The Room & Board Metro sofa is known for its American-made craftsmanship, modern design, and extensive customization, positioning it as a premium, long-term investment. In contrast, the Crate & Barrel Lounge sofa offers a more transitional, relaxed style at a more accessible price point, making it a strong contender for shoppers seeking value and convenience.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right modern sofa for your home.
Room & Board Metro: The American-Made Modern Investment
Room & Board is renowned for its timeless, modern furniture that emphasizes high-quality materials and American craftsmanship. The Metro sofa collection embodies this ethos, appealing to customers seeking a durable, stylish centerpiece with clean lines and mid-century modern sensibilities. The brand is a favorite among those who prioritize sustainability and are willing to invest in pieces designed to last a lifetime.
- Product mix: While the Metro is a signature sofa collection, Room & Board offers a full range of home furnishings including sectionals, chairs, beds, dining tables, rugs, and storage solutions.
- Style/vibe: The Metro sofa features a distinctly sleek, mid-century modern aesthetic with a minimalist profile and clean lines. Its design is versatile enough for contemporary or transitional interiors.
- Price point: Mid-range to premium. A standard Metro sofa typically starts around $1,600, with prices increasing based on fabric choice and size.
- Quality: Construction is a key selling point. The Metro features a bench-made kiln-dried hardwood frame, high-resilience foam cushions, and strong joinery all designed for longevity.
- Customization: Offers a wide array of customization options, including hundreds of performance fabrics, leathers, and multiple leg finishes for a tailored look.
- Delivery & Assembly: Room & Board provides an excellent customer experience, often including free in-home delivery for orders over a certain amount, with items arriving fully assembled.
- Sustainability: The brand heavily emphasizes transparent, responsible sourcing, with over 90% of their furniture being made in the U.S. using eco-friendly materials like FSC-certified wood.
The Room & Board Metro is for shoppers who see furniture as a long-term investment and value domestic craftsmanship and bespoke options.
Shop Room & Board: roomandboard.com
Crate & Barrel Lounge: The Accessible & Versatile Favorite
Crate & Barrel is a major home furnishings retailer known for its approachable, modern style that combines function and fashion. Its popular Lounge sofa collection is designed for comfort and everyday living, featuring deep seats and plush cushions. The brand caters to a wide audience, from first-time homeowners to families, by offering stylish, reliable furniture that balances quality with affordability.
- Product mix: Beyond the Lounge sofa, Crate & Barrel offers a vast selection of furniture for every room, plus decor, kitchenware, and outdoor pieces, making it a one-stop-shop.
- Style/vibe: The Lounge collection has a more relaxed, transitional aesthetic. It blends modern lines with softer curves and a classic deep-seated, comfortable silhouette that works well in casual living rooms.
- Price point: Affordable to mid-range. A standard Lounge sofa typically starts around $1,000 to $1,200, representing great value for its size and style.
- Quality: Built with kiln-dried hardwood frames certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and high-density foam cushions. While reliable for everyday use, the construction is less heavy-duty than premium alternatives.
- Customization: Offers a good variety of fabric options, including durable performance fabrics, allowing shoppers to match the sofa to their lifestyle and decor.
- Delivery & Assembly: Crate & Barrel leverages its extensive network of retail stores for a seamless shopping experience with options for in-store pickup, various delivery tiers, and flexible financing.
- Sustainability: The brand is committed to sustainability, using responsibly sourced materials and offering eco-friendly options.
The Crate & Barrel Lounge is ideal for shoppers who want modern, inviting style and functionality without a premium price tag.
Shop Crate & Barrel: crateandbarrel.com
Room & Board Metro vs. Crate & Barrel Lounge Comparison
Price Comparison
The most significant difference comes down to price. The Crate & Barrel Lounge sofa is the more budget-friendly option, typically starting at $1,000–$1,200 for a standard size. This positions it as an excellent value-focused choice for stylish, comfortable seating.
The Room & Board Metro starts at a higher price point, generally around $1,600. This price reflects its American-made construction, higher-end materials, and the brand's premium customer service - it's an investment in durability and bespoke design rather than a value play.
Style & Aesthetic
While both are modern, their aesthetics serve different tastes. The Metro sofa from Room & Board embodies a clean, mid-century modern look. Its tight back, sleek lines, and refined profile make it a perfect fit for structured, contemporary, or minimalist living spaces.
The Crate & Barrel Lounge sofa is defined by a more casual, transitional style. With its deep seats, plush cushions, and softer silhouette, it leans into comfort and creates a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. It's less severe than the Metro and fits well in family-friendly or cozy interiors.
