AllModern or Article for budget modern apartment furniture
If you are furnishing a modern apartment on a budget, AllModern is usually the better place to start when price, selection, and frequent free shipping matter most. Article is a stronger choice when you want a more curated modern look and are willing to spend more on fewer pieces. Your best pick depends on whether your priority is low upfront cost or a more design-focused collection.
AllModern vs. Article at a Glance
Both stores sell modern furniture, but they approach the market differently. AllModern offers a broad range of modern styles and price points, while Article focuses more heavily on curated contemporary and mid-century-inspired furniture.
| Factor | AllModern | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Lower-cost apartment furnishing | Curated modern design |
| Style range | Broad | More focused |
| Budget selection | Strong | Moderate |
| Sofas | Many price points | Often higher-priced |
| Small furniture | Lots of options | Good selection |
| Shipping | Free shipping on eligible orders over $35 | Flat-rate shipping in its standard service area |
| Returns | Simple returns, with exclusions | 30-day returns, with return shipping fees |
| Best approach | Furnish more of the apartment for less | Buy fewer statement pieces |
AllModern currently advertises free shipping on orders over $35, although exclusions apply. It also promotes fast shipping on thousands of items.
Article uses flat-rate shipping within most of its standard U.S. service area, while some locations outside that area can have additional fees.
Which Is Better for a Budget Apartment?
For most shoppers with a strict apartment-furnishing budget, AllModern has the edge.
The main reason is flexibility. You can shop across many price levels instead of putting most of your budget into one large piece. That matters when you need a sofa, coffee table, dining chairs, nightstand, and lighting at the same time.
Article makes more sense when your budget allows you to buy selectively. Instead of furnishing every room at once, you might buy one sofa or dining table from Article and use less expensive pieces elsewhere.
This difference is important because “budget furniture” does not always mean the lowest price on one item. It can mean getting an entire apartment furnished without one purchase taking up most of your budget.
A simple example
Imagine you are furnishing a small one-bedroom apartment.
You might need:
- A sofa
- Coffee table
- TV stand
- Bed frame
- Nightstand
- Dining table
- Two to four chairs
- Floor lamp
With a limited budget, AllModern’s wider price range can make it easier to spread your money across those categories.
With Article, you may prefer to spend more on one or two pieces that define the room and save money on the rest.
When AllModern Makes More Sense
AllModern is a practical choice if your main goal is getting more furniture without stretching your budget.
Its catalog includes many modern furniture categories, so it is easier to shop for an entire apartment in one place. Its shipping policy also gives budget shoppers another advantage: eligible orders of $35 or more qualify for free shipping, although certain products and locations have exclusions.
AllModern is especially worth considering when:
- You are furnishing your first apartment.
- You need several pieces at once.
- You want many styles to compare.
- You are watching the total checkout price.
- You are comfortable comparing individual products carefully.
- You want modern furniture without committing to a single design style.
The trade-off is that a large selection can make shopping harder. Two sofas may look similar in photos but differ in size, materials, construction, or comfort.
So do not choose only by the listed price.
When Article Makes More Sense
Article is a better fit when design consistency matters more than getting the lowest possible price.
Its current modern collection includes pieces such as sofas, dining chairs, tables, lighting, and smaller furniture at different price levels. For example, its modern furniture collection currently lists smaller pieces around $79–$249, while sofas can run from roughly $1,099 to $1,799 or more.
Article also positions itself around modern furniture at what it describes as fair prices, rather than competing mainly on rock-bottom pricing.
That makes Article attractive if you want:
- A more curated look
- Mid-century or contemporary styling
- A statement sofa or chair
- Furniture that works together visually
- Fewer pieces with more emphasis on design
It may not be the best choice if you need to furnish an entire apartment for the smallest possible total.
The Biggest Budget Difference: Furnishing the Whole Apartment vs. Buying Key Pieces
This is probably the most useful way to decide between the two.
Choose AllModern if you are furnishing a whole apartment.
Choose Article if you are upgrading specific rooms or buying standout pieces.
For example, a college graduate moving into a new apartment may need eight or more furniture items. A broad retailer with many price points can make that easier.
But someone who already owns basic furniture might only need a new sofa and coffee table. In that case, Article’s more focused selection may be worth considering.
Don’t Compare Only the Sticker Price
A $700 sofa is not automatically cheaper than a $800 sofa.
Before ordering, check the total delivered cost and the practical details.
Look at:
- Item price
- Shipping
- Sales tax
- Delivery type
- Assembly requirements
- Return costs
- Warranty
- Product dimensions
- Box dimensions
- Material and upholstery
- Weight capacity
- Estimated delivery window
This matters even more in an apartment.
