When it comes to home furnishings and décor, two big names often come to mind – Wayfair and West Elm. As leaders in online furniture and home goods retailing, Wayfair and West Elm have a lot of similarities but also some key differences that set them apart.
This comprehensive guide will break down the pros, cons, and key features of Wayfair and West Elm to help you determine which retailer is best for your home furnishing needs.
A Brief Comparison Table Of Wayfair And West Elm
| Features | Wayfair | West Elm |
| Product Range | Massive, 18 million items from budget to luxury | Curated, mid-century modern focused |
| Pricing | Very affordable, frequent sales and deals | Mid-price point, fewer discounts |
| Product Quality | Varies greatly, more risk with no-name brands | Consistent quality with in-house designs |
| Online Experience | Enormous selection, 3D room view, tons of user reviews | Beautiful photography, minimalist vibe, limited reviews |
| In-Store Experience | Limited locations, outlet clearance centers | Beautiful lifestyle displays, design services |
| Delivery | Affordable shipping options including white-glove | Free threshold shipping, white-glove available |
| Assembly | DIY or third party assembly services available | DIY or West Elm assembly available |
| Warranty | 30 days Wayfair branded, less for other brands | 30 days all items |
| Returns | Free return shipping on large items | Return shipping paid by customer |
| Style | Eclectic mix of styles to blend and match | Signature modern/mid-century aesthetic |
| Sustainability | Making progress on sustainable sourcing | Strong environmental commitments and practices |
Overview Of Wayfair And West Elm
Founded in 2002, Wayfair is an e-commerce juggernaut that specializes in home goods and furniture. With an extensive selection of over 18 million products across home décor, furniture, housewares, and more, Wayfair aims to be a one-stop-shop for all things home.
West Elm was founded in 2002 as well, but operates under parent company Williams-Sonoma. Positioning itself as a mid-priced retailer, West Elm focuses more narrowly on modern and contemporary furniture and home décor. The brand also places greater emphasis on eco-conscious products and collaborations with designers.
While both e-tailers sell furniture and home goods, there are some notable differences between Wayfair and West Elm in terms of their product selection, price points, and overall shopping experience. Keep reading to see how they compare.
Comparison Of Key Features Of Wayfair And West Elm
Product Range and Quality
One of the biggest differences between Wayfair and West Elm is the breadth of their product selections. With its vast catalog, Wayfair far surpasses West Elm when it comes to overall variety and options.
On Wayfair, you can find furniture and home décor across every style imaginable – traditional, modern, coastal, bohemian – you name it. They also offer a wide array of national brands, lesser-known brands, and private label brands unique to Wayfair.
With free shipping on most orders, you can easily browse thousands of sofas, beds, lighting, rugs, storage solutions, and so much more.
West Elm has a highly curated, much smaller product range with just a few thousand SKUs focused on modern and mid-century inspired designs. You won’t find as many traditional furnishings, or big-name brands.
But West Elm places greater emphasis on eco-conscious products and collaborations with emerging designers to offer a unique assortment you won’t find anywhere else.
When it comes to product quality, both Wayfair and West Elm run the gamut from budget finds to luxury pieces. On Wayfair, quality can vary greatly depending on the individual brand or item. For more assurance with higher end furnishings,
West Elm may be a safer bet for nicely made products at moderate price points. Their in-house designs also give them greater quality control.
Price and Affordability
Shoppers are often pleasantly surprised by Wayfair’s low prices, especially on big ticket items like sofas, beds, and dressers. Their vast selection ensures competitive pricing, with many items costing significantly less than what you would find for comparable pieces at other retailers.
West Elm is more of a mid-priced brand, offering reasonable prices for the design and quality. While not ultra-budget-friendly, they are a great option for nice looking modern furniture that won’t break the bank.
When it comes to big savings at Wayfair, you can often find coupon codes and sales to save even more on already reduced prices. West Elm is more limited when it comes to discounts, but does have some seasonal sales on certain products.
If you’re on a tight budget, Wayfair will stretch your dollars further. For a balance of value and style, West Elm hits that nice sweet spot in between cheap and luxury.
Online Shopping Experience
The online shopping experiences at Wayfair and West Elm share some similarities, as well as some distinct differences.
