Image source:
The Citizenry
Image source:
Room and Board

The Citizenry vs Room and Board

What's the difference between The Citizenry and Room and Board

The Citizenry and Room & Board are two furniture retailers that offer distinct approaches to design, sourcing, and sustainability. The Citizenry sets itself apart with a focus on global style and craftsmanship. They collaborate with local artisans from different countries, blending their modern style with traditional techniques. By personally traveling to each country and using local materials, The Citizenry establishes sustainable relationships with their artisans. They sell directly to customers online, eliminating middlemen and offering handmade goods at more reasonable prices than traditional luxury boutiques. The brand also emphasizes fair trade practices and supports artisan communities through fair wages, happy working environments, and sustaining grants. On the other hand, Room & Board takes pride in its trend-proof style and American craftsmanship. They design pieces that balance modern lines with timeless details, ensuring long-lasting appeal beyond fleeting trends. More than 90% of their furniture is made by American manufacturers, supporting local communities across the country. Quality construction and timeless design are at the forefront of their approach to sustainability. In terms of certifications, The Citizenry holds several certifications such as GOTS Certified (Global Organic Textile Standard), OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 (certifying the absence of harmful substances in textiles), FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council), and SVLK Timber Legality Verification. Room & Board is also FSC Certified but additionally holds Sustainable Forestry Initiative certification along with others including Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., and National Hardwood Lumber Association. While both retailers prioritize ethical practices in their sourcing models, The Citizenry participates in the World Fair Trade Organization Guarantee while Room & Board has equitable labor programs in place. Additionally, The Citizenry promotes several self-claimed benefits such as being assembled in the USA, artisan handmade production methods using reclaimed/recycled/salvaged wood; whereas Room & Board does not make any specific claims regarding unverified sustainable benefits. Overall, The Citizenry caters to those seeking a global aesthetic and a connection to the artisans behind the products. Room & Board, on the other hand, appeals to customers who value American craftsmanship and timeless design.

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

- The Citizenry focuses on global style, partnering with artisans from different countries to blend modern design with traditional techniques. - The Citizenry offers small batch, handcrafted items that are available in limited quantities. - The Citizenry is committed to fair trade standards and pays artisans fairly for their skills. - Room & Board emphasizes trend-proof style, balancing modern lines with timeless details. - Room & Board supports American manufacturers, with over 90% of their furniture and decor being made in the USA. - Room & Board prioritizes sustainability through quality construction and timeless design. - Both retailers prioritize exceptional service and support local communities through nonprofit organizations.

Company Description

The Citizenry
The Citizenry is a Dallas-based retailer founded in 2014 that specializes in ethically crafted and sustainably sourced home goods. With a focus on celebrating the people behind their products, they travel the world to partner with master artisans, blending modern style with time-tested techniques. By eliminating middlemen and selling directly to customers online, The Citizenry offers handmade goods at more reasonable prices than traditional luxury boutiques. They prioritize fair trade standards, paying artisans fairly for their skills, and are committed to sustainability with organic materials, non-toxic certifications, responsible forestry methods, and ethical sourcing of wool and leather.
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.

Differences at a Glance

The Citizenry

Room and Board

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

Dallas, Texas

2014

Online, Showroom

Furniture, Furnishings

Global Modern

None

None

$$$$

Mid-High

Yes

No

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

No

Yes

Available for a Fee

Not Available

Yes

10%

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

Sustainability Mission Comparison

The Citizenry participates in the World Fair Trade Organization Guarantee, while Room and Board has equitable labor programs in place.
Image source:
The Citizenry
Image source:
Room and Board

Sustainable Product Certifications and Programs

The Citizenry

Room and Board

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Warranty

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.

National Hardwood Lumber Association

Yes

Yes

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

Yes

White Glove Delivery

Not Specified

No

Yes

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

Sustainability Mission

The Citizenry
The Citizenry is a retailer that prioritizes people and the planet, offering home goods with soul and a story. They celebrate the individuals behind their products, fostering connections across cultures and continents. Their designs combine ethical craftsmanship with elevated design, guaranteeing fair trade processes and paying double the wage requirement. Partnering with master artisans, they create exclusive collections using all-natural materials and age-old craft techniques that have low carbon emissions and zero waste. The Citizenry is committed to sustainability, sourcing organic cotton, ensuring nontoxic bedding, responsibly sourcing wood products, and ethically sourcing wool and leather materials.
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.

Sustainable Product Certifications

The Citizenry is GOTS Certified, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, FSC Certified, and SVLK Timber Legality Verification. Room and Board is FSC Certified, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., and National Hardwood Lumber Association. Neither retailer has any additional certifications.

The Citizenry

Room and Board

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

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Sustainable and Equitable Labor Programs

The Citizenry participates in the World Fair Trade Organization Guarantee, while Room and Board has equitable labor programs in place.

The Citizenry

Room and Board

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.

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