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- We shopped at Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel to see which was a better furniture store - and the winner was clear
We shopped at Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel to see which was a better furniture store - and the winner was clear
My first stop was Manhattan's only Crate & Barrel store.
![We shopped at Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel to see which was a better furniture store - and the winner was clear](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-64180778%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-91742%2Fmy-first-stop-was-manhattans-only-crate-barrel-store-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Immediately in the entryway was a sign advertising 20% off outdoor dish sets.
![Immediately in the entryway was a sign advertising 20% off outdoor dish sets.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180777,width-700,height-525,imgsize-93465/immediately-in-the-entryway-was-a-sign-advertising-20-off-outdoor-dish-sets-.jpg)
The environment of the store was very inviting. The dim yellow lights and soft music created a very mellow atmosphere, making it feel homey. There was a ton of decor at the front of the store.
![The environment of the store was very inviting. The dim yellow lights and soft music created a very mellow atmosphere, making it feel homey. There was a ton of decor at the front of the store.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180776,width-700,height-525,imgsize-109846/the-environment-of-the-store-was-very-inviting-the-dim-yellow-lights-and-soft-music-created-a-very-mellow-atmosphere-making-it-feel-homey-there-was-a-ton-of-decor-at-the-front-of-the-store-.jpg)
Crate & Barrel sold an assortment of faux plants, lighting, throw pillows, vases, and other decor.
![Crate & Barrel sold an assortment of faux plants, lighting, throw pillows, vases, and other decor.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180775,width-700,height-525,imgsize-108613/crate-barrel-sold-an-assortment-of-faux-plants-lighting-throw-pillows-vases-and-other-decor-.jpg)
The kitchen products took up a huge portion of the first floor. There were tons of pots and pans to choose from, ranging in price from $70 to almost $400. It also sold place mats, cutlery, dishes, serving plates, and more.
![The kitchen products took up a huge portion of the first floor. There were tons of pots and pans to choose from, ranging in price from $70 to almost $400. It also sold place mats, cutlery, dishes, serving plates, and more.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180774,width-700,height-525,imgsize-91048/the-kitchen-products-took-up-a-huge-portion-of-the-first-floor-there-were-tons-of-pots-and-pans-to-choose-from-ranging-in-price-from-70-to-almost-400-it-also-sold-place-mats-cutlery-dishes-serving-plates-and-more-.jpg)
The displays were kept simple, aiming to emulate what the dish set would look like in someone's home.
![The displays were kept simple, aiming to emulate what the dish set would look like in someone](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180771,width-700,height-525,imgsize-88224/the-displays-were-kept-simple-aiming-to-emulate-what-the-dish-set-would-look-like-in-someones-home-.jpg)
Dishes were sold individually, ranging from $2-8 a piece.
![Dishes were sold individually, ranging from $2-8 a piece.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180770,width-700,height-525,imgsize-62930/dishes-were-sold-individually-ranging-from-2-8-a-piece-.jpg)
There was a wall of glasses in a similar price range to the dish sets.
![There was a wall of glasses in a similar price range to the dish sets.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180768,width-700,height-525,imgsize-109811/there-was-a-wall-of-glasses-in-a-similar-price-range-to-the-dish-sets-.jpg)
Near the kitchen section was a display of outdoor furniture ...
![Near the kitchen section was a display of outdoor furniture ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180767,width-700,height-525,imgsize-108982/near-the-kitchen-section-was-a-display-of-outdoor-furniture-.jpg)
... and an array of outdoor dish sets and decor.
![... and an array of outdoor dish sets and decor.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180766,width-700,height-525,imgsize-91165/-and-an-array-of-outdoor-dish-sets-and-decor-.jpg)
Most of the furniture was housed upstairs.
![Most of the furniture was housed upstairs.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180765,width-700,height-525,imgsize-83832/most-of-the-furniture-was-housed-upstairs-.jpg)
Natural light flooded the floor, making it an inviting space that was nice to shop in.
![Natural light flooded the floor, making it an inviting space that was nice to shop in.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180764,width-700,height-525,imgsize-67532/natural-light-flooded-the-floor-making-it-an-inviting-space-that-was-nice-to-shop-in-.jpg)
There was a big selection of bed frames and linens, and everything was very modern and bright.
![There was a big selection of bed frames and linens, and everything was very modern and bright.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180763,width-700,height-525,imgsize-82448/there-was-a-big-selection-of-bed-frames-and-linens-and-everything-was-very-modern-and-bright-.jpg)
Many shoppers were sitting on the couches and chairs as if they were in their own living room.
![Many shoppers were sitting on the couches and chairs as if they were in their own living room.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180761,width-700,height-525,imgsize-77530/many-shoppers-were-sitting-on-the-couches-and-chairs-as-if-they-were-in-their-own-living-room-.jpg)
Furniture displays were thoughtfully arranged to show what a room might look like if you were to purchase the entire collection. Most of the displays were gorgeous.
![Furniture displays were thoughtfully arranged to show what a room might look like if you were to purchase the entire collection. Most of the displays were gorgeous.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180759,width-700,height-525,imgsize-87674/furniture-displays-were-thoughtfully-arranged-to-show-what-a-room-might-look-like-if-you-were-to-purchase-the-entire-collection-most-of-the-displays-were-gorgeous-.jpg)
Crate & Barrel also had a custom design center where shoppers can customize the color, size, and other features of the furniture they're buying.
