The furniture is amazingly modern and they know it. great floor sellers. very friendly.

I was in this past Monday in the afternoon, I was in the market for an office chair by Herman Miller and some chairs for outdoors. I walk in, 4 people at their desks no one would bother to say hello or ask me if I need anything. I am purchasing the office chair online the outdoor chairs can wait since I am moving back east, the weather is going to change. I don't know where these people get off as being so high and mighty, that job doesn't pay much, high turnover. I doubt they could afford in their salary to even afford that Eames chair they sit on. There are so many buying options nowadays I wanted to buy but I suppose me wearing cargo shorts and birkies didn't make me worthy of their attention. Herman Miller got my cash instead. I'll buy what I want from Cassina directly also. The SF locale is much friendlier they even offered me a bottle of water a few weeks ago. It's also better merchandised and put together. read more

No doubt their furniture is beautiful and of high quality--so it gets two stars. It lost the other three stars due to the sales people's ineptitude and giving out misleading information. When discounts are promised by the sales people, I expect them to honor their promise. Otherwise, don't give out false information/promise and thereby instilling false hope. I bought outdoor furniture on sale and less than two weeks later the same furniture prices were discounted further. I had specifically asked this sales guy if the lawn furniture would be discounted further later this summer, and he replied most likely not (wrong there) and if they did, he would give me a price adjustment (totally made up). When I called him to ask for the price adjustment, I got the biggest brush off. I got the run around--I have to check with my boss-- who never calls me back, so I call her and she has to check with her boss. The original sales guy who helped me buy my furniture promised he would give me the difference if the furniture was discounted more, he lied. They don't return calls, it's like once the sale has been made, they don't follow through with customer service. Makes me think their sole objective is to sell with total disregard for customer satisfaction. read more

We have bought several pieces of furniture from dwr over the past several years. We've always sought help from Vernon who provides wonderful service. When problems developed with a chair we purchased, Vernon went the extra mile for us. He came to our house to check out the problem, arranged for the chair to be replaced and followed through until the new chair was delivered. We were thrilled with the service Vernon provided. read more

Yes, it is pricey. But I do believe you pay for great quality and craftsmanship. Also, I have been in the shop many times and everyone has always been so warm and helpful, not at all pushy or snobby. (Hard to come by in the retail world!) They even put up with my wild toddlers, graciously offering toys and water. Lisa has spent legitimate time helping me to pick out a single chair and gave me just as much love and attention as if I was a big spender furnishing an entire home. She even contacted me via email to help with design ideas and layout. Totally above and beyond what I would have expected. Nicely done DWR Berkeley! read more

Great product very unique. However I walked the whole entire floor as 4 or 5 associates say around talking to each other without even acknowledging me. I spent a total of 6 minutes in the store without even a breath, hello, goodbye. Nothing. read more

Extremely disappointed. We ordered a lamp via the studio over a month ago. Last week, it was delivered but damaged. While the studio representative was initially responsive, I've received no updates for over 3 days despite numerous follow-ups. so now I'm stuck with an expensive broken lamp, in a state of limbo about a replacement or a refund. this is unacceptable customer service. hopefully contacting their HQ will lead to a resolution. having purchased several pieces of furniture from here before, I will never come back to this location due to this awful experience. I will also likely avoid DWR altogether in the future. read more

I recently purchased a recliner from DWR. When the chair was delivered there was a very subtle issue in that in the most reclined position, a head nod or slight shift would be enough to move the back form its fully reclined position. I talked with Vernon, the salesman, about this, and he immediately contacted DWR and insisted that they send me a replacement. I actually felt bad because it was really just a minor annoyance, not that big a deal. The replacement arrived today and it's great. Thank you Vernon for great customer service. read more

I want to thank Bill for good customer service this past week in helping to adjust a piece of furniture that I wanted to buy, but that we couldn't get to work properly. The adjusting needed tinkering, and he succeeded. It is an elegant piece and I'm glad to have it. Reading the reviews below, let me add... DWR is at the moderate high end as furniture stores go, and hopefully the pieces they carry are not only classic but study,, as well as reasonably green and not built by underpaid global labor. That makes them good value for people who can afford them. People who can't afford DWR deserve better choices than they now have. Plain but nice furniture was made in the US a few decades ago, but now is gone. Ikea's stuff may look nice, but it is the Walmart model, relying on underpaid overseas labor, non-sustainable resources, and economies of scale whose cheapness threatens local and even national furniture outlets. read more

