Choosing a kids' chair from Pottery Barn Kids and Crate & Barrel Kids comes down to a clear difference in style and function. Pottery Barn offers classic, plush, and often customizable chairs that feel cozy and traditional, while Crate & Barrel leans into modern, minimalist designs focusing on clean lines, natural wood, and sleek silhouettes.
Let's compare everything you need to know to find the perfect chair for your little one's space.
Pottery Barn Kids Chairs: The Classic, Cozy Choice
Pottery Barn Kids is a go-to for parents seeking high-quality, long-lasting furniture with a timeless, American-classic aesthetic. Their kids' chairs are known for being exceptionally durable, comfortable, and safe, often designed to look like downsized versions of adult furniture. This brand appeals to families who value comfort, customization, and pieces that fit seamlessly into traditional or transitional homes.
- Product mix: A wide selection including their famous Anywhere Chairs, mini upholstered armchairs, rocking chairs, and sturdy wooden play table chairs.
- Style/vibe: Classic, cozy, traditional, and charming. Expect soft colors, popular character collaborations, and plush fabrics to create a warm and inviting feel.
- Price point: Mid-to-premium range. Iconic Anywhere Chairs start around $150, with larger upholstered models and specialty chairs reaching $300–$400.
- Quality: Known for robust construction. Upholstered chairs feature sturdy frames and resilient foam inserts, while wooden items use solid hardwoods with durable, child-safe finishes.
- Customization: This is a major advantage. Many chairs, especially the Anywhere Chairs, offer personalization with embroidered names or monograms and a huge range of slipcover fabrics and patterns.
- Safety: Chairs are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning they are screened for thousands of chemicals and VOCs, contributing to cleaner indoor air.
- Return policy: Most items can be returned within 30 days. Personalized or made-to-order items are often final sale.
Pottery Barn excels at creating comfortable, high-quality seating that can be personalized, making each chair a special part of a child's room.
Shop Pottery Barn Kids Chairs: potterybarnkids.com
Crate & Barrel Kids Chairs: The Modern, Minimalist Option
Crate & Barrel Kids brings a contemporary and design-forward approach to children's furniture. The brand is celebrated for its clean lines, minimalist shapes, and focus on high-quality, sustainable materials. Their kids' chairs are perfect for modern families who want functional, stylish pieces that complement a contemporary aesthetic without sacrificing durability or safety.
- Product mix: Their offering includes modern-shaped armchairs, sleek wooden table chairs, functional beanbags, and accent chairs that feel both playful and sophisticated.
- Style/vibe: Modern, minimalist, and Scandinavian-inspired. Designs often feature neutral color palettes, natural wood tones, and simple, geometric silhouettes.
- Price point: Generally accessible to mid-range. Wooden play chairs start around $100, while stylish armchairs and sets range from $200–$350.
- Quality: Strong focus on materials. Expect solid woods like oak and beech, eco-friendly fabrics, and non-toxic, water-based finishes that are easy to clean and maintain.
- Customization: Options are more limited compared to Pottery Barn. Customization focuses on color choices within a specific design rather than personalization like monogramming.
- Sustainability: Crate & Barrel prioritizes eco-conscious manufacturing, using FSC-certified wood and GREENGUARD Gold Certified items to ensure a smaller environmental footprint and safer products.
- Return policy: Most non-furniture items can be returned within 30 days. Stock furniture can be returned within 7 days, but delivery fees are non-refundable.
Crate & Barrel offers thoughtfully designed chairs that blend seamlessly into stylish, modern homes where form and function are equally important.
Shop Crate & Barrel Kids Chairs: crateandbarrel.com/kids
Pottery Barn vs. Crate & Barrel Kids Chair Comparison
Price Comparison
Crate & Barrel tends to be slightly more affordable on average. Their simple wooden play chairs often have a lower entry price point (around $100) than Pottery Barn's equivalent styles. Crate & Barrel's upholstered options typically top out around $350.
Pottery Barn starts in a similar range for simple chairs but can reach higher prices ($400+) for their plush, fully upholstered armchairs, especially after adding personalization. If you're looking for a simple, budget-friendly wooden chair, Crate & Barrel might offer more options, while Pottery Barn provides more premium, feature-rich upholstered seats.
Style & Aesthetic
This is the most significant differentiator. Pottery Barn champions a classic, cozy, and almost nostalgic style. Their chairs are perfect for nurseries, bedrooms, or playrooms with a traditional, farmhouse, or transitional decor theme. Think plush cushions, soft fabrics, and gentle, rounded shapes.
