When it comes to affordable furniture shopping, Walmart is often one of the first retailers that comes to mind for many consumers. With their "Everyday Low Prices" and vast inventory spanning just about every category imaginable, Walmart has positioned itself as the go-to one-stop shop for the budget-conscious.
But before you hit that "Add to Cart" button on a Walmart furniture find, there are some important things you need to know. As both a retail industry expert and a discerning shopper myself, I‘m here to give you an honest, in-depth look at the pros, cons, and need-to-know facts about buying furniture at Walmart. Let‘s dive in!
1. Walmart furniture is priced competitively, but the quality can be hit-or-miss
There‘s no denying that Walmart‘s furniture prices are extremely competitive, often ranking as the lowest you‘ll find for comparable pieces. However, those rock-bottom prices are usually a reflection of lower-quality materials and construction.
Many large furniture pieces like couches, settees, and armchairs from Walmart utilize materials like particleboard, plastic, and low-resilience foam padding rather than solid hardwood, metal framing, and high-density foam. This helps keep costs down but also impacts the feel, performance, and longevity of the furniture.
2. Flat-pack, ready-to-assemble furniture is the norm
The majority of Walmart‘s furniture inventory, with the exception of some fully-upholstered pieces, will arrive at your door flat-packed in a box, requiring assembly at home. This helps keep shipping costs low and prices affordable.
However, the assembly process can be time-consuming and frustrating, with many reviewers lamenting unclear instructions, misaligned holes, and missing hardware. If you lack experience with furniture assembly or simply don‘t have the time or patience, you may want to opt for pre-assembled furniture from another retailer.
3. Reviews reveal common quality complaints and defects
As a savvy shopper, one of the first things I do when considering a furniture purchase is read the reviews—and for Walmart furniture, many of those reviews are less than glowing. Common complaints cited include:
- Flimsy, lightweight construction that lacks sturdiness
- Improperly aligned drill holes and parts that don‘t fit together easily
- Cheaply-made hardware like screws, bolts, and cam locks that strip or fail
- Visible gaps between joined pieces after assembly
- Wobbly and unstable furniture, especially desks, tables, and chairs
- Fabric pilling, rips, and tears appearing quickly with regular use
Of course, reviews can vary based on the specific furniture item and model, so it‘s always best to read through several pages to get the full picture. Look for detailed reviews with photos showing any mentioned damage or defects.
4. Some categories have better reviews than others
While Walmart furniture as a whole tends to get mixed reviews, some categories seem to fare better than others based on my research. In particular, accent furniture like end tables, coffee tables, and TV stands that utilize metal framing and tempered glass tops tend to hold up better over time and use compared to case goods made of particleboard.
Upholstered metal-framed dining chairs and bar stools also tend to get decent marks for sturdiness and comfort, while the seats of all-plastic folding and stacking chairs are often criticized as flimsy. Bedroom furniture like dressers and nightstands seems especially prone to poor reviews, with many complaints of flimsy drawers and wobbly construction.
5. Walmart‘s furniture inventory favors a modern aesthetic
If your home‘s look is more traditional or farmhouse, Walmart‘s furniture selection likely won‘t have much to offer you. A majority of the furniture sold on Walmart.com falls into the modern and contemporary style category, with clean lines, black and chrome metal finishes, and neutral color palettes.
There are some rustic/industrial and glam options to be found in accent and living room furniture, but overall the furniture style assortment lacks variety compared to other affordable retailers like Wayfair or Target. Those with more eclectic tastes will likely need to shop elsewhere.
6. In-store furniture selection is extremely limited
Think you‘ll have better luck browsing Walmart‘s furniture selection in-store? Think again. Walmart‘s brick-and-mortar locations dedicate very little floor space to furniture compared to their grocery, housewares, and electronics departments.
At best, you might find some ready-to-assemble bookcases, TV stands, and office chairs alongside the home organization aisle, but the majority of Walmart‘s furniture assortment is only available online. This means you won‘t have an opportunity to examine or test out large furniture items like couches, beds, and dining sets before buying.
7. Walmart relies heavily on third-party furniture sellers
Much of the expanded furniture assortment on Walmart.com is actually offered by third-party Marketplace sellers, not Walmart itself. While these items are eligible for free 2-day shipping and in-store returns like Walmart‘s own inventory, dealing with a Marketplace seller adds a layer of complexity to the purchase.
Third-party sellers set their own policies for things like warranty coverage and return eligibility and may not offer the same level of customer service as Walmart. I recommend filtering your Walmart furniture search to "Sold & Shipped by Walmart" to avoid Marketplace listings.
