Apt2B focuses on modern, minimalist designs at an accessible mid-range price point, making it ideal for urban dwellers and smaller spaces. In contrast, Joybird specializes in bold, vintage-inspired mid-century modern furniture with extensive customization options, targeting shoppers who want unique, statement-making pieces and are willing to invest a bit more.
Let's compare everything you need to know to choose the right furniture brand for your home.
Apt2B: The Modern & Affordable Choice
Based in Los Angeles, Apt2B delivers affordable luxury with a contemporary, urban-chic aesthetic. The brand is a go-to for young professionals and anyone decorating an apartment or condo, offering stylish furniture that blends sleek, minimalist lines with impressive comfort and quality. Their designs often feature clever modular configurations and compact footprints perfect for modern city living.
- Product mix: A full range of home furniture including customizable sofas, sectionals, sleeper sofas, beds, dining sets, and accent pieces like chairs and tables.
- Style/vibe: Modern minimalist and contemporary. Expect clean lines, uncomplicated silhouettes, and neutral color palettes that fit seamlessly into modern interiors.
- Price point: Mid-range and budget-friendly. Sofas generally run from $1,200 to $3,000, offering significant style without a premium price tag.
- Quality: Built with kiln-dried solid wood frames and high-density foam cushions for lasting support and comfort. They back their construction with a lifetime warranty on frames.
- Customization: Most upholstered pieces come with a generous selection of fabric types and colors, allowing for easy personalization.
- Fit & Sizing: Excels at creating pieces for smaller to medium-sized spaces. Many of their sofas and sectionals are designed with apartment living in mind.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers fast shipping with free in-home delivery on most orders, making the process straightforward for online shoppers.
- Return policy: A 100-day return policy gives you ample time to decide if a piece is right for your home, though return shipping fees apply.
- Sustainability: Committed to eco-friendly practices, utilizing sustainable fabrics and responsible manufacturing processes.
Apt2B makes it simple to furnish a stylish, contemporary home on a realistic budget, particularly for those navigating the challenges of smaller living spaces.
Shop Apt2B: apt2b.com
Joybird: The Mid-Century Customization Expert
Joybird is a popular direct-to-consumer brand that has built a loyal following with its handcrafted, mid-century modern furniture. They are celebrated for their retro-inspired designs, vibrant color palette, and, most notably, their deep customization options. Each piece is designed to be a conversation starter, allowing customers to express their unique personality through bold fabric choices, distinctive shapes, and tailored finishes.
- Product mix: Offers a wide selection of sofas, sectionals, chairs, beds, dining furniture, and storage solutions like sideboards and shelving units.
- Style/vibe: Pure mid-century modern with a vintage flair. Look for tapered legs, bold curves, tufting, and a huge selection of vibrant and patterned fabrics.
- Price point: Mid-range to premium. Sofas typically start around $1,500 and can exceed $4,000 for larger sectionals or premium fabric selections.
- Quality: Emphasizes high-quality craftsmanship, using kiln-dried hardwood frames and high-resilience foam cushions. Their wide array of performance fabrics are durable and stain-resistant.
- Customization: A key strength. Customers can choose from dozens of fabric types, colors, and patterns, as well as multiple leg finish options to create a truly bespoke piece.
- Shopping Experience: Features a highly interactive website with virtual design help and has physical showrooms in several major cities for in-person viewing.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers reliable shipping and white-glove delivery options. Custom pieces have a longer lead time due to their made-to-order nature.
- Return policy: A generous 365-day return policy provides exceptional peace of mind, though made-to-order items may have specific conditions.
- Sustainability: Strong commitment to the environment with responsibly sourced, FSC-certified wood and GREENGUARD certified products for low chemical emissions.
Joybird is ideal for the design-conscious shopper looking to invest in a unique, handcrafted piece of furniture that channels the iconic mid-century modern aesthetic.
Shop Joybird: joybird.com
Apt2B vs. Joybird Comparison
Price Comparison
Apt2B is generally the more affordable of the two. With sofas typically starting around $1,200, the brand provides a lower entry point for shoppers who want modern design on a tighter budget. Its pricing makes it a highly competitive option for first-time homeowners and apartment renters.
Joybird positions itself in the mid-range to premium space, with sofas beginning closer to $1,500. The higher price reflects its extensive customization, handcrafted approach, and investment in premium materials like performance fabrics and certified woods. While more expensive, the value comes from getting a piece that is uniquely yours. Both brands run frequent sales, especially around major holidays, which can bring prices closer together.
Style & Aesthetic
The stylistic difference is clear and is the primary deciding factor for most shoppers. Apt2B champions a clean, modern minimalist look. Its furniture features simple silhouettes, understated details, and a focus on functionality that perfectly suits contemporary, urban environments. The aesthetic is sleek and versatile, designed to blend in rather than stand out.
