Land of Nod (now part of Crate & Kids) is known for its playful, modern, and eclectic children's furniture with a focus on vibrant colors and function, while Pottery Barn Kids offers a classic, timeless, and sophisticated aesthetic with an emphasis on heirloom-quality craftsmanship. Land of Nod appeals to parents seeking whimsical, budget-conscious pieces, whereas Pottery Barn targets those willing to invest more in traditional, long-lasting furniture.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right home decor retailer for your child's space.
Land of Nod (Now Crate & Kids): The Playful, Modern Choice
Originally a standalone brand celebrated for its innovative and whimsical designs, Land of Nod was acquired by Crate & Barrel and is now part of the Crate & Kids collection. The spirit of Land of Nod lives on in its playful aesthetic, vibrant color palettes, and kid-friendly functionality, making it a go-to for parents looking to create inspiring, stylish, and practical rooms for their children without sacrificing quality or safety.
- Product mix: A comprehensive collection for kids’ rooms, including cribs, beds, bunk beds, storage solutions, bedding, rugs, lighting, and decorative accessories.
- Style/vibe: Modern, eclectic, and often whimsical. Designs mix contemporary and vintage-inspired elements with bright colors and playful details that encourage creativity.
- Price point: Mid-range and accessible. Beds typically start around $150 and larger pieces like custom storage units or bunk beds can go up to $1,000+.
- Quality: Construction uses engineered wood, MDF, and sustainable FSC-certified wood with child-safe, non-toxic finishes, focusing on durability for active kids.
- Sustainability: Strong emphasis on eco-friendly materials, including the use of FSC-certified wood and water-based, non-toxic finishes for a healthier home environment.
- Shopping Experience: Primarily available online through the Crate & Barrel website, which offers a user-friendly experience with curated collections and design inspiration.
- Sales: Crate & Kids frequently offers sales, discounts, and bundle deals, especially during seasonal events, making it a budget-conscious option.
- Return policy: Returns are accepted within 30 days for non-furniture items. Furniture can be returned within 7 days, though a restocking fee may apply.
With its vibrant designs and accessible prices, Land of Nod's collection at Crate & Kids is ideal for parents who want to create a fun, personality-filled room on a reasonable budget.
Shop Crate & Kids: crateandbarrel.com/kids
Pottery Barn Kids: The Classic, Heirloom-Quality Investment
As the children's line of the renowned home furnishings brand Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids is celebrated for its classic craftsmanship and timeless aesthetic. The brand offers furniture, decor, and textiles that create elegant, cozy, and highly functional spaces for kids. Their collections appeal to families who value durability and sophisticated style, prioritizing investment pieces that can grow with their child and even be passed down through generations.
- Product mix: A wide range of high-quality furniture (cribs, beds, dressers), storage, textiles, lighting, and personalized decor for nurseries and kids’ rooms.
- Style/vibe: Classic, traditional, and sophisticated with a modern twist. The aesthetic favors neutral palettes, elegant finishes, and refined design details that blend seamlessly into various home decor styles.
- Price point: Mid-to-luxury range. Beds typically start around $500, with larger, higher-end pieces easily exceeding $2,000.
- Quality: Focuses on premium materials, including solid wood and kiln-dried hardwoods like oak and maple. Finishes are often hand-applied, contributing to a durable, long-lasting build.
- Sustainability: Committed to responsible sourcing with broad use of FSC-certified wood. Many products are also GREENGUARD Gold certified, ensuring they have low chemical emissions.
- Shopping Experience: Offers a polished website combined with a network of physical showrooms that provide personalized design consultations and a hands-on feel for product quality.
- Sales: Sales are common, particularly around holidays and the end of a season, but discounts are generally less frequent than at more budget-focused retailers.
- Return policy: Offers a 30-day return window for most items. Made-to-order and personalized items are typically not eligible for return.
Pottery Barn Kids delivers beautiful, durable furniture for families looking to invest in timeless pieces that prioritize craftsmanship and safety.
Shop Pottery Barn Kids: potterybarnkids.com
Land of Nod (Crate & Kids) vs. Pottery Barn Kids Comparison
Price Comparison
The most significant difference between the two brands is price. Crate & Kids is considerably more affordable. With beds starting as low as $150 and frequent sales events, it offers stylish options for families on a tighter budget. It provides excellent value by combining modern design with durable, kid-safe construction at an accessible price.
Pottery Barn Kids is positioned in the mid-to-luxury market. Prices reflect the use of premium materials like solid wood and a focus on heirloom quality. While more of an upfront investment, its furniture is built to last for many years, offering long-term value for families who prioritize longevity and classic design over trend-driven styles.
Style & Aesthetic
Crate & Kids (carrying the tradition of Land of Nod) champions a playful, eclectic, and modern aesthetic. Its collections feature whimsical patterns, bright colors, and imaginative details that create a fun, personalized space for a child. This style is perfect for parents who want a vibrant room that feels creative and reflects their child's personality.
