The short answer is yes - CB2 is worth it if you prioritize on-trend, contemporary design and a sleek urban aesthetic at a mid-range price point. Their furniture and decor offer a good balance of style and affordability, making them a strong choice for design-conscious shoppers who aren't seeking heirloom-quality pieces.
CB2 successfully balances trendy design with acceptable mid-tier quality, positioning it as a competitive alternative to brands like West Elm and Article. However, quality can vary by category, and long-term durability for high-use items like sofas may be a concern for some. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to know before you buy.
How Is CB2's Quality?
CB2 offers mid-to-high quality products for its price range, focusing on modern materials and consistent, mass-produced craftsmanship. While not built to last for generations, the quality is generally sufficient for typical residential use. Here's what to expect:
- Materials: Most furniture features engineered wood frames (MDF or plywood with veneers), which are standard at this price but less durable than solid wood. They frequently use trend-forward materials like powder-coated metals, marble, acrylic, and brass, which tend to be sturdy and visually appealing.
- Construction &, Craftsmanship: The construction is reliable for mass-produced furniture, with fastened joints and standard sinuous spring or webbing support in sofas. Finishes are generally smooth and well-applied, but some customer reviews mention minor inconsistencies or imperfections, especially on lower-priced items.
- Durability and Longevity: CB2 furniture is designed for average home use and typically shows signs of wear - such as pilling fabric or sagging cushions - after 2 to 4 years. Items made with metal, glass, and stone generally hold up better than upholstered pieces or those with wood veneers.
- Common Complaints: The most frequent issues reported by customers involve the longevity of soft goods. Cushions can lose their firmness, and some fabrics may fray or pill with heavy use. Wobbly joints on frequently used dining chairs are also occasionally mentioned after a few years.
Is CB2 Good Value for the Price?
CB2 provides good value for shoppers who prioritize new, modern designs over lifetime durability. Your money primarily goes toward the brand’s distinct aesthetic rather than premium materials or artisanal construction.
Price Positioning
CB2 is positioned in the mid-range market, targeting young professionals and urban dwellers. Prices are competitive with direct rivals like West Elm and Article. Sofas typically range from $1,200 to $2,500, while dining tables fall between $700 and $1,500, placing them firmly in the accessible-but-not-cheap category.
What You're Paying For
With CB2, you are primarily paying for design. Their aesthetic is sleek, modern, and minimalist, often drawing inspiration from high-end luxury trends. The brand also builds value through exclusive collaborations with notable designers and a polished in-store and online shopping experience. This combination of style leadership and accessibility is their core value proposition.
Where You Get Good Value
- Statement lighting and decor: Their collection of lighting fixtures, vases, and metalwork offers a high-impact, designer look at a reasonable price point.
- Metal-framed furniture: Pieces constructed with powder-coated steel or aluminum, like bookshelves and console tables, are typically very durable and stylish.
- Marble and stone tables: While requiring proper care, their stone-topped coffee and dining tables provide a luxe feel that often costs much more at higher-end retailers.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- High-traffic upholstered furniture: For a primary family sofa, the engineered wood frames and standard foam cushions may not withstand heavy daily use beyond a few years.
- Bonded or faux leather: These materials are known to crack, peel, or show wear much faster than genuine top-grain leather, making them a poor long-term investment.
- Outdoor furniture in harsh climates: While suitable for mild weather, the synthetic wicker and fabrics may fade, fray, or degrade quickly when exposed to intense sun or moisture.
CB2 Quality by Category
Quality at CB2 is not uniform across all products. Some categories offer excellent value and durability for the price, while others may fall short of expectations. Here’s how their main product lines stack up.
Sofas &, Sectionals
Using engineered wood frames and sinuous spring support, CB2 sofas offer decent comfort and style for their $1,200-$2,500 price range. Cushions are foam-based and can begin to sag within 2-4 years of regular use. The verdict: a great choice for a stylish, modern apartment but not ideal as a "forever" sofa for a busy family home.
Dining Furniture
CB2’s dining tables and chairs often combine metal, glass, stone, and wood veneers. Metal- and stone-based tables are a strong point, offering durability and a high-end look. Wood veneer tops are more susceptible to scratching and denting. Verdict: stick to metal and stone pieces for the best long-term value.
Bedroom Furniture
Bed frames and dressers are typically made from engineered wood with veneers and require assembly. The designs are modern and aesthetically pleasing, but they lack the robust construction of solid wood furniture. Verdict: suitable for those who prioritize style over longevity in the bedroom.
