Crate And Barrel Vs. Pottery Barn: What's The Difference?

Known for their high-end, rustic but modern pieces, Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn have both been favorites of consumers looking to elevate their living, dining, and bedroom spaces. So which is better? The similarities are many, which is why consumers are often faced with the question of which to buy that couch from. Both have a strong presence online and in-store and have a beautiful variety of furniture pieces and decor items. They also offer design consultations so you can really build that room the way you picture it in your head. 

So while there are a lot of similarities, there are also some subtle differences that sway consumers to pick one over the other. Let's dive into the differences so you can make the best decision when shopping for that kitchen, dining, living, or bedroom piece. According to Home of Cozy, top differences include returns, manufacturing, price and offerings, and aesthetics. Which retailer should get your money? Let's get into each of these to see which one wins out and which one to buy that couch from.

When looking to purchase a high-end furniture or decor piece, it's essential to look at the return policy. Spending upwards of $1,000 on something that may or may not work out is a risk, and many retailers are generous with their return policy if it doesn't work. Both Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel have fairly strict return policies.

According to Business Insider, Crate and Barrel accept non-furniture items within 90 days and furniture within 30 days with a receipt. On the other hand, Pottery Barn only gives consumers 30 days to decide if they would like to keep or return anything. These policies are a wise thing to keep in mind when making that purchase.

Sustainability, manufacturing location, and whether the product was made in the US vs. overseas are sometimes what push consumers one way over another, especially if the other differences are subtle. When looking at both Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel, the why and where definitely shows.

According to Slumber Search, Crate and Barrel produces their items both in the US as well as overseas, making quality and shipping sometimes an issue. Quality can be inconsistent, and delivery times are across the board. Pottery Barn, on the other hand, has made sustainability a priority with ethically-sourced materials, according to The Spruce.

Both Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel are on the mid- to high-end of pricing for their goods. In comparison, we think it's safe to say that Crate and Barrel carry a bit higher on the pricing scale than Pottery Barn, although not by much, which is why The Washington Post named it the best price range when looking for furniture.

Both do plenty of collaborations, according to Business of Home, and have leaned on those to set them apart from other furniture retailers. From a Harry Potter and Sesame Street kids Pottery Barn collab to HGTV's Leanne Ford for Crate and Barrel, these are fun ways to differentiate the two.

Finally, let's look at the aesthetics of both of these retailers. Both are modern and rustic, with a clean and neutral color palette. However, Pottery Barn has more of a warm and cozy feel, whereas Crate and Barrel have more of a cool and edgy take on its furniture. While the differences are subtle, it is still a difference worth noting when comparing the two.

We hope these differences between these high-end furniture stores are helpful the next time you are out furniture and home decor shopping at your favorite retailers. Whether it's sustainability or a fun collaboration, these two retailers have plenty to offer!