The short answer is: CB2 is worth it if you prioritize trend-forward, modern design over long-term durability. The quality is a noticeable step up from budget retailers, but many pieces are not built to be heirloom furniture that lasts a lifetime. In essence, you're paying mid-range prices for stylish, consumer-grade furniture that looks great but may show wear within a few years of heavy use.
CB2 strikes a balance between accessible pricing and a contemporary aesthetic, making it ideal for urban dwellers, renters, and anyone who enjoys refreshing their decor frequently. If you're looking for furniture to withstand decades of use, however, you may want to look elsewhere.
How Is CB2's Quality?
CB2's quality can best be described as decent for its price point, but inconsistent. It excels in design aesthetic, but often compromises on materials and construction to keep costs down. Here's a breakdown:
- Materials: CB2 frequently uses engineered woods like MDF and particleboard covered with wood veneers or laminates. While this creates a high-end look, veneer is more susceptible to chipping and water damage than solid wood. Upholstered items often use durable but less-premium polyester blends or performance fabrics.
- Construction: Frames for sofas and case goods are typically made from engineered wood, with some kiln-dried hardwood components mixed in for stability. Expect standard construction techniques like corner-blocking and dowel joints, which are adequate for moderate use but less robust than the methods used by high-end manufacturers.
- Durability and Longevity: Most CB2 furniture is designed for roughly 3-5 years of regular use. High-traffic items like sofas can experience cushion sagging within 1-3 years, and veneers on tables and dressers can chip or peel at the edges over time. It's furniture for the "now," not for forever.
- Common Complaints: Customer reviews often cite veneer finishes chipping easily, wobbly legs on tables and chairs, and upholstered cushions losing their shape or pilling faster than expected. Damage during shipping is another recurring issue, suggesting some pieces are not built to withstand rough handling.
Is CB2 Good Value for the Price?
CB2 offers fair value, particularly for shoppers who prioritize style. You get a designer look without the designer price tag, but the trade-off is often longevity.
Price Positioning
CB2 sits firmly in the mid-range market. A typical sofa costs between $800 and $2,200, landing squarely between budget options from IKEA (under $1,000) and higher-end brands like Room & Board (over $2,500). Compared to direct competitors like West Elm and Article, its prices are highly competitive, though reviews suggest its durability can sometimes fall short of Article's DTC model.
What You're Paying For
With CB2, you're paying primarily for design. The company invests heavily in creating on-trend, contemporary, and minimalist pieces that feel very current. You're getting the "look for less" - modern aesthetics inspired by high-end designers, made accessible to a broader market. You are not paying for heirloom craftsmanship or premium, solid-wood construction.
Where You Get Good Value
- Decor & Accessories: Items where durability is less of a factor, like vases, wall art, sculptures, and decorative objects, offer excellent value. They provide a high-impact design for a reasonable price.
- Lighting: CB2 offers a wide selection of stylish floor lamps, pendants, and table lamps that look far more expensive than they are. Since these are low-contact items, the materials and construction are more than adequate.
- Accent Furniture: Small side tables, poufs, and smaller accent chairs made from metal or simple materials often hold up well and provide a great way to add a trendy touch to a room without a huge investment.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- High-Use Sofas: A primary sofa that sees daily use from a family may not offer great long-term value. With cushions prone to sagging and frames made of engineered wood, it may need replacing in under five years.
- Veneer Dining Tables: A dining table with a veneer top is a risky long-term investment, especially in a home with children. It can easily scratch, chip, or suffer moisture damage, making its useful life quite short.
- Particle Board Furniture: Any item primarily constructed from particle board or low-density MDF is unlikely to survive a move or stand up to years of use without showing significant wear and tear.
CB2 Quality by Category
Quality at CB2 is not uniform. Some product lines deliver better performance than others, so it's critical to know where to shop smart.
Sofas & Sectionals
CB2 sofas ($800 - $2,200) lean heavily on style. They typically feature engineered wood frames and foam or foam-blend cushions. While comfortable initially, they are known to sag or develop impressions with daily use over 1-3 years. Verdict: Good for aesthetics in a low-traffic room or an apartment, but not recommended as a long-term family sofa.
Dining & Coffee Tables
Many of CB2's tables feature striking metal bases paired with veneer, marble, or glass tops. The bases are generally sturdy, but the veneer tops are a weak point and prone to damage. Verdict: A solid choice if you select a model with a glass or solid stone top, but avoid veneer surfaces for any table that will see heavy daily use.
