In the old days, if you wanted a new sofa, bed, or dresser, you had to walk into an old-fashioned furniture store to shop a limited, overpriced selection. But those days are behind us, thanks to the rise of direct-to-consumer (DTC) furniture.
DTC furniture brands sell their products to you, the consumer, without going through a third-party retail outlet.
That means that there is no retailer marking up the products, so you get to save money.
But what is arguably most exciting about direct-to-consumer furniture is that you get access to a massive selection of beautiful furnishings.
In keeping with modern trends, a lot of DTC furniture companies focus on the retro-inspired market, producing Mid Century Modern replicas as well as original designs inspired by that timeframe.
In this guide, we are going to introduce you to some brands that have built a reputation for the phenomenal quality of their furnishings.
These pieces are crafted using top-of-the-line materials and cutting-edge technologies and techniques. Many direct-to-consumer furniture companies also do quite a bit of handcrafting on their products.
For each brand we feature here, we will highlight a couple of our top picks for retro-style furnishings. Let’s jump in.
Rove Concepts
The first direct-to-consumer furniture brand we recommend checking out is Rove Concepts. This company has been around for more than a decade, and got started in the Pacific Northwest.
Rove Concepts owns and operates their own workshop, where they craft their furniture by hand. Materials the company uses in their products include Italian leather, high-quality textiles, and Italian and North American plastics, fibreglass shells, stainless steels, marbles, and veneers.
The company writes, “From the initial sourcing to the last stitch, our products and their components are treated with respect. We only use small batch techniques on handpicked upholstery, veneers and steel.”
Let’s take a look at some top products to consider.
Tulip Table Round – Lacquer
The tulip table has become a familiar sight in modern homes. The original tulip table was actually a design for the “Pedestal Collection” by Finnish-American designer Eero Saarinen.
This Tulip Table is Rove Concepts’ take on the iconic design, described as a “premium reproduction line inspired by Finnish and American mid-century architecture, a period vastly characterized by the simplification of everyday living.”
Rove Concepts used cast aluminum to create the circular base, which supports the circular tabletop atop a single slender pedestal. A 5-step powder coat protects the base from chipping. With its beveled underside edge and satin finish on the lacquer tabletop, it offers the clean aesthetic you want in your kitchen or dining room.
Joybird
The next company we recommend for DTC furniture is Joybird. Like Rove Concepts, Joybird crafts its products by hand. The brand specializes in Mid Century Modern-inspired pieces, focusing mainly on 50s and 60s designs. The company’s product selection is huge, and features pieces for the living room, bedroom, home office, dining room, and also your outdoor spaces.
Hughes Sofa
Joybird lists the Hughes Sofa among the brand’s most popular designs. This gorgeous sofa measures 90″w x 37″d x 33.5″h, with seating dimensions listed at 76″w x 25″d x 18″h. At this size, around 3 or 4 people can sit on the sofa with plenty of room. With its low profile, its tapering legs, and its tufted back, it captures that quintessential MCM look you want in your home.
Notice how the lines of the sofa back are angled ever-so-slightly, mimicking the angle of the splayed legs.
In contrast to both of these, the arms of the sofa are angled in the opposite direction, providing visual interest as well as an “open” feeling.
You can choose from a wide variety of fabrics and colors when you order the Hughes Sofa, personalizing the piece to fit your décor.
The Hughes Collection also include chairs, beds, and other products, so you can purchase a matching set for your home.
Hem
Hem is a DTC furniture company that puts an emphasis on individuality. The brand writes, “We collaborate with designers whose bodies of work reflect their unique identities and opinions. We want to create beautiful objects that offer new perspectives, invite interpretation, and inspire conversation.”
The company describes itself as being “obsessive” about the quality of its products, which it manufactures in factories in Europe. Putting an emphasis on sustainability, Hem says, “We always meet or exceed environmental standards and industry certifications, and we believe the entire product lifecycle should be transparently communicated.”
Zig Zag High Shelf by Studio deFORM
If you are looking for an intriguing shelf for your home, it is hard to beat the striking design of the Zig Zag High Shelf by Sudio deFORM, available from Hem.
The design consists of six shelves, held together by a frame of posts that alternate between the front and the back (thus the “zig zag” nature of the design). Measuring L: 68.9 x W: 13 x H: 84.3 in, it features a solid walnut frame and walnut veneer boards or a solid oak frame with oak veneer boards, depending which option you prefer.
Two other sizes for this product are available, a “Low Shelf” featuring three shelves and a “Media Shelf” featuring two shelves.
One more thing you will love about this shelf is that assembling it is fast and easy. You do not need any tools. When you receive the shelves, they will be packed flat. But there is a cool folding hinge that lets you simply pull them open.
Maiden home
Another company that lets you order direct-to-consumer furniture with a retro style is Maiden Home. The pride Maiden Home takes in its work is obvious both from the furnishings themselves and from what the brand has to say about what it does.
