Image source:
Room and Board
Image source:
Crate & Barrel

Room and Board vs Crate & Barrel

What's the difference between Room and Board and Crate & Barrel

Room & Board and Crate & Barrel are both furniture retailers that offer modern furnishings, but there are some key differences between the two. Room & Board puts an emphasis on artisan craftsmanship and designs their furniture to last. They balance modern lines with timeless details, creating pieces that go beyond current trends. They also prioritize American manufacturing, with over 90% of their furniture and decor being made in the USA. This supports local communities and businesses across the country. Room & Board also focuses on sustainability, with quality construction and timeless design that is kinder to the planet. Exceptional service is a priority for them, as they strive to make sure customers feel welcome and satisfied throughout their buying journey. Additionally, they support local nonprofit organizations in the communities where they operate. On the other hand, Crate & Barrel positions itself as an international destination for contemporary and modern furniture. They offer high-quality products with exclusive designs and a timeless style. Their focus is on providing seamless shopping solutions through digital design tools both in-store and online. They engage with customers through social media, mobile shopping, design services, gift registry, and more. In terms of certifications, Room & Board holds several product certifications including FSC Certified, Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., and National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). On the other hand, Crate & Barrel is certified with FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council), OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 (for textiles), Greenguard Gold Certified (for low chemical emissions), and GOTS Certified (Global Organic Textile Standard). When it comes to labor practices, Room & Board participates in equitable labor programs while Crate & Barrel has certifications such as the Fifteen Percent Pledge (a commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses) and amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct (an initiative for social compliance in supply chains). One additional difference is that Room & Board claims to offer organic cotton products and products that are assembled in the USA. In contrast, Crate & Barrel does not make any self-claimed benefits in these areas. Overall, while both Room & Board and Crate & Barrel offer modern furnishings, Room & Board focuses on artisan craftsmanship, sustainability, exceptional service, and supporting local communities. On the other hand, Crate & Barrel emphasizes international reach, high-quality design, digital shopping solutions, and engagement with customers through various channels.

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

- Room and Board specializes in modern furnishings, while Crate and Barrel offers contemporary and modern furniture. - Room and Board focuses on artisan craftsmanship, while Crate and Barrel emphasizes high-quality products and exclusive designs. - Room and Board is committed to sustainability, with a focus on quality construction and timeless design. Crate and Barrel offers seamless shopping solutions through digital design tools. - Room and Board supports local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Crate and Barrel engages with customers through social media, mobile shopping, design services, gift registry, etc. - Room and Board has over 900 employees across the country, while Crate and Barrel employs 7,500 associates across multiple countries.

Company Description

Room and Board
Room & Board is a leading furniture retailer known for its modern and timeless designs. With a commitment to sustainability, over 90% of their products are made in America using sustainably sourced wood and materials. They strive to be carbon neutral in their operations, with a goal of using 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Room & Board supports local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and values inclusivity and well-being for their staff members. Founded in 1980, they continue to prioritize quality craftsmanship and exceptional service across their nationwide stores and delivery centers.
Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel Holdings is an international destination for contemporary and modern furniture, housewares and decor that help people welcome life in. With over 100 stores and franchise partners in 9 countries, Crate and Barrel employs 7,500 associates across Crate and Barrel and CB2. We curate inspiration for the home, connecting the creative work of artisans and designers to people and places around the world. Our lifestyle brands offer exclusive designs and timeless style with digital design tools for seamless shopping solutions. We prioritize sustainability through climate neutrality, sustainable materials, ethical supply chains, circular solutions, empowered employees, conscious customers, digital responsibility and more.

Differences at a Glance

Room and Board

Crate & Barrel

Headquarters

Year Founded

Store Type

Product Type

Aesthetic

Parent Company

Welcome Discount

Price

Quality Level

Reviews on Website

Free Returns

White Glove Delivery

Product Warranty

Registry Available

Made-to-Order Items

Free Swatches

Designer Collaborations

In-House Design Services

Trade Program

Trade Discount

Golden Valley, Minnesota

1980

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Transitional, Mid-Century Modern

None

None

$$$$

High

Yes

No

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

No

Yes

Yes

No

Free

Business Interiors Only

10% for Business Interiors

Northbrook, Illinois

1962

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Traditional, Transitional

The Otto Group

10% Off Full Price Items

$$$

Mid-High

Yes

No

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free

Yes

20%

Sustainability Mission Comparison

Room and Board participates in equitable labor programs, while Crate & Barrel has certifications such as the Fifteen Percent Pledge and amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct.
Image source:
Room and Board
Image source:
Crate & Barrel

Sustainable Product Certifications and Programs

Room and Board

Crate & Barrel

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Warranty

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.

National Hardwood Lumber Association

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Sustainability Mission

Room and Board
Room and Board is a furniture retailer committed to sustainability. They prioritize sourcing wood responsibly, aiming to use 100% sustainably sourced wood by 2025. They are the first retailer to pursue using urban wood sourcing at scale and are a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Room and Board is working towards being carbon neutral in their operations, with a goal of 100% renewable electricity use by 2030. They are also focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electrifying their delivery fleet, achieving zero waste, and designing trend-proof furniture. They support craftspeople and staff members' well-being and donate 2% of profits annually to nonprofit organizations.
Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel is committed to making changes to create a better world for tomorrow. They are dedicated to using more sustainable materials, sourcing ethically, and testing products for quality assurance. With initiatives such as climate neutrality, sustainable materials, ethical supply chains, circular solutions and empowering employees, they are striving to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. They use FSC certified wood, organic cotton and recycled packaging. All textiles are tested to national standards and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® labeled upholstery and textiles are free of harmful substances. Ongoing investments in green building facilities, US upholsterers and manufacturers ensure responsible practices throughout the organization. Additionally they offer support to Feeding America®, Good 360, My Block My Hood My City (M3) as well as commit to increasing Black-owned business representation in their products. Crate & Barrel promises organic cotton and Assembled in the USA products.

Sustainable Product Certifications

Room and Board has several product certifications, including FSC Certified, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., and National Hardwood Lumber Association. On the other hand, Crate & Barrel is certified with FSC Certified, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Greenguard Gold Certified, and GOTS Certified.

Room and Board

Crate & Barrel

FSC Certified

GOTS Certified

OCS Certified

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

EcoTex

Global Recycled Standard

Recycled Claims Standard

Greenguard Gold Certified

SCS Indoor Advantage Gold

REACH

Ecolable

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

No

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Room and Board participates in equitable labor programs, while Crate & Barrel has certifications such as the Fifteen Percent Pledge and amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct.

Room and Board

Crate & Barrel

Goodweave

Fair Trade USA

Better Cotton Initiative

Craftmark

HERproject

Nest Ethical Handcraft Program

Fifteen Percent Pledge

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Contributor

Christi Farrell

Christi is a licensed architect and interior designer specializing in sustainability. She enjoys teaching design and bringing transparency to the impact that furniture has on our planet.

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