The Crate and Barrel Lounge and Lounge II sofas both feature high-quality construction but offer entirely different seating experiences. The original Lounge provides a more structured, tailored aesthetic with a standard seat depth, making it a versatile choice for modern living rooms, while the Lounge II is an exceptionally deep, plush sofa designed for casual comfort and a relaxed, sink-in feel.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right Crate and Barrel sofa for your home and lifestyle.
Crate and Barrel Lounge Sofa
The original Lounge collection is a timeless contemporary classic known for its clean lines and supportive, yet comfortable, feel. Its more formal silhouette and standard dimensions make it a highly versatile piece that blends easily into modern and transitional decor styles. This is the sofa for those who value a polished look for entertaining as much as they do everyday comfort.
- What it is: A collection of sofas, sectionals, and chairs with a structured, contemporary design and standard seat depth.
- Key features: Clean lines, tailored upholstery, supportive high-resiliency foam cushions, and a polished silhouette.
- Price: Starts around $1,499 for a standard 3-seat sofa in performance upholstery.
- Style: Modern, transitional, and sophisticated. Its balanced proportions keep it from overwhelming a room.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a certified-sustainable, kiln-dried hardwood frame for durability and features supportive sinuous wire springs. Cushions are high-resiliency foam.
- Pros: Aesthetically versatile design fits many decor styles. Supportive seating is comfortable for extended periods without sinking too far in. More upright posture is great for conversation. Maintains a tidy, structured appearance over time.
- Cons: Not as deep or plush for those who want to curl up and lounge. The feel is more supportive than "cushy." Its formality might not suit extremely casual "movie night" spaces.
The Classic Lounge is suited for someone who needs a stylish, versatile sofa that's as good for hosting guests as it is for quiet evenings at home.
Shop this product: crateandbarrel.com/furniture/lounge-collection/
Crate and Barrel Lounge II Sofa
The Lounge II is famously described as Crate and Barrel's comfiest and "deepest, sink-right-in" sofa. It's designed explicitly for lounging, with an extra-deep seat, plush feather and foam-blend cushions, and a low-slung, casual profile. This sofa is an invitation to kick your feet up and relax, making it a favorite for family rooms, media dens, and casual living spaces.
- What it is: A collection of exceptionally deep-seated sofas, sectionals, and chairs designed for maximum casual comfort.
- Key features: Extra-deep seats, soft down and feather-blend cushions that create a pillow-like feel, wide arms, and a relaxed, low-profile design.
- Price: Starts around $1,399 for a standard 3-seat sofa, making it slightly more affordable than the original at its entry point.
- Style: Casual, relaxed, and incredibly inviting. Its oversized scale and plush look define the piece.
- Materials/Construction: Also built with a certified-sustainable, kiln-dried hardwood frame. The key difference is in the cushion fill: foam cores are wrapped in a plush blend of feathers, down, and polyfiber.
- Pros: Unbeatable for its deep, sink-in comfort - perfect for watching movies or napping. The laid-back aesthetic creates a highly inviting space. Its large scale can anchor a spacious room beautifully. Generally offers great value for its size and comfort level.
- Cons: Cushions require regular fluffing to maintain their shape and loft. The extreme depth can be awkward for shorter individuals or for formal conversations where guests prefer to sit upright. Its massive scale can easily overpower smaller living rooms.
The Lounge II is the clear winner for anyone whose top priority is creating a cozy, informal space with cloud-like comfort.
Shop this product: crateandbarrel.com/furniture/lounge-ii-collection/
Lounge vs. Lounge II Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most significant difference lies here. The standard Classic Lounge sofas have a seat depth that's typically around 24 inches - a comfortable, standard size. In contrast, the Lounge II boasts an impressive seat depth of around 29 inches. That extra 5 inches transforms it from a regular sofa into a true lounging platform.
This difference in depth impacts how each piece fits into a room. The classic Lounge can work in medium-sized rooms without dominating the space, whereas the Lounge II's larger footprint demands a more spacious living area to avoid feeling cramped.
