Updated October 18, 2026 · HabitatCue Editorial Team
Habitat vs Lighting New York
Habitat
Lighting New York
Higher score in this comparison
Habitat vs Lighting New York: the differences
| Compare | HabitatReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Lighting New YorkReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £285 | $47.30 |
| Return window | 30 days | 60 daysHigher |
| Free delivery threshold | £100 | $49 |
| Markets | GB, JE, GG | US |
| Made to measure | No | Not confirmed |
| Machine washable | Yes | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Lighting New York scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Return window is higher at Lighting New York: 60 days vs 30 days.
- Support channels: only Lighting New York offers Email.
- Habitat is available in 2 more countries.
- Products: only Habitat offers Sofas, Sofa beds, Armchairs.
- Products: only Lighting New York offers Lighting, Rugs, Curtains.
- Materials: only Habitat offers Fabric, Leather, Velvet.
- Materials: only Lighting New York offers Glass.
- Markets: only Habitat offers GB, JE, GG.
- Markets: only Lighting New York offers US.
Our verdict on each
Habitat
Habitat suits UK buyers who want a whole-home range from a single brand, with sofas starting at £285. The trade-offs to weigh are a 1 year warranty, no free delivery on smaller orders, and ranges sold in fixed sizes rather than made to measure.
Lighting New York
Lighting New York suits home decorators who want lighting and decor from a single store and a long window to change their minds. Free returns on eligible items within 60 days of receipt, plus free delivery over $49, make a room-sized order easy to try and easy to undo.
Score breakdown
| Area | Habitat | Lighting New York |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0HigherEntry price of £285 for sofas ranks 65 of 108, with 9 for cost. | 8.9A low entry point, with a curtain panel set listed at $47.30, and delivery absorbed once a basket passes $49. |
| Offer | 8.7Delivery of 0 weeks ranks 1 of 50, returns of 30 days and support on phone, chat and help centre lift the offer side. | 9.7HigherA wide spread of decor categories, a match on a lower advertised price, and free returns on eligible items within 60 days of receipt. |
| Trust | 9.8A 1 year warranty ranks 57 of 78, offset by Argos Limited trading since 1964 for a 9.8 trust score. | Not confirmed |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Habitat | Lighting New York |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
Additional countries for Habitat: 3. Additional countries for Lighting New York: 1.
A third option
NeonChamp has return window at 90 days, against 30 days for Habitat and 60 days for Lighting New York.
NeonChamp reviewWhat we checked
Habitat
- habitat.co.uk: 12 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Lighting New York
- lightingnewyork.com: 9 facts, checked October 1, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Habitat | Lighting New York |
|---|---|---|
| Rugs and washable rugs | 45 of 102 | 38 of 102 |
| Lighting and lamps | 94 of 164 | 90 of 164 |
| Curtains and blinds | 37 of 70 | 32 of 70 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Habitat | Lighting New York |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Sofas, Sofa beds, Armchairs, Beds, Bed frames, Office chairs, Dining, Storage, Outdoor furniture | Lighting, Rugs, Curtains, Mirrors, Wall art, Decor |
| Materials | Fabric, Leather, Velvet, Wood, Metal | Glass, Metal, Wood |
| Legal entity | Argos Limited | Lighting by Jared, dba "Lighting New York" |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 1964 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Email, Help centreCovers more |
Furniture and home stores
| Fact | Habitat | Lighting New York |
|---|---|---|
| Departments | Not confirmed | Lighting, Furniture, Decor, Garden |
| Price match | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Habitat | Lighting New York | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return window | 30 daysat the median | 60 dayshighest quarter | 30 days |
Median across 134 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Habitat
Pros
- Delivery of 0 weeks ranks 1 of 50 brands on delivery time, the strongest of its measured results.
- Returns run 30 days, which gives room to live with a sofa before deciding it is wrong for the room.
- The catalogue spans sofas, sofa beds and armchairs, so a living room, a bedroom and an outdoor space can come from the same seller.
Cons
- The warranty runs 1 year, placing Habitat 57 of 78 brands on cover length.
- Assembly included is a no, so flat-pack pieces are built at home and the listed price carries no build service.
- Free delivery is not available, and orders under £100 carry a delivery charge.
Lighting New York
Pros
- Free returns on eligible items within 60 days of receipt, long enough to see a fitting in the room before deciding.
- Free delivery on orders over $49 anywhere in the contiguous United States, covering all items rather than a selected few.
- The entry point sits low, with a Swatara Brown curtain panel set listed at $47.30.
Cons
- Orders under $49 in the contiguous United States pay a shipping charge, so a single small order costs more at checkout than the sticker suggests.
- Free returns are limited to eligible items and to 60 days of receipt, so check the item before a large purchase.
- Shipping and delivery terms are written for the United States, so shoppers in other countries arrange their own freight.
Who each suits
Habitat
Who it suits
- Buyers in the United Kingdom, JE and GG who want a wide range under a single brand, with delivery listed at 0 weeks.
- Renters and short-stay households who may need to send a piece back, with 30 days to return.
- Material-led shoppers, since sofas come in fabric, leather and velvet and machine washable rugs sit in the rugs range.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone needing made-to-measure curtains, rugs or lighting, because made-to-measure is not offered in the range.
- Shoppers whose list is only beds and bed frames: CuddleCo covers beds, bed frames and armchairs, a tighter list built around sleeping furniture and storage.
- Workspace buyers after standing desks or gaming chairs: Buerostuhl24 lists office chairs, gaming chairs and standing desks, categories Habitat does not carry.
Lighting New York
Who it suits
- Decorators covering a whole room, from pendants and table lamps to rugs, curtains and mirrors, with free returns on eligible items within 60 days to take the risk out.
- Shoppers whose basket clears $49, since delivery is then free anywhere in the contiguous United States.
- Value hunters who check a lower advertised price before buying, because the store meets it and goes below it.
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers placing a small opening order, since baskets under $49 in the contiguous United States pay a shipping charge.
- Readers comparing renewal prices on membership plans, since prices here sit on products rather than subscriptions.
Current offers
Habitat
Current offer
Discount code
Sign up for £5 off when you spend £50: £5 off a £50 spend
Open to customers not already signed-up to Habitat marketing; T&Cs apply
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Habitat | Lighting New York |
|---|---|---|
| Guernsey | Yes | No |
| Jersey | Yes | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Habitat
What does a sofa cost at Habitat?+
Sofa prices start at £285, which is the entry figure used when comparing UK furniture brands. The price is paid outright at checkout, so nothing renews afterwards and there is no subscription to cancel. Sofas are listed in fabric, leather and velvet, so the material choice moves the final figure above that entry point.
How fast is delivery?+
Delivery is listed at 0 weeks, which is the figure to plan a room refresh around. On the tracked delivery measure Habitat ranks 1 of 50 brands, the strongest of its results. Anything needed for a fixed date, such as before a tenancy start, is worth ordering well ahead.
Lighting New York
How much does it cost to order, and is delivery free?+
Delivery is free on orders over $49 anywhere in the contiguous United States, and a smaller basket pays a shipping charge at checkout. Product prices sit separately from that, and a Swatara Brown curtain panel set was listed at $47.30. Lamps, fans and furniture carry their own prices, so a room-sized order reads higher.
How long do I have to return something?+
Returns are free on eligible items within 60 days of receipt, which is long enough to live with a fitting in the room before deciding. The qualifier matters, because the cover runs to eligible items rather than every order, so a check on the item page is worth doing before a large purchase.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Habitat
Lighting New York