OT: Restoration Hardware sofa quality?

11 years ago

I'm thinking of using the 20% off sale on a sofa from RH (the Sorensen Sofa for anyone firmiliar with it). Does anybody have any experience with their furntiure? Am I overpaying for the brand or are does the quality reflect the pricepoint?

Are they reselling a sofa that is made by someone else that I could get for a little better price elseware?

Featured Answer

cameok

11 years ago

I can say for sure: quality at RH is way down. I suspected that they'd off shored manufacture to China when i got (just last week) a Lancaster chair to match (or so I'd hoped) the Lancaster couch I purchased in 2006. The couch is great, with supple leather, tight rolled arms and pleasing proportions. The chair arrived. It looks like Sherman Tank next to the couch. Rolled arms are 2" longer and somehow puffy, with folds in the leather that look like hospital corners in sheets. Chair cushion is 5 " deep, where cushions on the couch are 4". The couch, believe me, is plenty big enough. The chair is a monstrosity with sloppy seams. It looks bloated. Seat and back don't sit exactly right. It's also taller than the couch and the leather isn't of the same quality. Much to my disappointment, it''s going back.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

User
11 years ago
As far as I know, most (if not all) of their furniture is manufactured in China these days. If you can get to a RH Outlet, you can see what some of the furniture is like.

Since it's made in China, you won't be able to find the exact pieces. Additionally, people have been disappointed with their quality control since outsourcing manufacturing.

With all that said, I did order my (martine) dining chairs from RH. There were some flaws in the seams and in various places. It was nothing terrible, but it was enough for me to be annoyed that there were flaws at that price point.

PS. It seems they have constantly had 20% off sales this year. Don't feel rushed to make your decision immediately.

This post was edited by lolauren on Fri, Dec 7, 12 at 11:41
User
11 years ago
This one is similar, although it doesn't have as low of a profile: C&B Brooks Sofa