Wayfair’s website is built for massive scale, making it easy to sort through their unrivaled product selection. Helpful search functions, filters, and product recommendations make the shopping process smooth and intuitive.
Customer images and reviews provide added insight to guide your buying decisions.
West Elm has a more boutique, curated feel to their e-commerce store. The product selection is smaller and easier to digest. Their stunning photography and styling brings the collection to life. Helpful descriptions provide details on materials, dimensions, and more.
Some key differences: Wayfair provides a 3D room visualizer tool so you can see items in a simulated room setting. West Elm does not offer this feature. Wayfair lists many user reviews, while West Elm has minimal reviews.
When it comes to online perks, Wayfair is hard to beat. Their low-price guarantee ensures you get the best deals. Plus, their membership program Way Day Access offers free shipping, special discounts, and early access to sales for a $29 annual fee.
West Elm Red membership is similar but costs $100 per year.
In-Store Shopping Experience
If buying furniture in person is important to you, Wayfair only has a handful of brick-and-mortar stores located in Massachusetts and Kentucky. West Elm has over 100 stores across the U.S. and Canada, making it much easier to see and test out products in person before buying.
West Elm stores showcase the brand’s modern, contemporary style with beautifully arranged vignettes. Friendly, helpful staff can assist you with design services and placing orders. Some locations also have a “West Elm Market” with a curated selection of home goods and gifts from small makers.
The few Wayfair stores operate more as outlet clearance centers, offering overstock inventory at discounted prices. They are no-frills warehouses without the immersive visual merchandising of a West Elm.
But you can find major deals on name-brand furniture here if you luck out with inventory.
Read More: Comparison Between Allmodern And West Elm
Delivery and Assembly
One of the biggest drawbacks of ordering large furniture online is dealing with shipping and assembly. Here is how Wayfair and West Elm compare when it comes to delivery and putting it all together:
Wayfair offers several affordable delivery options for all orders over $49, ranging from 3-10 business days. For large items, white glove in-home delivery can be added for an additional fee. This includes room of choice delivery, unpacking, assembly, and debris removal.
For a fee, West Elm also offers in-home delivery with assembly of large items like sofas, beds, dressers, and tables. Basic curbside delivery is free for orders over $75.
When it comes to assembly, both Wayfair and West Elm furniture arrives with everything you need and clear instructions for DIY assembly. If you prefer not to assemble yourself, added assembly services are available from Wayfair and third-party pros through Wayfair.
West Elm assembly can be requested at time of order for their delivered items.
Having clear delivery timeframes and assembly options takes the headache out of the online furniture buying process. Both Wayfair and West Elm make it easy whether you prefer quick doorstep delivery, or full white glove treatment.
Warranties and Returns
Here’s the breakdown when it comes to warranties and return policies:
For Wayfair branded products, you get a generous 30-day return window. There is also a 1-year limited warranty from defects. For third party branded items, return windows can vary by manufacturer but are typically shorter than Wayfair’s policies.
West Elm also offers 30 days for returns, and provides a 1-year warranty on furniture with certain limitations. Their return policy is more consistent whether buying West Elm branded or partner brands.
Keep in mind Wayfair return shipping is free for larger items shipped directly to you. For West Elm, you’ll pay for return shipping on larger furniture pieces back to their warehouses.
Both retailers offer hassle-free returns that take the worry out of online furniture purchases. Wayfair edges out West Elm slightly with their branded goods return policy and free return shipping.
Read More: Comparison Between Joybird And West Elm
Style and Design Aesthetic
When it comes to overall aesthetic, Wayfair and West Elm represent two distinct styles:
The Wayfair style is eclectic and diverse, reflecting their vast product range. You can find traditional furnishings, modern and contemporary pieces, coastal décor, bohemian chic, and everything between. Without a focused aesthetic, you can mix and match across styles at Wayfair.
The West Elm style is decidedly contemporary, modern, and mid-century, with some bohemian and industrial influences as well. Clean lines, muted color palettes, natural materials define the West Elm look.
If your design style leans modern, West Elm will be a go-to destination.
Wayfair is ideal for curating a totally unique look reflecting your personal tastes. For a cohesive modern style, West Elm fills that niche.