Bedroom Furniture
CB2's bed frames, dressers, and nightstands follow the same pattern: trendy designs often executed with engineered wood and veneers. Dresser drawers may not feel as smooth or sturdy as pricier alternatives. Verdict: Serviceable and stylish for a modern bedroom, but don't expect it to last for decades or survive multiple moves unscathed.
Lighting
This is one of CB2's strongest categories. Their lighting collection features unique, architectural designs at accessible price points. Since lighting is a low-wear item, material quality is less of a concern, and the pieces feel substantial for the price. Verdict: A fantastic place to get high-end looking lighting without the high-end cost.
Decor & Accessories
Like lighting, this category offers excellent value. CB2's collection of vases, pillows, rugs, and decorative objects is well-curated and allows you to access current trends affordably. Quality is generally solid for these types of items. Verdict: Highly recommended. It's a great place to accessorize and add personality to your space.
Our Verdict: Is CB2 Worth It?
CB2 is worth it for the style-conscious shopper who values aesthetic trends over lifelong durability. It's the perfect brand for furnishing a first apartment, a second home, or a room that you plan to redecorate in a few years. However, if you are looking for "buy it for life" furniture, the compromises in materials might leave you disappointed.
Quality Grade: B-
CB2 earns a B- for quality because its products consistently deliver on their design promise, but fall short on long-term durability. While the aesthetic is sharp and modern, the widespread use of veneers, engineered wood, and standard foam cushions mean many items simply aren't built to last. For the price, the quality is acceptable, but not exceptional.
Value Grade: C+
The brand gets a C+ for value because you often pay a premium for the design itself, not the underlying construction. For accent pieces and decor, this trade-off works well. For foundational, high-use furniture like family sofas or dining tables, the value proposition weakens, as you may find yourself needing to replace the item sooner than anticipated.
Better Alternatives to CB2
If CB2's focus on trends over enduring quality doesn't align with your needs, several other brands might be a better fit.
Article
Article offers a similar mid-century modern and contemporary aesthetic, often at a slightly lower price point. Because they are direct-to-consumer, they can often provide better materials (more solid wood, higher-quality fabrics) for the money, leading to a better overall value and more consistent quality reports.
Shop now at article.com
West Elm
As CB2's closest competitor, West Elm targets a similar market with slightly warmer, mid-century-focused designs. Quality is comparable - meaning it can also be inconsistent - but West Elm offers a broader range of solid wood options and fair-trade certified products if that is a priority.
Shop now at westelm.com
Room & Board
For those who love the modern CB2 aesthetic but demand lifetime quality, Room & Board is the clear step up. Their furniture costs significantly more (50-100% higher), but it's largely made in the USA with superior materials like solid wood and bench-made construction designed to last for decades.
Shop now at roomandboard.com
IKEA
If you're buying furniture primarily for its temporary style, IKEA offers a lower-cost way to do it. While the quality is a step down from CB2, the value-for-dollar on trendy, short-term pieces is arguably better. You get a similar level of durability for a fraction of the cost.
Shop now at ikea.com
Rove Concepts
Positioned as a premium alternative to CB2, Rove Concepts focuses on high-end reproductions of iconic mid-century modern designs. Prices are higher, but so is the quality, with an emphasis on top-grain leathers, hardwood frames, and high-density foam cushions.
Shop now at roveconcepts.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CB2 better quality than Crate & Barrel?
No, CB2 is generally not considered better quality than its parent company, Crate & Barrel. Crate & Barrel targets a slightly older and more established demographic with more timeless designs and often uses better materials, like kiln-dried hardwood frames and higher-quality fabrics. CB2 is positioned as the more affordable, trend-driven sibling.
How long do CB2 sofas last?
With regular daily use, you can expect a CB2 sofa to last about 3 to 5 years before it starts showing significant signs of wear. The most common issues are cushion sagging and fabric pilling. If used in a low-traffic area, it could maintain its appearance for longer.
Is CB2 furniture pre-assembled?
It varies by item. Smaller decor pieces come assembled, but most large furniture items like sofas, tables, beds, and shelving units require assembly. CB2 offers multiple delivery options, including "White Glove" service where they will assemble the furniture in your home for an additional fee.
Does CB2 use solid wood in their furniture?
CB2 uses solid wood for some components, particularly in chair legs or internal frame pieces for stability. However, the vast majority of their case goods (dressers, media consoles, tables) use engineered woods like MDF or particle board with a wood veneer finish for the surfaces.
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.
