Seeking the coziest couch for your living space? Delve into the face-off between CB2 and West Elm to unveil the ultimate lounging legend! Who will win the battle for relaxation royalty?
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
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Get your cushions fluffed and your throw blankets ready because we're about to embark on a sofa saga showdown between CB2 and West Elm. Which brand will reign supreme in the world of stylish seating? Let's find out!
Side By Side
Features
CB2
West Elm
Made to Order Lead Times
8 weeks
8+ weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$279-$399
$279-$429
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
CB2 Credit Card
Affirm
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
Import
Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$$
$$-$$$
In the comparison between CB2 and West Elm, we see two contenders with distinct offerings. CB2 shines with its high-end, stylish designs, appealing to those looking for a touch of luxury in their living spaces. On the other hand, West Elm focuses on durability, sustainability, and value, catering to customers seeking budget-friendly options without compromising quality. While CB2 targets design enthusiasts with its glamorous couches, West Elm appeals to a broader audience with its practical and eco-friendly approach, providing sofas that balance style, durability, and sustainability.
BRAND #1: CB2
CB2, the younger sibling of Crate & Barrel, is a modern furniture brand that pushes the boundaries of design with its innovative and eye-catching pieces. They collaborate with top designers to create a unique aesthetic that blends contemporary style with a touch of eclecticism. CB2 is known for its emphasis on high-quality materials and craftsmanship, although their pricing tends to be on the higher end. While they have set ambitious sustainability goals, the lack of a warranty and strict return policy may be areas for improvement.
CB2 | Brand Summary
CB2 offers glamorous, stunning couch options, but their nonexistent warranty, concerning return policies, and expensive delivery charges are issues that are impossible to ignore. I love so much about the presentation, the brand, and the selection, but there’s room for serious improvement in the customer focus department.
Strict return policy for custom orders (non-returnable)
Expensive delivery charges
Requires 50% non-refundable deposit on custom orders
Limited transparency regarding materials and construction details
CB2 certainly knows how to make a statement with their glamorous and stylish sofas, featuring an impressive selection of high-quality fabrics and a handy online sectional builder for those who crave a truly custom piece.
Their white-glove delivery option adds a touch of luxury to the experience, while the availability of free swatches helps you confidently choose the perfect fabric.
However, CB2's allure might lose some of its luster when you delve deeper into their policies. The lack of a warranty on their couches is a notable concern, especially considering their price point. Additionally, their return policy is quite strict, especially for custom orders, which are non-returnable and require a hefty deposit.
Ultimately, CB2 could be a dream come true for design enthusiasts seeking a statement piece, as long as you're confident in your choices and willing to forgo the safety net of a warranty.
West Elm launched in 2002 and opened its first storefront in 2003. They're owned and operated by Williams-Sonoma who also owns Pottery Barn. Despite their corporate nature, West Elm actually has a great emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives.
West Elm | Brand Summary
West Elm has stylish, modern furniture with the quality and backing of the Williams-Sonoma brand. They have surprisingly competitive prices considering their selection and their quality. They also get some points for focusing on sustainability and supporting a worldwide community of artisans.
But operating under the umbrella of Williams-Sonoma does have downsides. Most of West Elm's couches are imported from overseas, they don't have any meaningful warranty program, and the lead times could be better than they are. West Elm's prices are more affordable than other brands with similar styles, but there's also not a strong reason why you should choose West Elm over another brand that has better lead times and a stronger customer focus.
Competitive pricing, especially on their leather options
3rd party warranty option
Strong sustainability initiatives
Has brick-and-mortar locations
Cons
Couches are all imported
No standard warranty
Can't return made to order couches
7 day return window may not apply even to In-Stock options
Shockingly low 1.1 star rating on TrustPilot
Is West Elm good quality? The brand has become a go-to brand for stylish sofas at surprisingly affordable prices. But those lower prices come at a cost. There’s no standard warranty on their couches, made-to-order couches can’t be returned, and their 7-day return window may not apply to their In-Stock or Quick Ship couches. That could make them an expensive gamble. Additionally, West Elm has a very low 1.1-star rating on Trustpilot, which could give you pause. But one saving grace is that you can purchase a 3-year Allstate Protection warranty for your sofa. This covers accidents, stains, material damage, and more.
On the positive side, West Elm has a huge number of glamorous couches to choose from. They’re also generally available in a wide range of luxury fabrics. So you can really design a couch that you love. The pricing is wonderfully competitive for their quality and the number of sofa styles available. West Elm also has plenty of brick-and-mortar locations where you can test out their couches in person. And if sustainability is important to you, West Elm has some impressive initiatives on that front. However, they are part of a big corporate umbrella, which might negatively affect some shoppers.
After a thorough comparison, the crown for the best couch brand goes to West Elm. With its emphasis on durability, sustainability, and value, West Elm strikes the perfect balance between style and practicality, making it the ideal choice for customers looking for long-lasting, eco-friendly seating options.
Alex Back
Couch.com CEO & Founder
Alex Back is the founder and CEO of Couch.com. Previously, he was the co-founder and COO of the popular furniture brand, Apt2B, which was acquired by a large US retail furniture chain in 2018. He worked to integrate Apt2B, one of the very first online furniture retailers on the Shopify platform, into the operations of the 100 year old larger business entity and was deeply immersed in the business operations of both online and brick and mortar retail for 4 years before leaving in 2023 to start Couch.com. Working in various parts of the furniture industry since 2004, he has 20 years experience in retail sales, e-commerce, marketing, operations, logistics and wholesale manufacturing and distribution. He has worked extensively with partners such as Costco, Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon and his work has been highlighted in many publications such as Forbes, CNN and HGTV, among others. Alex is delighted to bring his experience and authority on couches and the furniture industry to this platform, along with many of his industry colleagues who are helping him keep the Couch.com audience informed and engaged on a daily basis.
