When it comes to shopping for home furnishings, two names stand out among the competition – Klaussner and Ashley Furniture. As major players in the furniture industry, both companies offer a wide selection of living room, bedroom, and dining room furniture to fit any style and budget.
But with different strengths and weaknesses, Klaussner and Ashley appeal to different types of furniture shoppers.
Below is an overview comparing Klaussner and Ashley Furniture:
| Aspects | Klaussner | Ashley Furniture |
| Founded | 1928 | 1945 |
| Headquarters | North Carolina | Wisconsin |
| Stores | Sold at authorized retailers | 700+ company owned stores |
| Manufacturing | Own manufacturing plants | Outsourced manufacturing |
| Styles | Traditional, transitional, contemporary | Traditional, contemporary, modern |
| Materials | Wood, upholstery, metal | Wood, upholstery, metal |
| Strengths | Quality materials, classic styles, made in USA | Brand recognition, broad selection, affordable prices |
| Weaknesses | Limited brand recognition, sold through retailers | Quality concerns, outsourced manufacturing |
As you can see, while both companies sell furniture across every style and price point, there are some key differences that set them apart.
Read on for an in-depth comparison of Klaussner and Ashley Furniture’s products, quality, shopping experience and more.
Key Differences Between Klaussner And Ashley Furniture
- Product Selection and Styling
When it comes to the kinds of furniture they offer, Klaussner and Ashley have a diverse catalog of living room, bedroom and dining room pieces.
However, there are some distinctions in their styling and selection.
Klaussner has traditionally been known for its classic, timeless bedroom and living room collections.
Think elegant wood furnishings and plush upholstered sofas and chairs that never seem to go out of style.
Recently, the company has expanded into more contemporary and transitional looks to keep up with changing trends. But the focus remains on crafting solid wood pieces with high-end finishes and details.
Ashley Furniture captures a wider range of home design aesthetics. Along with traditional collections, Ashley sells more modern, rustic and urban contemporary furnishings to appeal to young professionals and first-time furniture buyers.
If you’re looking for the latest trends – like mixed materials, two-tone finishes and open-concept shelving – you’re more likely to find it at Ashley.
No matter your style, both companies offer living room seating like sofas, loveseats, recliners and sectionals. For the bedroom, you’ll find beds, mattresses, dressers, nightstands and more.
And dining room furniture like tables, chairs and hutches are available as well. Ashley does offer a much larger catalog across every furniture category, while Klaussner’s selection is more curated.
Also Read: Differences Between Jerome’s And Ashley Furniture.
- Quality and Materials
One of the biggest differences between these brands comes down to manufacturing and material quality.
As an American company, Klaussner makes its furnishings in its own domestic factories using solid hardwoods and high-grade upholstered fabrics. Its furniture is built to last through years of everyday use.
Meanwhile, Ashley outsources production of its furniture overseas to save costs. As a result, Ashley uses cheaper materials like laminate wood, plywood, and polyester or faux leather fabrics on many of its products.
There are some collections made with better quality materials, but overall Ashley furniture is not constructed to be as durable.
There are of course trade-offs for both manufacturing processes. The made-in-America craftsmanship of Klaussner does come at a higher price point.
And while Ashley’s outsourcing keeps prices low, there are more customer complaints about defective furniture or early wear and tear. For shoppers that prioritize quality above all, Klaussner is the winner in this category.
- Shopping Experience
Where and how you buy your furniture also differs greatly between Klaussner and Ashley.
As one of the country’s largest furniture chains, Ashley has over 700 company-owned retail stores located across the United States and Canada.
Klaussner on the other hand is only sold at independently owned furniture stores and regional chains.
The benefit of Ashley’s expansive store network is convenience – you can walk into a local showroom near you and see much of the selection in person before purchasing.
At Klaussner retailers, you’ll find a limited floor sample selection alongside catalogs, online kiosks and knowledgeable sales associates to guide you.
When it comes to delivery and setup, both companies work with local partners to arrange home delivery when you purchase larger living room or bedroom collections. Wait times vary by location.
And Klaussner retailers offer their own white glove delivery services as an additional cost.
