Luxury furniture has a special talent: it can make a perfectly responsible adult whisper, “Maybe I do need an $800 chair,” while quietly moving grocery money into the decorating budget. Fortunately, Walmart’s My Texas House Briar Accent Chair offers a convincing alternative to Pottery Barn’s Menlo Swivel Chairwithout requiring a financial strategy meeting.
The original comparison paired the Walmart swivel chair’s $298 price with a $799 version of the Pottery Barn Menlo in ivory rustic linen. Prices and fabric selections have changed since that comparison first attracted attention, but the basic appeal remains the same: two neutral, square-armed swivel chairs with remarkably similar silhouettes and dramatically different price tags.
Meet the Walmart Swivel Chair Behind the Comparison
The affordable contender is the My Texas House Briar Accent Chair, sold through Walmart. It combines a compact, contemporary profile with cream-toned linen upholstery, a solid wood structure and a hidden swivel mechanism.
Unlike oversized barrel chairs that resemble small upholstered planets, the Briar has a tailored shape. Its straight arms, loose cushions and nearly square footprint allow it to look substantial without becoming visually bulky.
Key features of the My Texas House Briar Chair
- A full 360-degree swivel
- Solid wood construction
- Sinuous spring seat support
- Reversible seat and back cushions
- Durable linen-rich upholstery
- No assembly required
- Approximately 30 inches deep, 33.25 inches wide and 33.2 inches high
- A product weight of approximately 66 pounds
Those specifications make it a practical accent chair for a living room, home office, bedroom or reading corner. Walmart’s product information also emphasizes the reversible cushions, which can help distribute wear more evenly over time.
The $799 Inspiration: Pottery Barn’s Menlo Swivel Chair
Pottery Barn’s Menlo Swivel Chair occupies the more premium side of the furniture aisle. It has the same broad design vocabulary as the Walmart chair: squared arms, neutral upholstery, a loose back cushion, a separate seat cushion and a base that disappears beneath the upholstered frame.
The Menlo measures approximately 34.5 inches wide, 34 inches deep and 32.5 inches high. Its interior seat is listed at 25 inches wide by 21 inches deep, with an 18.5-inch seat height. It weighs about 76.5 pounds and supports up to 300 pounds. Like the Briar, it rotates through 360 degrees without rocking or tilting.
Pottery Barn currently offers the Menlo across a broader price range, depending on upholstery and configuration. The widely shared $799 comparison specifically referred to an ivory rustic linen option available when the original lookalike story was published.
Walmart Briar vs. Pottery Barn Menlo
| Feature | Walmart Briar Chair | Pottery Barn Menlo Chair |
|---|---|---|
| Price in original comparison | $298 | $799 |
| Overall shape | Square-arm swivel chair | Square-arm swivel chair |
| Swivel | 360 degrees | 360 degrees |
| Approximate width | 33.25 inches | 34.5 inches |
| Approximate depth | 30 inches | 34 inches |
| Approximate height | 33.2 inches | 32.5 inches |
| Cushions | Reversible seat and back cushions | Separate padded seat and back cushions |
| Assembly | Arrives assembled | Varies by delivery service |
| Customization | Limited retail options | Multiple upholstery choices |
The Walmart chair is slightly narrower and noticeably shallower. That difference can work in its favor in apartments, bedrooms and modest living rooms where four additional inches of depth matter more than one might expect.
Why the Two Chairs Look So Similar
They share the same clean-lined silhouette
Both chairs use straight, low-profile arms and boxy cushions rather than dramatic wings, tufting or exposed legs. The hidden base creates the illusion that each chair is resting directly on the floor. Because the swivel hardware stays out of sight, the design feels more like an upholstered lounge chair than an office chair wearing its weekend clothes.
Neutral upholstery gives both a premium appearance
Cream, ivory and warm off-white fabrics are frequently associated with relaxed, high-end interiors. These shades reflect light, coordinate with a wide range of woods and make upholstered furniture appear soft and inviting.
The Briar’s lightly textured fabric also prevents the chair from looking flat. Texture is especially valuable in a neutral room, where visual interest must come from material, shape and layering rather than bright color.
The proportions are surprisingly close
The Walmart and Pottery Barn models are separated by only about an inch in height and slightly more than an inch in width. Viewed from across a room, their overall scale is extremely similar. The most meaningful dimensional difference is depth, with the Pottery Barn chair extending farther from front to back.
Both hide their practical swivel bases
A concealed swivel base provides movement without introducing visible metal hardware. That makes either chair suitable for transitional, modern farmhouse, organic modern and contemporary interiors.
Is the Walmart Chair Really a Pottery Barn Dupe?
Visually, it is a persuasive lookalike. Technically, however, “dupe” should not be interpreted as “identical product from a different box.” The chairs are sold by different companies, manufactured under different specifications and supported by different retail services.