Comfort & Ergonomics
Comfort is subjective, and these two sofas serve very different preferences. The original Lounge offers a supportive seat, you sit "on" it more than "in" it. Its high-resiliency foam cushions hold their shape well and provide good back support for sitting upright, making it ergonomically suited for conversation and entertaining.
The Lounge II offers a plush, sink-in experience. Its feather-and-down-wrapped cushions conform to your body, creating a soft, cloud-like feeling perfect for relaxing. However, this comes with a trade-off: the cushions need frequent fluffing to redistribute the filling, a maintenance task not required with the foam-based original Lounge.
Materials & Construction
Both collections share the high-quality construction standards of Crate and Barrel. Each is built on a durable, kiln-dried hardwood frame designed to prevent warping and cracking over time. Both offer a wide range of upholstery fabrics, including durable performance options that resist stains and wear.
The key material difference is the cushion fill. The original Lounge uses resilient foam that provides structure and support, while the Lounge II uses a softer blend of foam, feathers, and down for its signature plushness. This makes the construction quality comparable, but the feel and required upkeep distinctively different.
Style & Versatility
With its clean lines and tidy, tailored appearance, the classic Lounge is a stylistic chameleon. It can easily blend into formal living rooms, contemporary apartments, or transitional family spaces. Its design is more understated, allowing other decor elements in the room to take center stage.
The Lounge II, with its overstuffed cushions, has a strong, distinct aesthetic. It screams "cozy and casual." This makes it an amazing centerpiece for a family-focused living room or a dedicated media den, but it's less adaptable to formal or minimalist settings. Its primary purpose and style are relaxation.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both sofas are excellent choices, but they cater to very different needs and home aesthetics.
Choose the Lounge if:
- You prefer a more structured, tailored style that looks polished and neat.
- Your living room is used for entertaining guests as well as relaxing.
- You want a supportive seat that you don't sink deeply into.
- You have a medium-sized living space and need a sofa with a standard footprint.
- You prefer low-maintenance cushions that don't need regular fluffing.
Choose the Lounge II if:
- Ultimate "sink-in" comfort is your number one priority for your home.
- You are furnishing a casual family room, basement, or movie-watching area.
- You have a large, open living room that can accommodate its deep, substantial scale.
- You love a relaxed, lived-in aesthetic and don't mind fluffing cushions to keep them lofty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Crate and Barrel Lounge and Lounge II?
The core difference is the seating experience and style. The classic Lounge has a standard depth and offers supportive, structured comfort with a timeless Crate and Barrel aesthetic. The Lounge II is significantly deeper and features plush, down-blend cushions for a casual, sink-in feel.
Which Lounge sofa is more comfortable?
It depends on your definition of comfort. If you want to curl up, nap, and sink into a sofa, the Lounge II is far more comfortable. If you prefer a more supportive seat that's easier to get in and out of and is better for sitting and talking with guests, the original Crate and Barrel Lounge will be more comfortable for you.
Do the Lounge II cushions sag over time?
The down-and-feather-blend cushions in the Lounge II do not "sag" in the way that old foam does, rather, they compress and require regular fluffing and rotation to retain their loft and shape. This is a common maintenance task for any down-filled sofa and is key to its long-term appearance.
Which sofa is better for small spaces?
Neither collection is designed specifically for small spaces, but the original Lounge - with its standard dimensions - is a much better choice for smaller or medium-sized rooms. The Lounge II's depth and overall footprint can quickly overwhelm a smaller living area.
Are the covers on the Lounge sofas removable and washable?
No, upholstered models for both collections have attached covers, but some fabric covers zip off to allow them to be removed. Crate and Barrel typically recommends professional cleaning for its sofas rather than machine washing.
Can I get a Lounge sectional?
Yes, both the Classic Lounge and the Lounge II are available in multiple configurations, including L-shapes, chaises, and U-shaped configurations.
Which version is more durable?
Both models feature the same high-quality, kiln-dried hardwood frame, ensuring excellent structural integrity and longevity. With proper maintenance, both can last for many years.
Is the Lounge II too deep for average-height people?
Many find that when they sit back against the pillows in the Lounge II, their feet may not touch the floor. Using extra throw pillows can help those who prefer more support, making it suitable for anyone.
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