<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000863821</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RESTORATION HARDWARE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RSTO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001051756</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCHWARTZ MARK J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PALLADIN CAPITAL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE ROCKEFELLER PLAZA, 10TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10020</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.9902</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>839</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>421565</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>399</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Palladin Capital Partners, LP, MS2 Partners, LLC and Palladin Capital Group, Inc.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.9902</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>249724</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>497</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock based on a formula using outstanding preferred stock, common stock, and exercisable options within a certain period of time as set forth in the Certificate of Designation.  As of October 31, 2003, the Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of common stock pursuant to a ratio of one share of Series A Preferred Stock to 502.462 shares of common stock, subject to a number of antidilution adjustments.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Distribution by Palladin Capital Partners, LP. to limited partners who elected to convert the Series A Preferred shares into shares of common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Immediately.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Not applicable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">As of October 31, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Consists of 359 shares held by Palladin Capital Partners, LP, 20 shares held by MS2 Partners, LLC, and 20 shares held by Palladin Capital Group, Inc.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">The reporting person is the managing member of Palladin Investments, LLC which is the general partner of Palladin Capital Partners, LP.  The reporting person is also the managing member of MS2 Partners, LLC and owns all outstanding shares of Palladin Capital Group, Inc.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Mark J. Schwartz</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

