Guide to Macy’s Furniture and Mattress Buying

Guide to Macy’s Furniture and Mattress Buying

ed apartments, my back hated my old mattress, and my sofa had seen one too many movie nights. Macy’s was running one of their big One Day Sale weekends, so I grabbed a coffee and decided to test how good their furniture and mattress game really is.

This is the guide I wish I’d had before I walked in.

Why Macy’s Is Still a Big Deal for Furniture

When I started researching, I realized Macy’s isn’t just holiday parades and perfume counters. They’re one of the largest furniture and mattress retailers in the U.S., with a mix of in‑house private labels and big national brands.

In my experience, Macy’s works best if you:

• Want mid-range prices with occasional high-end pieces
• Prefer seeing and sitting on furniture before buying
• Like stacking promos, coupons, and financing offers

You’ll find brands like Ashley, Radley (Macy’s own popular sofa line), Beautyrest, Sealy, Serta, Tempur‑Pedic, and Stearns & Foster. Macy’s doesn’t always shout “specialist,” but they do have depth in certain categories, especially mattresses, sectionals, and bedroom sets.

How Macy’s Furniture Is Structured (So You Don’t Get Overwhelmed)

The first time I walked into the furniture floor, it felt like a maze. Once I spent an afternoon actually testing stuff, I noticed a pattern.

1. Private-Label vs. National Brands

Private-label / exclusive lines (often better value, fewer frills):

• Radley sofas: Macy’s staple. Clean lines, family‑friendly, lots of color options. When I tested this, the cushions were medium-firm, and the fabric on the one I tried (polyester blend) felt durable but not luxe.
• Martha Stewart, Hotel Collection, and other store-exclusive collections: Usually styled to look upscale but priced below comparable designer brands.

National brands (name recognition, sometimes better materials):

• Ashley Furniture pieces: Plenty of budget-friendly sets; some look great, but when I pressed on armrests and frames, a few felt a bit hollow. Great for starter apartments, less ideal if you want 10+ years of use.
• Higher-end brands in select locations (and online), like Bernhardt or Natuzzi Editions, with better leathers, kiln-dried wood, and higher-density foam.

If long-term durability is your priority, I’ve found it’s worth checking frame materials in the online product specs: look for terms like “kiln-dried hardwood frame” or “corner-blocked and glued joints.” Avoid “all particleboard” or “MDF frame only” for heavily used seating.

Testing Sofas and Sectionals Like You Mean It

When I tested sofas at Macy’s, I ignored the staged pillows and did three things:

1. The Frame Shake Test

I grabbed the arm and back and gently wobbled. A solid sofa feels like one piece. If there’s creaking or twisting, the internal construction probably isn’t great.

1. The Seat Time Test

I sat for at least 3–5 minutes on each candidate in my usual “Netflix slump” position. Foam that feels cloud-soft in the first 10 seconds can compress quickly. Sofas with high-density foam (1.8 lb/ft³ and up) or coil springs tend to hold their shape longer.

1. Fabric Reality Check

I rubbed a sample swatch with my knuckles. On lower-quality microfiber, you’ll sometimes see instant pilling. For kids or pets, look for performance fabrics (often called “stain-resistant,” “solution-dyed,” or “performance chenille”). Spill-friendly is not just a marketing term when you live with a Labrador.

Pros of buying sofas at Macy’s (from my own shopping):

• Huge selection in big locations and online
• Regular promotional events and coupon stacking
• Custom upholstery options on some lines

Cons:

• Quality level varies widely—even on the same floor
• Lead times for special orders can stretch to 8–12 weeks
• Delivery & assembly fees add up fast, especially on sale items

The Mattress Department: Where Macy’s Quietly Shines

Honestly, I expected the mattress section to be an upsell circus. It wasn’t. When I tested mattresses at two different Macy’s locations, the associates were surprisingly knowledgeable about coil counts, foam densities, and sleep positions.

Understanding the Mattress Types You’ll See

Most Macy’s mattress floors are dominated by four types:

• Innerspring: Traditional feel, lots of bounce. Think Sealy or Beautyrest classic models. Good airflow, nice for back and stomach sleepers.
• Hybrid: Coils + memory foam or latex comfort layers. I tested a Beautyrest Black hybrid and it was the best combo of support and pressure relief I’d tried that day.
• Memory Foam: Conforming, slower response. Macy’s carries foam-forward brands like some Serta iComfort lines and occasionally all-foam models.
• Premium/Tempur-Pedic: Heavier, slow-melting feel, strong motion isolation. When I lay down on a Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt, I actually had that awkward “I might fall asleep in public” moment.