As much as I love DWR, it is on the pricey side. This is one of those shops that is made for individuals with money to spend on minimalist furniture. However, I do believe the place deserves 5 stars because, design-wise, this is some uncomfortable looking furniture that is extremely comfortable. Not only will get quality, you get pieces of furniture that can actually function as art, which is difficult to find just any where. The Kartell ghost chair is my favorite! I love that line of furniture because they just make some amazing stuff and DWR definitely carries them. The staff seems very knowledgeable and I believe many of them studied Interior Design so you will definitely get the assistance you need to decorate and furnish your home. read more

I didn't know there was a location here... I've previously ordered items online from them. When I went into the store I realized how expensive their items are!! Seriously out of reach! haha... but some of the items are creative and innovative.... The staff is very friendly and eager to sell! read more

New furniture done in Mid-Century modern style. Attentive sales staff. Their furniture is beautiful but on the pricy side.

We visited the Berkeley location last Sunday in search for a coffee table. We roamed for about 10 mins and not one rep approached us. Not sure what it takes to get some help from this location. From reading other yelp reviews, clearly this is a problem. read more

My husband and I call this place "Design Out of Reach". It's a beautiful store full of lovely furniture that is just my style but way too pricey for most people I know. read more

Vernon, the store manager, is both charming and super helpful. He went out of his way to help me with an issue unrelated to his store. If all retailers could be so good! read more

I need my black American Express, it is a design within not my reach. They have beautiful here and the price is way up there, when they said design within reach the was not talking about me. lol read more

Whether the price point of this store is within reach or not is perhaps debatable. However, the products offered for sale are without a doubt interesting, unique and of quality. I think it is fantastic that quality modern furniture and accessories are available for purchase and inspection here. Try going to a typical furniture store and all you will see are faux colonial vs. chrome 1980s garbage. I must also compliment the staff. Our group was clearly "just browsing" however we were pleasantly greeted and all of our questions answered. read more

My husband & I recently made three separate purchases from DWR in Berkeley. The first order was for an office chair & floor lamp. We worked with Vernon, in store, who was so patient & accommodating and took all the time with us necessary to select the right products for our needs. It was such a great experience with excellent customer service & top notch quality products. Since our first experience had left such a wonderful impression, we have since placed two additional orders via phone (unfortunately, the store is not local for us), again w/Vernon. Could not ask for a better experience in furniture buying right down to the minor details! Thank you Vernon for your professionalism! DWR is now one of our favorite "go to" stores for home needs. And, of course, you will be the first person we call! read more

I had purchased some chairs some months ago and one of them developed a chip. I talked to Vernon and decided to bring the chair to the store for him to see the problem. Once he saw it, he said that he'd order a new replacement chair, an absolutely painless transaction. I was pleasantly shocked at the excellent customer service and purchased two additional chairs whicharrived very soon after I ordered them. read more

Yes, it's pricey but that's life. Nice things cost. boohoo. I like the service here way better that SF. Although it's across the bridge, I still prefer spending my money here than Potrero hill location or the Pac Heights location. read more

Ok - this should be a fair review. The follow up by DWR was impressive to remedy the shipping situation. So thank you DWR for that. The products are here and hopefully loved for a long time. read more

Yay!!! I have just received shipment - ahead of estimated schedule - on a purchase that began with a most positive browsing experience at DWR in Berkeley! If there's one thing that drives me out of a retail store, it's a salesperson who doesn't take the time to listen to what I want. Liz Landrum was so friendly, UNpushy, helpful, knowledgeable and seemed to be in no rush to push me to a decision. Her telephone and email followup were the best! I purchased patio furniture which, although made in China, seems very sturdy and built to last. The small bit of assembly was a piece of cake, with no missing parts, and the one tool required was included. This puzzles me -- how can you give a bad review to a business that carries higher-end furniture for the reason that the products are expensive?? You are not required to shop here, right? I am willing to spend more to get high quality and great design, which is why my old patio furniture, purchased 31 years ago, is still alive and well. Much less expensive and more environmentally friendly in the long run than replacing it every 4 or 5 years. I'll return to Fourth Street's DWR even if I'm not looking for something to buy. It's a refreshing place to visit, and the people are warm and friendly. read more

