Costco Furniture vs Ashley Furniture: Which Should You Choose?
Apr, 22 2025
Walk into a Costco or browse Ashley's endless website, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Do you go for the no-nonsense deals and rotating selection at Costco? Or do you bank on Ashley's focus on home furnishings and those big showroom setups? There’s a lot more riding on this decision than just which couch looks nice with your dog, trust me—my dog Rufus has torn through both in his day.
Most people don’t realize, but Costco’s furniture selection jumps around a lot. One week there’s a killer leather sectional, next week—poof, it’s something else entirely. Ashley, on the other hand, is like that old friend who always has the same couch (in twenty colors). Which is better really depends on what you want from your furniture—and how fast you need it in your living room. If you’re trying to figure out which one is actually the smarter buy, keep reading. The differences go way beyond price tags.
- What Sets Costco Furniture Apart?
- How Ashley Furniture Stacks Up
- Pricing, Selection, and Shopping Experience
- Quality, Durability, and Returns
- Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Purchase
What Sets Costco Furniture Apart?
If you’re thinking about Costco furniture, the first thing that stands out is value. Costco is all about balancing reasonable prices with solid quality. Most of their furniture comes in bulk deals; that’s why you’ll see a giant sectional and matching ottoman bundled together. You’re getting more for your money, and sometimes that means extras like in-home delivery or built-in warranties—pretty helpful if you don’t want to wrangle heavy stuff yourself.
One of the quirks with Costco is the rotating selection. You might walk by a display today and see something completely different next month. So if you love something, it’s smart to act fast. Most of their pieces are only around for a limited time, especially during their semi-annual furniture events.
Costco also stands out for its return policy, which is legendary among shoppers. If you aren’t happy, you usually have way more time to bring it back than you would at typical stores. There’s not much paperwork or hassle—just show your receipt. This means you can actually live with the sofa for a while and still have a way out if it doesn’t work for your space.
Another thing—if you’re looking for name brands, Costco surprises a lot of people. They occasionally bring in pieces from brands like Simon Li, Thomasville, and Pulaski, so you’re not always gambling on some no-name product.
- Price transparency: The price you see is what you pay, and there are rarely any sneaky fees tacked on at checkout.
- Quality control: Because Costco buys in bulk directly from brands, they’re picky about what hits the sales floor.
- Free extras: Many furniture items include delivery, setup, or extended warranties at no extra charge.
| Feature | Costco |
|---|---|
| Return window | 90 days or more |
| Brands offered | Big name and private label |
| Average price for sectional | $1200–$1800 |
| Delivery included? | Often yes |
If you value convenience, wide return policy, and want to snag a deal whenever it pops up, Costco furniture definitely has its perks. Just don’t count on finding the same thing next season—it’s here today, possibly gone tomorrow.
How Ashley Furniture Stacks Up
When it comes to Ashley furniture, you’re dealing with a huge name in the furniture game. They’re not just a retailer—they design, manufacture, and sell their own stuff. Hit up one of their massive showrooms, and you’ll notice the difference fast: rooms decked out like real homes, with every trend on display from farmhouse to ultra-modern.
Here’s the thing: Ashley offers way more variety than Costco furniture. If you want a matching dining set, bedroom suite, and accent chairs that all play nicely together, Ashley makes that doable. They go big on options, too—there are hundreds of upholstery fabrics and finishes. You can customize, pick your colors, and tweak dimensions on a ton of pieces. That kind of personalization isn’t really on the table at Costco.
Ashley makes furniture for all budgets. They carry affordable lines—think simple sofas or beds priced similar to what you’ll find at major chains. But they also have premium collections with real wood, deeper cushions, and finer finishes. To see how the lineup breaks down, check this out:
| Product Range | Ashley Typical Price | Customization |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Sofa | $400 - $700 | Low |
| Mid-Range Bedroom Set | $900 - $1,600 | Medium |
| Premium Leather Sectional | $2,000 - $3,800 | High |
One common question is about build quality. Is it all particleboard? Not really—Ashley makes a mix. Cheaper lines use MDF or engineered woods, but you’ll find real wood frames and top-grain leather if you explore the higher-end stuff. They’re pretty upfront about materials, so take a close look at those product tags.
Shopping at Ashley comes with its perks—delivery services, white-glove assembly, and a solid warranty. On the flip side, returns can be trickier. Once it’s delivered, you may be dealing with restocking fees or waiting for pickup if something’s wrong. Worth thinking about before you pull the trigger, especially if you’re the second-guessing type.
Big bonus: Ashley stores are basically everywhere, and you can try everything out before buying. If you’re picky about feel or sizing, you’ll appreciate being able to sit, recline, and even bounce around on that couch (Rufus would approve, if Ashley allowed dogs).
Pricing, Selection, and Shopping Experience
When it comes to Costco furniture, pricing is honestly what pulls most people in. Costco almost always sells below the typical retail markup. You’ll spot a decent sectional or a whole dining set for hundreds less than what you’d see at specialty furniture stores. Plus, the price will usually include delivery, assembly, and taxes—so the final sticker isn’t trying to trick you. There’s a catch, though: Costco’s selection is always changing. Their model is based on rotating what they’ve got, often seasonally, so if you see something you love, you better grab it. Next week, it might be gone for months, or forever.