Pottery Barn Kids takes a more classic and sophisticated approach. The style is timeless and elegant, with neutral color palettes, graceful lines, and traditional design elements. Its furniture is designed to seamlessly integrate with the rest of a home's decor and grow with a child from nursery to teen years, making it a versatile if more reserved choice.
Quality & Construction
Both brands prioritize safety and quality, but their material choices differ. Crate & Kids primarily uses engineered MDF and FSC-certified wood with non-toxic, water-based finishes. The construction is solid and designed to withstand the rigors of active childhood play, though it's generally not as heavy-duty as solid hardwood furniture.
Pottery Barn Kids often uses solid kiln-dried hardwoods and premium materials, resulting in heavier, more substantial pieces. Their hand-applied finishes and attention to detail contribute to an heirloom-quality feel designed for long-term durability, ensuring the furniture can be passed down or resold with good value.
Shopping Experience
The shopping experience for Land of Nod’s aesthetic is now entirely integrated into the Crate & Kids ecosystem. This is predominantly an online experience, supported by a world-class e-commerce platform that makes it easy to find what you're looking for.
Pottery Barn Kids offers a more hybrid shopping model. In addition to its polished website, it has numerous physical showrooms where customers can see and touch products, assess the quality firsthand, and get free advice from in-store design specialists. This tactile, service-oriented approach is a significant advantage for those making a larger investment.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability. Crate & Kids continues Land of Nod’s legacy of using eco-friendly materials, such as FSC-certified wood and non-toxic paints, making it a responsible choice for eco-conscious parents.
Pottery Barn Kids has robust green initiatives, heavily promoting its FSC-certified wood products. It goes a step further with GREENGUARD Gold certification on many items, which means they are screened for thousands of chemicals to ensure they contribute to cleaner indoor air for children.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your personal style, long-term goals, and budget. Both brands offer high-quality, safe, and beautiful options for children's rooms.
Choose Crate & Kids (Formerly Land of Nod) if:
- You're decorating on a mid-range budget and want the best style for your money.
- Your design preferences lead toward fun, modern, and eclectic styles with bright pops of color.
- You want furniture that reflects your child's personality and creates a playful atmosphere.
- You appreciate eco-friendly materials and are comfortable with a primarily online shopping experience.
Choose Pottery Barn Kids if:
- You are investing in heirloom-quality pieces that you want to last for many years.
- You prefer a classic, timeless, and sophisticated aesthetic with neutral tones.
- You value premium materials like solid hardwood and durable, hand-applied finishes.
- You want the option of in-store design services and the ability to see furniture in a showroom before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Land of Nod or Pottery Barn Kids cheaper?
Land of Nod's collection, now found at Crate & Kids, is significantly more budget-friendly. Its furniture starts at a lower price point and frequent promotions make it a wallet-friendly choice. Pottery Barn Kids is a premium brand with higher prices that reflect its use of solid wood and heirloom-quality construction.
Which has better quality furniture?
Both have good-quality furniture, but they are built differently. Pottery Barn Kids generally uses more premium materials, like solid kiln-dried hardwoods, which are regarded as higher quality and more durable for the long run. The collection at Crate & Kids uses quality engineered and FSC-certified woods designed for durability during childhood.
Is Land of Nod still in business?
No, Land of Nod as a standalone company is no longer in business. It was acquired by Crate & Barrel and its product aesthetic was merged into the Crate & Kids brand. You can find its signature playful and modern style there.
Which brand is better for small spaces?
The Crate & Kids collections often feature more creative and space-saving designs, such as innovative bunk beds and multi-functional storage, that are well-suited for smaller rooms. Pottery Barn Kids pieces tend to be more traditionally proportioned and substantial, which might be better for larger rooms.
Are both brands sustainable?
Yes, both brands have strong commitments to sustainability. They both heavily utilize FSC-certified wood. Pottery Barn Kids also has many products with GREENGUARD Gold certification, meaning they are tested for low chemical emissions, contributing to better indoor air quality.
Can you mix and match furniture from both brands?
Absolutely. While Crate & Kids furniture is visually more playful and Pottery Barn Kids is more classic, creative parents can easily mix pieces. For example, a timeless dresser from Pottery Barn Kids could be paired with a fun, colorful bed and bedding from Crate & Kids to create a balanced, unique room.
Does Pottery Barn Kids offer design services?
Yes, Pottery Barn Kids offers free design services both in-store and online. Their experts can help you with anything from picking a color scheme to designing an entire room layout.
How do the return policies compare?
Pottery Barn Kids typically offers a 30-day return window for non-custom items. Crate & Kids also offers 30 days for non-furniture items but has a shorter 7-day window for furniture returns, which may also incur a restocking fee. Always check their official sites for the most current policies.
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