We just completed a very complicated special order with Vernon at DWR in Berkeley. He was patient, professional and stood beside us every step of the way. The order, to begin with, was for a unique piece with an overseas furniture manufacturer, so the specifications were crucial. Once we decided what we wanted, Vernon triple checked with us that the order was correct before submitting. However, we had two rounds of issues with the manufacturer. Vernon treated us as clients, advocating for us with DWR management. I want to also add a complement to that management, who moved to resolve the issue quickly. In the end, we have a beautiful piece of furniture that we are very happy with. Thank you, Vernon, and DWR customer service. read more

Beware! Extremely disappointed with sales and service. Considering that purchases are by no means cheap. When I purchased a Nelson Platform bench I was told it was in stock and my invoice indicated a expected delivery date 3 days in the future. When I did not get a call in 3 days I called only to find that the bench was some out of state warehouse and would not get to the bay area for 10 days to 2 weeks. So, I have already paid nearly $3k, so I wait. I did get deliver 16 days after my purchase only to have a box dropped off into my livingroom. I purchased a bench, not a box. There was no discussion of assembly needed. When I contacted sales and customer service I was told that a white glove in home assembly service could be provided for an additional fee @ $300. I might have paid it if I was aware of it at point of sale, but at this time I have completely lost faith with their customer service. I will have a furniture assembler document the packing and state of delivery given DWR's level of care and trustworthiness. For a company that strives to provide quality modern furniture they have medieval sales and customer service care. Very poor. read more

Quality items and helpful sales people. Its not cheap, but sometimes it is worth the extra cost to have nice things. read more

I will not shop here again. I ordered a Herman Miller chair based on the size A I was already using at work for over a year and a half. They didn't carry the size A in the store, so there was no way for me to try it. For some reason, the chair at work and the one I got were different. The newer chair was uncomfortable. I called to return it only to find I couldn't return it to the store, and that I would have to pay a shipping and a restocking fee. These fees came to over $200.00. No one ever mentioned this to me when I made my purchase. So, let the buyer beware. This store is not about customer service. read more

Deceitful advertising! Went into this store over an ad they posted concerning a "Reve Queen Bed Slipcover (cover only, brand new) in WHEAT - Was $1100, now $550 (50%off)." Sounds like a good deal so we drove an hour out of our way to come to the store and look to purchase it. When we arrived to look at the product and asked specifically if it was a new product, the clerk initially answered yes that the product was a new slipcover from a customer who returned it because their delivered bed was the wrong color. As we inspected it, it was clear that there were dirt marks, especially on the corners so we inquired about whether the price could be adjusted as the cover clearly needed a dry cleaning even if it was "new." As the employee contacted his boss to inquire about any possible adjustment, he finds out that the bed cover has been USED for 6 months and that the price would still NOT be adjusted. While he was courteous about our concerns, we have some real issues concerning the accuracy of their advertisements and what they mention about anything they sell off the floor even as "new" products. Check your purchases carefully if you buy anything from here. read more

Very excited about what I THOUGHT I had purchased - the tempered glass top expandable Spanna Dining Table. Which I was told came in two sizes. "Great," I said, buying the larger size on the spot. Only to arrive home to discover, having looked more closely at the print-out the salesman gave to me with the product description and price, that the larger Spanna table had a wood veneer top, not a tempered glass top. I immediately called the store for clarification, getting a colleague of my salesman, who explained that, "yes," the larger table had a wood top. He said my salesman would call me back, which he didn't. So I called again, and was again told that my salesman would call me back. Still waiting ... read more

Read all of the ONE star reviews before you even think of buying ANYTHING from these sleazy people. They operate like a used car lot. My grandmother purchased a recliner from here that she had been eyeing for months. Well...the chair is falling apart...pieces are falling off every month. She reached out to them and told them what was happening and they told her it was her problem to deal with. This store is NOT cheap..most of there items are thousands of dollars. She has had her chair less than a year and a half and it is already falling apart. It breaks my heart that these crooks took advantage of her. You only have to look at the MANY bad reviews this place has to see how they operate. They should be shamed of themselves. I wish I would have ready the review before she made her purchase. The quality is less than ikea. I will never ever come back to this slimy place nor will any of my other family members or any of my friends. They are crooks. A chair should not be falling apart in less than a year and a half. A Walmart chair would last longer. read more