Maiden Home writes, “North Carolina is home to the world’s premier furniture craftsmen, and they are the magic behind every Maiden Home piece. Each of our pieces is still handmade to order, using techniques that have been passed down through generations and developed long before Ford invented the assembly line. That’s why you’ll find unique, handcrafted details on our products.”
Maiden Home offers a lot of detailed information about its frames, cushions and fabrics, so the company also gets high marks for transparency.
The Dune
One product to check out from Maiden Home if you are looking for a sofa is the Dune. You can select from a wide range of sizes, and choose between a classic back or a scatter back.
This product may be a good choice if you are looking for a sofa that conveys beachy vibes, but still is quintessentially modern. You can pick any of five different neutral colors, suitable for any interior. Be sure to complete the set by getting the Dune Ottoman as well.
Albany Park
This furniture company was founded by Darryl and Jessica Sharpton, a couple who were in search of a sofa. They were unhappy with the high prices and the glut of almost-identical options they found clogging the market.
To make it easier for consumers to find a sofa, they came up with just several models that would have widespread appeal. They also set about revolutionizing the way that sofas are packed in order to make it easier for buyers to get them into their apartments. You can set up these furnishings within just 15 minutes, and they come backed by a lifetime warranty.
Kova Pit
One Albany Park product that has a Mid Century Modern look to it is the Kova Pit sofa. The 121″W x 34″H x 79″D sofa features a classic low profile and especially deep seats, making for a ridiculously comfy space on which to relax.
The frame is made out of kiln-dried hardwood, and the tapered legs are also made out of real wood. You can reverse the back cushions, and while the seat cushions can be removed, they also do not move around when you are using the sofa thanks to their black mesh backing.
Albany Park offers a wide selection of colors for its sofas, including hues that are neutral or bold. So, whatever look you are going for, you can achieve it.
Dims.
Dims. (yes, there is a period incorporated into the name) is a company that is progress-focused, and is looking to design the way they future looks. The company says, “Our work is intended to effectuate change — breaking patterns where useful, while composing a mosaic that is generous and celebratory.” Dims. has been in business since 2018, and works with a diverse team of designers from around the world. These include studios in Norway, France, the Netherlands, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and more.
Dims. designs are turned into beautiful finished pieces by US-based manufacturers including Fancher Chair Company and Kaas Tailored. Dims. explains, “All of our sofas are handmade to order — one at a time — by expert craftspeople, using only certified-sustainable materials and top-of-the-line Kvadrat textiles.”
Composed Vanity II by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio
If you are in search of an elegant modern vanity, you will be intrigued by the Composed Vanity II by the Brooklyn-based Ladies & Gentlemen Studio.
This product measures 39.4”L×17.0”D×29.8” H, and features a sturdy frame made of steel with a fine-sand powder coating. The tabletop is AHMI-certified ash veneer + solid ash wood which came from sustainably managed forests. There are five neutral colors to choose from, making it easy to incorporate into any existing color scheme.
But it is the configuration of these high-quality materials that is most impressive. The steel frame is airy and light, supporting a minimalist tabletop and drawers. The look of the piece is almost weightless.
But don’t let its sleek appearance fool you—there is a ton of storage space packed away in this compact vanity. It even contains a cutaway that you can use to manage cords. In fact, while this product’s number one intended use is as a vanity, it also would make a nice little work desk. You can remove the mirror if you do not need it.
The Inside
Yet another great direct-to-consumer furniture company founded in 2018 is The Inside. Describing its mission, the company writes, “We started with a simple goal: to bring the high-end experience of customizing fabric to furniture online at a cookie cutter price.”
Before you buy a furnishing, you can order $1 swatches to preview all the fabrics yourself. That way, you can be sure that what you are ordering is going to be what you want. The company is able to rapidly manufacture custom pieces using digital printing. Your furniture from The Inside will be made in North America.
Modern Screen
If you are looking for a simple, elegant screen to divide a space, this product from The Inside may be a fit for your home or office. In fact, this is an ideal solution if you want to divide your home office from the rest of your home environment.
It measures 72″H x 49″W x 1″D, and you can choose from a variety of different materials to get the look you want.
Cocktail Ottoman
In search of a combined coffee table and ottoman with a mid century-inspired look and feel? This Cocktail Ottoman measuring 17″H x 35″W x 35″ could be just what you are in the market for. This product pulls double-duty and adds visual interest to your living room. Use it for your drinks or kick your feet up on it. With numerous fabric options to choose from, you can fully customize its appearance for your home.
Save Money and Express Your Style With Retro DTC Furniture
Now you are familiar with some of the top brands for direct-to-consumer furniture, as well as a few of their most beautiful and well-made retro products. If you are ready to save on furniture while bringing MCM style to your home, click on any of the links in this post to shop now.