Couch Comparisons

Crate and Barrel vs Ashley Furniture: Who Has Better Couches?

Wading through a sea of couch options, do you lean towards the sophisticated charm of Crate and Barrel or the cozy allure of Ashley Furniture? Get ready to discover your ideal couch companion amidst these two furniture giants.
Crate and Barrel vs Ashley Furniture

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Step into the ring of home furnishings where Crate and Barrel squares off against Ashley Furniture in an ultimate couch-off. Who will steal the show with their sofa prowess? Get front-row seats for this stylish showdown.

Side By Side

Features
Crate and Barrel
Ashley Furniture
Made to Order Lead Times 4-10 weeks N/A
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option $279-$399 $99.99-$249.99+
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option Crate and Barrel Credit Card Ashley Advantage Card / Acima
Assembly Required Varies
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin USA + Import USA + Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price $$$ $$

Looking at Crate and Barrel versus Ashley Furniture, style preferences and durability take center stage. While Crate and Barrel leans towards the premium range with a focus on modern aesthetics and a white-glove delivery experience, Ashley Furniture offers sturdy constructions at a budget-friendly price, emphasizing affordability and convenience. When considering sustainability and overall value, both brands bring distinct strengths to the table, catering to varied buyer needs.


BRAND #1: Crate and Barrel

The image shows the Crate & Barrel logo, consisting of the words "Crate&Barrel" in bold, black font on a white background.

Crate and Barrel, founded in 1962 by George and Carole Segal, emerged from a passion for simple, beautiful, and practical housewares discovered during their European honeymoon. With over 60 years of experience, the brand has become a household name, celebrated for its modern, timeless style and high-end aesthetic. Boasting a wide range of products for the entire home and numerous physical stores across North America and internationally, Crate & Barrel has solidified its position as an aspirational brand for those seeking a touch of elegance in their living spaces.

Crate and Barrel | Brand Summary

Crate & Barrel is a brand name that everyone knows. Crate and Barrel collaborates with artists and designers worldwide to curate globally inspired designs. Everyone has a sense that they’re a high-end, somewhat luxury brand with a price point that’s not outside the realm of attainability. They have a modern, tasteful-yet-inoffensive style that works well in most modern homes.

Crate and Barrel outlet stores are elegant and chic, but does that same style translate to their online shopping experience? Lackluster customer focus and dodgy transparency detract from an otherwise beautiful selection of couches.

Crate and Barrel | PotatoMeter Rating:

Online Shopping Experience Score 91%
Durability and Quality Score 85%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 86%
Vibe Check Score 89%
Customer Focus Score 82%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 87%
Read Our Crate and Barrel Brand Review

Crate and Barrel | Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Beautiful, high-end aesthetic
  • Modern, tasteful style
  • Wide variety of fabric options
  • Some couches made in the USA
  • White glove delivery service
  • Offers free fabric swatches for easy selection

Cons

  • Unclear Crate and Barrel warranty terms
  • Limited returns on custom orders
  • Inconsistent lead times
  • Mixed customer service Crate and Barrel reviews
  • High prices for quality level

Crate & Barrel, a household name in home furnishings, offers a stylish selection of sofas that blend modern flair with classic appeal. However, the allure of their elegant designs is tempered by some notable drawbacks.

The lack of a clear warranty policy raises concerns about long-term support. Additionally, the restrictive return policy for custom orders, coupled with inconsistent lead times, can lead to frustration for buyers seeking flexibility and timely delivery.

While these shortcomings are worth considering, Crate and Barrel also boasts several compelling advantages.

The brand's extensive fabric selection, detailed cleaning instructions, and complimentary swatches empower customers to make informed choices and maintain their sofas' pristine condition. White-glove delivery adds a touch of luxury to the purchasing experience, ensuring your new furniture arrives hassle-free. Furthermore, the availability of some USA-made collections appeals to those who prioritize domestic craftsmanship.

Overall, Crate & Barrel sofas offer a blend of style and convenience, albeit with some caveats. If you're willing to navigate the potential pitfalls and prioritize aesthetics and fabric choices, their collection might hold the perfect piece for your home.

Shop Crate and Barrel Now

BRAND #2: Ashley Furniture

The image features the logo of Ashley Furniture. It includes an orange outline of a simple house shape above the word "ASHLEY" written in bold, black capital letters.

From humble beginnings in 1945, Ashley Furniture has grown into a global powerhouse, known for their massive selection of affordable and stylish furniture. They prioritize convenience and accessibility, offering both online and in-store shopping experiences. While they don't boast the most luxurious materials, their focus on value and their commitment to community and environmental efforts make them a popular choice for families and budget-conscious shoppers alike.

Ashley Furniture | Brand Summary

Ashley Furniture is like the big box store of the furniture world. They offer a dizzying array of styles, and you’re almost guaranteed to find something that fits your budget. Ashley Furniture Homestore is known for its customer experiences with purchasing furniture, highlighting both positive aspects such as affordable pricing and extensive selection, and negative experiences involving delivery issues and varying furniture quality. They have a laser focus on affordability.

While you won’t usually find exclusive designer pieces, their furniture is surprisingly sturdy for the price point. Ashley Furniture's focus on affordability and extensive selection makes it a popular choice among budget-conscious shoppers. Their online shopping platform makes it easy to browse their extensive selection and find the perfect piece for your home.

Ashley Furniture | PotatoMeter Rating

Online Shopping Experience Score 93%
Durability and Quality Score 93%
Shipping and Lead Time Score 90%
Vibe Check Score 95%
Customer Focus Score 93%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating 93%
Read Our Ashley Furniture Brand Review

Ashley Furniture | Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Wide array of styles and budget-friendly options
  • Surprisingly sturdy construction for the price
  • Multiple delivery options including white-glove
  • Easy online shopping experience
  • One-year warranty with labor coverage
  • Commitment to community and environmental efforts

Cons

  • Limited customization options
  • Warranty coverage could be more comprehensive
  • Vague information on materials and sourcing
  • Potential inconsistency in quality between different models
  • Reguard protection plans cost extra

Ashley Furniture is your friendly neighborhood giant in the furniture world, with options galore to suit any style and budget. Ashley Furniture couches are surprisingly sturdy for the price, and their commitment to making shopping easy shines through with a user-friendly website, multiple delivery options, and even in-store pickup for the adventurous. They even offer a one-year warranty with labor coverage, which is a bonus in this price range.

But hey, even giants have their shortcomings. While their sofas might not be heirloom-quality, they're definitely built for real life. However, customization options are limited, and the materials and sourcing information could be more transparent. The standard warranty, while a good start, could be more comprehensive, and those extra protection plans will cost you.

If you're looking for a stylish, affordable sofa without the fuss, Ashley Furniture is worth checking out. Just be sure to do your research and choose a model that fits your needs and lifestyle. After all, a couch is more than just a place to sit – it's where life happens.

Shop Ashley Furniture Now

And the winner is...

As the dust settles in the arena of couch contenders, Ashley Furniture stands out as the ultimate winner due to its sturdy constructions, affordability, and commitment to sustainability. Offering value-packed sofas with a focus on community and environmental efforts, Ashley Furniture shines bright as the preferred choice for the budget-conscious yet quality-seeking buyer.

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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.
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