Pottery Barn’s premium price may include access to more upholstery selections, fabric swatches, specialized delivery options, published sustainability information and contract-grade positioning. The Menlo product page also highlights certifications and responsible manufacturing programs that are not presented in the same way on Walmart’s Briar listing.
The Walmart chair takes a simpler approach. It offers the popular silhouette, neutral fabric, wood construction and swivel function in a ready-to-use package. For buyers primarily interested in the appearance and everyday function, that trade-off may be entirely reasonable.
How Much Money Does the Walmart Chair Save?
Using the original prices, the Briar costs $501 less than the $799 Menlo option. That represents a savings of approximately 63 percent.
The difference is large enough to change the entire decorating plan. Instead of buying one $799 chair, a shopper could have purchased two $298 Briar chairs for $596 and still kept $203. That remaining amount could cover a side table, floor lamp, throw blanket and several decorative pillowsor one extremely confident houseplant in a fancy pot.
Current retailer prices can move above or below the original figures because of promotions, fabric choices and availability. The value comparison should therefore focus on equivalent configurations rather than assuming every version of the Menlo costs exactly $799 forever. Walmart’s listing has also displayed promotional prices lower than the original $298 figure.
Comfort and Everyday Function
The swivel base is more useful than it sounds
A 360-degree swivel allows the chair to serve multiple zones. In an open living area, you can turn toward the sofa during a conversation, rotate toward the television for a movie and face a window when pretending to read while actually watching the neighbors reorganize their garage.
Design experts often recommend swivel seating for rooms with multiple focal points because it adds flexibility without requiring people to drag furniture across the floor.
The cushions are designed for supportive lounging
The Briar uses a sinuous spring seat rather than relying solely on a slab of foam. Its separate back and seat cushions create a softer, more residential feeling than a fixed upholstered shell.
Because both cushions are reversible, owners can rotate and flip them regularly. That simple habit reduces the chance that one favorite sitting position will create a permanent crater shaped exactly like the person who claimed the chair first.
It is compact without being tiny
At roughly 33 inches wide, the Briar offers enough presence to balance many standard sofas. At 30 inches deep, it is less likely to overwhelm a bedroom corner or narrow living room than a chair-and-a-half or deep barrel chair.
Where the Briar Swivel Chair Works Best
Across from a sofa
One Briar chair can complete an L-shaped conversation area. A pair can face a sofa for a more symmetrical arrangement, with a small table positioned between them.
Beside a fireplace
The swivel function lets the chair face the fire when the room is quiet and turn toward guests when company arrives. It is furniture diplomacy in action.
In a reading nook
Add a floor lamp, a compact side table and a soft throw. A successful reading corner needs comfortable seating, task lighting and a surface within reach for a book or drink.
Between an open kitchen and living room
A swivel chair can act as a bridge between adjacent zones. It allows the sitter to participate in kitchen conversation without permanently pointing the entire seating arrangement toward the refrigerator.
In a bedroom
The chair is large enough to create a genuine sitting area but compact enough for many primary bedrooms. It may also become the place where clothes wait for someone to decide whether they are clean, dirty or emotionally complicated.
Measure Before Ordering
The chair arrives assembled, which is convenient until the delivery box meets a narrow stairwell. Measure the doorway, hallway, elevator and turning pointsnot merely the open patch of floor where the chair will eventually live.
Use painter’s tape to outline the chair’s approximate 30-by-33-inch footprint. Then allow additional space around it so the chair can swivel without striking a wall, lamp or side table.
Furniture-planning guidance generally recommends preserving about 30 inches for major walkways. Coffee and side tables should remain close enough to reach without blocking movement. Measuring and testing a furniture footprint before ordering is one of the easiest ways to prevent a room from feeling crowded.
Living With Cream Linen Upholstery
The cream upholstery is a major reason the Briar looks expensive. It is also a color that notices when someone enters the room holding marinara sauce.
Before using any cleaner, check the chair’s care label and upholstery cleaning code. Different fabrics require different treatments, and natural fibers such as linen may react poorly to excess moisture, heat or aggressive scrubbing.
Vacuum the chair gently with an upholstery attachment to remove crumbs, dust and pet hair. Treat spills promptly by blotting rather than rubbing. Test any cleaning product on an inconspicuous area and avoid saturating the fabric, since excess moisture can damage upholstery or encourage mildew.
Flipping the reversible cushions, keeping dark denim away when it is new and using a washable throw during high-risk snack sessions can help maintain the neutral fabric.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
- Limited customization: The Briar does not provide the extensive upholstery menu associated with a premium furniture retailer.
- Light fabric requires care: Cream linen is versatile, but spills and color transfer can be more visible.
- No rocking or reclining: The chair swivels, but buyers seeking a glider or recliner need a different mechanism.
- Seat dimensions matter: Overall measurements do not reveal exactly how the chair will support every height and body type.