Ashley furniture, meanwhile, is a whole different ball game. Walk into an Ashley Furniture HomeStore, and you’ve got seemingly endless choices. Couches, beds, dining sets—they’ve got styles in every shade and size. They keep popular models in stock for years. Their pricing isn’t bad, either, but expect the usual retail thing: a sale this week, a different one next. And don’t forget, most deals don’t include tax, shipping, or premium delivery. They’ll often hit you with delivery fees—sometimes $100 or more depending on where you live and what you’re buying.
Shopping at Costco is always a bit of a treasure hunt. Some days, the furniture area feels like it’s just been looted by a stampede, but when you time it right, you can score super deals. Most stuff is available in-store and online, though the website actually has a much broader selection than your local warehouse. Ashley is the opposite—if you crave sitting on ten couches before buying, their showrooms make it super easy. You can also order online, but shipping times can drag, especially for custom items.
Here’s a quick comparison for the number crunchers:
| Store | Average 3-Seat Sofa Price | Delivery Cost | Selection (Sofas) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | $799-$1,399 | Included | ~25 online, 5-10 in-store |
| Ashley | $900-$1,800 | $49-$150 | 100+ online and in-store |
If you’re just looking for a solid couch for the game room at a good price, Costco nails it. Hunting for that perfect color and fabric, or building a matching set for the whole house? Ashley’s overwhelming selection probably fits better. The best move? Figure out what’s non-negotiable for your place—are you the quick decision-maker, or are you totally specific about details?
Quality, Durability, and Returns
Whether you’re dealing with Costco furniture or Ashley furniture, quality and how long stuff lasts are the big deal-breakers. People want furniture that doesn't fall apart after a year, right? So here’s what’s really happening behind those shiny showrooms and warehouse displays.
Costco sources its furniture from several well-known manufacturers—sometimes even brands you’d spot in high-end stores. Their stuff often uses real wood frames, legit leathers, and dense foam in cushions. But because the selection rotates, consistency can be hit or miss. One year’s sectional can be way sturdier than last year’s. Still, most Costco pieces stand up well to regular home use. I can confirm that Rufus tested our Costco recliner daily, and it held up better than expected.
Ashley, on the flipside, has its own in-house brands and controls pretty much the whole furniture-making process. That means everything is pretty standard—the same couch you see in Charlotte is what you’ll get in Boise. Ashley tends to use engineered woods, synthetic leathers, and their cushions tend to be softer (sometimes too soft). Some buyers love the price-to-look ratio, but you might notice things like fabric pilling or frame squeaks sooner than you’d like if you have a rough-and-tumble household.
| Costco Furniture | Ashley Furniture | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Lifespan | 5-10 years | 4-8 years |
| Frame Material | Solid/engineered woods | Mainly engineered woods |
| Return Policy | Anytime (few exceptions) | 72-hour window (store policies vary) |
Returns are where Costco thumps Ashley. Costco’s return policy is almost legendary—if you’re not happy, you can bring the piece back, often without hassle, months down the line. Ashley, though, is notorious for being strict. Most locations will only take returns within 72 hours, and they can hit you with hefty restocking fees. If you're buying for a family home full of messes or have pets like Rufus, Costco's policy is an absolute lifesaver.
If you care about real durability and you want the cushion of a solid return plan, Costco furniture wins hands down. But if you want lots of style choices or matching sets, you might roll the dice with Ashley furniture—just know you might deal with more wear and tear (and way less flexibility if you change your mind).
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Purchase
So you’re closing in on that new kitchen table or sectional from Costco furniture or Ashley furniture. Don’t just hit buy and hope for the best. A couple of smart moves can mean furniture you actually love—and less hassle down the road.
- Measure, measure, measure! Grab a tape measure and check your space twice. Both Costco and Ashley have generous return policies, but hauling a giant sofa back is no fun. My living room still remembers when Rufus and I had to wrestle a too-big console table out the door.
- Read the fine print. Costco usually has a killer return policy (90 days for most furniture, sometimes even more). Ashley’s return window is tighter—often 30 days, and only for non-custom orders. Check their websites or ask in-store so you don’t end up stuck.
- Check reviews and materials. Don’t trust pictures. Read what real people say about how the couch feels after a few months. Costco tends to carry big-name brands (like Thomasville and Simon Li) but rotates stock. Ashley has lots of in-house labels, and quality can really vary.
- Watch for sales and extras. Ashley runs tons of promos, sometimes up to 30% off. Costco rarely discounts furniture, but their markup is often lower to start. Plus, delivery is sometimes included with Costco prices.
- Ask about warranties. Ashley often tries to upsell you on extended warranties. At Costco, the store’s generous policies cover most issues, but look for manufacturer info too. A little paperwork upfront can save a giant headache if you get a dud.
If you’re curious about delivery and assembly, here’s how the two stack up for most home shopping orders:
| Costco | Ashley | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Time | Ranges from days to 4 weeks, usually fast if in stock | 2-8 weeks, depending on custom options |
| Assembly | White glove service often included; some items self-assembly | Assembly available at extra cost; some self-assembly |
| Return Pickup | Usually arranged by Costco, super smooth | Can be trickier, sometimes restocking fees |
You don’t have to take my word for it. As Consumer Reports put it,
"Costco stands out for its customer service and clear pricing, but Ashley is hard to beat for sheer variety and style options."
Don’t let pressure from salespeople or flashy displays rush your decision. Walk away and think about it—especially for big-ticket pieces. And if you ever find a piece that even Rufus won’t destroy, let me know your secret.