economie

I’m an interior decorator. Here are 8 things I would never get at West Elm.

October 14, 20240
Instead of buying the faceted-brass drink table, I’d opt for a sturdier option.

Kelly Kruger

At first glance, this small faceted-brass drink table would be beautiful and convenient in a sitting room. However, when I placed it on the floor at the store, I thought the side table was too narrow and lightweight — it even wobbled from side to side.

I’d prefer something sturdier to hold my wine glass (and prevent it from splashing across my living-room carpet), so I’d opt for the retailer’s Hudson drink table or a full-sized piece of furniture instead. 

I don’t think the Ainsley coffee table is worth the price. 
For me, there’s nothing special about the sculptural three-light globe chandelier at West Elm.

Kelly Kruger

This three-light chandelier can work in various spaces, but it lacks the “wow” factor I look for in my lighting.

I’d skip this look and display something more unique, like a vintage light fixture from a resale shop.

The Belle nightstand doesn’t look sophisticated to me. 
Instead of buying wall art from West Elm, I’d buy pieces from local artists.

Kelly Kruger

Though I like some of the art available at West Elm, I always recommend sourcing pieces directly from artists if possible. Once my clients identify a painting or style they like, I research artists or check out local art fairs to find similar pieces.

In the past, I’ve been able to purchase original paintings directly from an artist for the same price as the framed prints at West Elm (which often range from $200 to $500).

In other circumstances, I’ve found dupes of trendy wall decor, like West Elm’s geo-natural woven dimensional wall art, for a fraction of the price at HomeGoods.

I won’t bother with West Elm’s Tencel sheets again.  
I didn’t love the quality of the Harmony modular sofa.

Kelly Kruger

I purchase big-ticket furniture pieces from West Elm when the store offers trendy, one-of-a-kind styles at affordable prices. Otherwise, when it comes to basic designs, I typically prefer to buy from a competitor.

When I saw West Elm’s pricey Harmony modular sofa, I found the quality to be lacking — the cushions are mostly filled with synthetic materials instead of down feathers.

If I were to buy a couch from West Elm, I’d go for the Joplin sofa, which has a designer silhouette and is reasonably priced.

I don’t like the fluted glasses at West Elm. 
The fluted glasses at West Elm are more expensive than those at retailers like Crate & Barrel.

Kelly Kruger

I love the chic styling of a classic fluted drinking glass. Still, I found West Elm’s collection lacking when comparing the store’s set to the options at Crate & Barrel.

When purchased online, a set of four West Elm tall fluted drinking glasses costs $44, which is about $11 per glass. In contrast, Crate & Barrel’s Atwell 18-ounce tall stackable ribbed glasses cost about $8 each.

West Elm’s glasses also come in fewer colors and have handwash-only care instructions — the ones from Crate & Barrel are dishwasher-safe.