Are Furniture Dupes Worth It? Here’s What Designers Really Think

Want the latest trendy item but can’t afford it? Whether it’s a handbag or a viral pair of shoes, it’s never long before a more affordable dupe enters the market. It’s safe to say we’ve entered the era of fashion and beauty dupes (like this Supergoop alternative or these Lululemon-like joggers) being acceptable, but is it really the same when it comes to furniture? The answer might surprise you. Here’s what you need to know about furniture dupes and what interior designers really think of them. 

Furniture Dupes, Explained

Michele Iapicco of Iapicco Design Studio defines a dupe as “a duplicate or similar item in terms of style and ambiance, but offered at a much lower price point.”

RH’s Cloud Sofa, for example, is one of the most commonly duped pieces of furniture—and it’s easy to understand why. While a beautiful piece of furniture, starting at around $1200 for just one section of the modular piece it simply isn’t within the average person’s budget. However, for those who want the same look at a lower prices, there are dupes available in a range of prices at everywhere from West Elm on the higher end to Amazon on the lower end. 

The problem is that the quality of these RH dupes, and similar furniture dupes on the market, may not meet the expectations set by the original brand. “High-end furniture is often made from superior materials and with meticulous craftsmanship,” interior designer Amy Switzer says. “Dupes and knock-offs, on the other hand, might use cheaper materials and less precise construction, leading to a shorter lifespan. While dupes might look similar to the originals from a distance, they often lack the finer details that contribute to the overall aesthetic and luxury feel of high-end furniture.”

Good furniture is an investment, and some pieces can even increase in value over time. However, the same can’t be said for dupes, as Switzer points out: “Dupes typically do not hold their value and can become a financial loss.”

The Ethics Of Dupes

Then, there’s the ethics factor. “The use of dupes undermines the concept of authenticity in design, which can dilute the perceived value of original works and the unique elements they bring to a space,” Switzer says. “While there might be practical reasons for using dupes, such as budget constraints, these criticisms highlight the potential downsides that can affect quality, ethics, and professional reputation.”

However, just because the real thing isn’t in your budget doesn’t mean you can’t have it or need to wait and save for it. We’re living in the golden age of secondhand everything. From Kaiyo to 1stDibs and even Facebook Marketplace, it’s pretty easy to find popular furniture and decor secondhand—and for a significantly lower price than the brand new version.

The Case For Dupes

As mentioned above, one of the biggest issues with furniture dupes is typically the steep decline in quality. However, there are times when we aren’t buying furniture for the long term and the quality doesn’t matter as much as aesthetic. For example, if you’re renting your home short term, you may not want to invest in pieces you’ll keep for years. Perhaps all you want is something that will last for a couple of years. 

“If you’ve got young kids in the house and are worried about items getting easily broken, or if it’s a super trendy item that you’ll only want to showcase for a short period of time—that’s a good reason to opt for a dupe,” Iapicco says.

Lastly, there are times when the real thing is not the right size for your space and a dupe might actually be the only way to achieve the desired look. So, are furniture dupes worth it? It depends. There’s a time and place for everything, so you have to make the right choice for yourself, your budget, and your home.