When shopping these days, consumer behavior almost always follows the same, familiar path. Especially now that it has never been easier to go window shopping online. This brand? Or that one? This model or that? We see this in the furniture industry too. Both online and in our stores, arguably our two most often compared furniture brands are England Furniture vs Ashley Furniture.
Since we have a wide variety of options from both England and Ashley Furniture on our showroom floor, customers frequently ask our salespeople to compare pieces from each brand. So, how are these brands and the products they offer similar — and different? Since we’ve been in the furniture business a long time and carry both brands, we feel that we’re uniquely positioned to answer this frequently-asked question.
Read on for a brief background on both Ashley Furniture and England Furniture, and then stick around as we go over the various similarities and differences. By the end, you should have the answers to many of your England Furniture and Ashley Furniture FAQs. You should also have a better idea about which brand is the better option for you.
Why Do Shoppers Compare England Furniture vs Ashley Furniture?
So, why do consumers frequently make this comparison? Shoppers, especially those looking at sofas or other upholstery, tend to compare Ashley Furniture and England Furniture for several key reasons.
First, both of these furniture makers offer consumers many of the same types of products. Although Ashley’s offerings also include things like bedroom and dining furniture, mattresses, etc., both England and Ashley offer a full range of upholstered seating including sectionals, sofas, loveseats, accent chairs, armchairs and recliners.
Second, although they often use different construction methods and different materials, there is a good bit of overlap within the market. In other words, some of their products are priced similarly enough to compete with each other directly.
Lastly, although fewer people are familiar with the England brand name, both of these furniture brands are part of some of the most well known and established furniture companies on the planet. Ashley’s parent company, Ashley Furniture Industries, is the world’s largest furniture manufacturer. As for England Furniture, they are an independent division of furniture industry giant La-Z-Boy.
About England Furniture
A big part of England’s legacy is that all their furniture is made in America. Confused? Don’t be. From their factories in the Appalachian foothills of East Tennessee, they’ve been crafting American-made upholstered seating since 1964 – including sectionals, sofas, loveseats, recliners and accent chairs.
Considering England Furniture to be one of the most reputable furniture makers in the country, La-Z-Boy saw the huge value in the England brand and acquired them in 1995. However, they also respected the way that England does things, so England has continued to operate as an independent division within La-Z-Boy ever since, alongside sibling brands Kincaid Furniture, Hammary and American Drew.
England fits neatly into the mid-tier upholstery niche on our showroom floor. With a wide variety of products, England’s different upholstery collections range from affordable to middle high-end. Regardless of which living room collection you choose, every piece is made using quality materials and durable construction methods. Common build features include corner-blocked hardwood frames, frame-grade plywood, self-healing zippers, interlocking and notched joints and robust thicker-than-standard sinuous spring suspension systems. With England’s upholstery, you’ll also find improvements like cushion vents to reduce wear on seams and zippers, and their unique and innovative Coil Core technology which adds both stability and durability to each seat.
A key part of England’s claim to fame is their vast selection of custom fabrics and their industry-best custom order delivery timeframe. England Furniture’s custom order program features over 200 different frames. And with over 500 fabrics, performance fabrics and leathers to choose from, it’s incredibly easy to get exactly what you want with your next sofa, sectional, loveseat or chair. England is also well known for having one of the shortest (if not the shortest) custom order timeframe from order placement to delivery at your home.
[Editor’s Note: As of the writing of this article in March 2023, custom orders with England are taking as little as 4 weeks!]
About Ashley Furniture
Ashley Furniture likely needs little introduction (but here’s one anyway, if you need it!). Ashley Furniture Industries have been manufacturing furniture of all kinds for over 70 years, and are the quintessential whole home furnishings manufacturer. And despite being the world’s largest furniture maker, Ashley is still family owned and operated to this day.
Between their Signature Design by Ashley, Millennium by Ashley, Outdoor by Ashley, Benchcraft, Ashley Sleep and Sierra Sleep brands, Ashley makes everything from bedroom and dining room sets, to upholstery, to patio furniture, to mattresses. While many Ashley pieces are imported from overseas or assembled in the US with imported parts, enough of their products are made domestically for Ashley to still be considered America’s largest manufacturer.
In our own showrooms, Ashley Furniture represents our affordable, entry-level to mid-level furniture options. As such, Ashley’s biggest selling point by far is the affordability, accessibility, and value they offer consumers on a budget. These products are ideal for bargain-oriented shoppers, however, the Millennium and Benchcraft product lines are a step or two higher than the rest in both quality and price. With Ashley, the price, build quality and durability can vary quite a bit from product to product.
England Furniture vs Ashley Furniture: Key Similarities & Differences
There are several key similarities between Ashley and England. Both brands sell upholstery for your living space on the more affordable end of the pricing scale. Both are part of storied, established furniture industry families. And finally, both brands make a substantial amount of their furniture here in the United States. But let’s quickly recap the ways they’re different.
First, Ashley’s whole-home product catalog is much larger and more extensive than England’s since England Furniture only makes upholstered seating. That said, England actually has far more potential styles within upholstery once you consider their vast array of custom order options. However, the downside with custom order is that you will often spend more and wait longer — even if England’s custom order timetable is best in the industry.
Ashley Furniture is also typically more affordable with very few exceptions. By contrast, England Furniture is usually more expensive — but for good reason. With the only exceptions being Ashley’s highest-end pieces, England’s build quality, construction materials, durability, and fit-and-finish are always going to be a step or two up from Ashley upholstery.
Lastly, let’s compare manufacturer warranties. England’s warranty package is generous and competitive, with a lifetime limited warranty covering frames, a 10-year warranty covering cushions, a 5-year warranty on springs, sleeper, glider, and recliner mechanisms, and an additional 1-year warranty on upholstery fabric and just about everything else.
To compare, Ashley’s manufacturer warranties also include a limited lifetime warranty on frames, a 5-year warranty on springs and recliner mechanisms, a 3-year warranty on sleeper mechanisms, and a 1-year warranty on upholstery fabrics and leathers. However, instead of 10 years for cushions, Ashley’s limited warranty on cushions only covers defects for 1 year.
England Furniture vs Ashley Furniture: Which of These Well-Established Furniture Brands Is Right for Your Living Space?
So, which of these factors is most important to you? Are you shopping upholstery for your living space while on a tight budget? If so, a sofa, loveseat, sectional or chair from Ashley Furniture may be a good fit for you. Are you shopping to furnish your entire house for an affordable price? Ashley definitely has plenty of options to help you do that too!
By contrast, are you really particular about your upholstered seating and have a knack for design? England’s custom order program is one of the best. Also, if you’re willing to pay a little more for some extra durability, a step up in build quality, and a better warranty, a sofa or loveseat from England is definitely the better choice for you.
Whether you’re leaning towards Ashley or England, Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet is proud to offer both of these brands to our customers. Do you live in the Atlanta area or elsewhere in North Georgia? Come try both brands for yourself and see which one fits your home and your budget at our furniture stores in Acworth, Dallas/Hiram, and Rome!
