Image source:
Design Within Reach
Image source:
Crate & Barrel

Design Within Reach vs Crate & Barrel

What's the difference between Design Within Reach and Crate & Barrel

Design Within Reach (DWR) focuses on creating and sourcing furniture that is built to last and beautifully designed. They believe in design that inspires and solves problems, offering free design services to assist customers in creating a space they'll love coming home to. DWR was founded in 1998 by Rob Forbes, who sought to make clean, simple classics accessible to all. They curate inspiration for the home, connecting artisans and designers with people around the world. DWR is certified by FSC, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Greenguard Gold, and GOTS. They participate in equitable labor programs such as amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct. Crate & Barrel Holdings is an international destination for contemporary and modern furniture. With a distinct architectural aesthetic and experiential store environment, they engage with customers through various channels including social media and mobile shopping. Crate & Barrel is also certified by FSC, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Greenguard Gold, and GOTS. They are involved in the Fifteen Percent Pledge and adhere to the amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct. One key difference between the two retailers is that DWR claims to offer products made with organic cotton assembled in the USA while Crate & Barrel does not make any self-claimed benefits related to their products. Overall, both Design Within Reach and Crate & Barrel prioritize sustainability and safety through their product certifications but have different approaches when it comes to self-claimed benefits related to their products.

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

- Design Within Reach focuses on creating and sourcing exceptionally crafted, built-to-last, and beautifully designed furnishings. - Design Within Reach offers free design services to provide answers, advice, and inspiration to customers. - Design Within Reach was founded in 1998 with the goal of making modern design more accessible. - Design Within Reach became part of the Herman Miller family in 2015. - Crate and Barrel is an international destination for contemporary and modern furniture, housewares, and decor.

Company Description

Design Within Reach
Design Within Reach, founded in 1998 by Rob Forbes, is a retailer that specializes in offering exceptionally crafted and beautifully designed furnishings. With a commitment to sustainability, the company conducts its operations in an environmentally responsible manner and supports responsible forest management practices. Design Within Reach is dedicated to providing access to authentic modern design, bringing iconic pieces from renowned brands like Herman Miller directly to retail customers across the country. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, the retailer aims to create enduring benefits for clients, employees, and communities while promoting a space that inspires and solves problems through its free design services.
Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel Holdings is an international destination for contemporary and modern furniture, housewares and decor that help people welcome life in. With over 100 stores and franchise partners in 9 countries, Crate and Barrel employs 7,500 associates across Crate and Barrel and CB2. We curate inspiration for the home, connecting the creative work of artisans and designers to people and places around the world. Our lifestyle brands offer exclusive designs and timeless style with digital design tools for seamless shopping solutions. We prioritize sustainability through climate neutrality, sustainable materials, ethical supply chains, circular solutions, empowered employees, conscious customers, digital responsibility and more.

Differences at a Glance

Design Within Reach

Crate & Barrel

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

Stamford, Connecticut

1998

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Modern

MillerKnoll, Inc

None

$$$$

Mid-High

Yes

No

White Glove Delivery

Yes

No

No

Yes

Free

Yes

20%

Northbrook, Illinois

1962

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Traditional, Transitional

The Otto Group

10% Off Full Price Items

$$$

Mid-High

Yes

No

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free

Yes

20%

Sustainability Mission Comparison

Design Within Reach participates in equitable labor programs, including amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct. On the other hand, Crate & Barrel is involved in the Fifteen Percent Pledge and also adheres to the amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct.
Image source:
Design Within Reach
Image source:
Crate & Barrel

Sustainable Product Certifications and Programs

Design Within Reach

Crate & Barrel

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

No

White Glove Delivery

Yes

No

No

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

Design Within Reach
Design Within Reach is committed to environmental sustainability, aiming to minimize their impact on the environment through responsible operations and sustainable products. They prioritize conserving energy, proper waste disposal, reducing pollutants, and promoting sustainability. The company supports responsible forest management practices and ensures responsible wood sourcing. Additionally, they adhere to the Conflict Minerals Rules by refraining from purchasing minerals that may finance armed groups in Central Africa. Design Within Reach requires its suppliers to establish due diligence programs and certify that their products are "DRC conflict free" in accordance with the rules.
Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel is committed to making changes to create a better world for tomorrow. They are dedicated to using more sustainable materials, sourcing ethically, and testing products for quality assurance. With initiatives such as climate neutrality, sustainable materials, ethical supply chains, circular solutions and empowering employees, they are striving to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. They use FSC certified wood, organic cotton and recycled packaging. All textiles are tested to national standards and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® labeled upholstery and textiles are free of harmful substances. Ongoing investments in green building facilities, US upholsterers and manufacturers ensure responsible practices throughout the organization. Additionally they offer support to Feeding America®, Good 360, My Block My Hood My City (M3) as well as commit to increasing Black-owned business representation in their products. Crate & Barrel promises organic cotton and Assembled in the USA products.

Sustainable Product Certifications

Design Within Reach and Crate & Barrel have different product certifications. Design Within Reach is certified by FSC, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Greenguard Gold, and GOTS. On the other hand, Crate & Barrel also has certifications in FSC, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Greenguard Gold, and GOTS. Both retailers prioritize sustainability and safety by ensuring that some of their products meet these rigorous standards.

Design Within Reach

Crate & Barrel

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

No

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

Design Within Reach participates in equitable labor programs, including amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct. On the other hand, Crate & Barrel is involved in the Fifteen Percent Pledge and also adheres to the amfori BSCI - Code of Conduct.

Design Within Reach

Crate & Barrel

Goodweave

Fair Trade USA

Better Cotton Initiative

Craftmark

HERproject

Nest Ethical Handcraft Program

Fifteen Percent Pledge

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

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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