8. Walmart‘s furniture line Modrn gets better reviews
One bright spot in Walmart‘s furniture offerings is their exclusive Modrn line, which offers a curated assortment of clean-lined, modern living room, dining room, and accent pieces. Launched in 2019, Modrn furniture features a slightly more elevated look and feel compared to Walmart‘s other inventory, with an emphasis on trend-forward silhouettes.
Reviews for Modrn pieces are generally positive, with many customers pleasantly surprised by the quality and durability for the price. The Modrn line is online-only and offers free shipping with a $35 minimum order.
9. Assembly services may not be available in all areas
Need a hand putting together that Walmart furniture buy? The retailer has partnered with third-party service Handy to offer furniture assembly and installation services, bookable right from the product page.
However, Handy‘s availability is limited to certain large markets, so this option may not be offered in your ZIP code. Be sure to enter your location on the Handy site to confirm whether assembly services are available to you.
10. Walmart doesn‘t specialize in furniture like other retailers
It‘s important to remember that at its core, Walmart is a general merchandise retailer, not a furniture store. Unlike retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and Ashley Furniture that specialize in home furnishings and invest heavily in product design and development, Walmart sources most of its furniture items from a network of disparate suppliers and importers.
This lack of furniture category focus and in-house product development may partially explain the inconsistency in quality and assembly issues many shoppers encounter with Walmart furniture. Retailers that make furniture their number-one priority tend to have more robust quality control measures and customer support.
11. …But that doesn‘t mean you should count them out entirely
All that said, buying furniture at Walmart can still be a smart bet for certain shoppers and situations. If you‘re looking for a stylish but temporary furniture solution for a dorm, first apartment, or staging an open house, Walmart‘s low prices and fast shipping offers can help you affordably furnish a space.
Shoppers with ultra-low budgets will likely find more options in their price range at Walmart compared to Amazon, Wayfair, or other online furniture pure-plays. And if you‘re willing to comb through the reviews and aren‘t afraid of the assembly process, you can find some well-made pieces in the mix.
12. Always check the product details and specs
I can‘t stress enough how important it is to thoroughly read the product description and specifications before buying furniture online, especially from a mass retailer like Walmart. Key details to look for include:
- Materials used (solid wood vs. particleboard, metal gauge, foam density, etc.)
- Weight capacity for things like chairs, stools, and tables
- Dimensions, making sure to note width, height, and depth
- What is included (and what‘s not) and whether assembly is required
- Warranty or protection plan coverage
- The specific color/finish you‘re ordering, as images may be off
Knowing exactly what you‘re getting before you buy can help avoid surprises or discrepancies on delivery day.
Beyond their everyday low prices, Walmart routinely offers furniture markdowns that can save you big bucks. The best way to find these clearance deals is to head to the dedicated Furniture Clearance section under the Home Furniture & Decor category page.
Sort the results by "Best Sellers" or "Price: Low to High" to see sofas, mattresses, and more at up to 70% off. Note that clearance inventory can move fast and many items are returns or open-box, so you may need to act quickly to snag the best deals.
14. Two-day shipping is free, but large items may have a freight fee
Walmart offers free two-day shipping on most furniture pieces, as long as your order meets the $35 minimum subtotal. However, certain oversized or heavy items that have to be shipped via freight are subject to an additional delivery charge, usually around $50.
These items will be clearly marked with a "freight shipping" label on the product page. In some areas, you may also have the option to select an "In-Home Delivery" option for an added fee, where the delivery crew will bring the item inside your house or apartment rather than just to the front door.
15. Walmart‘s return policy on furniture is fairly generous
Despite the mixed reviews, one area where Walmart shines is its return policy. Most furniture pieces can be returned within 90 days for a full refund, either by mail using a provided return shipping label or at your local Walmart store.
Some third-party Marketplace sellers may have their own separate return policies, so be sure to check the fine print before purchasing. Clearance furniture may also have a shorter 30-day return window.
Returns are arguably the biggest perk of buying furniture from Walmart over an online-only retailer, since you have the convenient option of returning an item to your nearest store rather than dealing with the hassle and expense of return shipping a large, heavy piece.
The Bottom Line on Buying Furniture at Walmart
So, should you buy furniture at Walmart? As with most major purchases, it depends on your unique needs, budget, and expectations. If you‘re furnishing a temporary space, prioritize low prices over longevity, and are reasonably handy, Walmart furniture can be a practical solution that won‘t break the bank.
However, if you‘re looking for high-quality, durable furniture to last for many years, you‘re more likely to find worthwhile options at established furniture retailers like IKEA, Pottery Barn, or Ashley Furniture. Even Amazon and Target have a leg up on Walmart when it comes to stylish, well-made furniture for the price.
Ultimately, the key to navigating Walmart‘s furniture offerings is to shop with a discerning eye, read the reviews, and keep your expectations in check. While you may uncover the occasional diamond in the rough, you‘ll more than likely get what you pay for.
