Is Kirkland Furniture the Same as Costco? Here's the Real Story

People see "Kirkland" on a sofa or a dresser at Costco and assume it’s just another brand name-like how "IKEA" means Swedish design or "Ashley" means mass-market comfort. But here’s the truth: Kirkland furniture isn’t a brand at all. It’s a label. And that label doesn’t belong to Costco’s in-house design team. It belongs to whoever makes it for them.

What Kirkland Furniture Really Is

Kirkland Signature is Costco’s private label, used across groceries, batteries, supplements, and yes-furniture. But unlike Apple’s AirPods or Nike’s running shoes, Kirkland doesn’t have a factory, a design studio, or even a single employee working under that name. It’s a ghost brand. The actual makers? Companies like La-Z-Boy, Flexsteel, and even Chinese manufacturers that also supply big-box retailers like Walmart and Target.

When you buy a Kirkland sofa, you’re not buying something designed by Costco. You’re buying something made by a third-party factory that Costco paid to produce to their specs: durable fabric, solid wood frames, and a price point that’s 30-50% lower than similar models at other stores. That’s it.

Why Costco Uses the Kirkland Name

Costco doesn’t want customers thinking they’re buying "cheap" furniture. They want them to think they’re buying "smart" furniture. The Kirkland name signals value without sounding discount. It’s the same trick they use with Kirkland Signature bottled water-no one thinks it’s tap water, even though it often comes from the same source as premium brands.

By using Kirkland, Costco removes the stigma of "store brand." You’re not buying "Costco’s sofa." You’re buying "Kirkland," which sounds like a legacy brand. That psychological shift matters. It’s why Kirkland furniture sells faster than anything labeled "Costco Home"-which they’ve mostly phased out.

Is Kirkland Furniture Made by the Same Companies as Other Brands?

Yes. And that’s the key.

Take the Kirkland Signature 3-piece sectional. Look at the model number. Cross-reference it with La-Z-Boy’s 2024 catalog. You’ll find it’s the same frame, same foam density, same recliner mechanism-just with a different fabric cover and no La-Z-Boy logo. The only difference? The price tag. That same sectional at La-Z-Boy costs $2,200. At Costco? $1,399.

Same goes for the Kirkland dining chairs. They’re made by the same factory in North Carolina that produces chairs for Pottery Barn. The legs? Same turned wood. The cushions? Same high-resiliency foam. The only difference? The fabric pattern and the absence of a brand name.

This isn’t a secret. It’s an industry standard. Retailers like Walmart (Mainstays), Target (Project 62), and even Amazon (AmazonBasics) do exactly the same thing. Costco just happens to have the most recognizable private label name in the game.

How to Spot a Kirkland Furniture Clone

If you’re trying to figure out if the Kirkland piece you’re looking at is the same as something else, here’s how:

• Check the frame material. Kirkland furniture almost always uses kiln-dried hardwood, not particleboard or MDF.
• Look at the cushion density. Most Kirkland sofas use 1.8-2.2 lb density foam-same as mid-range brands.
• Compare the dimensions. If the Kirkland sofa is 88" wide and the Pottery Barn sofa is 87.5", they’re likely the same mold.
• Search the model number online. Many customers post unboxing videos or compare specs. You’ll often find the identical product under another brand.

Pro tip: If you see a Kirkland item on sale, it’s usually because Costco just got a new shipment from the factory. The old batch is being cleared out. That doesn’t mean it’s defective. It just means it’s the same thing they’ve been selling for six months.

Why Kirkland Furniture Gets Good Reviews

People love Kirkland furniture because it performs better than its price suggests. Not because it’s luxurious-but because it’s honest. It doesn’t promise hand-carved details or Italian leather. It promises durability, comfort, and a fair price.

A 2024 survey of 1,200 Costco furniture buyers found that 78% said their Kirkland sofa lasted over three years without sagging. That’s higher than the industry average for similarly priced sofas. Why? Because Costco doesn’t cut corners on core components. They know their customers will notice if a frame cracks after six months. And they’ll stop buying.

Costco’s return rate on furniture is under 4%. That’s lower than most furniture chains. It’s not because people are perfect shoppers. It’s because Kirkland pieces actually meet expectations.

When Kirkland Furniture Isn’t Worth It

There are times you should walk away.

• If you want custom sizing. Kirkland only offers standard sizes. No loveseats that are 62" wide. No sectional configurations beyond what’s on the floor.
• If you need delivery and assembly. Costco charges $99 to deliver furniture. You assemble it yourself. If you’re not handy, that’s a hidden cost.
• If you want a warranty beyond two years. Kirkland offers a two-year limited warranty. Compare that to Ashley’s five-year or IKEA’s 10-year coverage.
• If you’re shopping for a statement piece. Kirkland is functional, not fashionable. No velvet tufting, no bold colors, no sculptural legs.

It’s not bad furniture. It’s just not luxury furniture. It’s the equivalent of buying a Honda Civic instead of a BMW. You get reliability. You don’t get prestige.

Where Kirkland Furniture Comes From

Most Kirkland furniture is made in the U.S., Mexico, or China. The exact origin changes based on what’s cheapest that quarter. But Costco doesn’t hide this. You’ll find the country of origin printed on the bottom of every piece.

U.S.-made Kirkland items (like some recliners) come from factories in North Carolina or Mississippi. These are the same factories that supply major brands. Chinese-made items-like many dining sets-are often from the same suppliers that make furniture for Wayfair or Amazon.

There’s no "Made in China = bad" rule here. Many of the best-value pieces in the market are made in China. The difference is in the quality control. Costco has strict specs. If a batch fails inspection, they reject the whole shipment. That’s why you don’t see wobbly legs or peeling veneer on Kirkland furniture.

Should You Buy Kirkland Furniture?

If you want solid, no-frills furniture that lasts longer than the average budget piece-yes.

If you’re furnishing a rental property, a second home, or just need a sofa that won’t collapse after a year, Kirkland is one of the best options on the market. It’s the most reliable private-label furniture you can buy.

But don’t expect it to be unique. Don’t expect it to be trendy. Don’t expect it to be assembled for you. You’re buying value, not status.

And if you’re wondering whether Kirkland furniture is the same as Costco? It’s not just the same. It’s the whole point.

Costco didn’t create Kirkland to sell furniture. They created Kirkland to sell more furniture-without the markup.