![Crate & Barrel also had a custom design center where shoppers can customize the color, size, and other features of the furniture they](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180758,width-700,height-525,imgsize-70081/crate-barrel-also-had-a-custom-design-center-where-shoppers-can-customize-the-color-size-and-other-features-of-the-furniture-theyre-buying-.jpg)
Next, I stopped by Pottery Barn in Manhattan's Flatiron District. The outdoor furnishings were front and center, and like at Crate & Barrel, they were on sale.
![Next, I stopped by Pottery Barn in Manhattan](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180757,width-700,height-525,imgsize-109038/next-i-stopped-by-pottery-barn-in-manhattans-flatiron-district-the-outdoor-furnishings-were-front-and-center-and-like-at-crate-barrel-they-were-on-sale-.jpg)
The store had a warm and inviting environment. It was a smaller space than Crate & Barrel, so it was a little more cramped to shop in.
![The store had a warm and inviting environment. It was a smaller space than Crate & Barrel, so it was a little more cramped to shop in.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180755,width-700,height-525,imgsize-101256/the-store-had-a-warm-and-inviting-environment-it-was-a-smaller-space-than-crate-barrel-so-it-was-a-little-more-cramped-to-shop-in-.jpg)
The displays were more extravagant than at Crate & Barrel, but there was a smaller variety of styles and colors.
![The displays were more extravagant than at Crate & Barrel, but there was a smaller variety of styles and colors.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180754,width-700,height-525,imgsize-121479/the-displays-were-more-extravagant-than-at-crate-barrel-but-there-was-a-smaller-variety-of-styles-and-colors-.jpg)
The prices were similar at each store, though Pottery Barn was slightly more expensive. This set of dishes started at $8, for example.
![The prices were similar at each store, though Pottery Barn was slightly more expensive. This set of dishes started at $8, for example.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180753,width-700,height-525,imgsize-90652/the-prices-were-similar-at-each-store-though-pottery-barn-was-slightly-more-expensive-this-set-of-dishes-started-at-8-for-example-.jpg)
Pottery Barn had a dedicated outdoor shop ...
![Pottery Barn had a dedicated outdoor shop ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180751,width-700,height-525,imgsize-98644/pottery-barn-had-a-dedicated-outdoor-shop-.jpg)
... a wall of faux plants and decor ...
![... a wall of faux plants and decor ...](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180750,width-700,height-525,imgsize-111333/-a-wall-of-faux-plants-and-decor-.jpg)
... and a good amount of lighting and furniture. However, Pottery Barn didn't seem to have quite as many styles and furniture that Crate & Barrel did.
![... and a good amount of lighting and furniture. However, Pottery Barn didn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180749,width-700,height-525,imgsize-104717/-and-a-good-amount-of-lighting-and-furniture-however-pottery-barn-didnt-seem-to-have-quite-as-many-styles-and-furniture-that-crate-barrel-did-.jpg)
It also was clearly catering to the New York City crowd with a whole department dedicated to apartment living, which Crate & Barrel didn't appear to have in its store.
![It also was clearly catering to the New York City crowd with a whole department dedicated to apartment living, which Crate & Barrel didn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180748,width-700,height-525,imgsize-96477/it-also-was-clearly-catering-to-the-new-york-city-crowd-with-a-whole-department-dedicated-to-apartment-living-which-crate-barrel-didnt-appear-to-have-in-its-store-.jpg)
Pottery Barn had a similar design center to Crate & Barrel.
![Pottery Barn had a similar design center to Crate & Barrel.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180747,width-700,height-525,imgsize-91065/pottery-barn-had-a-similar-design-center-to-crate-barrel-.jpg)
Downstairs was a bed and bath section.
![Downstairs was a bed and bath section.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180746,width-700,height-525,imgsize-86328/downstairs-was-a-bed-and-bath-section-.jpg)
Where Crate & Barrel had more furniture like dressers and night stands, Pottery Barn had more home products like linens and towels.
![Where Crate & Barrel had more furniture like dressers and night stands, Pottery Barn had more home products like linens and towels.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180745,width-700,height-525,imgsize-89010/where-crate-barrel-had-more-furniture-like-dressers-and-night-stands-pottery-barn-had-more-home-products-like-linens-and-towels-.jpg)
Pottery Barn also had a lot of random small products like bath bombs and lotions, which Crate & Barrel didn't have.
![Pottery Barn also had a lot of random small products like bath bombs and lotions, which Crate & Barrel didn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180744,width-700,height-525,imgsize-99481/pottery-barn-also-had-a-lot-of-random-small-products-like-bath-bombs-and-lotions-which-crate-barrel-didnt-have-.jpg)
Overall, Crate & Barrel had a much greater variety of products at a slightly lower price point. While Pottery Barn offered more in terms of linens, towels, and apartment living, Crate & Barrel had a much bigger selection overall, including more furniture and decor, and the store was more spacious and pleasant to shop in.
![Overall, Crate & Barrel had a much greater variety of products at a slightly lower price point. While Pottery Barn offered more in terms of linens, towels, and apartment living, Crate & Barrel had a much bigger selection overall, including more furniture and decor, and the store was more spacious and pleasant to shop in.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-64180743,width-700,height-525,imgsize-81916/overall-crate-barrel-had-a-much-greater-variety-of-products-at-a-slightly-lower-price-point-while-pottery-barn-offered-more-in-terms-of-linens-towels-and-apartment-living-crate-barrel-had-a-much-bigger-selection-overall-including-more-furniture-and-decor-and-the-store-was-more-spacious-and-pleasant-to-shop-in-.jpg)
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