Arhaus is defined by its artisan-crafted, sustainable furniture with eclectic and global-inspired designs, while Crate & Barrel offers a wide range of modern, versatile pieces with clean lines and a more accessible, contemporary aesthetic. Key differences include Arhaus's premium pricing and focus on reclaimed and handcrafted materials versus Crate & Barrel's broader selection of home goods and mid-range price point.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right home furnishing brand for your space.
Arhaus: The Artisan-Crafted, Sustainable Choice
Arhaus is a premium furniture brand that champions sustainability and unique, handcrafted quality. It appeals to discerning homeowners who want statement pieces with a story, sourced from reclaimed and eco-friendly materials from around the world. The brand's collections are known for their sophisticated, traveled look that blends timeless elegance with rustic and global design elements, making them feel both luxurious and lived-in.
- Product mix: A curated selection of indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, rugs, and decor. The focus is on larger investment pieces like sofas, dining tables, and bedroom sets.
- Style/vibe: Eclectic, sophisticated, and globally inspired. Common styles include rustic, modern farmhouse, transitional, and vintage-influenced designs with warm, natural finishes.
- Price point: Mid-to-luxury. Sofas typically start around $2,000, dining tables from $1,500, and complete bedroom sets often cost $3,000 and up.
- Quality: A primary selling point. Arhaus uses high-quality materials like solid and reclaimed woods, natural stone, and durable, natural fabrics. Pieces often feature hand-applied finishes and artisanal details.
- Customization: Offers customization on many upholstered items, allowing you to choose from various fabrics and finishes to fit your interior.
- Sustainability: Core to the brand's identity. Arhaus partners with global artisans and utilizes responsibly sourced, recycled, and reclaimed materials to reduce environmental impact.
- Shopping Experience: Emphasizes personalized service with design consultants available in-store and online. Showrooms are designed to provide an inspirational, gallery-like experience.
- Return policy: Offers a flexible return window for most items, bringing peace of mind to major purchases.
Arhaus provides high-quality, distinctive furniture for customers willing to invest in ethically sourced, artisan-made pieces that tell a story.
Shop Arhaus: arhaus.com
Crate & Barrel: The Modern & Versatile Home Retailer
Crate & Barrel is a household name known for its modern, timeless furniture and extensive home goods collection. The brand is designed for contemporary living, offering functional, clean-lined pieces that easily adapt to various interior styles, from urban apartments to suburban homes. With a broad scope that includes kitchenware, decor, and registry services, Crate & Barrel serves as a one-stop shop for stylish home essentials.
- Product mix: Extensive selection covering furniture, tabletop items, kitchenware, bedding, bath, decor, and outdoor living. One of the top destinations for wedding registries.
- Style/vibe: Modern, minimalist, and versatile. The aesthetic is characterized by neutral palettes, sleek silhouettes, and timeless designs that fit seamlessly into contemporary and Scandinavian-inspired spaces.
- Price point: Mid-range and accessible. Sofas start around $1,200, dining tables from $1,000, and bedroom furniture ranges from $1,500 to $3,000.
- Quality: Reliable and built for daily life. Products often feature kiln-dried hardwood frames, performance fabrics, and metal accents. Production is more standardized but consistently high quality for the price.
- Sales: Holds frequent sales and promotional events throughout the year, making it possible to find stylish pieces at a strong value.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers reliable delivery services, including flat-rate local home delivery and white-glove options for larger items.
- Shopping Experience: Highly streamlined, with an easy-to-navigate website, helpful design resources, and excellent customer service both online and in their widespread retail stores.
- Return policy: Offers a straightforward 30-day return window for most items.
Crate & Barrel is the go-to choice for reliable, stylish home staples that are functional, affordable, and fit a modern aesthetic.
Shop Crate & Barrel: crateandbarrel.com
Arhaus vs. Crate & Barrel Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a distinct price difference between the two brands. Arhaus positions itself in the mid-to-luxury market, with prices reflecting its use of premium materials, artisanal craftsmanship, and sustainable sourcing. A sofa there starts around $2,000, and a solid wood dining table is typically $1,500 or more. You're investing in the story and uniqueness of the piece.
Crate & Barrel is more accessibly priced in the mid-range category. Comparable modern sofas can be found starting around $1,200, with dining tables beginning closer to $1,000. Combined with frequent sales and promotions, Crate & Barrel offers a better value proposition for budget-conscious shoppers who still want quality and style.
Style & Aesthetic
Arhaus presents an eclectic and sophisticated aesthetic. Think global-inspired, rustic, and slightly bohemian - pieces that look collected over time. Its collections feature warm wood tones, natural textures, and unique details that bring character and a sense of history into a room. This style is perfect for transitional, modern farmhouse, or worldly interiors that want to avoid a mass-produced feel.
