Image source:
Room and Board
Image source:
Poly and Bark

Room and Board vs Poly and Bark

What's the difference between Room and Board and Poly and Bark

Room & Board and Poly & Bark are two furniture retailers with distinct differences. Room & Board, founded in 1980, offers modern furnishings that are artisan crafted and designed to last. They prioritize trend-proof style, balancing modern lines with timeless details. More than 90% of their furniture and decor is made by American manufacturers, supporting local communities and craftspeople. They also prioritize sustainability by focusing on quality construction and timeless design that is kinder to the planet. Exceptional service is a key aspect of their brand, ensuring customers feel welcome and satisfied throughout the entire process. Additionally, Room & Board supports local nonprofit organizations in the communities they operate in. Poly & Bark takes a different approach to furniture retailing. Their collections draw inspiration from a blend of global cultures while paying homage to expert craftsmen traditions. Each product is thoughtfully designed for comfort, durability, and aesthetic appeal. As an online-only company, they eliminate costs associated with maintaining physical showrooms and middlemen markups, allowing them to offer pricing up to 50% lower than traditional retailers. In terms of certifications, Room & Board holds several product certifications such as 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, Poly & Bark does not have any certifications. Both Room & Board and Poly & Bark prioritize equitable labor practices for their employees. While Room & Board participates in equitable labor programs to ensure fair treatment and working conditions for their workforce, Poly & Bark also has similar programs in place. Neither retailer makes claims about unverified sustainable benefits or un-certified sustainable practices. In summary, Room & Board focuses on modern furnishings with timeless details while supporting American manufacturers and local communities. Poly & Bark offers globally inspired designs that are carefully constructed for comfort while eliminating unnecessary costs associated with brick-and-mortar showrooms. Both retailers prioritize equitable labor practices, but Room & Board holds several product certifications while Poly & Bark does not. Neither retailer makes claims to unverified sustainable benefits or un-certified sustainable practices.

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 offers modern furnishings with a focus on artisan craftsmanship and durability, while Poly & Bark creates furniture that is thoughtfully designed for comfort, durability, and aesthetic appeal. - Room & Board supports local communities and businesses by having American manufacturers make over 90% of their furniture and decor, while Poly & Bark eliminates the costs of maintaining brick-and-mortar showrooms to offer pricing up to 50% less than traditional retailers. - Room & Board emphasizes sustainability through quality construction and timeless design, while Poly & Bark pays careful attention to every step of the manufacturing process to ensure picture-perfect furniture. - Room & Board provides exceptional service and supports local nonprofit organizations in the communities where they operate, while Poly & Bark focuses on creating furniture that fits customers' lives and offers incredible design, impeccable quality, and lasting durability.

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.
Poly and Bark
Poly & Bark is an online furniture retailer that provides quality, affordable pieces to make home a haven. Their collections are globally inspired, featuring updated takes on iconic furniture and much-loved classics. Careful attention is paid to every detail from design to construction to ensure the highest quality product. By being an online company, they can pass on the savings of not having a brick and mortar showroom or middle man markups on to the customer - pricing up to 50% less than traditional retailers. Founded in 2016, their mission is to make stylish furniture available for everyone in Chicago, Illinois and beyond.

Differences at a Glance

Room and Board

Poly and Bark

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

Chicago, Illinois

2016

Online

Furniture, Furnishings

Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern

None

$25 Off First Order Of $100+

$$

Mid

Yes

One Item Free Of Charge Per Category

White Glove Delivery

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Not Available

Yes

5% on orders $5,000+

Sustainability Mission Comparison

Room and Board participates in equitable labor programs, ensuring fair treatment and working conditions for their employees. On the other hand, Poly and Bark also has equitable labor programs in place to promote fairness and well-being among their workforce.
Image source:
Room and Board
Image source:
Poly and Bark

Sustainable Product Certifications and Programs

Room and Board

Poly and Bark

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

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

White Glove Delivery

Yes

No

No

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.
Poly and Bark
Poly and Bark is a retailer that specializes in modern furniture designs. While the company has not specified a sustainability mission, they have made sustainability claims such as using materials sourced from renewable forests and minimizing their carbon footprint while shipping. Poly and Bark is committed to providing customers with quality furniture that is produced in an environmentally-friendly manner, helping to promote sustainable practices within the industry.

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, Poly and Bark does not have any certifications.

Room and Board

Poly and Bark

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

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Room and Board participates in equitable labor programs, ensuring fair treatment and working conditions for their employees. On the other hand, Poly and Bark also has equitable labor programs in place to promote fairness and well-being among their workforce.

Room and Board

Poly and Bark

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

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.

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates!

More from Studio Marlowe