Crate and Barrel offers a curated collection of modern, sophisticated furniture with an emphasis on high-quality materials and sustainable practices, occupying a mid-to-upscale price point. In contrast, Raymour and Flanigan provides a broader range of styles at more accessible, budget-friendly prices, focusing on value and convenience for shoppers primarily in the northeastern United States.
Let's compare these two furniture retailers to help you decide which is the right fit for your home and budget.
Crate and Barrel: The Modern & Sophisticated Choice
Crate and Barrel is a one-stop-shop for homeowners seeking a contemporary and timeless aesthetic. The brand is known for its clean, minimalist designs, quality craftsmanship, and a seamless shopping experience that appeals to style-conscious consumers who are willing to invest in pieces that last.
- Product mix: A comprehensive selection of home goods including sofas, dining sets, bedroom furniture, lighting, rugs, and decor. They are also a major destination for kitchenware, bakeware, and tabletop items, often featured on wedding registries.
- Dimensions/Scale: Offers a good mix of sizing suitable for various spaces, from compact apartment sofas to large, configurable sectionals. Their online product pages provide detailed measurements to ensure a proper fit.
- Style/vibe: A distinctly modern, clean, and contemporary aesthetic. The look is sophisticated but approachable, with neutral color palettes, simple silhouettes, and high-quality textures.
- Price point: Mid-to-upscale. Sofas generally range from $1,000 to over $3,000, and dining tables typically cost between $800 and $2,500.
- Quality: Known for solid construction using materials like kiln-dried hardwood frames, durable performance fabrics, and carefully applied finishes. This focus on craftsmanship leads to long-lasting furniture.
- Sustainability: The brand prioritizes responsible sourcing with FSC-certified wood and GREENGUARD-certified products. It has a visible commitment to eco-friendly practices throughout its supply chain.
- Services: Offers free interior design services with professional stylists, both online and in-store, along with multiple delivery options including white-glove assembly.
Crate and Barrel is perfect for shoppers who prioritize refined design and durable materials, making it an excellent choice for anchor pieces in a modern home.
Shop Crate and Barrel: crateandbarrel.com
Raymour and Flanigan: The Accessible Value Retailer
Raymour and Flanigan is a large furniture retailer that focuses on providing an extensive selection of styles at affordable prices. Known for frequent sales, flexible financing, and fast delivery, the brand caters to budget-conscious families and first-time homeowners who want stylish options without a significant financial investment.
- Product mix: A vast inventory of furniture for every room, including living room sets, bedroom suites, dining tables, and home office setups. They also have a very large selection of mattresses from top brands.
- Dimensions/Scale: A wide array of sizes is available, including oversized sectionals and large-scale recliners popular in American homes. They offer many modular options to customize setups for different room dimensions.
- Style/vibe: Highly diverse, covering everything from traditional and classic to transitional and contemporary styles. Their aesthetic is more eclectic and accessible, designed to fit into a wide variety of existing home decors.
- Price point: Budget-friendly to mid-range. Shoppers can find sofas starting around $499 and complete dining sets for under $1,000. Frequent sales and deals offer additional value.
- Quality: Focuses on durable, everyday use with materials like engineered woods, sturdy polyester fabrics, and metal components. While not as premium as luxury brands, the construction is solid for its price point.
- Delivery & Assembly: A key strength is their fast delivery, often promising delivery within three days for in-stock items. White-glove setup and assembly are typically included.
- Shopping Experience: Large showroom floors allow customers to see and try out a huge selection of furniture in person. The company emphasizes excellent customer service, financing options, and a generous return policy.
Raymour and Flanigan excels at making furniture shopping easy and affordable, offering something for nearly every taste and budget.
Shop Raymour and Flanigan: raymour.com
Crate and Barrel vs. Raymour and Flanigan Comparison
Price Comparison
The most significant difference between these two brands is the price. Crate and Barrel operates in the mid-to-upscale market. You're paying a premium for modern design, higher-end materials, and the brand's curated aesthetic. A sofa can easily cost $2,000, and a solid wood dining table might be upwards of $1,500.
On the other hand, Raymour and Flanigan is a value-driven retailer. Sofas can be found for under $600, and you can furnish an entire room for what you might spend on a single item at Crate and Barrel. They enhance this value proposition with constant sales, bundle deals, and accessible financing offers, making them the clear choice for anyone on a tight budget.
Style & Aesthetic
Crate and Barrel's style is consistent and focused: contemporary, minimal, and sophisticated. Its collections feature clean lines, neutral colors, and natural textures that create a cohesive, modern look. This makes it very easy to design a stylish space, as their pieces are created to work well together. The aesthetic is perfect for urban lofts, contemporary homes, and anyone who loves a timeless modern vibe.
Raymour and Flanigan offers a little bit of everything. Their showroom floors feature traditional rolled-arm sofas next to modern faux leather sectionals and rustic farmhouse dining sets. This wide variety caters to a broader range of tastes but lacks the single, unified design vision of Crate and Barrel. If you are trying to match an existing style or prefer something more classic or transitional, you'll likely find more options at Raymour and Flanigan.
