As a new homeowner going through a major remodel last year, I was starting completely from scratch on outfitting 1,800 square feet with quality furniture that fit my budget. After an extensive search comparing dozens of retailers, I ultimately selected relative upstart 7th Avenue based on their mix of customization, materials and pricing. Now a year later after furnishing my entire place top to bottom with their modular sofas, bedroom sets, rugs and more, I wanted to provide the definitive insider review.
Why I Initially Chose 7th Avenue
After bouncing between Wayfair, Article and West Elm showrooms, nothing quite aligned with my vision. The "fast furniture" pieces from lower-end brands felt flimsy and temporary for a home I planned to stay in for years. But mid-tier retailers pushing $3,000 for a single sofa were untenable trying to furnish multiple rooms.
Then a colleague suggested I check out 7th Avenue. As a fellow young homeowner, she raved about their quality and custom process. When I visited their site and explored the modular configuration tool, that versatility to adapt pieces to my spaces won me over instantly. Beyond their signature sofas, the broad mix of decor and accent options in coordinated styles provides a one-stop solution to decorate.
And throughout the design phase, their online chat specialists helped me visualize options for tricky spaces like an open concept living/dining layout. Being able to order swatches and articulate dimensions ensured I felt fully confident in finalizing my substantial order.
Unboxing My First Modular Sectional
When my 7 boxes arrived (yes, an entire sectional fits inside just 7 boxes!), I was pleasantly surprised by the relatively straightforward assembly process. Each individual seat has legs that simply screw in with accompanying Allen wrenches. The frame pieces then snap together with embedded magnets and belts to secure. So I was able to put together a sprawling 8-piece sectional solo in just over 2 hours without needing to pay the added assembly fees.
Once in place, I was thrilled by how seamlessly the XI Sectional I designed fit into my living room footprint. I deliberately chose a deeper 31" seat depth and wide wedge corner piece to indulge in Family Movie Night. The smooth Pearl Silver legs blended perfectly against my mixed white oak and gray wood laminate floors. And swapping out throw pillows allows easy seasonal change-ups.
Quality on Par with Ultra High-End Brands
Having previously shopped brands like Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn, I can say first-hand the quality of my 7th Avenue furnishings puts both to shame. The combination of durable kiln dried frames and reinforced corner blocked joinery gives even my largest sectional rock solid stability. The structured back cushions maintain shape and resiliency even months later. And the boucle polyester stands up to everyday use from my rambunctious preschooler and attention-craving cat.
In fact, I would argue that the $5,000+ prices of RH and Pottery Barn can‘t be justified given 7th Avenue matches their caliber at nearly half the cost. Yes there are more premium fabrics and finishes available from those legacy brands. But for family-friendly furniture able to endure real life, 7th Avenue carries the same exceptional craftsmanship.
Expanding Beyond the Living Room
Now I‘ll confession I got a little overzealous with my 7th Avenue obsession. After outfitting my living room with that initial sectional, I fell in love with their offerings and kept adding more:
Cloud Couch – Guest Room: Given how often I host visiting friends/family, having a spare room was key. And the compact Cloud Pull-Out couch saved on tight square footage while still comfortably accommodating guests.
Milo Bedroom Set: I was able to customize the stain, drawer pulls and size of the Milo dresser/nightstand combo to work perfectly in my master suite. And the tufted leather Bedford Lounge Chair completes my reading corner.
Burrow Dining Set: I know, branching out from 7th Avenue with their partner brand. But I adore my extendable mid-century acacia wood table paired to velvet side chairs. Great for both small dinner parties to solo workspace.
Outdoor Wicker Set: Through my backdoors right off the dining area, I now have a cozy two-person outdoor sectional and side table to enjoy morning coffee. Added some string lights overhead for a whimsical feel.
Accent Tables/Rugs: The hand-crafted reclaimed wood accent tables and wool shag rugs infuse texture and cozy appeal across rooms.
So in summary, 7th Avenue enabled me to furnish every single space matching the relaxed contemporary vibe I aimed for. And having that stylistic consistency from room to room prevents a disjointed appearance cheaper piecemeal decor tends to produce. I never felt I had quality or aesthetic compromises typical outfitting an entire home.
Key Tips for New 7th Avenue Shoppers
If you‘re exploring 7th Avenue for the first time either online or in-store, I wanted to provide helpful suggestions as an existing satisfied customer:
Stick to your budget: It‘s easy to get carried away adding configurations, pillows etc. Estimate 10-15% above target spend for accessories/delivery fees. And limit selections to must-haves if over budget. Their interest free financing makes larger purchases doable.
Nail down accurate measurements: Whether designing your own sectional or buying existing sets, carefully measure destination spaces. Height, widths, corners etc. Avoid assumption a piece will fit. Use 7th Avenue‘s online planning blueprints for sizes.
Get swatches early: Don‘t finalize fabric choices without ordering free swatch samples. Colors and textures vary widely from site images. Arrange swatches in their eventual room for best visualization.
Prepare for long lead times: Understand custom pieces take 4-6 weeks production before shipping. Factor expectations for 10-12 weeks total from order to delivery dependent on configurations. Simple in-stock items ship faster.
Consider protection plans: Like device insurance, protection plans cover mishaps beyond factory defects. For families with younger kids or clumsy (🙋‍♂️) owners, this peace of mind can be worthwhile if in budget.
Addressing Common Consumer Concerns
As a 7th Avenue fanatic, I still recognize shoppers reasonably have concerns buying furniture sight unseen from a still growing brand. Here are perspectives that hopefully reassure hesitations:
Try-before-you-buy not possible: Unlike longtime furniture chains, 7th Avenue is still expanding its physical retail footprint as a relatively young DTC disruptor. If purchasing in-person is important, explore their dozen showroom locations. But for online buyers, lean on their customer service for design visualizations.
Relatively limited reviews available: You likely won‘t find thousands of ratings for a startup brand. But what‘s most telling is how outstanding verified review scores are across 900+ ratings. Issues like shipping delays or fabric shrinkage do happen occasionally. But their customer service promptly addresses concerns raised for resolution.
Potential quality consistency risks: Yes, I‘ll admit there have been very minor defects on 1-2 items I purchased. A scratched leg, faded fabric. But I chalk that up to accelerated scaling to meet demand. And 7th Avenue graciously had replacement components rush shipped when I submitted photos of defects discovered.
Higher prices than "fast furniture" brands: There‘s certainly cheaper options targeting younger budgets from Ikea and Amazon. But understand you sacrifice materials, construction quality and customization getting under $1,000 price points. 7th Avenue pricing fairly aligns to quality that lasts years beyond fleeting furniture fads.
Final Takeaways: An Obsession Justified
I realize this review reads somewhat like a gushing love letter to 7th Avenue. Perhaps I‘m still in that "honeymoon phase" as their first super fan customer. But even looking past the infatuation, I judge any purchases based on pragmatic factors like longevity, value and style. By those measures, 7th Avenue delivers substantive furnishings rather than the short-term relationships I‘ve had with other retailers.
While supplies last, explore incorporating 7th Avenue pieces into your home for a long and happy union! And please share your own experiences by commenting below!
