Image source:
Room and Board
Image source:
Pottery Barn

Room and Board vs Pottery Barn

What's the difference between Room and Board and Pottery Barn

Room & Board and Pottery Barn are both furniture retailers that offer modern furnishings and prioritize quality craftsmanship. However, there are key differences between the two. Room & Board, founded in 1980, emphasizes trend-proof style with a balance of modern lines and timeless details. They focus on American craft by manufacturing over 90% of their furniture and decor locally, supporting local communities and businesses. They also prioritize sustainability through their construction methods and design choices. In terms of service, Room & Board is committed to exceptional customer satisfaction and supports local nonprofit organizations. On the other hand, Pottery Barn has been in operation for over 70 years and is known for exceptional quality at a great value. While they don't emphasize specific sustainability certifications or claims like Room & Board does, they do have product certifications such as GOTS Certified and FSC Certified. They also participate in various equitable labor programs such as the Better Cotton Initiative. Overall, Room & Board highlights their commitment to sustainability through various product certifications, use of organic cotton, reclaimed materials, handcrafted products, and contract-grade items. On the other hand, Pottery Barn does not make any specific claims to unverified sustainable benefits but focuses on offering exceptional quality at a great value.

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

CB2 has this but West Elm does not have it

- Room & Board specializes in modern furnishings, while Pottery Barn has been known for exceptional quality and value for over 70 years. - Room & Board focuses on artisan-crafted furniture designed to last, while Pottery Barn offers a wide range of products from various sources. - Room & Board supports local communities and businesses by having American manufacturers make more than 90% of their furniture, while Pottery Barn is a member of the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. - Room & Board emphasizes sustainability through quality construction and timeless design, while Pottery Barn prioritizes responsibly made and ethically sourced products. - Room & Board prides itself on exceptional service and supporting local nonprofit organizations, whereas Pottery Barn has a global reach with stores around the world.

Company Description

Room and Board
Room & Board is a leading furniture retailer known for its modern and timeless designs. With a commitment to sustainability, over 90% of their products are made in America using sustainably sourced wood and materials. They strive to be carbon neutral in their operations, with a goal of using 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Room & Board supports local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and values inclusivity and well-being for their staff members. Founded in 1980, they continue to prioritize quality craftsmanship and exceptional service across their nationwide stores and delivery centers.
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is an iconic home furnishings retailer that has provided quality, value and beautiful design for over 70 years. It has stores and catalogs around the world, as well as a website. Its sustainability mission includes planting 6 million trees by 2023, reaching 100% responsibly sourced cotton, investing in Fairtrade Community Development Funds, and reducing its carbon footprint. Its headquarters are based in San Francisco, California where it was founded in 1949.

Differences at a Glance

Room and Board

Pottery Barn

Headquarters

Year Founded

Store Type

Product Type

Aesthetic

Parent Company

Welcome Discount

Price

Quality Level

Reviews on Website

Free Returns

White Glove Delivery

Product Warranty

Registry Available

Made-to-Order Items

Free Swatches

Designer Collaborations

In-House Design Services

Trade Program

Trade Discount

Golden Valley, Minnesota

1980

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Transitional, Mid-Century Modern

None

None

$$$$

High

Yes

No

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

No

Yes

Yes

No

Free

Business Interiors Only

10% for Business Interiors

San Francisco, California

1949

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Traditional, Transitional

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

None

$$$

Mid-High

No

No

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free

Yes

20%

Sustainability Mission Comparison

Room and Board participates in equitable labor programs, while Pottery Barn has certifications such as the Better Cotton Initiative, Renewal Workshop, HERproject, Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program, and Fair Trade USA Certified.
Image source:
Room and Board
Image source:
Pottery Barn

Sustainable Product Certifications and Programs

Room and Board

Pottery Barn

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Warranty

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.

National Hardwood Lumber Association

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Sustainability Mission

Room and Board
Room and Board is a furniture retailer committed to sustainability. They prioritize sourcing wood responsibly, aiming to use 100% sustainably sourced wood by 2025. They are the first retailer to pursue using urban wood sourcing at scale and are a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Room and Board is working towards being carbon neutral in their operations, with a goal of 100% renewable electricity use by 2030. They are also focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electrifying their delivery fleet, achieving zero waste, and designing trend-proof furniture. They support craftspeople and staff members' well-being and donate 2% of profits annually to nonprofit organizations.
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is committed to sustainability by planting 6 million trees in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, sourcing 100% responsibly sourced cotton, keeping products and materials out of landfills, investing $7.2M in Fairtrade community development funds and reducing their carbon footprint. All products are organic cotton, reclaimed, recycled, handcrafted, or contract grade. This helps reduce collective carbon footprint and restore vulnerable forests. Pottery Barn is dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment.

Sustainable Product Certifications

Room and Board has several product certifications, including FSC Certified, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., and National Hardwood Lumber Association. On the other hand, Pottery Barn has GOTS Certified, FSC Certified, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, and Greenguard Gold Certified products.

Room and Board

Pottery Barn

FSC Certified

GOTS Certified

OCS Certified

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

EcoTex

Global Recycled Standard

Recycled Claims Standard

Greenguard Gold Certified

SCS Indoor Advantage Gold

REACH

Ecolable

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

No

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Room and Board participates in equitable labor programs, while Pottery Barn has certifications such as the Better Cotton Initiative, Renewal Workshop, HERproject, Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program, and Fair Trade USA Certified.

Room and Board

Pottery Barn

Goodweave

Fair Trade USA

Better Cotton Initiative

Craftmark

HERproject

Nest Ethical Handcraft Program

Fifteen Percent Pledge

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Contributor

Christi Farrell

Christi is a licensed architect and interior designer specializing in sustainability. She enjoys teaching design and bringing transparency to the impact that furniture has on our planet.

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