Joybird, conversely, is all about making a statement with its heavy lean into mid-century modern design. Think bold colors, distinctive shapes like curved sofas and winged armchairs, tufted details, and tapered wooden legs. Joybird furniture is expressive and nostalgic, meant to be the centerpiece of a room and reflect a confident, eclectic style.
Quality & Construction
Both brands offer quality construction that stands above typical big-box store furniture. Both use kiln-dried solid wood frames and high-density foam, which are markers of durable, long-lasting pieces. Apt2B backs its confidence in its builds with an impressive lifetime warranty on all frames.
Joybird’s reputation for craftsmanship is well-earned. They offer a wider selection of durable, family-friendly performance fabrics designed to resist stains and wear. The attention to detail in the upholstery and finishes often gives their pieces a slightly more premium feel. Shoppers prioritizing peace of mind for high-traffic homes may prefer Joybird’s extensive options for stain-resistant textiles.
Customization Options
While both brands allow you to personalize your furniture, Joybird is the clear winner in this category. Their customization process is a core part of their brand identity, offering a massive library of fabric colors, patterns (from velvet to bouclé), and multiple wood finishes for the legs. This allows you to create a piece that is genuinely one-of-a-kind.
Apt2B offers a solid range of customization for shoppers, providing dozens of fabric and color choices for their upholstered items. It’s more than enough for most people to find a match for their decor, but it's a more streamlined and less granular set of choices compared to Joybird’s deep dive into bespoke design.
Shopping Experience
Apt2B offers a very user-friendly and efficient online shopping experience. Their website is easy to navigate, customization is straightforward, and processes like free delivery and returns are clearly explained. This is ideal for a shopper who wants a simple, no-fuss purchase process from start to finish.
Joybird enhances its online platform with more interactive tools, including virtual design consultations and extensive photo galleries. Critically, Joybird also operates physical showrooms in several cities, a major advantage for customers who prefer to see and test furniture in person before making such a significant purchase.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands demonstrate a commitment to responsible manufacturing. Apt2B uses eco-friendly fabrics and focuses on sustainable production methods. They make this a key part of their brand ethos.
Joybird takes it a step further with verifiable certifications. They use FSC-certified wood, ensuring it comes from responsibly managed forests, and have GREENGUARD certified products, which guarantees low chemical emissions for healthier indoor air. For shoppers who prioritize transparency and certified eco-credentials, Joybird holds a slight edge.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your personal style, a realistic look at your budget, and how you want your furniture to function in your space.
Choose Apt2B if:
- Your style is modern, contemporary, or minimalist.
- You're decorating an apartment or a home with smaller rooms.
- You have a firm budget and want the most style for your money.
- You value a simple online ordering process and fast, free delivery.
Choose Joybird if:
- You absolutely love the mid-century modern and vintage-inspired aesthetic.
- You want to create a highly personalized, custom piece of furniture.
- You are willing to invest more for handcrafted quality and durable performance fabrics.
- You prefer eco-friendly furniture backed by official certifications like FSC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apt2B or Joybird cheaper?
Apt2B is generally cheaper. Its sofas and other furniture pieces have a lower starting price point, making it a more budget-friendly option for shoppers looking for modern design without the premium cost.
Which brand has better quality furniture?
Both brands offer high-quality furniture with key features like kiln-dried hardwood frames. Joybird is often perceived as having a slight edge due to its handcrafted approach and wider selection of premium, durable performance fabrics. However, Apt2B offers a lifetime frame warranty, showcasing its strong confidence in its construction.
Which brand is better for small apartments?
Apt2B is an excellent choice for small apartments. Many of its collections are specifically designed with compact footprints and modular "apartment-size" options that fit well in urban living spaces.
What is the main style difference between Apt2B and Joybird?
Apt2B's style is modern and contemporary minimalist, focusing on clean lines and simple silhouettes. Joybird's style is distinctly mid-century modern, characterized by retro designs, tapered legs, and bold, often colorful fabric choices.
Does Joybird have physical stores or showrooms?
Yes, Joybird operates physical showrooms in several major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This allows customers to see and feel the furniture before buying.
How extensive are Joybird's customization options?
Extremely extensive. You can choose from dozens of fabric types (velvet, chenille, bouclé, leather), a vast array of colors and patterns, and multiple wood stain options for the legs on most pieces, making them one of the most customizable online furniture retailers.
Are both brands sustainable?
Yes, both brands have a commitment to sustainability. Apt2B uses eco-friendly fabrics, while Joybird takes it a step further by using FSC-certified wood and offering products with GREENGUARD Gold certification for low VOC emissions.
What is the return policy for Joybird?
Joybird has one of the most generous return policies in the industry, offering a 365-day in-home trial. This gives you a full year to live with your furniture and decide if you love it. Note that custom-made items can have different conditions and fees may apply.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