Quality & Construction
Both sofas use industry-standard kiln-dried hardwood frames for stability. However, Room & Board places a much stronger emphasis on its construction. The Metro sofa is built to be a piece you keep for decades, utilizing high-resilience foam and robust joinery that contribute to its long-term durability and higher price.
The Crate & Barrel Lounge sofa offers reliable quality that holds up well for everyday use. Its construction is solid for its price point, but it may not have the same heavy-duty feel or longevity as the Room & Board Metro. It’s a great piece for a 5-10 year timeframe, while the Metro is built to last much longer.
Fit & Sizing
Both brands excel at providing options for different spaces. The Room & Board Metro is available in multiple sofa widths, depths, and sectional configurations, making it adaptable for both compact apartments and large open-plan rooms. Their custom sizing options offer even more flexibility.
Similarly, the Crate & Barrel Lounge collection includes various sofa sizes, ottomans, and sectional pieces. Both brands offer detailed product specifications online, allowing customers to measure and plan their room layout accurately. You can also read our tips to properly measure your room prior to furniture purchase.
Shopping Experience
Shopping with Room & Board is a high-touch, personalized experience. Its non-commissioned design associates offer free design services, and the brand is known for its excellent customer service and seamless white-glove delivery. Their showrooms feel more like design studios.
Crate & Barrel provides a more traditional, but equally effective, retail experience. With a large number of physical showrooms across the country, it's easy for customers to see and test the Lounge sofa in person. Their user-friendly website is complemented by in-store assistance and flexible delivery options.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands have strong sustainability commitments. Crate & Barrel focuses on responsible materials sourcing, with initiatives aimed at reducing waste and improving energy efficiency. Their use of Sustainable Forestry Initiative-certified wood is a testament to this.
Room & Board's ethical stance is a cornerstone of its identity. Their focus on partnering with American manufacturers supports local communities and reduces their carbon footprint. This commitment to domestic production is a key differentiator for eco-conscious shoppers.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends entirely on your budget, style preferences, and priorities for craftsmanship.
Choose Room & Board Metro if:
- You are looking for an investment piece designed to last for 15+ years.
- You prioritize American-made craftsmanship and ethical, sustainable manufacturing.
- Your home aesthetic leans toward clean, minimalist, or mid-century modern design.
- You want extensive customization options to create a truly unique sofa.
Choose Crate & Barrel Lounge if:
- You have a moderate budget and are looking for the best style and comfort for the price.
- You prefer a relaxed, cozy, deep-seated sofa for casual lounging and family life.
- Convenience matters, and you want to see the sofa in a nearby showroom before buying.
- You appreciate a transitional style that can easily blend with existing home decor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Room & Board or Crate & Barrel cheaper?
Crate & Barrel is generally more affordable than Room & Board. The Lounge sofa typically starts at a lower price point than the Metro, making Crate & Barrel a more budget-friendly choice for a modern sofa.
Which has better quality furniture, the Metro or the Lounge?
The Room & Board Metro is widely considered to have superior construction and material quality, justifying its higher price. It's built in the USA with a focus on longevity. However, the Crate & Barrel Lounge offers solid and reliable quality that is excellent for its price range.
Is the Room & Board Metro sofa comfortable?
Yes, the Metro is known for being very comfortable. It has a supportive sit with high-resilience foam cushions that maintain their shape well over time. Available in different depths, you can choose a fit that works best for your comfort preference.
Is the Crate & Barrel Lounge series good for families?
Absolutely. The Lounge collection's deep seats, soft cushions, and availability of durable performance fabrics make it a very popular choice for families with children and pets. It’s designed for frequent, everyday use.
Can I customize sofas from both brands?
Yes, both brands offer customization. Room & Board has one of the most extensive customization programs, with hundreds of fabrics and multiple leg finishes. Crate & Barrel also offers a good selection of custom fabrics for the Lounge series.
Is Room & Board furniture made in the USA?
A significant majority of Room & Board’s furniture, over 90%, is manufactured in the United States using domestic and imported materials. This is a primary feature of their brand identity.
Which sofa is better for a smaller living room?
Both collections offer apartment-sized sofas and smaller configurations. However, the Room & Board Metro's sleeker, less bulky profile can appear visually lighter in a smaller space compared to the plush, deep dimensions of the Crate & Barrel Lounge.
How long do I have to wait for delivery?
Delivery times vary. Crate & Barrel often has popular configurations in-stock and ready to ship within a few weeks. Room & Board's delivery window can be longer, especially for customized pieces, as many are made-to-order by their manufacturing partners.
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