- Delivery access may be challenging: An assembled chair is easy to use immediately but harder to maneuver through tight doorways.
- Retail prices fluctuate: A temporary discount should not replace a careful comparison of specifications, delivery terms and return policies.
Who Should Buy the Walmart Briar Swivel Chair?
The Briar is a strong option for shoppers who want a clean, neutral swivel accent chair without paying premium furniture-store prices. It is especially appealing for first homes, apartments, reading nooks, guest rooms and living spaces that need flexible seating.
It also makes sense for decorators who change styles frequently. The simple cream upholstery can move from farmhouse to coastal, contemporary or organic modern rooms with little more than a pillow swap.
Consider the Menlo instead when broad fabric customization, a published 300-pound capacity, premium service options, specific certifications or a slightly deeper seat are important enough to justify the higher cost.
Real-World Experience: What Living With This Chair May Feel Like
The following experience guide is based on the chair’s published specifications and recurring themes in verified shopper feedback rather than a claim of personal ownership.
Delivery day: pleasantly uneventful, assuming it fits
The first pleasant surprise is that there is no major assembly project waiting inside the box. You are not sorting mystery bolts into piles or attempting to interpret a diagram in which every human figure looks unusually calm.
Once unpacked, the chair is nearly ready for use. Its 66-pound weight gives it a reassuring sense of substance, although moving it alone may be awkward. The main delivery challenge is its assembled width. A prepared buyer measures doorways first; an unprepared buyer learns several new ways to angle a chair while apologizing to the doorframe.
The first sit: structured rather than marshmallow-soft
The square shape suggests tailored support rather than a giant sink-in lounge chair. The spring-supported seat should feel cushioned but comparatively structured, while the loose back cushion softens the upright frame.
People who enjoy reading, conversation or working on a laptop may appreciate that balance. Those who want to disappear horizontally into a cloud may prefer a deeper chair-and-a-half.
The swivel becomes part of the daily routine
At first, the rotating base feels like an entertaining extra. After several days, it becomes the feature that explains why a stationary chair suddenly seems inconvenient.
You can face the coffee table, turn toward a person entering the room and rotate toward the television without standing. In an open floor plan, the chair may become the most adaptable seat in the house because it does not permanently commit to one direction.
The chair quickly attracts competition
Shopper feedback surrounding popular swivel chairs frequently includes the same accidental problem: family members and pets claim them. The combination of soft upholstery, broad cushions and gentle movement is appealing to children, dogs, cats and adults who previously insisted they did not need another chair.
Do not be surprised when a carefully planned reading chair becomes the dog’s afternoon observation deck. Walmart reviews of similar best-selling swivel models repeatedly mention generous seating, comfort and pets becoming enthusiastic co-owners.
After a few weeks: maintenance becomes the deciding factor
In a low-traffic bedroom, cream upholstery may stay fresh with occasional vacuuming. In a family room, daily life arrives with crumbs, paw prints and beverages that suddenly develop aerodynamic properties.
Rotating the cushions helps preserve their shape. A throw blanket can protect the seat during movie nights, and quick blotting prevents minor spills from becoming permanent historical records.
When guests visit: it looks more expensive than expected
The Briar’s strongest visual trick is restraint. It does not depend on decorative studs, shiny hardware or exaggerated curves to announce itself. The squared frame and neutral textile create a calm, tailored appearance that blends with more expensive furnishings.
Shoppers cited in the original comparison described the chair as sturdy, comfortable and compatible with Pottery Barn pieces already in their homes. That is probably the most useful definition of a successful lookalike: it does not need to be identical; it simply needs to belong in the same room without exposing the budget.
The long-term impression
Over time, the best feature may not be the resemblance to another chair. It may be the Briar’s flexibility. It can move from a living room to a bedroom, office or nursery-style reading corner as needs change. Reversible cushions add practical longevity, while the neutral color allows new pillows and throws to refresh the appearance.
The ownership experience will still depend on expectations. A $298 chair should be evaluated as an affordable, ready-made retail chairnot as an exact substitute for every material, service and customization benefit attached to a premium product. Buyers who understand that distinction are the most likely to feel they found a clever value rather than merely a cheaper object.
Final Verdict
Walmart’s My Texas House Briar Accent Chair captures the most recognizable qualities of Pottery Barn’s Menlo: a square silhouette, neutral upholstery, loose cushions and a discreet 360-degree swivel base.
The Pottery Barn chair offers a deeper footprint, published weight capacity, premium upholstery choices and additional manufacturing details. The Briar focuses on delivering the look and essential function at a substantially lower price.
For shoppers who want an adaptable cream swivel chair and are comfortable with fewer customization options, the Walmart model is a convincing value. It looks polished, arrives assembled and can save hundreds of dollarsmoney that can remain safely in the bank until the next suspiciously attractive home-decor find appears.