C&B uses some decent/good manufacturers (Lee, Hancock & Moore, etc.) so potentially you could hunt down a similar one at a different price point. If you call a C&B store, they should be able to tell you the manufacturer on each piece.
Related Discussions
Quality sofa from Restoration Hardware?
Q
Comments (38)
I have the Cambridge sofa in vintage black. After 3 years it was saggy on one side and had lost quite a bit of leather on the seating area so I contacted them and they replaced it. The new one looks better but they went from a 98" sofa to an 8ft one but when measuring it, it actually measures smaller than 8 ft. I also have noticed that when someone gets off it, the other person can feel it, almost like it's not level or build strong enough, it goes up and down. Hard to explain but we're small people. I actually preferred the saggy, missing leather to the new version. If you can find anywhere else to get what you want in a sofa, do it. Restoration Hardware may look pretty but it's not well made unfortunately.
...See More
Sofa Showdown: Restoration Hardware versus Arhaus
Q
Comments (3)
A few comments regarding the two companies. The bulk of Arhaus Furniture is made in Conover North Carolina by Thomas Bain. Their frames used to be 5/4 hardwood but I do beleive they have switch to hardwood plywood. They do have a cut away in their stores of a chair with 8 way hand tied springs but many of their sofas have sinuous springs. They have nice cushions, good leathers and good looking styles. Restoration Hardware is made in China. I think the factory they use is called "Cozy" for some of their product line but I could be mistaken. Their literature says kiln dried hardwood frames, but as is the case with many manufacturers kiln dried hardwood is usually kiln dried hardwood plywood unless they specify that they are using 5/4 hardwood. They also say they have 8 way hand tied springs, but their are two types of 8 way tied spring systems. Those that are built into the furniture and those that are called drop in units. A drop in unit is essentially like a wire box made outside of the furniture with coil springs which can be tied in which the whole unit is then set into the frame and screwed into place. A drop in unit does not have the tortional strength of a real 8 way had tied unit. The real 8 way hand tied units have multiple layers with layers of a heavy duty material across the based and bands of metal crossing the base in a checkerboard pattern. If you want to see what a real 8 way hand tied unit looks like you could visit the Hancock and Moore website and watch their video. In as much as they do not show any construction features I suspect they are using a drop in unit and a plywood frame. In my opinion they should show some construction pictures on their web site or in their stores. If a company is using a construction system they are proud of they will usually show pictures or cutaways of what they are using. RH does have many beautiful styles. In my opinion their merchandising is second to none and they also have a nice selection of leathers and fabrics. I would say the construction methods employed by both companies are comparable. This post was edited by Freethinker99 on Thu, Jan 22, 15 at 14:01
...See More
Restoration Hardware Antibes Patio Sofa
Q
Comments (11)
The sofa we did over was an old Scandinavian Design (remember them?) three-cushion gray and white striped thing. We ditched the rather cheap cushions, fattened up the arms a little, gave it a tailored waterfall skirt, added the aforementioned single seat cushion, and then used five square down pillows with thick short fringe for the back cushions. So it was a pretty big job, but I got something that would have cost about $4,000 for about $1,200. That was 15 years ago, and it needs to be done again. The fringed back pillow thing is so 80's! One note, if you decide to do it. Make sure that the seat cushion has some form of subtle strap included in the design to secure the cushion to the frame. Otherwise, it will slide around when you sit on it, which will drive you right round the bend. What comes to my mind is a couple of simple self-fabric belts with velcro closures incorporated into the back edge. The front corner detail will help hold it (and make sure that detail is in the design as well), but I think when you put fabric on metal, slippage is a given. But to your question...I cut several pictures out of design magazines (known in the trade as "shelter books," a term I've always found hilarious, tho I don't know why...) of sofas that looked exactly like what I wanted, and talked them over with my upholsterer. We agreed on the kind of construction and the dimensions and the price. I was specific about the shape of the corners, the size of the welting, and everything else about the piece. I made copies of the pictures and my sketches and notes to leave with him, so there would be no question. I even gave him a picture of something similar but not what I wanted, so he would see what I wanted him to avoid. This is a good time to say again something I say all the time (so I must believe it!). First, to communicate a visual idea, use a visual medium. Second, do not leave any detail out of the discussion, and go over it and have it repeated back to you until you are sure that the vision in your head (and in your notebook) is the same in your tradesperson's head (and notebook). How I do run on...
...See More
Reviews needed for Maddox Sofa from Restoration Hardware
Q
Comments (45)
I have two Maddox sodas, in the 8 and 9 foot lengths, purchased in 2017 for a total of $11,000. The first pair I returned because the color of the fabric ("Graphite" velvet) was nothing like the swatch, which was a beautiful mossy greenish-brown -- the color shown in the catalog. The delivered fabric was a sort of blue-gray that looked like the mouse-fur upholstery on your average airport rental car. When I phoned and asked about this I was told that the swatches are made in China but the fabric comes from mills in North America. So it seems that someone at RH doesn't understand the concept of the swatch! Anyway RH sent two new couches in a darker color that's okay, but not $11k okay. One recommendation: Pay the extra $200 and get the down filling. The standard polyfill is much too firm. The couches are well made and very comfy but I have one major gripe -- the seat cushions can't be flipped because, except along the front, the piping on the edges is only on the top side. Which is really inexcusable for furniture this expensive -- you need to be able to flip the cushions after a few months to smooth out the wrinkles that accumulate over time, and to equalize wear. That kind of cost-cutting is something you expect to find on a $500 Rooms to Go sofa. The real lesson here, for me at least, was: if you're spending over $10k on furniture, hire a decorator.
...See More
User
11 years ago
Try a google search, there are varying forums that have very detailed posts on furniture quality and comparisons. I had considered a RH sofa as well and found tons of info that was very helpful as well as other companies to try.
gidgetgirly
11 years ago
I bought an RH sofa a few months ago. I really wanted the down cushions but the sales people talked me out of it. They said the down is messy and you constantly have to refluff it. They swore the standard cushions were just as soft. Stupidly, I got the standard. They're hard as a rock.

I don't mind fluffing down every day. My throw pillows are down and I fluff them without a thought. I should've listened to my gut instinct, now I'm stuck with a rock hard sofa. I'm not allowed to exchange my cushions, even offering to pay to ship the standards back, pay for the shipping of down filled, and of course pay for the upgrade charge of the down. They consider my sofa 'custom' because I got a different slipcover than the standard sand linen. So no returns.

I love the way my sofa looks, but I hate sitting on it. What a disappointment.

If you order a sofa don't get standard cushions unless you like rock hard support. If you get the down, be prepared to fluff every day. Im looking into having another company make custom down blend cushions for me, it makes me sick to spend even more money than if I had just listened to my gut.
karin_mt
11 years ago
If made in the USA is important to you (it is to me!), allow me to plug Room and Board. Most of their furniture is made here and with that comes the advantage of customization. We have their Jasper sofa and love it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Room and Board sofas

OT: Restoration Hardware sofa quality?

cameok

Comments (6)

User

User

Related Discussions

User

gidgetgirly

karin_mt

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US