Article specifically recommends measuring doors, hallways, corners, stairs, elevators, and other access points before delivery.
A sofa that fits your living room may still be impossible to get through the apartment entrance.
Returns Matter More in a Small Apartment
Furniture can look very different in a product photo than it does inside your own room.
Article currently offers a 30-day return period. Returns can involve shipping fees, while its first exchange is free within its standard service area.
That makes the return policy worth checking before you buy.
For either retailer, read the current product-specific return information before placing an expensive order. Policies and exclusions can vary.
Keep the packaging until you are sure the furniture works in your space. Article specifically recommends keeping boxes in case you need to make an exchange or return.
Which One Is Better for Small Apartments?
For a small apartment, AllModern is generally easier for budget-focused shopping, while Article can be better for carefully selected pieces.
The most important factor is not the store. It is the furniture’s dimensions.
A modern sofa can look compact online but take up a large part of a narrow living room. Before buying, compare:
- Overall furniture width
- Furniture depth
- Seat height
- Clearance around the piece
- Door and hallway measurements
- Elevator or stair dimensions
- Box dimensions
Leave enough walking space around major furniture.
For a studio apartment, also think about furniture that performs more than one job. A storage ottoman, compact dining table, or narrow console can be more useful than simply buying the largest piece that fits your budget.
Which Has Better Modern Style?
This depends on what you mean by modern.
AllModern gives you more variety. You can find clean-lined contemporary furniture, mid-century-inspired pieces, minimalist designs, and many other modern looks.
Article tends to feel more curated. Its catalog emphasizes contemporary, modern, and mid-century styles, with many pieces designed to work naturally within those aesthetics.
If you are trying to create one consistent look, Article may make the process easier.
If you like mixing styles and comparing dozens of options, AllModern gives you more room to experiment.
How to Save More at Either Store
You do not have to buy every piece at the same time.
A better budget strategy is to divide your apartment into priorities.
Buy these first
Start with furniture that affects daily life:
- Bed
- Sofa
- Dining or work surface
- Basic seating
Then add:
- Coffee table
- Nightstands
- TV stand
- Lighting
- Decorative pieces
This prevents a common mistake: spending too much on accessories before buying the furniture you actually need.
Also compare sale prices rather than assuming a discount automatically makes an item a good deal. Article currently has a dedicated sale section with discounted furniture, including beds, dining chairs, and other pieces.
Two Smart Buying Strategies
Strategy 1: The lowest total apartment cost
Use AllModern as your starting point.
Set a total furniture budget before browsing. Then assign a rough amount to each room. Compare dimensions, materials, reviews, and final checkout costs before buying.
This approach works well when you need several pieces.
Strategy 2: Buy one standout piece
Use Article for the piece that will define the room.
For example, you could spend more on a sofa that you expect to keep for years, then choose simpler and less expensive furniture for side tables, lighting, or storage.
This can give a small apartment a more finished look without buying the entire room from one retailer.
AllModern or Article: Which Should You Choose?
Pick AllModern if your priority is affordability and selection. It is the stronger starting point for shoppers who need several modern pieces and want to control the total apartment budget.
Pick Article if your priority is curated design. It is better suited to shoppers who would rather spend more selectively on modern furniture with a strong visual identity.
If your budget is tight, start with AllModern and compare the exact pieces you need. If you have more flexibility, check Article for the one or two pieces that matter most to the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AllModern cheaper than Article?
AllModern generally gives budget shoppers more low- and mid-priced choices, making it easier to furnish several rooms without spending heavily on individual pieces. Article often makes more sense when you want to spend more on selected modern furniture rather than furnish an entire apartment at the lowest possible cost.
Is Article good for a small apartment?
Yes, but measuring is essential. Article provides product and box dimensions and recommends checking doors, hallways, stairs, corners, and elevators before delivery.
Should I buy all my apartment furniture from one store?
Not necessarily. A better approach is to compare the total cost, dimensions, quality, style, delivery, and return terms for each major piece, then buy from the retailer that makes the most sense for that specific item.
Final Takeaway
For budget modern apartment furniture, AllModern is the better overall starting point for most shoppers because its broad selection and eligible free shipping over $35 can make whole-apartment shopping easier.
Article is worth considering when you want a more curated modern look and are willing to spend more on selected pieces.
Expert tip: Before ordering any large furniture, measure both the room and the path from the building entrance to the final location. A great price is not a bargain if the furniture cannot get through your door.
