Restoration Hardware is all about design and luxury. It is run by a team of designers that know how to turn a place from drab to fab.
Restoration hardware, now more commonly known as RH, deals in all sorts of home furnishings from bath and bed collection, lighting, textiles, rugs, hardware, decor, art, and more.
In short, it is the home of all the essentials of a house. Read on to find more details of Restoration Hardware review from our team.
Bottom Line Upfront
Restoration Hardware is legit, and you can trust the brand and their site. However, you can also get similar products buying online from our top recommended store Stone and Beam on Amazon.
Table of Contents
History of Restoration Hardware
The launch of Restoration Hardware dates back to 1979 in California. The company was found by Stephen Gordon when he experienced the unavailability of high quality but affordable hardware.
So basically, while restoring a Victorian home, he hit upon the idea of launching his own RH store right outside his house.
And that is where the magnificent journey began. The small RH store over the years turned into a huge chain that has a revenue of more than 1 billion dollars today. In a very short span of time, the store locations expanded rapidly and reached up to 100 stores in 31 states back in 2001.
The history of Restoration Hardware is quite impressive and we can go on and on about it. However, we’ll just let all of this stay here and move on to the actual purpose of this article.
We have grabbed all the deets about RH so let’s find out if their luxurious designs are worth it or not!
Website Navigation – RH
RH’s website navigation is pretty easy and direct. Pages loads fast and products are listed categorically. So you won’t find it frustrating unlike some other brand’s website.
You can conveniently use the search button on the top right if you want to search for a particular item. We have tried browsing through some sections of their website and it’s pretty fluid.
There is the sales link on the top right menu. You can also find other non product related information in the bottom navigation links on their website.
Physical Stores
Restoration hardware is based in the US and it hasn’t expanded itself much outside of it. Except for a few states in Canada it has no physical store anywhere else in the world.
Other than that, the amount of store locations in America is humongous.
The physical stores of Restoration Hardware are found in more than 30 states of America. Texas, New York, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota are a few of them.
The number of stores in their initial launch location is the highest. Around 20 stores are spread across California alone. While in Canada, the stores are found in Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia only.
Find an RH Gallery near you with the help of this store locator on their website.
Pricing of Products
Restoration Hardware started out as affordable and basic but today it is more of a luxurious and expensive store that produces premium quality furnishings at prices that are considered sky high by most people.
In the beginning RH was nothing more than an affordable hardware store. However, drastic changes were made in 1994 when the store switched from hardware to an entire home furnishing company. Ever since the switch happened, Restoration Hardware became more of a luxury store.
Walking in to an RH store, you will be able to feast your eyes on elegant, minimalist and modern furnishings. As well as, old and antique items restored to their best appearance (the prime interest of the founder, Gordon).
Well, we can’t deny the fact that prices at RH are high. If you look at their leather beds collection you will not find anything for less than 2800 bucks. And the price hikes up to more than $7000 for some of the high end beds. Not everyone can afford spending that much on a bed only. So when we said that the prices are sky high, we meant it!
Now if we talk about something as basic as a throw, precisely a cotton or linen throw; that too is priced $300 dollars on average. And the prices can get as high as $800 for a cashmere throw.
Conclusively, if we say that Restoration Hardware is not for everyone, it won’t be wrong. However, it may be a treat for anyone who can afford it.
Quality of Items
The opinions on furnishings are often very subjective. What is recognized as the best by one person may be nothing more than crap for the other. We’re saying this because we’ve gone through reviews that were poles apart from each other.
Restoration hardware is undeniably expensive which may be the reason why people have extra ordinary expectations attached to it. However, as far as our opinion is concerned we’d say that the quality of RH items is quite promising. Each of their product is crafted with high end materials which is why their products usually last a long while.
Some people have reported really bad experiences while others have given extremely satisfactory responses. Can’t say if either of them were having a stroke of bad luck or good luck.
For instance, this review suggests that RH might be the best place you can ever shop from.
While this one is completely contradicting that.
Such contradictory reviews are found in a huge amount on the Internet. This will be confusing for most of you. If you’re skeptical about your purchases you can check out their stores and examine the furnishings yourself.
These days it’s really hard to decide if a place has a good reputation or not!
Online Shopping Experience
You must be wondering how the online shopping experience at RH is. And we’re pleased to say that it is quite up to the mark. A good website is the first step towards a satisfactory online shopping experience.
Before we get to the technicalities of online shopping we’ll have to say that the website of Restoration Hardware is aesthetically pleasing. Now besides that, there’s a plenty of browsing option in their navigation bar.
