Couch Comparisons

Room & Board vs Frontgate: Who Has Better Couches?

October 23, 2024

Can't decide between Room & Board and Frontgate for your next couch purchase? Let's break it down for you!

Alex Back | Couch.com CEO & Founder

Get your popcorn ready because we're about to witness a showdown between Room & Board and Frontgate. It's a battle of sofas, where style, quality, and customer service collide. Who will emerge victorious in this furniture face-off?

Side By Side

Features	Room & Board	Frontgate
Made to Order Lead Times	4-10 weeks	8-10 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option	$119	$179-$449
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option	Affirm	Frontgate Credit Card / Affirm / Klarna
Assembly Required		Varies
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin	USA	USA + Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price	$$$	$$-$$$$

Looking at style, durability, sustainability, and overall value, Room & Board excels in sustainability goals, American-made durability, and customer satisfaction. Frontgate stands out for its classic designs with modern touches, top-quality materials, and impressive warranty coverage. Room & Board falls under the premium price range while Frontgate covers mid-range to luxury, offering a range of styles and sustainable practices. Consider your preferences carefully to choose between the contemporary flair of Frontgate and the sustainable elegance of Room & Board.

BRAND #1: Room & Board

Founded in 1980, Room & Board is a veteran in the furniture industry, known for its timeless designs and commitment to American craftsmanship. They partner with local artisans and prioritize sustainability, setting ambitious goals for eco-friendly practices and materials. Their transparent approach to pricing and focus on customer satisfaction make them a trusted name in the furniture market.

Room & Board | Brand Summary

Room & Board gets it. They have a beautiful and useful website that makes shopping for a couch delightful. Their quality is excellent, their couches are made in the USA, and they have measurable and attainable sustainability goals. If their lead times were better and if they had an actual warranty on their couches then they would get a MAJOR bump in their PotatoMeter rating.

Compared to other well-known brands that offer stylish and affordable sofas, Room & Board provides a higher-end alternative with superior durability and quality. If you’re OK with those caveats, then Room & Board is a phenomenal choice for your couch purchase.

Room & Board | PotatoMeter Rating:

Online Shopping Experience Score	95%
Durability and Quality Score	91%
Shipping and Lead Time Score	89%
Vibe Check Score	97%
Customer Focus Score	87%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating	92%

Read Our Room & Board Brand Review

Room & Board | Pros & Cons

Pros

Beautiful and useful website
Excellent quality
Made in the USA
Measurable and attainable sustainability goals
"In Stock" fabric options for faster shipping
Free returns with no charge for return shipping

Cons

Long lead times for custom upholstery
Long delivery wait times
No warranty on couches
No sale events (bummer if you're looking for discounts)
Limited information on specific construction details

Room and Board offers a delightful online shopping experience with high-quality, American-made couches and a strong commitment to sustainability. However, their 4 to 10-week lead time for custom upholstery might test your patience. The $119 white glove delivery fee, while convenient, adds to the overall cost. They don't offer a warranty on their couches, relying instead on a guarantee, which could be a concern for some.

Despite these drawbacks, the focus of Room and Board furniture on quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction makes them a top contender for your next sofa purchase. Their "In Stock" fabric options are a great way to get your new couch faster, and their generous return policy provides peace of mind.

Shop Room & Board Now

BRAND #2: Frontgate

Frontgate, established in 1991, has carved a niche for itself by offering furniture that blends classic design with modern touches. They cater to customers who appreciate quality and are willing to invest in timeless pieces. The brand's emphasis on exclusive designs and customer experience, coupled with their commitment to sustainability, differentiates them in the market. While their sofas may not be the most budget-friendly option, they offer a luxurious and stylish addition to any living space.

Frontgate | Brand Summary

Frontgate has carved out a unique niche in the furniture market. They cater to a customer who appreciates classic design aesthetics but with a modern twist. Think clean lines, high-quality materials, and a focus on comfort that doesn't sacrifice style. While their sofas may not be the most playful or trendy, they're built to be timeless additions to your living room. But is timeless the same as boring? And how does their customer service stack up? In this review, we'll put Frontgate sofas to the test, assessing everything from comfort and construction to value and after-sales support. Get ready to peel back the layers and see if a Frontgate sofa deserves a spot on your Potatometer podium.

Frontgate | PotatoMeter Rating

Online Shopping Experience Score	93%
Durability and Quality Score	95%
Shipping and Lead Time Score	93%
Vibe Check Score	96%
Customer Focus Score	95%
Overall PotatoMeter Rating	94%

Read Our Frontgate Brand Review

Frontgate | Pros & Cons

Pros

Classic designs with a modern twist
High-quality materials (top-grain leather, performance fabrics)
10-year warranty on frames, 1-2 years on cushions
90-day return window
Free fabric swatches
Focus on sustainability

Cons

Long lead times for made-to-order sofas
Returns have fees and restrictions
White glove delivery is an extra fee
Assembly may be required for some sofas
Limited transparency regarding manufacturing partners

Frontgate, a haven for those seeking classic elegance with a contemporary flair, offers a diverse selection of sofas crafted from premium materials like top-grain leather and performance fabrics. Their commitment to quality is underscored by a generous 10-year warranty on frames, ensuring that your investment piece stands the test of time. Additionally, their 90-day return policy provides peace of mind, allowing ample time to determine if your new sofa is the perfect fit for your home.

However, this level of craftsmanship and attention to detail comes at a cost, as Frontgate sofas tend to be on the pricier side, with some models reaching luxury price points. While they offer free fabric swatches to aid in your decision-making process and provide a range of delivery options, including white-glove service, returns aren't entirely hassle-free. You might encounter restocking fees and have to handle the return shipping yourself, which could be a significant expense for larger items.

Despite these considerations, Frontgate's commitment to sustainability is a noteworthy highlight. Their efforts to incorporate recycled materials and utilize renewable energy demonstrate a conscious approach to furniture production. So, if you're drawn to timeless designs, prioritize quality, and value eco-conscious practices, Frontgate might be worth the splurge, even with the potential drawbacks and longer lead times for custom orders.

Shop Frontgate Now

And the winner is...

After a thorough analysis, Frontgate comes out as the clear winner with its classic designs, quality materials, and extensive warranty options. Its focus on customer service and top-grain leather offerings set it apart as a premium choice for discerning buyers. While Room & Board excels in sustainability, Frontgate's luxurious appeal and commitment to quality make it the standout winner in this couch showdown.

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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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