What A Room and Interior Define are two of the better-known names in online custom sofas. Both let you choose the size, depth, fabric, and legs of your sofa, both offer free fabric swatches, and both build sofas to order rather than shipping from a warehouse. Because they are so similar on the surface, the details are what matter: how far the customization goes, how the cushions are built, where the sofa is made, how long it takes, and what happens if it is not right.
Here is an honest, side-by-side look at the two. Details below are based on each company's published information and independent reviews at the time of writing, and specifications vary by model, so always check the product page for the exact sofa you are considering.
The short answer
Choose Interior Define if you want to sit on sofas in person at one of its studios, love one of its specific designs, or want access to its wider home furnishings range. Choose What A Room if you want your sofa built in weeks rather than months, want to choose your own cushion firmness on a published 2.5 lb foam core, prefer a sofa made in the USA, or want a lower fee if you ever need to return a custom piece.
Side-by-side comparison
|
|
What A Room |
Interior Define |
|
Ownership |
Independent, focused on sofas and sectionals |
Owned by Havenly; sells furniture and decor for the whole home |
|
Customization |
Width, seat depth, chaise length, firmness, legs, and fabric |
Length, depth, cushion fill, legs, and fabric, depending on the collection |
|
Seat cushions |
2.5 lb high-resilience foam core; Soft, Medium, Firm, or Trillium wrap |
Foam core with cushion fill options; foam density not listed on the pages we reviewed |
|
Frame |
Kiln-dried solid wood with corner blocks |
Kiln-dried hardwood, according to independent reviews |
|
Where made |
Built to order in the USA |
Made overseas, according to independent reviews |
|
Lead time |
Built in 4 to 5 weeks, plus 7 to 14 business days in transit |
Delivered in 8 to 12 weeks, as quoted on its product pages |
|
Returns on custom pieces |
Within 60 days on standard-option orders, 15% processing fee plus pickup |
Within 60 days, 50% processing fee |
|
Frame warranty |
Limited lifetime on frame and suspension |
10 years on frame and suspension |
|
Free swatches |
Up to 12, ship in one business day |
Up to 10 |
|
Where to see it |
San Jose showroom, free 3D renderings |
Define Studios in several U.S. cities, virtual design appointments |
Customization
Both brands start with a set of designs and let you adjust them. Interior Define offers a choice of lengths and depths on many collections. Its Sloan sofa, for example, is offered with a 24-inch standard or 28-inch deep seat, and its collections include a wide range of leg styles and cushion fills.
What A Room takes sizing a step further on many collections. On our Daphne collection, you can choose a width from 80 to 136 inches in 4-inch increments, a seat depth from 23 to 31 inches, and a chaise length from 62 to 82 inches. If the measurement you need falls between our standard options, custom dimensions can be requested at checkout, and a designer reviews every order before production. See our Personalizing Your Sofa guide for every choice you can make.
Comfort and cushion construction
Interior Define lets you choose the cushion fill on many of its sofas, with down blends among the options. Down-blend cushions give a soft, relaxed, lived-in look and need regular fluffing to keep their shape.
At What A Room, every seat cushion starts with a 2.5 lb high-resilience foam core, and you choose the feel: Soft (24 ILD), Medium (28 ILD), or Firm (45 ILD), or a Trillium down-alternative wrap if you want a plush look with less upkeep. Because we publish the foam density, you know exactly what is inside. Denser foam holds its shape longer, and ours is engineered to keep its shape for more than 10 years. You can read more on our Cushions page.
Construction and where the sofa is made
Independent reviews report that Interior Define uses kiln-dried hardwood frames across its collections and that its sofas are made overseas. Its frame and suspension carry a 10-year warranty.
Every What A Room sofa is built to order in the USA with the same core construction: a kiln-dried solid wood frame with corner blocks at every joint, 8-gauge sinuous springs, and 2.5 lb high-resilience foam that is CertiPUR-US certified. Every fabric we offer is free of PFAS and PFOA. Our frame and suspension carry a limited lifetime warranty, plus one year on cushions and fabric. Our Materials page explains each component.
Lead time
Interior Define quotes delivery in 8 to 12 weeks on its made-to-order product pages, and it also offers a smaller selection of in-stock pieces that arrive faster.
What A Room builds every sofa to order in 4 to 5 weeks, and transit typically takes 7 to 14 business days after your sofa ships. Building close to home is a big part of that shorter timeline. If your home is not ready, we can hold your finished order at our warehouse at no additional cost. See our Shipping & Delivery page for details.
Returns
Both brands are unusual in accepting returns on custom furniture at all, which is worth recognizing. Most large retailers treat custom sofas as final sale.
The difference is in the cost. According to Interior Define's published policy, made-to-order items can be returned within 60 days of delivery, with a 50% processing fee deducted from the refund. What A Room accepts returns on custom furniture built from our standard website options within 60 days of delivery, in new or like-new condition, with a 15% return processing fee and pickup charges. Original delivery fees are not refundable, and special requests beyond our standard options and customer's own material (COM) orders are final sale. Full details are on our Returns & Exchanges page.
Price
Both brands sit in a similar price range. Interior Define lists its Maxwell 3-seat sofa from $1,995, with the final price depending on upholstery, depth, size, and fill, and it runs sale events throughout the year. At What A Room, our Alex sofa starts at $2,383 and our collections currently start at roughly $2,350 to $2,550, with fabrics grouped into Standard, Deluxe, and Premium tiers. Delivery at What A Room runs $149 to $289 based on order total, and most orders include white glove service.
When comparing, weigh the full picture: what is inside the cushions, how long you will wait, where the sofa is built, and what a return would cost if you needed one.
Shopping experience
Interior Define's Define Studios let you sit on sofas in person in several U.S. cities, and Havenly's design services are available to help plan a room. Both brands offer free swatches and a way to order before you finalize your fabric.
What A Room is built for confident online buying. You can order up to 12 free fabric samples that ship in one business day, send us your floor plan for free 2D and 3D renderings, and chat with our team any time. Bay Area shoppers can also visit our San Jose showroom. You can start with our Free Fabric Samples page or book a free Design Consultation.
Which one is right for you?
Interior Define may be the better fit if you
• Live near a Define Studio and want to try sofas in person.
• Love one of its specific designs or want a down-blend seat.
• Want to furnish other rooms from the same brand family.
What A Room may be the better fit if you
• Want your sofa built in 4 to 5 weeks rather than 8 to 12.
• Want a published foam density and your choice of firmness.
• Prefer a sofa built in the USA.
• Want a 15% processing fee rather than 50% if you ever need to return a custom piece.
• Want a limited lifetime warranty on the frame and suspension.
Frequently asked questions
Is What A Room a good alternative to Interior Define?
It can be, especially if you want a shorter build time, a published 2.5 lb foam core with your choice of firmness, a sofa made in the USA, and a lower processing fee on custom returns.
How long does Interior Define take to deliver?
Interior Define quotes 8 to 12 weeks for made-to-order pieces on its product pages. What A Room builds in 4 to 5 weeks, plus 7 to 14 business days in transit.
Can you return a custom Interior Define sofa?
Yes, within 60 days of delivery, with a 50% processing fee, according to Interior Define's published policy. What A Room accepts returns on standard-option custom orders within 60 days, with a 15% processing fee and pickup charges.
Are Interior Define sofas made in the USA?
Independent reviews report that Interior Define sofas are made overseas. Every What A Room sofa is built to order in the USA.
Which brand has the longer warranty?
Interior Define offers 10 years on the frame and suspension. What A Room offers a limited lifetime warranty on the frame, suspension system, and construction-related components, plus one year on cushions and fabric.