Lighting
This is one of CB2’s strongest categories. Their lighting fixtures often use quality metals like brass and powder-coated steel with innovative, sculptural designs. Priced from $150 to $800, they provide significant design impact for the cost. Verdict: excellent value and a great way to add a modern touch to any room.
Rugs, Decor &, Accessories
The quality here is mixed. Hard decor items like vases and metal sculptures are generally well-made and stylish. However, textiles like rugs and pillows can be less durable, with some customers reporting issues with pilling, fading, or staining relatively quickly. Verdict: choose hard goods for style longevity, inspect textiles carefully.
Our Verdict: Is CB2 Worth It?
CB2 is a worthwhile brand for its target audience: style-conscious consumers looking for modern, affordable furniture without a lifetime commitment. It excels at delivering trendy, B-list celebrity-worthy designs that make a statement. However, shoppers prioritizing exceptional durability for high-traffic environments may want to invest in a higher-tier brand.
Quality Grade: B
CB2 earns a solid 'B' for its quality. The materials and construction are appropriate and consistent for the mid-range price point. They deliver well-made, stylish pieces using engineered wood, quality metals, and on-trend fabrics. The grade is held back from an 'A' by the limited use of solid woods and the average durability of its upholstered items, which last around 2-4 years with regular use.
Value Grade: B
For value, CB2 also scores a 'B'. You get a tremendous amount of style and modern design for your money, making it a fair trade. Their pricing is competitive with direct rivals, and there are clear categories where the value proposition is strongest (lighting, metal furniture, decor). The value is limited only by the fact that some pieces may need replacing sooner than furniture from more-durable, premium brands.
More Quality Brands Like CB2
If you appreciate CB2's modern aesthetic and mid-range quality, here are some other brands that offer a similar balance of style, price, and durability.
Article
Article offers modern and mid-century modern furniture through a direct-to-consumer model, often at a price point similar to or slightly below CB2. They are frequently praised for their solid wood pieces and upholstered furniture, offering strong value with a focus on durable materials like hardwood frames and full-grain leather.
Shop now at article.com
West Elm
As a direct competitor, West Elm shares a similar mid-century modern to contemporary aesthetic, price point, and quality level. If you like CB2's style but want slightly warmer, more organic options, West Elm is a great place to look. Keep in mind their quality can be similarly inconsistent across categories.
Shop now at westelm.com
Crate &, Barrel
As CB2's parent company, Crate &, Barrel is a step up in both price and quality. Their designs are more timeless and less trendy than CB2's, focusing on well-made pieces with better materials like solid wood frames designed to last longer. It’s the natural next stop for those graduating from the CB2 budget.
Shop now at crateandbarrel.com
Blu Dot
If your budget allows, Blu Dot provides a significant upgrade in craftsmanship and design with a similarly playful and modern aesthetic. Their furniture is built with superior materials meant for longevity, but you can expect to pay a premium for their distinctive, design-first approach.
Shop now at bludot.com
Floyd
Floyd focuses on modular, minimalist furniture designed for adaptability and longevity, appealing to a similar urban demographic as CB2. They use high-quality materials like birch plywood and powder-coated steel, focusing on simple, durable pieces you can take with you from home to home.
Shop now at floydhome.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CB2 furniture real wood?
Most CB2 furniture is not solid wood. It typically uses engineered wood like MDF or plywood covered with wood veneers. While they do offer some items with solid wood components, it is not the standard across their collection, which helps keep prices accessible.
How long do CB2 sofas last?
With regular daily use, you can expect a CB2 sofa to last between 2 to 4 years before showing visible signs of wear like sagging cushions or pilling fabric. With light use, they can last longer. They are best suited for apartments and secondary living spaces rather than a main family room sofa.
Is CB2 better quality than West Elm?
CB2 and West Elm are very comparable in quality and price. Neither is definitively better, it often comes down to the specific product line. Both brands rely heavily on overseas manufacturing and engineered woods, and both have reports of inconsistent quality. Aesthetically, CB2 is often more modern and minimalist, while West Elm leans into mid-century and bohemian styles.
Do you have to assemble CB2 furniture?
Yes, many larger items such as bed frames, shelving units, and dining tables require self-assembly. Instructions and hardware are included. For an additional fee, CB2 offers a white glove delivery service that includes assembly and packaging removal.
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.
