashley sofas and recliners feature hardwood frames and steel reclining mechanisms for strength and support.
Coleman uses less expensive engineered woods and metal parts to meet lower price points. But Coleman quality is still respectable, especially considering the affordable pricing.
For comfort, plush synthetic fibers and high-density foams are typical for both brands. Coleman prioritizes family-friendly durability with kid-proof upholsteries. Ashley focuses more on fashion with stylish fabrics and trendy silhouettes.
If your top priority is rugged quality at the lowest cost, Coleman delivers excellent value. For a touch more quality and designer looks, Ashley is worth the extra investment.
Variety of Selection
With hundreds of styles to choose from, Ashley Furniture offers far greater variety than Coleman. From contemporary chic to farmhouse classic, Ashley has living room sets for any taste and decor.
Coleman furniture has a much smaller selection, centered on value-focused recliner sofas and sectionals for the family room. You won’t find the latest trends, but the core styles are fashionable and functional.
Ashley also provides furniture for every room, while Coleman focuses specifically on living room seating. So Ashley gives you a one-stop shop for furnishing an entire home.
Affordability and Pricing
Affordability is a key strength of Coleman Furniture. Simple construction and inexpensive materials help keep costs low. Their prices are similar to big box stores and 30-50% below Ashley.
For example, a Coleman power reclining sofa can be around $600-800. The same style at Ashley could be $1000-1500 based on upholstery options.
Ashley does offer payment plans to spread out your investment over time with 0% interest promotions. Coleman is a pay-in-full cash purchase only.
If you’re on a tight budget, Coleman is the way to go. Ashley offers better value for those willing to pay more for luxury details and custom looks.
Living Room Styles
Coleman focuses on casual family room styles in synthetic leather and durable fabrics. Their sofas and recliners prioritize functionality with features like power reclining, USB ports and cupholders.
Ashley designs span all styles from sleek modern to classic traditional. Upholstery options range from basic fabrics to premium materials like top-grain Italian leather. Styling is fashion-forward and updated each season.
Coleman’s narrow styling limits living room decor possibilities. Ashley’s broad range of looks can complement any theme from coastal to bohemian and beyond.
Customization Options
One advantage of Ashley is their huge selection of custom upholstery options to match your style.
Most sofas and chairs can be tailored with hundreds of different fabrics, leathers and accent details like decorative nails or contrast welting.
Coleman offers no customization. Their furniture comes as-is in preset color and material combinations. Options are limited to functionality, like power recline or stationary.
The ability to customize Ashley pieces makes it easy to create a signature look unique to your home.
Mix and match colors, fabrics and finishes for a one-of-a-kind living room.
Space Saving Furniture
For small spaces, both Coleman and Ashley carry space saving furniture options. This includes sleeper sofas with storage ottomans, reclining loveseats, and sectionals with versatile configurations.
Some popular space savers from Coleman include the Albrillo Power Reclining Loveseat and the Salvador Sofa Sleeper with drop-down table.
Top picks from Ashley are the Bladen Saddlebag Arm Sofa and Pagari Storage Chaise Sectional. Both include hidden storage for blankets or media.
Ashley has more specialty designs like sectionals with wedge pieces and compact loveseats to maximize layout possibilities. Coleman’s selection is mostly limited to basic sleepers, recliners and benches for tight spaces.
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Shopping Experience
Where you can shop is a major difference between Coleman Furniture and Ashley. Coleman is only available through select online and in-store retailers. Ashley offers a huge direct-to-consumer network with over 700 Ashley HomeStore locations across North America.
The benefit of Ashley HomeStores is getting to see, touch and test out furniture before you buy. Sales associates can also provide expert design advice. Coleman can only be purchased sight unseen online or at local furniture stores.
Returns and exchanges are easy at Ashley HomeStores. With Coleman, you’ll have to repackage and return to the retailer or arrange your own pick-up. So the Ashley HomeStore experience is much more convenient.
Warranties and Policies
Ashley Furniture provides longer and stronger warranties versus Coleman’s more basic coverage. This includes:
- Ashley: Limited lifetime warranty on frames, 5 years on cushions/covers, 1 year on parts
- Coleman: 1 year limited warranty, 3 months on upholstery
Ashley also offers a 120 Night Comfort Guarantee where you can return furniture if not fully satisfied. Coleman only allows returns within a short 30 day window for a full refund.
For repairs, Ashley provides in-home techs in most areas to service furniture at your home if needed. With Coleman you would have to take apart and transport items to an authorized service center on your own.
Ashley’s longer time coverage, in-home service and 120 day returns reduce risk – especially for big ticket furniture purchases.
Company Reputations
Both Coleman and Ashley Furniture have mixed reputations based on customer reviews. Ashley is very large, producing over 100,000 pieces per week globally.
With this kind of volume, quality control can be hit or miss. Some Ashley owners report excellent quality, others experience defects or damage.
Coleman has fewer reviews available, but similar issues noted with durability, defects, and customer service. As an Ashley brand, they share the same manufacturing and supply chain.
In summary, expect minor flaws but decent quality from both brands. Carefully inspect items at delivery and test out recliners to ensure full functionality. Be ready to contact the retailer if repairs or returns are needed.
Pros And Cons Of Coleman and Ashley
Coleman Pros
- Very affordable pricing
- Family-friendly durable styles
- Space saving recliners and sleepers
- Easy online or in-store purchase
Coleman Cons
- Limited style selection
- Lower quality materials
- Short 30 day return period
- No customization options
Ashley Pros
- Hundreds of on-trend styles
- Higher quality construction
- Customizable fabrics, leathers, etc
- In-home delivery and service
Ashley Cons
- Prone to minor quality flaws
- Higher pricing
- Must visit HomeStore for best experience
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, the majority of Ashley Furniture sold today is produced overseas in countries like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Only some specialty lines or custom-ordered upholstery may be made domestically.
Most Ashley reclining sofas, chairs, and sectionals are imported. However, some high-end custom leather recliners can be made at their manufacturing facility in California. But the majority of recliners will be non-US made imports.
Brands known for higher-end quality recliners include lazy boy, Best Home Furnishings, Catnapper and Palliser. These companies invest in better materials, reinforced frames and smooth reclining mechanisms for increased durability and comfort.
Lazy boy is widely regarded as manufacturing the highest quality recliners, with many models still made in the USA. Their premium lines feature hardwood frames, steel mechanisms, and high-density cushioning for maximum comfort and longevity.
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Verdict
Overall, Ashley Furniture is the better choice if you want great style selection, customization and quality materials. Shopping at their HomeStores provides a superior experience compared to Coleman’s online-only purchasing.
However, if budget it tight, you can save 30% or more buying comparable furniture under the Coleman brand name. Coleman offers excellent value for families focused more on function than fashion.
Think about your priorities in terms of budget, quality, and convenience.
If a low price trumps all, go with Coleman’s value seating. For the best quality, selection and experience – make the worthwhile investment in Ashley Furniture. Either brand can serve most homeowners’ needs for stylish, durable living room furniture.