Are The Least Expensive Armchairs At West Elm Worth Buying?

We are always searching for the best deals out there. However, don't be so quick to sacrifice quality just because the price of something seems to be unmatched. Why? A study of 2,000 U.S. adults found that 74% of respondents experience regret when purchasing something online, according to Study Finds. From that percentage, 39% say they regret buying the item because it seemed less valuable than they expected, and 34% felt like they weren't using what they bought as frequently as they expected to. 43% of online shoppers blame these purchases on the cheap prices.

So, we're here to help those who are currently scouring the internet for the most affordable armchair. To that end, West Elm is a good first stop, as they are a sustainable home furnishing store and their furniture is sourced from all corners of the world, per their website. They also have some relatively affordable armchairs, so we'll let you know if they're worth buying to prevent you from experiencing buyer's remorse.

First on the list from West Elm is the Auburn Chair, which is available in multiple colors and two different fabrics. The most affordable option comes in a mauve shade of distressed velvet, per their website. It's priced at $299 for a single chair and $599 for a set of two. This may seem a bit pricey, but that's actually discounted at 50% off; the list price is usually anywhere from $549 to $1,098.

The first thing that catches our eye is the size of the chair. The overall dimensions are 29.6 inches wide by 31 inches deep and 30.5 inches high. As a result, this armchair can fit perfectly in a small apartment, or it can be an adorable accent chair in a bigger living area. Additionally, it's made of solid pine and an engineered hardwood frame, which is all kiln dried to prevent warping — making it a great piece that can last a long time as long as you care for it properly. That means immediately blotting any spills, regularly fluffing the cushions, and keeping the chair out of sunlight to prevent the color from fading. If you don't have any small children that could immediately ruin this armchair, then we advise giving it a shot.

Next is the Mila Chair from West Elm with a price range between $329 to $479, depending on the finishes you choose, per their website. This tub-shaped armchair could be great for lounging in while you read a good book and sip a cup of coffee. However, the price just seems too high for something that doesn't have any notable characteristics. Yes, it is hand-built and stitched — which is probably what drives the price up — but besides that, we're not sure what makes this armchair worth buying.

When comparing this armchair to the Auburn Chair, it feels like we're not getting the same type of quality for similar price points. Why? Although the Mila Chair has a foam seat cushion that is fiber-wrapped and made of a high-resilience polyurethane, the cushion covers aren't removable or reversible, making them more difficult to remove and wash. Conversely, the cushion covers of the Auburn Chair can be zipped off for an easier cleaning process. So, our conclusion is that the Auburn Chair is the option worth buying — if you can score the sale price.