The furnishings are classified into Bed, Bath, Living, Dining, Textile, Hardware, Outdoor, Rugs, Windows, Decor, and plenty others. Each of these things is sub classified. For example, if you want to browse through Textiles you can choose from Bed linens, throws, pillow, bath towel, or fabric by yard. In addition to this, each of these is classified further
Options such as duvet covers, sheets, and quilts etc. are found when you select Bed Linens. So this way you will be directed to the options that are most suitable for you.
And for sure we think that the website is flawless and extremely user friendly.
Order Delivery
Location
Restoration hardware delivers only in the US, Canada, or APO, FPO, and DPO addresses. If you’re located within the radius of their retail stores, then deliveries will not be a problem at all.
However, if you’re an international customer then you will have to take care of your delivery on your own. And by that we mean you will have to get in contact with a freight forwarder located within the US or Canada to have your orders delivered at your place.
Charges
Charges vary according to the delivery type. For unlimited furniture delivery, your order will be dispatched through white glove service and a flat rate will be charged according to your delivery location. For reference, you can check out the chart below for delivery rates
Other than that, in case of standard deliveries, your order will be delivered through UPS. The delivery charges will be based on the cost of your item. And your order will be delivered within 3-7 business days.
Apart from that, you can also go for rush deliveries. You can check out the standard delivery rates of RH below.
Return Policy
Restoration hardware has that mainstream return policy that allows returns within 30 days of the purchase.
If your item is in its original and undamaged condition only then it is eligible for returns or refunds. In addition to that, there are a few exceptions in which you cannot return your orders. Mattresses that are not in their original packaging are not acceptable for returns.
Likewise, special orders and items that have been installed are also not eligible for returns. You can check out the detailed return policy of RH over here.
So overall, the return policy of RH is not anything exceptional; neither bad nor amazing … just how usual return policies are!
Is Restoration Hardware Going Out Of Business?
Well, not really. Like every other business, RH has had its major lows back in 2018-19. But then it flourished again and restored its name and fame. An insight into the Google trends suggests that it is not really going out of business and RH is still in the game.
Recently, due to the pandemic Restoration Hardware shut down a lot of its major stores leaving only online or catalogue shopping an options for its customers which again is leading to a dark period. But we can say that the business is not blooming but it definitely isn’t declining either.
Restoration Hardware Products
Just so you can get an idea about RH overall, we’ll be reviewing some of their famous furniture items.
Cloud Sofa
The cloud collection of sofas by RH gives a very modern yet laid back vibe. All white, comfortable, and full of fluff that’s how you can define these cloud sofas.
Oversized cushions are the prime feature of all types of cloud sofas; two seat cushion sofa, L sectional, U sectional etc. The sofas sit quite low to the ground.
Filled with 100% down feather they are really comfy. However, the major con about these cloud sofas is the fact that they don’t bounce back up on their own once you sit on them. The fabric stays wrinkled and depressed.
Lastly, make sure to take the measurements properly before bringing in these oversized clouds.
Kensington Sofa
The Kensington sofas by RH is a collection of tufted sofas similar to the classic chesterfields.
These sofas are built with high quality kiln dried hardwood. As for the seat cushions, they are filled with down feather and standard cushions are wrapped with polyfiber.
The back and the arms of the sofa are quite firm but still very comfortable. The best thing about this sofa is the removable seat cushions that allow better cleaning.
Overall, this sofa is a good buy!
Maxwell Leather Sofa
Another sofa from RH that gives off a very relaxed appearance. Just sink right into it and take long naps because it is extremely comfortable.
The modern low slung profile of the sofa is ideal for anyone who loves minimalist furnishings. The cushion fills of the sofa are a combination of down, feather, and polyfiber.
Maxwell collection has sofas, chairs, sectionals, chaise, sleepers, and ottoman etc. The sofa creates a very inviting look in the living.
The overstuffed cushions work like a magnet and won’t let you leave the couch. This one is definitely one the most comfortable and elegant sofa options from RH
Shagreen Bedroom Collection
The Shagreen Bedroom collection by RH features beds, side tables, nightstands, and dressers.
Shagreen is a luxurious material made out of skins of sharks and rays and is therefore, very expensive. The shagreen bedroom collection by RH boasts the use of shagreen in each item.
Due the primary material being Shagreen, the items from this collection are very durable. Shagreen furnishings look very aesthetically pleasing which is why most people are head over heels for this collection by RH.
The Bottom Line
Restoration hardware is a luxurious furniture retailer with lots of satisfied customers. Their huge inventory is very enticing for every customer out there, no doubt. However, most of them consider RH overpriced. If you’re one of those who drool over their stuff but consider them overpriced, try checking out the store during sales.
Besides that, they also provide a yearly membership for $100 that eventually helps to save a lot. And overall, the store is great in terms of returns, customer service, and deliveries!
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