The other advantage of shopping Ashley is frequent sales promotions both online and in stores. While its regular prices may seem inflated, Ashley commonly offers 50% off sales or other doorbuster deals.
Authorized Klaussner retailers have more consistent everyday pricing.
- Cost and Price Range
With its made in America quality and craftsmanship, Klaussner furniture has a higher price tag than mass retailer Ashley. You can expect to spend:
- $800 – $2,000 for a Klaussner sofa or sectional
- $500 – $1,500 for a Klaussner bedroom set
- $300 – $800 for Klaussner kitchen and dining sets
Ashley has broad offerings across low, medium and high price points:
- Accent chairs or small tables for $150 – $300
- Full bedroom sets for $500 – $1,500
- Leather sofas and sectionals for $1,000 – $3,000
There are premium collections at Ashley that offer better quality with prices approaching the cost of Klaussner furniture. But in general, Ashley has a lower average price point on bedroom, living room and dining room furniture for budget-conscious shoppers.
With either brand, you can find pieces to furnish an entire home within your desired budget.
Also Read: Interior Define Down Competitors.
Pros and Cons of Klaussner And Ashley Furniture
To summarize the key benefits and downsides of Klaussner and Ashley Furniture:
Klaussner Pros:
- Made in America from quality hardwoods and upholstery
- Classic and elegant styling with fine details
- Durable construction and materials built to last
- Consistent fair pricing at authorized retailers
Klaussner Cons:
- Limited brand recognition and store availability
- Higher prices than mass market brands
- Smaller selection of furniture styles and sets
Ashley Pros:
- Huge variety of living room, bedroom and dining sets
- Trendy and contemporary looks for all budgets
- Convenient locations across US and Canada
- Frequent sales and promotions to get deals
Ashley Cons:
- Cheap plywoods and laminates used on many products
- Quality and durability issues
- Higher regular pricing without sales or discounts
- Pushy sales tactics in stores
Ultimately, Klaussner is ideal for discerning furniture buyers willing to pay more for American-made quality construction. For budget-minded shoppers that want a one-stop shop for outfitting an entire home, Ashley has the product breadth and store accessibility.
Carefully evaluating your priorities will determine which brand fits your needs.
Also Read: Comparison of Flexsteel And Klaussner Sofas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are some commonly asked questions to further understand how Klaussner and Ashley Furniture compare:
Ashley Furniture’s biggest competitor is IKEA. IKEA is another large furniture chain with affordable prices and contemporary styling that appeals to the mass market. Other competitors include Rooms To Go, Raymour & Flanigan, and Ethan Allen in the home furnishings space. But no other company has as many store locations or overall sales volume as Ashley Furniture in the United States.
No, Ashley Furniture is not considered high end. The company positions itself as an affordable furniture store serving middle class households and first-time buyers. However, Ashley does offer select premium collections with better materials that could be comparable to high end brands in quality and pricing. But the majority of its offerings are value-focused made-to-order products.
Klaussner Furniture is still an operating company and has not gone out of business. The company does not actually sell directly to consumers, so it may seem less prominent compared to national chains like Ashley. But Klaussner continues manufacturing quality wood furnishings from its North Carolina factories. The brand is only available through third party furniture stores that carry Klaussner products.
Yes, Ashley Furniture does offer furniture collections across good, better, and best quality tiers. At the lower end, Ashley uses cheaper plywoods and thin leathers. The mid-range features better hardwoods and upholstery. And the high-end lines approach luxury quality with solid construction and premium materials. This range allows consumers to get Ashley style at different pricing levels based on their budget.
Wrapping Up
When comparing Klaussner and Ashley Furniture, it really comes down to prioritizing price, quality, or selection. For shoppers that want reliably constructed hardwood furniture with timeless appeal, Klaussner is the winner.
If affordable prices for outfitting an entire home are more important, then Ashley’s broad selection and accessibility makes it hard to beat.
No matter which brand you choose, be sure to carefully inspect products for damage defects and understand return policies. Work with knowledgeable furniture sales associates that can explain material differences across collections.
And measure carefully to ensure your new living room, bedroom and dining furnishings will properly fit your space. With the right research and smart shopping strategies, you can find stylish and functional home furniture from either Klaussner or Ashley that enhances your space and works with your budget.