This Is the Best Place to Find Deals on Iconic Modern Furniture

For design lovers, there aren’t a lot of places to shop for authentic modern furniture pieces (although there are countless dupes), especially if you have a budget. And even if you’re not shopping for furniture, keeping up with the latest decor trends and buzziest home brands is a bit of a challenge. That’s why Design Within Reach (DWR) is an Apartment Therapy favorite. 

This retailer sells everything you need to furnish a modern home at accessible prices, including all types of seating, lighting, storage, rugs, and more. DWR’s showrooms feel like modern art museums, which is no surprise considering the design focus is on clean lines, natural materials, and minimalist sensibilities. It’s one of the few places in the U.S. where you can buy licensed pieces from the most iconic 20th-century designers, as well as collaborations with up-and-comers and new launches from the best contemporary brands — we’re talking about the original Womb Chair, Wishbone Chair, and bubble lamp.

DWR was founded in 1998 by Rob Forbes, an artist and entrepreneur who sought to make purchasing designer furniture easier — hence the name Design Within Reach. The company started selling via catalog and quickly grew, making a name for itself as a premier destination for shopping modern designers like Herman Miller and Eero Saarinen. After experiencing major financial difficulties in 2009, DWR staged a comeback and was eventually bought by Herman Miller in 2015. 

Now, DWR is still known as one of the best places to shop for authentic modern design. Herman Miller merged with Knoll in 2021 to become MillerKnoll, and the company also owns HAY, Muuto, and Maharam, which are all sold at DWR. In addition, DWR sells furniture and decor from dozens of other top brands and designers, like Carl Hansen & Søn, Geiger, and Lawson-Fenning. It also has its own in-house label, selling everything from beds and sofas to rugs and pillows, as well as seriously good-looking outdoor furniture.

Yes, DWR has 72 locations worldwide, including Herman Miller stores and DWR Outlets (of which there are three). Whether you’re near a location or not, you can take advantage of the free Design Concierge service, which allows you to meet with DWR designers either in person or virtually to plan your next decorating project. 

Yes, DWR delivers. The majority of furniture is delivered via full-service in-home delivery, while some smaller furniture is delivered via threshold delivery. If you live within 100 miles of a studio, in-home delivery has a flat rate fee of $399; if you live more than 100 miles from a studio, then that fee is increased to $699. The threshold delivery fee is 15% of the total order value, with a maximum charge of $399. If you’re ordering from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or Canada, then the fees are higher.

If you need to make a return, you have 30 days to do so. Shipping and delivery charges are not refundable, and you’ll also be charged 10% of the order total as a restocking fee. Custom items, already installed products, and anything purchased from a DWR Outlet cannot be returned.

If your order is eligible for in-home delivery, then you don’t have to assemble anything. Smaller furniture items that arrive via threshold delivery typically require minor effort to assemble (like attaching legs), so the most annoying part will probably be lugging the box from your doorway to the room where you want the product to live.

Yes, DWR hosts seasonal sales throughout the year, as well as category-specific deals and free shipping promotions. The biggest sales typically fall around Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday — right now, DWR is hosting The Summer Event, offering 20% off hundreds of products as well as free shipping on orders over $2,000. Of course, you can also shop the sale section year-round, plus take advantage of periodic sale-on-sale deals. The sale section mostly comprises DWR’s in-house merchandise, but you can also find discounts on products from big-name designers.

Yes, DWR is absolutely worth it if you’re a fan of modern design. The retailer sells a huge variety of authentic designer pieces from names like Herman Miller, Bent Hansen, Norman Cherner, and Louis Poulsen, as well as more contemporary brands like Beni Rugs, Dusen Dusen, and Sophie Lou Jacobsen. While prices are undoubtedly on the high end, DWR is considered to be on the more accessible end of luxury, and shopping there guarantees premium craftsmanship and unparalleled design. And, of course, it’s worth keeping an eye out for big sales events and limited time deals.