What I Actually Did to Pick a Mattress

Here’s the part that felt silly at first but totally works: I lay on each mattress for at least 5–7 minutes in my normal sleep position. Side sleepers (like me) should look for more pressure relief around shoulders and hips—usually labeled plush or medium in hybrids or memory foam.

I also asked for coil count and zoned support info. For innerspring or hybrid, higher coil counts (over ~800 in a queen for individually wrapped coils) and zoned lumbar support usually correlate with better long-term alignment.

Macy’s Mattress Return and Trial Policies

Macy’s offers a mattress comfort trial on many models, usually around 120 days, but there’s often a pickup/exchange fee if you swap it out. Always read the fine print; when I checked last, some promotional or clearance models had more restrictive policies.

Why I’d buy a mattress from Macy’s again:

• Wide range of major brands in one place
• Ability to physically test firmness across multiple models and brands
• Frequent discounts—holiday sales in particular can be substantial

Why I might hesitate:

• Return/exchange fees aren’t trivial
• Not all models available in-store; some are online-only
• Commission structures can nudge associates toward higher-priced models (just stay firm on your budget)

Navigating Pricing, Sales, and Coupons (Without Losing Your Mind)

When I dug into pricing, Macy’s felt a bit like airline tickets: no one pays full “list” price. There are always promos somewhere.

What I Noticed About Macy’s Pricing

• List price vs. sale price: Almost everything is “on sale” at some point. I tracked a Radley sectional online for a month and saw it cycle through promo events with 20–35% swings.
• Holiday weekends matter: Labor Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Black Friday are huge for mattresses and furniture across the industry, and Macy’s follows that pattern hard.
• Coupons can be tricky: Some coupons exclude “everyday values,” “doorbusters,” or named brands like Tempur-Pedic. Always check online before assuming that extra 20% off applies to your dream sofa.

In my experience, the sweet spot is:

• Stack a sale price + department promo (e.g., extra 10–15% off furniture/mattresses)
• Add financing only if you’re 100% sure you’ll pay it off before deferred interest hits

Delivery, Assembly, and the Reality of Big Items

The part nobody glamorizes: getting a 200‑pound sectional into your third-floor walk‑up.

When I scheduled delivery through Macy’s, they offered white-glove delivery: delivery, basic assembly, and packaging removal. Fees vary by region, but for me it was worth it; I’ve assembled enough flat-pack furniture to know my limits.

Things I learned the hard way (and you can skip the pain):

• Measure your space and path: Not just your room—measure doors, hallways, stairwells. Macy’s has size specs online; I brought a tape measure to the store and double-checked.
• Check inspection window: When the delivery crew finishes, inspect cushions, frames, and stitching before they leave. I caught a small stitching defect on one piece once; they flagged it in their system immediately, which made the replacement process smoother.
• Know the return rules: Many furniture items are final sale or have restocking fees once delivered and unboxed. With mattresses, returns are more structured but rarely free.

When Macy’s Is the Right Choice (And When It’s Not)

After a few months living with my Macy’s purchases, here’s my honest take.

Great fit if you:

• Want solid mid-range furniture without going fully custom
• Prefer to try mattresses and sofas in person, not just trust online reviews
• Are willing to time your purchase around major sales

Maybe not the best fit if you:

• Want ultra-budget options (you’ll probably do better at IKEA, Costco, or local outlets)
• Need highly customizable, heirloom-quality pieces (that’s more local craftsmen or high-end boutiques)
• Are allergic to delivery fees and strict return policies

In my experience, Macy’s hits a sweet spot for people who want recognizable brands, layered discounts, and the ability to test-drive big purchases, especially mattresses and sectionals. The key is to treat it like a strategic mission, not a casual browse.

Walk in with measurements, a budget, a basic understanding of materials, and the confidence to say, "I need to think about it"—even when that plush Tempur-Pedic is calling your name.

Sources

• Macy’s Official Furniture & Mattress Buying Guides - Brand’s own overview of materials, construction, and care for furniture and mattresses.
• Consumer Reports – Mattress Buying Guide - Independent guidance on mattress types, testing, and what to look for in-store.
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – Mattress Safety Standards - Regulations and safety requirements that major retailers must follow for mattresses.
• Forbes – Best Times to Buy Big-Ticket Items - Data-driven look at seasonal pricing patterns for furniture.
• Better Sleep Council – Mattress Research & Insights - Educational resources on mattress construction, durability, and sleep ergonomics.