I'm an interior decorator. Here are 8 things I would never get at West Elm. --[Reported by Umva mag]

As an interior decorator, the Belle nightstand, fluted glasses, and Harmony modular sofa are some things I would never get at West Elm.

Oct 14, 2024 - 14:04

I'm an interior decorator. Here are 8 things I would never get at West Elm. --[Reported by Umva mag]

A bed with light-brown sheets and pillows with two dark-gray throw pillows and gray comforter with an abstract design on it — I like shopping at West Elm, but there are a few items I'd avoid getting there.
Kelly Kruger

As an interior decorator, there are a few items I'd never buy at West Elm.
Instead of purchasing wall art from the retailer, I'd look for pieces from local painters.
The store's faceted-brass drink table doesn't seem sturdy, so I'd look for better alternatives.

As an interior decorator, I know West Elm is a great place to shop for high-quality furniture and unique pieces. The retailer, which has over 100 locations in the US, is known for its contemporary decor and sustainable products.

However, investing in good home decor and furniture can be expensive. According to a 2023 Opendoor survey of 1,022 US homeowners, Americans spend nearly $1,600 a year on decor.

So, it's important to consider factors like quality and durability when investing in pieces for your space.

Though I like West Elm, the store carries a few items I wouldn't pick up for myself or my clients. Here are eight things I'd avoid getting at the retailer.

I wouldn't buy West Elm's faceted-brass drink table.

A brass drink table with a skinny base sits on a white shelf with brown wooden walls — 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.

A square-shaped coffee table with a wood-grain appearance and a bowl of stones and small earthen vase sitting on top — I'm not a fan of the materials the Ainsley coffee table is made with.
Kelly Kruger

West Elm's Ainsley collection, which features lots of straight lines and geometric rectangles, is a refreshing contrast to the round contemporary furniture that's been popular in recent years.

However, I wouldn't purchase a high-traffic item like a table unless it was made to last.

The Ainsley coffee table is made with engineered wood, which combines wooden fibers and scraps instead of having a durable solid cut or board. It also has a veneer, which is a decorative thin sheet of wood that can show scratches, dents, and wear and tear at the corners.

In my opinion, this simple design isn't worth the table's $600 price point. I recommend getting a less-expensive engineered option or investing in a solid-wood piece instead.

I find the sculptural three-light globe chandelier to be uninspiring.

Three light fixtures with clear-glass balls surrounding the bulbs hang in front of white shelves filled with glassware and a window looking onto a street — 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.

A beige metallic utilitarian-looking nightstand with two shelves sitting on a white shelf with wooden detailing in the back of the shelf — The Belle nightstand reminds me of dorm-room furniture.
Kelly Kruger

This cylindrical nightstand looks luxurious online, but seeing it up close reminded me of a side table I might have had in my dorm room.

The table's design, steel material, and color make it feel very useful, but I like to avoid pieces with exposed storage features to reduce visual clutter.

If I wanted a similarly shaped and sized nightstand, I'd grab the Kane nightstand from Urban Outfitters. Its thick base and playful color options make the piece feel more refined and intentional.

I wouldn't buy wall decor from West Elm.

A brown couch with tan and blue-gray throw pillows with straw geometric art hangs on a white wall above. The art is made of circular and archway-shaped pieces. — 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 was initially attracted to the beautiful sheen and silky smoothness of West Elm's Tencel sheets in the store. Tencel, a fiber that's derived from wood pulp and chemically processed into thread, is known for being a more sustainable alternative to materials like cotton.

However, after a few washes, I found that these sheets lost their luster and began to pill. Though they were beautiful, at a $150 price point, I recommend sticking with cotton or flax sheets for a long-lasting investment.

I wouldn't buy the Harmony modular sofa from West Elm.

A white L-shaped couch with brown pillows and a blue and pink throw pillow sitting behind a rectangular coffee table with candles and a green bowl on top of it — 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.

A hand holds a clear-glass cup with ribbed outer edge in front of white shelves filled with clear glasses and a few green glasses — 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.

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