Quality & Construction
Crate and Barrel places a strong emphasis on build quality and materials. Their upholstered furniture often features kiln-dried hardwood frames, which resist warping and last longer, and they offer a wide selection of durable performance fabrics. These are signs of investment-grade furniture designed for longevity.
Raymour and Flanigan prioritizes affordability, which means using more cost-effective materials like engineered wood, and standard polyester fabrics. The construction is solid and designed for everyday family use, but it may not have the same decades-long durability as a piece from Crate and Barrel. It represents a good balance of durability for the price, but the materials are not at a premium level.
Product Selection
Both brands offer furniture for the entire home, but their category strengths differ. Raymour and Flanigan has a massive selection of mattresses, recliners, and traditional furniture sets, catering to comfort and common household needs.
Crate and Barrel goes beyond furniture, with an extensive and very popular catalogue of kitchenware, tabletop decor, glassware, and small appliances. This makes them a destination not just for furnishing a room, but for outfitting a whole lifestyle, especially for those setting up a new home or creating a wedding registry.
Shopping Experience
The shopping experience is tailored to each brand's target customer. Crate and Barrel offers a high-touch, design-focused experience. Showrooms are beautifully styled, staff can provide design advice, and the website is rich with inspiration galleries and high-quality photography. It feels like you're shopping in a lifestyle magazine.
Raymour and Flanigan focuses on convenience and practicality. Their stores are large warehouses filled with inventory, allowing you to see and feel a huge amount of product. The emphasis is on tangible benefits like outlet pricing, quick delivery, and strong customer service support, making the process of buying furniture straightforward and efficient.
Sustainability & Ethics
For environmentally conscious shoppers, Crate and Barrel is the stronger choice. They have clear commitments to sustainability, using responsibly harvested woods with FSC certification and promoting products with recycled materials. This transparency appeals to consumers who want to know where their products come from.
Raymour and Flanigan's public-facing sustainability initiatives are less prominent. While they likely engage in some responsible practices, it is not a key part of their brand identity or marketing, making Crate and Barrel the default choice for shoppers who prioritize green credentials.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your primary goals: investing in a specific aesthetic or finding the best value for your budget.
Choose Crate and Barrel if:
- You love a clean, modern, and sophisticated design style.
- You are willing to invest more for high-quality materials like solid wood and durable fabrics.
- Sustainability and ethical sourcing are important factors in your decision.
- You are also shopping for stylish kitchenware, tabletop items, or bedding.
Choose Raymour and Flanigan if:
- You are furnishing on a tighter budget and want the most for your money.
- You need a broad selection of styles to choose from, ranging from traditional to modern.
- Fast delivery and included assembly are top priorities for you.
- You are also in the market for a new mattress or reclining furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crate and Barrel or Raymour and Flanigan cheaper?
Raymour and Flanigan is significantly cheaper than Crate and Barrel. With sofas starting under $500 and frequent sales events, it is positioned as a budget-friendly and value-oriented retailer. Crate and Barrel is a mid-to-upscale brand with premium pricing that reflects its design focus and material quality.
Which has better quality furniture?
Crate and Barrel generally offers higher quality furniture. They use superior materials like kiln-dried hardwood frames and performance fabrics, which contribute to greater longevity. Raymour and Flanigan furniture is built to be durable for its price point but typically uses more cost-effective materials like engineered wood.
What is the style difference between the two?
Crate and Barrel has a very defined aesthetic that is modern, contemporary, and minimalist. Raymour and Flanigan offers a much broader and more eclectic range of styles, including classic, traditional, modern, and farmhouse, to appeal to a wider audience.
Is Raymour and Flanigan good for a first home?
Yes, Raymour and Flanigan is an excellent choice for first-time homeowners. Their affordable prices, frequent sales, and financing options make it possible to furnish a new space without a massive upfront investment. Their fast delivery is also a major plus when moving in.
Is Crate and Barrel furniture worth the money?
For shoppers who prioritize modern design, high-quality craftsmanship, and durable materials, Crate and Barrel furniture is often considered a worthwhile investment. Its timeless styles are built to last, which can save money in the long run compared to replacing cheaper furniture more frequently.
Which brand is better for families?
Both can work, but for different reasons. Raymour and Flanigan is great for families on a budget who need durable pieces that can withstand daily use without causing financial stress. Crate and Barrel is a good option for families who want to invest in high-quality furniture and take advantage of their durable performance fabric options, which are resistant to stains and wear.
Does Raymour and Flanigan offer financing?
Yes, flexible financing is a key part of Raymour and Flanigan's sales strategy. They regularly offer interest-free financing plans to help make purchases more manageable for customers.
Which brand is more environmentally friendly?
Crate and Barrel has a stronger and more public commitment to sustainability. They actively promote their use of responsibly sourced woods (FSC-certified) and other eco-friendly materials, making them the better choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
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.
