While Plank and Beam and Max and Lily both offer stylish, quality furniture, they serve entirely different audiences. Plank and Beam focuses on minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired furniture for adult living spaces, using premium materials for a sophisticated look. Max and Lily specializes in affordable, safe, and playful furniture designed specifically for kids' bedrooms and playrooms.
This guide breaks down their key differences so you can decide which brand is the right choice for your home.
About Plank and Beam
Plank and Beam operates in the modern furniture space, offering curated pieces for a design-conscious homeowner. The brand is known for its blend of minimalist design and high-quality, sustainable materials, creating timeless furniture for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms that is built to last.
- What it is: A modern furniture brand specializing in sustainable, minimalist pieces for contemporary homes, targeting adults.
- Key features: Clean lines, natural wood finishes, neutral color palettes, and quality craftsmanship.
- Price: Mid-range to premium. Sofas generally start around $1,200, and dining tables are about $900 and up.
- Style: Scandinavian minimalism mixed with a touch of rustic warmth. The aesthetic is clean, understated, and sophisticated.
- Materials/Construction: Emphasizes natural materials like solid wood, FSC-certified veneers, and durable, eco-friendly textiles.
- Pros: Timeless, sophisticated design that complements modern decor. Built with high-quality, sustainable materials for longevity. Focus on staple pieces for main living areas. Transparent sourcing and eco-friendly practices.
- Cons: Higher price point makes it an investment. Limited color and style options outside of their signature minimalist aesthetic. Not suitable for children's specific furniture needs.
This brand is ideal for homeowners and apartment dwellers looking to invest in high-quality, sustainably-made statement pieces for their primary living spaces.
Shop this brand: plankandbeam.com
About Max and Lily
Max and Lily is a dedicated children's furniture brand focused on creating safe, durable, and functional pieces that grow with your child. Their designs are often playful and colorful, but always with an eye toward practicality, incorporating features like convertible cribs, bunk beds, and smart storage to optimize kids' rooms.
- What it is: A specialized children's furniture brand offering beds, desks, storage, and playsets created for kids from toddlers to teens.
- Key features: Focus on safety with non-toxic finishes and sturdy construction. Versatile designs like adjustable beds and multi-purpose storage.
- Price: Affordable to mid-range. Beds start around $300, desks around $150, and storage solutions from $50–$250.
- Style: Contemporary with a playful and whimsical touch. Utilizes soft pastels, fun patterns, and adaptable designs suited for various children's decor themes.
- Materials/Construction: Uses eco-friendly MDF, solid wood, and non-toxic paints, prioritizing child safety and durability.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price. Designed with key child-safety features. Versatile and multi-functional pieces that can adapt as a child grows. Fun, kid-friendly aesthetics that parents also appreciate.
- Cons: Furniture is scaled specifically for children's spaces. Materials, while safe and durable for kids, are not on par with premium adult furniture. The style is not intended for primary adult living areas.
This brand is a great fit for parents and caregivers who need stylish, safe, and budget-friendly furniture for their children’s bedrooms and play areas.
Shop this brand: maxandlily.com
Plank and Beam vs. Max and Lily Comparison
Style & Aesthetic
The clearest distinction between the two brands is their visual style. Plank and Beam is firmly planted in Scandinavian minimalism, using neutral tones, natural wood grains, and clean lines. Its aesthetic is sophisticated, modern, and built to anchor an adult-focused space like a living room or primary bedroom.
In contrast, Max and Lily embraces a playful but practical approach. Their furniture often features soft pastels and primary colors, though they also offer neutral options like white and natural wood. The designs are cheerful, inviting, and clearly intended to create a fun, functional environment for children.
Materials & Construction
Plank and Beam targets a higher-end market and its material choices reflect that. They focus on solid woods, quality veneers, and durable fabrics designed for everyday adult use and longevity. The construction is solid and designed to feel like standalone, investment-grade furniture.
Max and Lily prioritizes safety and durability for an active, youthful audience. They use a mix of solid wood and sturdy, eco-friendly MDF, all finished with non-toxic, child-safe paints. While their furniture is built to withstand play and last through childhood, it's not constructed with the same heirloom-quality materials as Plank and Beam.
Price & Value
This is another major point of difference. Plank and Beam is a mid-range to premium brand where pieces are an investment. A $1,200 sofa is intended to be a centerpiece for years to come. The value is found in the high-end design, sustainable materials, and long-term durability.
Max and Lily is focused on affordability for growing families. With beds starting around $300, the value lies in getting safe, sturdy, and stylish furniture without a huge financial commitment, especially for something a child may outgrow. Their bundle deals and functional designs also offer significant practical value.
Target Audience & Use Case
Plank and Beam designs its furniture for adults. Their products - dining tables, media consoles, armchairs - are scaled and styled for primary living spaces. Their target customer is a design-conscious individual or couple furnishing their home with timeless, modern pieces.
Max and Lily designs every product for children. From low-profile loft beds that are safe for younger kids to desks scaled for homework, their entire catalog serves the needs of children's bedrooms and playrooms. Their customer is a parent or guardian prioritizing safety, practicality, and age-appropriate design.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands in this comparison are solid choices, but they are designed for completely different rooms and stages of life.
Choose Plank and Beam if:
- You're furnishing adult spaces like a living room, dining room, or master bedroom.
- You prioritize a sleek, minimalist, or Scandinavian aesthetic.
- You are looking to invest in high-quality, durable pieces that will last for years.
- Sustainability and the use of natural materials are important factors in your decision.
Choose Max and Lily if:
- You are outfitting a child’s bedroom, nursery, or playroom.
- Child safety, non-toxic finishes, and sturdy construction are your top priorities.
- You need affordable furniture that can adapt as your child grows.
- You want functional, space-saving designs like bunk beds or desks with integrated storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between Plank and Beam and Max and Lily?
The main difference is their target audience. Plank and Beam creates minimalist, premium furniture for adults, focusing on primary living spaces. Max and Lily is a dedicated children's brand that makes affordable, safe, and playful furniture for kids' rooms.
Is Plank and Beam a good quality brand?
Yes, Plank and Beam is known for its quality construction and use of sustainable, long-lasting materials like solid wood and FSC-certified veneers. It's considered an investment-level brand for buyers who value durability and timeless design.
Is Max and Lily furniture non-toxic and safe for kids?
Absolutely. Safety is a core component of the Max and Lily brand. They use non-toxic, low-VOC finishes and adhere to strict safety standards for children's furniture. Many products are also made with solid wood components for extra durability.
Which brand is more affordable?
Max and Lily is significantly more affordable. Their business model is focused on providing budget-friendly furniture for families, whereas Plank and Beam operates in the mid-range to premium market segment.
Does Plank and Beam sell children's furniture?
No, Plank and Beam specializes in furniture intended for adult living spaces, such as bedrooms, dining rooms, and living areas. Their aesthetic and sizing are not designed for children's rooms.
Can Max and Lily furniture be used by adults?
While some items like dressers or desks might be functionally usable by adults, Max and Lily furniture is scaled, designed, and tested for children and teens. Their beds, for example, have weight capacities and dimensions best suited for youths.
What is the style of Plank and Beam furniture?
The style of Plank and Beam is best described as Scandinavian minimalist. It features clean lines, neutral colors, natural wood textures, and a lack of excessive ornamentation. This makes it highly versatile in modern and contemporary homes.
How sustainable are these two brands?
Both brands have a strong focus on sustainability. Plank and Beam uses sustainably sourced woods and eco-friendly textiles. Max and Lily uses non-toxic materials and designs furniture to be versatile and long-lasting to reduce waste, often using sustainable wood sources as well.
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