West Elm is known for its stylish, trend-forward furniture with a strong mid-century modern feel, often at a more accessible price point. In contrast, Room & Board focuses on timeless, American-made furniture built with high-quality craftsmanship, positioning its pieces as long-term investments.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right furniture brand for your home.
West Elm: The Stylish, Sustainable Trendsetter
West Elm, owned by Williams-Sonoma, is a go-to brand for design-conscious shoppers seeking a modern aesthetic without a luxury price tag. It appeals to urban professionals and young families with its blend of mid-century, bohemian, and contemporary designs that are both stylish and functional for everyday living. The brand emphasizes sustainability through its use of eco-friendly materials and commitment to Fair Trade Certified factories.
- Product mix: Full home furnishings, including sofas, beds, dining tables, rugs, lighting, outdoor furniture, and decor. West Elm is particularly strong in living room and bedroom categories.
- Style/vibe: Mid-century modern, contemporary, and bohemian. Expect clean lines, warm wood tones (especially acorn and walnut), and eclectic accents that feel current and on-trend.
- Price point: Mid-range. Sofas typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000, dining tables are in the $800–$2,000 range, and bed frames often fall between $900 and $2,500.
- Quality: Good for its price point. West Elm uses a mix of solid wood, engineered wood, and durable performance fabrics. The quality is reliable for everyday use but may prioritize trendiness over decades of durability.
- Customization: Strong customization is available, especially for upholstered items, with a wide selection of fabrics and colors to choose from.
- Sales: The brand runs sales very frequently. It's rare to pay full price, with major discounts during holiday weekends and seasonal clearances.
- Sustainability: A core part of the brand's identity is its focus on fair trade collaborations, sustainably sourced wood (FSC-certified), and organic cotton textiles.
West Elm is the ideal choice for shoppers who want on-trend furniture that’s stylish and responsibly made, without committing to a lifetime investment.
Shop West Elm: westelm.com
Room & Board: The American-Made Investment Piece
Room & Board is a Minneapolis-based company renowned for its timeless modern furniture, exceptional craftsmanship, and commitment to American manufacturing. More than 90% of its collection is made in the USA by small, family-owned companies. The brand targets buyers looking for high-quality, durable furniture that will last for decades, blending modern design with classic materials and construction techniques.
- Product mix: A complete line of home furniture covering the living room, dining room, bedroom, office, outdoor, and decor. They are especially known for their solid wood case goods and customizable upholstery.
- Style/vibe: Classic modern, minimalist, and Scandinavian-inspired. The aesthetic is clean, understated, and built to outlast trends, focusing on fundamental design principles and natural materials.
- Price point: Upper mid-range to high-end. Sofas generally start around $1,500 and can exceed $3,000, while solid wood dining tables typically range from $1,200 to $3,000+.
- Quality: Exceptional. The focus is on longevity, using materials like solid hardwoods, natural stone, and high-quality steel. Construction standards are very high, backed by comprehensive warranties.
- Customization: Extensive. Customers can customize fabrics, finishes, hardware, and even dimensions on many pieces to create a truly bespoke item for their space.
- Sales: Room & Board does not have sales. They stick to a transparent, year-round pricing model, ensuring customers get the same value anytime they shop.
- Sustainability: Their approach to sustainability is rooted in creating durable, long-lasting products to reduce waste. They prioritize responsible sourcing, FSC-certified woods, and domestic manufacturing to lower their carbon footprint.
Room & Board is for the discerning buyer who values quality craftsmanship, timeless design, and American-made products as a long-term investment.
Shop Room & Board: roomandboard.com
West Elm vs. Room & Board Comparison
Price Comparison
West Elm is significantly more accessible from a price perspective. With sofas regularly available for under $3,000 and frequent sales offering 20-40% off, it caters to budget-conscious shoppers who still want a designer look. You get a lot of style for your money.
Room & Board positions itself as an investment brand. Its prices are higher across the board because you are paying for superior materials (like solid American walnut), domestic craftsmanship, and a design that's built to last decades, not just a few seasons. The lack of sales means their price is their price, reflecting a focus on consistent value rather than promotional urgency.
Style & Aesthetic
The visual difference is clear. West Elm leans heavily into mid-century modern and trendy designs, often incorporating metallics, bold patterns, and bohemian textures. Its collections feel vibrant, dynamic, and perfectly suited for someone who loves to stay current with interior design trends. An apartment decorated with West Elm feels stylish and now.
