Over the past two decades, Wayfair has transformed the way people shop for furniture and home decor. What started as a small e-commerce site operating out of a spare bedroom has exploded into a multi-billion dollar online retail empire.
With an expansive selection of over 18 million items across home furnishings, decor, home improvement, and more, Wayfair aims to become the go-to destination for all things home. The company‘s stated mission is to help "everyone, anywhere create their feeling of home."
In this comprehensive Wayfair furniture review, we‘ll take a closer look at the brand to help you determine if it‘s the right place for your home decor needs. We‘ll cover Wayfair‘s history and background, best-selling products, customer reviews and experiences, and more.
By the end, you‘ll have a thorough understanding of what it‘s like to shop with this popular online furniture retailer and whether Wayfair is worth your time and money. Let‘s dive in!
About Wayfair: Company Background & History
Wayfair was founded in 2002 by Steve Conine and Niraj Shah, who met as high school students attending a math and science program at Cornell University. The pair reconnected after college and decided to go into business together.
Initially, they launched a website called racksandstands.com, selling media storage furniture. They soon expanded to over 250 standalone sites selling everything from birdhouses to barbecue grills. In 2011, they consolidated all of these sites into one mega-destination for home: Wayfair.com.
Since then, Wayfair has grown by leaps and bounds. The company now employs over 9,000 people across North America and Europe. In 2019, Wayfair generated $11.5 billion in net revenue across its family of retail brands, including:
- Wayfair.com – the main catch-all brand for home furnishings, decor, and more
- Joss & Main – offering fresh, modern designs for an affordable price
- AllModern – a carefully curated selection of modern furniture and decor
- Birch Lane – classic, traditional styles with a focus on quality and value
- Perigold – the brand‘s luxury furnishings retailer for high-end designer items
Wayfair has become the go-to place for home decor for over 20 million active customers. The brand prides itself on offering an unparalleled selection at affordable prices. From traditional to modern, high-end luxury to budget basics, Wayfair aims to have something for every style and budget.
Pros & Cons of Shopping with Wayfair
As with any retailer, there are both advantages and drawbacks to shopping with Wayfair. Here are some of the key pros and cons to keep in mind:
Pros:
- Unmatched selection with over 18 million items
- Affordable prices across a range of budgets
- Free shipping on orders over $35
- 30-day return policy
- Rewards program offering exclusive deals and discounts
- Wedding registry available
- Sales and clearance section with frequent promotions
- "Shop the Look" feature to easily find coordinating items
- Augmented reality tools to visualize furniture in your space
Cons:
- Customer must pay return shipping costs
- Large items may require freight delivery fees
- Assembly often required for furniture items
- Potential delays in delivery, especially with COVID-19 impacts
- Some inconsistency in product quality
- Customer service can be difficult to reach
- No physical locations to see products in person
On the whole, most customers find that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to shopping with Wayfair. The vast selection, affordable prices, and convenience of online shopping make Wayfair an appealing option for furnishing a home.
Wayfair‘s Best-Selling Furniture & Decor
With millions of products to choose from, you can find just about any home item imaginable on Wayfair. The site sells furniture for every room, including bedroom sets, living room seating, dining tables, office desks, patio pieces, and beyond.
In addition to furniture, Wayfair is a one-stop-shop for decor essentials like rugs, curtains, throw pillows, wall art, mirrors, and more. The brand also carries kitchen gadgets, bedding, storage solutions, pet supplies, and other home improvement needs.
Browsing the Wayfair site can be overwhelming, so it‘s helpful to start with the retailer‘s best-selling items that are popular with shoppers. Here are in-depth reviews of some of Wayfair‘s top products:
Wayfair Custom Upholstery Armchair
This classic armchair can be customized with your choice of over 100 upholstery options, including fabric, color, and leg finish. The deep seat and rolled arms create an inviting place to relax.
Starting at $800, this made-to-order chair is an investment, but the solid wood frame and customization options make it worth the price for many. The chair has over 500 reviews with an average 4.5 star rating. Customers rave about the comfort and style, though some mention the fabric can be prone to wrinkles.
Mercury Row Aranson Reversible Sectional
Sectional sofas continue to rise in popularity and this one from Wayfair‘s in-house Mercury Row brand is a top seller. The low-profile design works well in smaller spaces and the chaise is reversible to fit your room layout.
Multiple color options are available and the price starts under $800, making this an affordable option compared to many sectionals on the market. The sofa has a 4.4 star average rating from over 3,000 reviews. While most customers are impressed with the value for the price, some note that the cushions can feel firm.
Steelside Cayson 48" Kitchen Pantry
A kitchen pantry is key for organizing food, small appliances, and dinnerware. This 48" tall pantry from Wayfair‘s Steelside brand offers ample storage without taking up too much floorspace.
The simple shaker style complements a range of kitchen decor and multiple color options are available. At under $250 for solid wood construction, this pantry is an excellent value compared to many retailers. Over 900 customers give it an average 4.6 star rating, praising the sturdy build and easy assembly.
Sand & Stable Barnwood End Table
Made of reclaimed wood, this rustic end table adds warmth and character to a living room. The open lower shelf provides extra storage space for books, blankets, and other essentials.
At under $150, this end table is an affordable way to incorporate stylish reclaimed wood into your decor. It has an impressive 4.8 star average rating from nearly 1,500 reviews. Customers love the look of the distressed wood, but some mention color inconsistencies due to the natural material.
Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Odile Texture Wallpaper
Wallpaper has made a major comeback in recent years as an easy way to add color and visual interest to walls. This textured wallpaper has a linen look that creates a sense of depth.
The wallpaper is available in several neutral colors to match any room‘s palette. A single roll covers about 30 square feet and costs under $50. With a 4.6 star average rating, customers are impressed with the quality and textured appearance of this wallpaper, though some say it takes patience to apply.
These top-rated products are just a small sampling of what Wayfair has to offer. No matter what your home decor style or budget may be, you‘re likely to find plenty of options to choose from at Wayfair.
The Wayfair Shopping Experience
One of the biggest selling points of Wayfair is the convenience of shopping online for home furnishings. Wayfair‘s website is designed to make browsing and purchasing as seamless as possible.
Shoppers can search for products by keyword or navigate through clear category menus. From there, you can filter search results by price, color, material, size, and more to easily find what you‘re looking for.
Product listings include multiple photos from different angles, as well as detailed descriptions and specifications. Many listings also have customer reviews and photos to give you a sense of the product in real life.
One standout feature is Wayfair‘s augmented reality tools, available on the mobile app. These tools allow you to use your phone‘s camera to visualize furniture and decor in your actual space to get a sense of size and layout before you buy.
At checkout, Wayfair clearly displays shipping costs and estimated delivery dates. Most items over $35 qualify for free standard shipping. Oversized items may incur freight delivery fees or scheduled delivery times.
In terms of shipping speed, Wayfair states that most in-stock items deliver within 5 business days, though COVID-19 has caused some industry-wide supply chain and delivery delays. Customers can easily track order status and delivery timing on Wayfair.com or the mobile app.
The return process is fairly simple, as long as you initiate the return within 30 days of delivery. To start a return, log into your Wayfair account, select the item, and choose "return" to print out a prepaid shipping label. You are responsible for return shipping costs, which are deducted from your refund.
If your order arrives damaged or defective, Wayfair will send you a free replacement or issue a full refund. For large furniture items, Wayfair will usually schedule a pick-up of the original item at no cost to you.
Overall, the Wayfair shopping experience is convenient and user-friendly. With clear pricing, detailed product information, helpful visualization tools, and simple checkout, the site makes it easy to find and purchase home furnishings entirely online.
What Do Customers Think of Wayfair?
Customer reviews and feedback can give great insight into what it‘s really like to shop with Wayfair. The company encourages customers to leave reviews on individual product listings, so you can get a sense of others‘ experiences with specific items.
As a whole, Wayfair has mostly positive reviews across major third-party sites. On ConsumerAffairs, Wayfair has a 4 star overall rating based on over 3,700 reviews. Happy customers frequently mention the wide selection, affordable prices, and on-trend styles as major reasons to shop with Wayfair.
Many reviewers are pleasantly surprised by the quality of items for the price, especially larger furniture pieces. Fast shipping and easy assembly are other common points of praise.
On the other hand, Wayfair‘s customer service receives mixed reviews. While some customers report positive experiences with helpful representatives, others are less satisfied. Long wait times, unresolved issues, and inconsistent support are recurring complaints.
Another potential downside for some shoppers is Wayfair‘s 30-day return policy, which is relatively short for an online furniture retailer. Some customers wish they had more time to decide if an item works for their space. Others are frustrated by having to pay return shipping costs, which can add up for larger items.
Despite some lackluster reviews, the overall customer sentiment on Wayfair seems to be positive. The company‘s "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and high ratings on other trusted review sites point to a pattern of customer satisfaction.
Is Wayfair Worth It?
So, is Wayfair worth it for your home decor needs? As with any major purchase, the answer depends on your unique priorities and preferences. However, our in-depth look at Wayfair shows that the retailer excels in several key areas:
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Selection: Wayfair‘s catalog of over 18 million items across all styles and price points is tough to beat. You‘d be hard pressed to find another retailer with as many options in one place. If you want the freedom to browse and compare a wide variety of products, Wayfair delivers.
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Value: While Wayfair may not be the absolute cheapest furniture retailer out there, the company does emphasize affordable prices on items across all budget levels. Frequent sales and promotions can help you score great deals, especially if you‘re flexible on specific models or colors.
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Quality: For the most part, Wayfair‘s products receive positive reviews in terms of material and construction quality relative to price. The retailer seems to offer good value overall, with many stylish, sturdy pieces that hold up well over time.
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Convenience: There‘s no denying the ease of shopping for furniture and decor from the comfort of home. With Wayfair‘s extensive selection, robust search filters, detailed product information, and visualization tools, you can feel confident in your purchases without ever stepping foot in a store.
Potential drawbacks to consider are the short return window, cost of return shipping, and potential for long customer service wait times if any issues arise. Assembly is also required on most items, which may be a downside for some.
Ultimately, if you‘re looking for a one-stop-shop for home furnishings in a variety of styles and prices, Wayfair is definitely worth checking out. The convenience of online shopping and Wayfair‘s vast selection make it a great option for many people.
The keys to success are reading item details and reviews carefully, taking advantage of Wayfair‘s visualization tools to assess fit, and measuring your space thoroughly to ensure furniture will work in your room. As long as you plan ahead and shop smart, Wayfair can be an excellent way to find the perfect pieces to make your house feel like home.
