As someone who cares deeply about quality and getting the most value from my purchases, I‘ve tested my way through countless sofas, recliners, chairs and ottomans over the past decade before settling on Bradington Young as my go-to furniture brand…
My Story of Discovering Bradington Young
It all started when I moved into my first apartment after college. Excited to decorate my space with some plush seating, I purchased a faux leather sofa and loveseat set from Bob‘s Discount Furniture for $1200. While stylish and comfortable initially, within 3 years the cushions flattened completely, the PU leather started peeling off, and the frame wobbled precariously whenever I adjusted positions…
Clearly quality was lacking, so for my next house I splurged on a top-grain Italian leather sectional from Room & Board for $3800. The buttery softness and refined aesthetics were like a dream – for exactly 1 year. That‘s when my rambunctious 50-pound retriever decided to make himself comfortable by digging into the corner of the cushions. $500 in repairs later, it never looked or felt the same.
Finally, I came across Bradington Young. Attracted by the classic Chesterfield styling, I purchased a full lounge chair and ottoman set for my library. And I haven‘t looked back since, furnishing my entire living room with their sofas, recliners and tables over the past 8 years…
Overview of Bradington Young‘s Offerings
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in North Carolina, Bradington Young specializes in handcrafted upholstered leather furniture made right here in the USA. They are known for a more traditional style reminiscent of English clubs and stately libraries, crafted to exacting standards unseen at typical mass-market brands.
As part of the furniture giant Hooker Furniture Corporation (founded 1924), Bradington Young focuses solely on seating – sofas, loveseats, chaises, ottomans, chairs and recliners across a range of frames like rolled arms, tufted backs, wingbacks, and nailhead trims. With over 200 fabrics and 250 leathers to choose from, you can customize everything from the silhouette to materials to create your perfect chair or couch.
Over my years of first-hand testing, here are the key strengths and tradeoffs I‘ve discovered around opting for Bradington Young:
Pros
- Unparalleled quality with 8-way hand-tied frames and highest-grade leathers
- Made to order & customized – options galore!
- Surprising affordability for a premium furniture brand
- Supremely sturdy and ages beautifully over decades
- Easy to clean and care for with basic maintenance
- Great warranty and support network via retailers
Cons
- Very traditional styling might not suit all decors
- Few contemporary silhouettes available
- Requires slightly more TLC than mass-produced sets
- Sales & discounts uncommon outside major holiday sales events
Now that you know what sets Bradington Young apart, let‘s look at how several of their most popular furniture performs after years of real-world testing…
In-Depth Review of My Favorite Bradington Young Pieces
Over the past decade of living with Bradington Young, I‘ve purchased and tested 5 key pieces across their product portfolio – a lounge chair, two stationary chairs, a loveseat and a sofa. Here‘s an overview of how they have held up over 5+ years of daily use across comfort, durability and maintenance needs:
| Product | Comfort | Durability | Maintenence | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston Lounge Chair | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Beames Club Chair | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mercer Swivel Chair | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Sutherland Loveseat | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Declan 86" Sofa | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Let‘s analyze each category further:
Comfort
True to their heritage of luxurious English manors and stately libraries, Bradington Young prioritizes plush comfort in all their pieces. The lounge chair and Mercer swivel chair‘s ample padding and curved backs conform perfectly to offer lounging comfort for hours without any soreness. Even the firmer Sutherland loveseat cushions maintain spine support despite slimmer profiles.
My 50-pound retriever has thankfully not been able to dig into any of the cushions even after jumping up repeatedly thanks to the quality. My declan sofa has flattened slightly from daily use but a quick plumping up restores the bounce. All in all, with the quality cushioning and resilient frames, Bradington Young delivers its promise of enduring, sink-in comfort.
Durability
The true test of durability comes from not just pets and kids but also surviving multiple moves. I‘ve dragged my lounge chair, swivel chair and sofa across 3 houses and 4 apartments over 700 miles with no worn edges or structural issues whatsoever thanks to the durable kiln-dried frames.
The top grain Italian, English and French leathers have weathered my dog‘s claws with just a few scratches brushed away easily. And stain guards have helped maintain the rich patina against food and wine spills. The vintage design styles also helps hide normal wear and tear better. Overall, Bradington Young‘s craftsmanship ensures their furniture ages as beautifully as wine.
Maintenance
Leather furniture inevitably requires some regular TLC to keep looking pristine over decades. For Bradington Young, I‘ve found a routine wiping down with a damp microfiber cloth followed by leather conditioner once every 4-6 months does wonders. An annual thorough cleaning with leather cleaner and protecting wax restores that showroom sheen easily.
Overall it takes just 5-10 minutes per piece per month for easy maintenance – nothing intensive or difficult like specialty fabric upholstery. And the results are definitely worth this nominal additional effort for leather‘s unmatched feel.
How Bradington Young Compares to Other High-End Brands
As a discerning furniture buyer ready for premium investments in my home, I always compare across brands before recommending. Here is how some of Bradington Young‘s closest competitors stack up across the key purchasing factors:
| Brand | Quality | Styles | Customization | Price | Value | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradington Young | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | 30+ years |
| Hancock & Moore | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | 20+ years |
| Bernhardt | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | 15+ years |
| Restoration Hardware | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | 10+ years |
It‘s clear Bradington Young emerges as the winner when you prioritize quality leather seating with customization at reasonable investments delivering decades of enjoyment.
The main tradeoff is less selection for contemporary or mid-century modern aesthetics. However the expanding Hooker Furniture portfolio is starting to offer more variety across sub-brands.
Tips to Find the Best Bradington Young Deals
Unlike mass-produced factory brands, Bradington Young offers tailored pieces with pricing starting around $1000 range to $4000+ for sectionals and chaises.
As luxury furniture sold through authorized showrooms and boutique retailers, you rarely find dramatic discounts outside major holiday sales. However, some insider tips can help you maximize savings year-round:
- Shop during annual Memorial Day, Labor Day and 4th July sales for up to 20% off
- Take advantage of retailer coupons and credit card discounts for 5-15% savings
- Buy floor samples for steepest discounts around 30-40%
- Consider seconds with minor defects discounted to 50% off
- Time purchases right before new collections release during October and April for clearance deals
- Opt for custom builds during low-demand months of July and January
I personally wait all year for the Memorial Day sales to make my big Bradington Young purchases and also buy floor samples of unique pieces rather than full-priced. This allows me to save between $800 – $2000 per item.
My Verdict: Is Bradington Young Worth Investing In?
After a decade of first-hand experiences across my entire home, I can wholeheartedly recommend Bradington Young to certain furniture buyers without hesitation:
Best For
- Traditional leather lovers who want forever furniture
- Customization connoisseurs who want tailored interiors
- Pet owners and parents needing indestructible seating
- Discerning shoppers who appreciate old-world artisanship
Not For
- Those wanting modern aesthetics like mid-century styles
- Budget buyers needing affordable options under $1000
- Families needing child and pet-friendly fabrics more than leather
At the end of the day, Bradington Young earns its reputation for unmatched quality and craftsmanship that literally lasts for generations when taken care of properly. Yes, it requires more planning and investment upfront. But the years of enjoyment ahead, ability to customize entirely as per your vision, and enduring classic styles make it worthwhile for certain buyers.
I hope my first-hand experiences help set the right expectations around owning Bradington Young furniture. Do you have any more questions around finding your perfect Bradington Young sofa or chair? Let me know in the comments!
