Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Shopping at Crate & Barrel
When shopping for new furniture, you might be tempted by the allure of a buzzy new brand. After all, the market is saturated with every type of furniture retailer, from online-only marketplaces for trend-forward designs to local superstores for quick upgrades. There’s nothing wrong with sticking with something tried and true, though — like Crate & Barrel.
What’s So Great About Crate & Barrel?
Crate & Barrel is a dependable retailer for buying furniture of every shape and size, as well as decor, linens, and lighting. You can easily furnish your entire home using Crate & Barrel products, and the brand offers a range of design services and customization options to make shopping easier.
This ever-popular retailer has been a go-to for quality, middle-range furniture for decades, with designs (and materials) that stand the test of time. You’ll find exclusive collaborations with top interior designers, small-space-friendly couches, celeb-approved glassware, and small-but-mighty decor heroes. Whether you’re furnishing a living room, bedroom, kitchen, or outdoor space, the retailer makes it easy to find something for every room in your home.
What Is Crate & Barrel?
Crate & Barrel has been around since 1962, when it was founded by husband-and-wife team Gordon and Carole Segal in Chicago. The company is still headquartered in the Chicago area, and has grown to over 100 retail locations, primarily in the United States. Crate & Barrel’s offerings fit modern and contemporary decor styles, and the brand is known for its clean aesthetic, with a focus on neutral color palettes and more minimalist designs. In short, it’s a great place to shop for “quiet luxury” vibes.
In addition to furniture, Crate & Barrel sells pretty much everything else you need to furnish a home, including dinnerware, bedding, rugs, and lighting. (It’s a wedding registry mainstay for a reason.) It’s also known for its range of collaborations with popular interior designers, like Leanne Ford, Jake Arnold, and Athena Calderone. The company expanded in 2000 with the launch of CB2, which leans more contemporary, and again in 2001 with the acquisition of The Land of Nod, which became Crate & Kids in 2018.
Does Crate & Barrel Have Stores?
Yes, Crate & Barrel has over 100 storefronts and outlets in North America, as well as a few locations in South America and Asia.
Does Crate & Barrel Deliver?
Yes, Crate & Barrel has a few different delivery options. Standard delivery in the continental United States generally takes three to five business days, and is priced according to total merchandise value; premium and express delivery is more expensive. The company also ships to Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories, although delivery takes longer and is more expensive. International shipping is also available.
If you’re ordering furniture, you can opt for in-home delivery, which has a flat fee based on location and order value. Currently, orders under $999 that are located within 100 miles of a shipping point cost $159 for in-home delivery, while orders that are located over 100 miles from a shipping point cost $399.
Crate & Barrel accepts returns within 30 days of delivery, although you’ll have to pay for shipping (and original shipping fees are not refundable). There are some exceptions, though: Personalized items, custom furniture, and final-sale items are not able to be returned. That’s why it’s good to check out furniture in person if you have a store close by — and if you don’t, be sure to take advantage of free swatches before you add the item to your cart.
Is Crate & Barrel Furniture Easy to Assemble?
Most Crate & Barrel furniture is easy to assemble, but there are some exceptions. Bigger and heavier furniture items, like beds, dining tables, and storage units, require more effort in putting together — especially because you need at least two people. On the plus side, though, the brand does offer white-glove delivery for bigger furniture purchases, which makes the process as seamless as possible.
Are There Any Crate & Barrel Sales?
Yes, Crate & Barrel offers sales, deals, and promotions throughout the year. The biggest sales can be found during major holidays, like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day, as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The brand also typically offers seasonal warehouse and clearance sales, plus regular category-specific discounts.
Is Crate & Barrel Worth It?
We’re big fans of Crate & Barrel here at Apartment Therapy — particularly its decor and small-space furniture offerings. We’ve tested and reviewed its beds — Home Executive Director Danielle Blundell is a fan of their Caldwell bed especially — and we can speak to the quality of the store’s rugs.
The brand’s quality is dependably high, and the price range falls in the middle compared to high-end and budget brands — especially if you take advantage of sales. Crate & Barrel makes it easy to shop for your entire home in one place, and offers some convenient extras, like free design consultations and online guides, to help you decorate more confidently.
