Image source:
Design Within Reach
Image source:
West Elm

Design Within Reach vs West Elm

What's the difference between Design Within Reach and West Elm

Design Within Reach (DWR) is focused on creating and sourcing furniture that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, with an emphasis on exceptional craftsmanship, durability, and beautiful design. They believe in design that inspires and solves problems. DWR offers free design services to help customers create a space they'll love coming home to. The company was founded in 1998 by Rob Forbes, who wanted to make clean, classic designs more accessible to everyone. DWR quickly gained popularity among architects, interior designers, the general public, and even the brands it struggled to access before. In 2015, DWR became part of the Herman Miller family. West Elm takes a different approach by using design to make positive impacts on the environment, communities, and customers. They prioritize sustainability initiatives by supporting ethical production practices and worker well-being. Their in-house team designs exclusive collections that are not available elsewhere. West Elm also collaborates with artisan collectives around the world to preserve handcraft traditions and create sustainable employment opportunities. They were the first home retailer to join Fair Trade USA. Both retailers have product certifications that ensure sustainability and environmental responsibility standards are met for certain products. Design Within Reach is certified by GOTS, FSC, OCS, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claims Standard (RCS), Greenguard Gold Certified (GGC), and REACH. West Elm also holds certifications in GOTS FSC OCS OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Global Recycled Standard Recycled Claims Standard Greenguard Gold Certified (GGC) REACH. However, there are differences between them when it comes to their commitment towards equitable labor programs. Design Within Reach participates in such programs while West Elm has certifications like Fair Trade USA Certified Better Cotton Initiative Craftmark HERproject Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program. Another difference lies in their sustainable claims for their products. Design Within Reach offers a range of self-claimed benefits including handcrafted, local, contract grade, assembled in the USA, low-VOC, non-toxic, reclaimed, recycled, upcycled products with water-based finishes and water efficiency. On the other hand, West Elm does not make any claims to unverified sustainable benefits. In summary, Design Within Reach focuses on creating durable and beautifully designed furniture that is accessible to all. They offer free design services and have an extensive list of product certifications. West Elm prioritizes sustainability initiatives and ethical production practices while collaborating with artisans

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. - West Elm prioritizes sustainability initiatives and ethical production in their product sales.

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.
West Elm
West Elm is a home furnishings retailer that uses design to help the environment, communities, and customers. The company's products are 95% designed in-house, and 60% of sales support sustainability initiatives. West Elm is a leader in sustainability, supporting small American-made businesses and collaborating with artisan collectives around the world. Certified organic cotton bedding and bath towels are sustainably sourced, and wood furniture is sustainably sourced. Certified nontoxic furniture has been screened for over 100,000 chemicals and VOCs. Founded in 2002, West Elm is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY.

Differences at a Glance

Design Within Reach

West Elm

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%

Brooklyn, New York

2002

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Mid-Century Modern

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

15%

$$

Mid

No

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free

Yes

20%

Sustainability Mission Comparison

Design Within Reach participates in equitable labor programs, while West Elm has certifications such as Fair Trade USA Certified, Better Cotton Initiative, Craftmark, HERproject, and Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program.
Image source:
Design Within Reach
Image source:
West Elm

Sustainable Product Certifications and Programs

Design Within Reach

West Elm

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

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

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.
West Elm
West Elm is committed to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. The company sources organic and sustainably sourced materials, such as FSC-certified wood, recycled polyester, and organic cotton. Its products are certified nontoxic and free from harmful chemicals. West Elm also uses handcrafted and local materials, as well as contract grade, low-VOC, reclaimed, recycled, upcycled, water-based finishes, and water efficient materials. By doing so, the company has saved 2.3 billion liters of water in 2019 and kept 66 million plastic bottles out of landfills in 2020.

Sustainable Product Certifications

Design Within Reach and West Elm have several product certifications. Design Within Reach is certified by GOTS, FSC, OCS, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Global Recycled Standard, Recycled Claims Standard, Greenguard Gold Certified, and REACH. West Elm also holds certifications in GOTS, FSC, OCS, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Global Recycled Standard, Recycled Claims Standard, Greenguard Gold Certified and REACH. Both retailers prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility by ensuring that some of their products meet these rigorous standards.

Design Within Reach

West Elm

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

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Design Within Reach participates in equitable labor programs, while West Elm has certifications such as Fair Trade USA Certified, Better Cotton Initiative, Craftmark, HERproject, and Nest's Ethical Handcraft Program.

Design Within Reach

West Elm

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

Yes

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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