Quality of Customer Service
Having issues with a delivery or product quality? Here’s how Wayfair and West Elm compare when it comes to customer service:
Wayfair has expanded their customer service department to keep pace with their rapid growth. They now offer customer service reps available 24/7 via phone, chat, and email. No automated bots here – you’ll speak to real people ready to help.
They also have an active service team on Twitter for added support.
West Elm offers responsive customer service across email, phone, and chat. Support hours are extensive but not round the clock. Overall there are positive reports of friendly, helpful service when issues arise.
Both brands aim to provide top notch support to turn angry customers into happy ones. Wayfair’s expansive operation means dealing with more issues, but also fast resolution when problems occur.
For less urgency, West Elm also delivers caring service.
Read More: Comparison Between Castlery And West Elm
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
Eco-conscious shoppers may want to know which retailer is greener when it comes to sustainability and ethical practices.
Wayfair has partnered with organizations like the Rainforest Alliance to increase their offerings of ethically sourced and sustainable furniture and home goods.
They also aim to reduce packaging waste by maximizing recycled content and optimizing box sizes.
As part of the Williams-Sonoma family, West Elm has made strong commitments to sustainability. West Elm is a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, and over 50% of their wood products are FSC-certified. Their upholstered items use eco-friendly foam and organic cotton.
The brand continually works at improving sustainability across their operations and supply chain.
Both brands are making efforts towards greener operations, packaging, and products. West Elm’s values more closely align with environmental responsibility from product design to practices.
Wayfair still offers plenty of conscious finds, but sustainability is not as central to their mission.
Watch the video to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Wayfair Vs. West Elm
No, West Elm is not considered high end, but rather middle to upper-middle market in terms of price and quality. As part of the Williams-Sonoma brand family, West Elm targets an aspirational yet accessible market segment. Their products have style and quality at moderate price points, avoiding the budget and true luxury extremes.
Some lower priced alternatives to West Elm include:
IKEA – More basic, assemble-it-yourself designs
Amazon – Mass market with many affordable brands and own label Rivet furniture
Walmart – Budget friendly options and furniture basics
Overstock – Discount prices on clearance items and overstock
Wayfair – Massive selection with frequent sales and deals
These retailers offer lower prices by relying on volume, cheaper manufacturing, and less branding. The tradeoff may be lower quality compared to West Elm’s offerings.
Wayfair is able to offer incredibly low prices by operating with an ultra lean business model and shipping direct from manufacturers. Here are some of the key factors:
No physical stores means major overhead cost savings
Operating at enormous scale for bulk pricing discounts
Constant influx of overstock inventory from suppliers
House brands produced cheaply through third party factories
Minimal branding and marketing costs relative to sales
Customer service outsourced to low wage regions
This direct supply chain allows them to cut out all middlemen and unnecessary expenses that drive up costs. The tradeoff is sometimes lower quality or lack of branded goods.
Yes, Wayfair is reputable and generally safe to purchase from online. Here are some signs they are legitimate:
Major retailer operating since 2002
Publicly traded company with strong revenues
Positive BBB rating and satisfactory resolution of issues
Hundreds of thousands of customer reviews
Accepts all major payment methods
Offers standard warranties and money-back returns
As with any major retailer, there can be quality consistency issues or shipping delays. But overall Wayfair is considered trustworthy based on long operating history and scale. Doing your research is advised as with any online furniture purchase.
Final Verdict: Wayfair Vs. West Elm
So when it comes down to Wayfair Vs. West Elm, who comes out on top?
For the widest selection and lowest prices, Wayfair is hard to beat. Their one-stop shop for all things home, coupled with major savings, makes them the choice for bargain hunters or anyone needing to furnish their entire home.
For a highly curated selection of modern, mid-century furniture and décor, West Elm fills that niche beautifully. Their in-house designs offer nice quality and style at moderate price points.
In summary:
- Wayfair wins for massive selection, constant sales, and budget pricing
- West Elm shines for their signature modern aesthetic and reasonable quality
- Wayfair excels at delivery innovations, while West Elm showcases products beautifully in stores
- For eco-friendly, West Elm leads over Wayfair in sustainable practices
Whichever you choose, rest assured you can outfit your home in style while saving money and hassles compared to traditional furniture stores.
Wayfair and West Elm make the world of home furnishings accessible, affordable, and able to fit your unique look.