Crate & Barrel is decidedly modern. Their chairs feature sleek silhouettes, clean lines, and a minimalist feel inspired by Scandinavian and mid-century design. These pieces are ideal for parents creating a contemporary, uncluttered, and sophisticated space for their children.
Quality & Materials
Both brands deliver exceptional quality but emphasize different materials. Pottery Barn is renowned for its heavy-duty upholstered furniture. The foam used in their Anywhere Chairs is famous for holding its shape, and the hardwood frames in their armchairs are built to withstand years of play. Their focus is on robust, cozy durability.
Crate & Barrel excels with natural wood construction. Their chairs often showcase the beauty of solid oak, beech, or maple, paired with non-toxic, easy-to-clean finishes. The construction is solid and dependable, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and sustainable materials that feel light and airy.
Customization Options
Pottery Barn is the clear winner for personalization. The ability to add a child's name or monogram to a chair slipcover makes it a popular gift and a cherished personal item. With a wide array of fabrics, patterns, and colors available for their best-selling chair lines, you can truly tailor the piece to your specific decor.
Crate & Barrel offers limited customization. While you may have a few color choices for an upholstered piece or finish options for a wooden chair, they do not offer personalization like monogramming. Their focus is on the integrity of the original design.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability. Each offers a large selection of GREENGUARD Gold Certified products, ensuring low chemical emissions for healthier indoor air. Both also utilize FSC-certified wood, which guarantees that the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
You can shop with confidence at either retailer, knowing that they prioritize eco-friendly and safe materials for kids' products. Check the details of any specific chair you're interested in, as certifications can vary by product.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends entirely on your home's style, your budget, and what you value most in a child's chair.
Choose a Pottery Barn Kids Chair if:
- You want personalization - a chair with their name on it.
- Your home has a traditional, classic, or farmhouse decor style.
- Plush comfort and a soft, cozy seating experience are top priorities.
- You're looking for a signature piece like the beloved Anywhere Chair.
Choose a Crate & Barrel Kids Chair if:
- Your home aesthetic is modern, minimalist, or Scandinavian.
- You prefer the clean look of natural wood over plush upholstery.
- Ease of cleaning and a sleek, functional design are more important than customization.
- You want a stylish chair that feels more like a piece of design-forward furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pottery Barn Kids or Crate & Barrel Kids cheaper for chairs?
Generally, Crate & Barrel offers options with a slightly lower starting price point, especially for non-upholstered wooden chairs. Pottery Barn's prices can climb higher, particularly for their popular customizable upholstered chairs.
Which brand has better quality kids' chairs?
Both brands offer excellent quality, but their strengths differ. Pottery Barn excels in robust construction for upholstered pieces designed to handle extensive use. Crate & Barrel is known for its high-quality solid wood craftsmanship and durable, eco-friendly finishes. The "better" quality depends on whether you prefer soft, plush furniture or sleek, sturdy wood.
Which chair is more comfortable for a child?
Pottery Barn's upholstered chairs, like the Anywhere Chair or mini armchairs, are generally considered more plush and "cozy" for lounging, reading, and relaxing. Crate & Barrel's chairs are ergonomically designed and comfortable for activities like drawing or eating at a play table.
Can I wash the chair covers?
Yes, many of Pottery Barn's upholstered kids' chairs come with removable, machine-washable slipcovers, which is a major advantage for parents. Crate & Barrel's wooden chairs are easily wiped down, and their fabric items often feature durable textiles that can be spot-cleaned.
Which chair is better for a small bedroom or playroom?
Crate & Barrel's minimalist and less bulky designs often have a smaller physical and visual footprint, making them a great choice for smaller spaces. Pottery Barn's Anywhere Chairs are lightweight and easy to move, but their traditional armchairs can be bulkier.
Do these brands have sales on kids' furniture?
Yes, both brands run sales throughout the year, especially around major holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. It's often worth waiting for a sale to get 20% or more off your purchase.
Are both brands' chairs safe for toddlers?
Absolutely. Both Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel prioritize safety in their kids' collections. They use non-toxic, lead-free finishes, ensure sturdy construction to prevent tipping, and frequently obtain GREENGUARD Gold certification for low chemical emissions.
Can I return a personalized chair to Pottery Barn?
No. Typically, items that have been personalized with a name or monogram cannot be returned. Be certain about your purchase before you add this customization.
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