The West Elm Dupe You Can Get From Walmart That Looks Good For $1,300 Less

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There is something about cane and rattan furniture that makes you feel like you've been instantly transported to a five-star hotel in the South of France. This is definitely the case with West Elm's Cane Arms Chair, which is executed with the brand's careful, restrained minimalism and mid-century modern flair. With a kiln-dried solid wood frame, natural cane arms, and a channeled cushion that doubles down on comfort and textural interest, this chair is poised to elevate a room. But these days, who has $1,500 to set aside for a chair? Thankfully, we found the holy grail of dupes in the Nathan James Hemming upholstered armchair for only $199.99 at Walmart.

For $1,300 less than West Elm's showstopper, the Nathan James chair offers textured boucle upholstery and the same elevated aesthetic for only a fraction of the cost. When purchasing a dupe, there's always the fear that it won't live up to the real thing, but with dozens of five-star reviews, the Nathan James armchair lives up to the hype. "Super comfortable and sturdy. I think I am going to buy two more for other places in the house because I love this one so much," wrote one satisfied Walmart reviewer.

Mid-century modern design will never go out of style, and that clean, organic look is exactly what we love about West Elm's Cane Arms chair. However, the $1,500 price point is a bit ridiculous, especially when you realize that Walmart's inexpensive dupe seems likely to be more durable in certain regards. For example, West Elm's design features genuine cane arms while the Nathan James chair uses synthetic rattan arm inlays. Although we love the look of cane, putting cane furniture near a heating duct can cause the natural material to dry out faster, making it relatively fragile. And keep in mind that too much weight in one part of the arms could punch through the weave, costing a pretty penny to repair.

The Nathan James chair's synthetic rattan offers the same beachy vibe but scores some extra points in the durability department, thanks to its stain- and moisture-resistant design. Even better, weighing in at around 39 pounds, with a weight capacity of 275 pounds, it's by no means a lightweight — and is even rated to hold a slightly heavier load than West Elm's product. As such, it's not surprising that several Walmart reviewers have praised this product's design, noting it's "absolutely sturdy" and "well-made."

Thanks to its minimalist, vintage aesthetic and light oak hue, the Nathan James chair will look great in virtually any setting. "This chair was just the right touch for my small guest cottage. Neutral colors and clean lines add to the mid-century vibe," writes one reviewer. But how to style? We recommend situating a pair of chairs opposite your living room sofa to elevate your seating area, or adding an accent chair in a guest bedroom or office for a small dose of boho flair.

To create a cohesive living room style, it's all in the mix. Take direction from West Elm's styling and pair this modern design with both antique and contemporary accents — like an oversized slip-covered sectional sofa and a vintage trunk or overstuffed ottoman styled as your coffee table. With a minimalistic look, the Nathan James chair is a chameleon that can feel at home in any room, and the light oak wash complements darker woods and warm brass finishes alike. Keep it bare for a minimal look, or add a fringy throw pillow and a chunky knitted blanket for layers of bohemian texture. This style of chair can be your blank canvas — and nobody wants to drop over a grand on a blank canvas.