Room & Board champions a more timeless and refined modern aesthetic. Their style is inspired by classic movements like Shaker, Arts & Crafts, and Scandinavian design, resulting in pieces that are elegant, simple, and versatile. Their furniture doesn't scream a specific year, instead, it provides a neutral, high-quality foundation that can adapt to evolving personal tastes.
Quality & Construction
This is the most significant differentiator. West Elm offers good quality for its place in the market, often using kiln-dried hardwood frames and a mix of solid wood with veneers. However, the focus is meeting a price point while delivering a specific trendy look.
On the other hand, Room & Board's entire brand is built on superior quality and construction. They use solid hardwoods extensively, feature expert joinery techniques like dovetailing, and partner with American artisans who are masters of their craft. A Room & Board piece in person feels more substantial and durable, designed for heirloom status.
Product Selection & Sizing
Both brands offer comprehensive collections for the entire home. West Elm is particularly skilled at creating apartment-friendly furniture, with many sectionals, sofas, and dining tables designed for compact urban spaces. They also have a wider array of trendy decor, rugs, and lighting to complete a look quickly.
Room & Board's collection has a more unified aesthetic but offers deep customization within that look. Their furniture can sometimes have a larger scale, appealing to those with more spacious suburban or family homes. However, their ability to customize sizes on items like tables and desks gives shoppers incredible flexibility to get the perfect fit.
Shopping Experience
West Elm provides a seamless online experience with lots of inspiration galleries and style guides. Their physical stores are brightly lit, design-forward spaces that feel trendy and exciting to browse.
Room & Board focuses heavily on a high-touch customer service experience. Their showrooms are calm and beautifully arranged to highlight the craftsmanship of each piece. Their associates are deeply knowledgeable and offer free design services, helping you think a project through from start to finish. Their website is detailed, with rich information on materials and construction.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands are leaders in this space, but with different philosophies. West Elm’s approach is centered on certifications and global initiatives, promoting Fair Trade Certified products and sustainably sourced materials. This ensures fair labor practices and lower environmental impact on a global scale.
Room & Board’s sustainability story is woven into its dedication to American manufacturing and product longevity. By making furniture domestically, they reduce shipping emissions. By creating heirloom-quality pieces, they advocate against throwaway culture and divert items from landfills. Their "full-circle" delivery service also minimizes packaging waste.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your personal priorities: budget, style preference, and how long you expect your furniture to last.
Choose West Elm if:
- You love staying on top of the latest mid-century and bohemian trends.
- You're furnishing an apartment or smaller home and need stylish, compact-scale pieces.
- Your budget is in the mid-range - you want style and quality without a high-end investment.
- You enjoy updating your decor every few years to keep it fresh.
Choose Room & Board if:
- You are looking for investment pieces that will last for 20 years or more.
- You value high-quality materials like solid wood and expert American craftsmanship.
- You prefer a timeless, classic modern aesthetic that won't go out of style.
- You prioritize extensive customization options and top-tier customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Elm or Room & Board cheaper?
West Elm is significantly cheaper. Due to its global supply chain and frequent sales, its furniture is far more accessible for budget-conscious consumers than Room & Board's premium, American-made collection.
Which has better quality furniture?
Room & Board has better quality furniture. They prioritize solid hardwood construction, American craftsmanship, and materials designed for decades of use. While West Elm offers good quality for its price, Room & Board occupies a higher tier in terms of both materials and durability.
Is Room & Board furniture made in the USA?
Yes, over 90% of Room & Board's furniture and decor is manufactured in the United States by small, family-owned craftspeople and workshops, which is a core tenet of their brand identity.
Does West Elm or Room & Board have sales?
West Elm has sales very frequently, including major savings events around holidays. In contrast, Room & Board does not run sales, promotions, or offer discounts. They maintain one fair price year-round.
Which brand is better for small apartments?
West Elm is generally better for small apartments. They offer a larger selection of "small space solutions," including compact sectionals, narrow desks, and scalable dining furniture designed specifically for urban living.
Can you customize furniture at both stores?
Yes, both brands offer customization. West Elm offers a wide array of fabric and finish choices for its upholstery and case goods. Room & Board's customization goes deeper, often allowing you to change dimensions, hardware, fabrics, and configurations to create a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
What is the style of Room & Board?
Room & Board's style is classic modern design. It's influenced by timeless aesthetics like Scandinavian, Japanese, and American Arts & Crafts movements to create clean, simple, and functional pieces.
Are West Elm and Room & Board sustainable brands?
Yes, both are considered leaders in sustainability. West Elm focuses on Fair Trade Certified partnerships, organic textiles, and sourced materials. Room & Board centers its efforts on building durable, long-lasting furniture and supporting local, American manufacturing to reduce its carbon footprint.
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