While my shopping experience at this store was top notch initially, my experience after the sale has been a nightmare. After paying the required deposit to order custom furniture from DWR in July, the company placed a hold on my credit card for the balance due. The ETA for my order was originally November but has been extended twice and is now January. A few days ago, due to a supposed computer glitch, DWR duplicated the hold on my credit card. Consequently, they now have a hold on over 88% of the available credit on my rewards card, which I use for routine purchases every month. Over the past couple of days my husband and I have both had credit purchases declined before realizing what had happened. Our automatic charges were all being declined as well until I changed them to another payment method. In addition, I wasted several hours on the phone with DWR and my bank yesterday to no avail. Nobody can figure out how to fix the problem without stepping on one of their precious corporate policies. Meanwhile, we're using debit cards to make all of our purchases while losing any rewards we would have earned if we were able to use our rewards card. While the impact would otherwise be nominal, we happen to be in the final weeks of constructing a new home, so we have some substantial purchases to make. Since banks take 2-3 days to process credit card payments, the electronic payment I sent a couple of days ago to mitigate this problem hasn't had any affect as yet. Now the banks are closed for the weekend and I must wait until Monday to waste even more time trying to resolve this problem. To add insult to injury, yesterday a DWR representative told me they couldn't release the hold on my credit (even the duplicated amount) until I paid my balance in full, which is not the terms of the sale. This whole experience has felt like EXTORTION to me. Needless to say, I deeply regret ordering furniture from DWR Some day I hope to be able to write a positive review about the furniture I received but right now I'm just terribly frustrated. read more

I received the following comment on yelp from my one star yelp review of DWR. Please read my initial review. This is exactly what I dislike about this company. Terrible customer experience. I NEVER asked for an exchange. When I told the VP that I was done with DWR and would write a bad Yelp review, he was surprised since he thought the store manager had offered me money--she did not. I didn't ask for any money. I'm trying to get someone to say that I was sold an inferior product for a very high price and now it has gone bad. The chair is 2 years old and the reduced price was over $1900.00. How many of you have 2 thousand dollar pieces of furniture that looks terrible after 2 years. They keep hiding behind a policy that might work well for a marble top table but doesn't fit this leather chair. As they either resist or disagree, they keep placing me in a light where I've asked too much or denied help in a way that would resolve my issue. Dear Kate- at least contact me personally to get my experience straight and leave your name and contact. Kate's response isn't to or for me. It's to all those reading this bad review- damage control. read more

YIKES! My bad! This review was meant for the storefront in San Francisco! I've only been to the one in Berkeley once, and it was equally as bad! read more

I have been sitting on my new desk chair for two weeks now and I l-o-v-e it. As all of us that sit at a computer desk know, a high-quality desk chair is essential. I searched high and low for the right solution for me. Design Within Reach had the perfect solution (and lots of other options too). Their customer service was top notch too. I was notified a couple days before my chair arrived so I could be sure to be home when it arrived. My only complaint... My new desk chair puts my other office furniture to shame. ;-) read more

I want folks to know that Vernon at the Berkeley DWR provides superior sales service. I dealt with him over the phone, e-mail and in person, and he really went the extra mile. read more

i had a great experience in this store. i don't think i'd ever been into it before, as it seems like one of those intimidating expensive stores that only sell like 5 pieces of furniture. I'd been searching tirelessly for patio furniture, and came across a deeply discounted patio table on their website. there didn't seem to be an option to purchase the chairs though. so i went in to the store to get some info. Vernon was VERY helpful and friendly. he explained that all that were left were floor samples of the chair, as it is the end of the season. he called around to a bunch of stores in the area and tracked down 4 chairs for me. it took forever, but he stuck with it, pleasant all the while. I did have to go to 3 other stores to get my chairs, but that's what you get for 50% off floor samples. Vernon came this close to getting one of the chairs brought over to the berkeley store by an SF store employee who lives in the east bay. the sf guy offered to bring it with him on bart, but we declined. That is service! i was very impressed that i was treated as a valued customer even though i was just a scrappy bargain hunter. i will no longer be scared to shop in Design within Reach and maybe will pay full price someday when i can afford it! read more