Inside Weather vs Crate and Barrel: Who Has Better Couches?
Looking for the perfect couch? Wondering if Inside Weather or Crate and Barrel has your ideal match? In a world full of sofa choices, who will emerge victorious in this epic furniture showdown?
Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder
Step right up as we unravel the enchanting tale of two sofa superstars: Inside Weather and Crate and Barrel. Get ready to explore the realms of comfort, style, and quality as these furniture juggernauts battle it out in the ultimate couch comparison.
Side By Side
Features
Inside Weather
Crate and Barrel
Made to Order Lead Times
5-6 weeks
4-10 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$175
$279-$399
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Shop Pay
Crate and Barrel Credit Card
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA
USA + Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$$$
$$$
In the realm of style and sustainability, Inside Weather stands out with its eco-friendly practices and robust customization, ideal for those prioritizing a green lifestyle. When it comes to durability and quality, Inside Weather's focus on sustainable materials could offer long-term value. In contrast, Crate and Barrel offers a wider variety of styles and high-end aesthetics, appealing to buyers seeking elegance and a touch of luxury.
BRAND #1: Inside Weather
Inside Weather was founded in 2018 with the goal of bringing sustainable, eco-friendly, modular sofas to the masses. Their Bondi Sofa is extremely stylish and has become an incredibly popular option for families.
Inside Weather | Brand Summary
Inside Weather has a gorgeous website and an incredible emphasis on sustainability. They only offer two couches, including the versatile and comfortable Bondi sectional, which is particularly well-suited for households with pets and children. The Bondi sectional is praised for its durability, modern aesthetics, ease of maintenance, and flexible modular design that enhances living space functionality. Both couches are beautiful and extremely customizable (thanks in no small part to the hundreds of cleanable fabric options).
However, the questionable material quality for the price, the farce of a 365 day trial period, and the lack of customer review transparency undermines an otherwise nice offering.
Massive emphasis on sustainability (sustainably-sourced hardwood frames)
Free shipping (orders over $1,500)
High quality, eco-friendly fabric options (some machine washable!)
Cons
Misleading and pricey 365-day home trial return option
Only a 1-year warranty
No spring support system
Assembly can be challenging
Only 2 in-person showrooms
You might love the way Inside Weather’s Bondi Sofa looks, but here are a few things to consider before you buy it. The return policy of Insider Weather can be misleading and pricey. The 10-25% return fee is based on pre-discounted pricing. And with such large discounts (sometimes 50% off), you could spend thousands to return your Bondi Sofa.
While we love the style of the Bondi Inside Weather couch and its hardwood frame, the support system is elastic webbing, which isn’t super durable and it isn’t great at this price point.
If you don’t pony up for the white glove delivery, you could face a challenging assembly process.
But don’t let the cons spook you. Inside Weather’s Bondi has plenty of pros. There are tons of ways to configure and customize your Bondi Sofa. Inside Weather also has tremendous, eco-friendly fabric options to choose from. They’re super cleanable and many are machine washable.
Their hardwood frames are sustainably sourced, and many of their materials have eco-friendly benefits, too.
Any order over $1,500 ships free, and you can add on white glove delivery (including assembly) for only $175. That’s a budget-friendly white glove option, especially with the amount of assembly required.
The Bondi is also made in the USA using high-quality craftsmanship. This majorly cuts down on Inside Weather’s carbon footprint.
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 & 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.
In the battle of the couches, Inside Weather clinches victory with its sustainability, style, and customization options. The eco-friendly practices and durable design make Inside Weather the go-to choice for those seeking a perfect blend of modern aesthetics and environmental consciousness.
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.
