Raymour & Flanigan Review 2024
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Upon arriving at the Raymour & Flanigan parking lot one Monday, my phone buzzed with an enticing email from Wayfair: "Sofas starting at $299. Yes, you read that right." Although I had no plans to purchase such an inexpensive couch, the timing was too perfect to ignore. In my world, the battle of affordable couches had officially begun.
I never imagined myself shopping for furniture at a large retail store or discount website until recently. (Well, except for IKEA.) Synthetic fabrics, artificial finishes, and aggressive salespeople on commission? Not my cup of tea. I've always been a thrifty shopper and a supporter of secondhand stores, but cheap furniture? No, thank you. When my husband and I first moved in together, we spared no expense (as evidenced by our bills). We renovated the kitchen, indulged in a custom walk-in closet, added fancy pendant lighting, and splurged on area rugs that were beyond our budget. Our living room couch was a vintage hand-me-down. It wasn't the most comfortable, but it looked quite stylish in its new fuchsia and gold upholstery. Another hand-me-down love seat was reupholstered in a blue and white geometric pattern.
It didn't take long before someone, most likely me, spilled wine on my sea-foam green carpet made of luxurious New Zealand wool. Many more stains followed suit. The love seat? Its white upholstery soon appeared worn and dirty.
After moving, I was convinced that I had learned my lesson. A colorful wool rug would cover one area, while a seemingly indestructible seagrass rug would cover another. The new living room sofa would be a high-quality, brand-name option at the top of my budget, but it would be a solid navy blue. However, within weeks, our new puppy had already left muddy paw prints on the couch and used the rugs as chew toys. The cats claimed another seat as their scratching post. During a dinner gathering, someone accidentally spilled red wine on my ivory grasscloth wallpaper. And then, I had a baby, only to discover dried yogurt and Goldfish crumbs embedded in the sofa cushions on a regular basis.
After much contemplation, I reached a point where I grew weary of constantly worrying and fussing over my furniture. The impromptu cocktail parties that often transformed into late-night dance extravaganzas were enjoyable. I cherished the moments of munching on popcorn while lounging on the couch, with my beloved pets snuggled up beside me. I desired to spend my leisure time relishing the company of friends and family, rather than being consumed by the stress of potential spills and stains. (Even if you prefer the tranquility of a book club, it's still possible for someone to accidentally spill cranberry juice on your carpet, although it's unlikely to happen on your wallpaper.)
This is precisely why I found myself at Raymour & Flanigan. Not only did my living room require a makeover, but my entire approach needed a revamp. When you reside in a hyperactive household like mine, danger lurks around every corner for furniture pieces. Here's what I'm seeking this time: an affordable sofa that possesses durability, comfort, and easy maintenance. It doesn't have to be a designer piece or filled with down. However, it mustn't be so poorly constructed that it becomes destined for the landfill once I'm finished with it. I want to appreciate it, but I don't want to become overly attached. In exchange, I'm willing to allocate a larger portion of my budget to lower-risk items, such as lighting fixtures.
Raymour & Flanigan served as my initial physical destination after conducting extensive research. As I strolled through their reasonably priced showroom, brimming with stain-resistant options, a sense of relief washed over me. I didn't make a couch purchase that day—after all, even more affordable acquisitions require careful consideration, and a big box store offers an abundance of choices. Nevertheless, when the time comes for me to make a decision, I am content with the possibility of selecting a couch adorned in a polyester blend or possessing a less-than-perfect silhouette. In fact, I welcome it. I am prepared. (P.S. A message to La-Z-Boys, puffy leather, and microfiber: I still cannot bring myself to embrace you.)