Crate & Barrel is the clear choice for classic modernism. Its style is defined by clean lines, neutral color schemes, and understated designs that prioritize function and versatility. The look is more contemporary, urban, and sometimes Scandinavian-inspired. It works exceptionally well for anyone trying to achieve a sleek, organized, and sophisticated modern interior without fuss.
Quality & Construction
Arhaus places its reputation on superior quality and craftsmanship. The brand emphasizes solid wood frames, reclaimed woods, hand-applied finishes, and other natural, high-end materials. Their construction techniques often involve artisan involvement, making each piece feel more unique and destined for longevity. This is furniture designed to be passed down.
Crate & Barrel also offers well-made furniture, but with more standardized production methods. They commonly use quality kiln-dried hardwood frames and durable performance fabrics suitable for families and daily use. While the construction is solid and reliable, it lacks the handcrafted, one-of-a-kind feel that defines the Arhaus brand.
Sustainability & Ethics
Sustainability is a core pillar of the Arhaus brand identity. They are very transparent about their sourcing, using reclaimed and responsibly harvested wood, and working with artisans globally to create their products. If eco-conscious sourcing is a major factor in your decision-making, Arhaus is the undisputed leader in this comparison.
While not its central selling point, Crate & Barrel has made respectable sustainability efforts. They focus on responsible material sourcing, reducing packaging waste, and partnering with initiatives for an energy-efficient manufacturing process. However, their approach aligns more with mainstream corporate responsibility than the artisan-level, green-first focus of Arhaus.
Fit & Sizing
Arhaus often features large-scale, statement pieces designed for more spacious rooms, like deep sectionals and long dining tables. They also provide customization options that can be advantageous for fitting unique or larger spaces. If your home has an open floor plan or generous proportions, their collections will feel right at a bigger scale.
Crate & Barrel's products are generally designed with versatility and broader appeal in mind. They offer a great selection of pieces suitable for small-to-medium-sized rooms, including apartment-friendly sofas and modular sectionals. With more ready-to-ship inventory, Crate & Barrel is a better choice for customers needing stylish solutions for typical living spaces on a shorter timeline.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer quality home furnishings, but they cater to very different priorities, aesthetics, and budgets.
Choose Arhaus if:
- You want unique, handcrafted pieces with character and a story.
- Sustainability and the use of reclaimed or eco-friendly materials are a top priority for you.
- Your interior design style is eclectic, bohemian, or modern farmhouse.
- You are willing to invest a higher budget into durable, heirloom-quality furniture.
Choose Crate & Barrel if:
- You prefer a clean, modern, and minimalist aesthetic.
- You are looking for versatile, functional furniture that offers great value for the price.
- You want a streamlined one-stop shopping experience for furniture, kitchenware, and decor.
- You appreciate frequent sales and the ability to get stylish new pieces relatively quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arhaus or Crate & Barrel cheaper?
Crate & Barrel is significantly more affordable than Arhaus. With furniture starting at lower price points and frequent promotional sales, Crate & Barrel is the better choice for shoppers on a mid-range budget.
Which has better quality furniture?
Both offer good-quality furniture, but they prioritize different things. Arhaus excels in handcrafted quality, using premium materials like solid and reclaimed wood with artisanal finishes, which many would consider higher quality. Crate & Barrel offers excellent, reliable quality for its price point, with durable materials and solid construction designed for everyday modern life.
What is the style difference between Arhaus and Crate & Barrel?
Arhaus features an eclectic, globally inspired, and often rustic style with an emphasis on unique, statement pieces. Crate & Barrel is known for its classic modern, clean-lined, and minimalist style that is versatile and suits contemporary interiors.
Which brand is better for sustainability?
Arhaus is the clear leader in sustainability. The brand's entire ethos is built around using reclaimed, recycled, and responsibly sourced materials and partnering with artisans. This is a primary differentiator for them.
Do both brands offer design services?
Yes, both Arhaus and Crate & Barrel offer design consultation services to help customers choose pieces, plan layouts, and style their spaces.
What are the return policies like?
Both brands have customer-friendly return policies. Crate & Barrel generally offers a 30-day window for returns on non-furniture items, with different terms for furniture. Arhaus also provides a flexible return window, making it easier to commit to larger purchases.
Which brand is better for small spaces?
Crate & Barrel is generally a better option for small spaces. Their collections include apartment-sized sofas, modular furniture, and versatile pieces scaled to fit urban living environments and less spacious rooms.
How long does delivery take from each brand?
Crate & Barrel often has a larger inventory of ready-to-ship items, which means quicker delivery times for many products. Delivery from Arhaus, especially for custom or handcrafted oversized items, can have longer lead times.
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