Plank + Beam vs Crate and Barrel: Which One Gives You More for Less?

About Plank + Beam

Plank + Beam is a furniture company built around simplicity and substance. They design all of their products at their headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina, focusing on solid wood construction, clean finishes, and practical designs that suit everyday life. Manufacturing takes place in a dedicated facility in Vietnam, emphasizing quality control and ethical production.

The brand’s catalog covers dining, bedroom, office, and living room furniture. Instead of flooding the market with endless options, Plank + Beam keeps its selection focused, delivering sturdy, good-looking pieces that are easy to set up and meant to last. Their finishes are clean, low VOC, and water-based, making their furniture feel safe and strong.

About Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel is a household name in furniture and home decor, with a long presence in both the U.S. and international markets. Started in Chicago in the early 1960s, the company was inspired by a European trip and the idea of bringing clean, modern homeware to a wider audience. Today, they operate over 100 stores and work with partners in multiple countries.

The brand’s size allows for a lot of variety, with designs sourced from around the world. They work with many designers and suppliers, producing goods in dozens of countries. Crate & Barrel is a destination for contemporary living, with a strong focus on in-store experiences, wedding registries, and full-home design services.

What to Consider?

A few things are worth looking at closely before choosing where to buy furniture. Not every brand handles materials, pricing, or customer experience the same way. These comparisons break down what each brand offers, how they approach key details, and what makes a difference once the furniture is in your home. Here’s how Plank + Beam and Crate & Barrel stack up.

1. Materials Used

What furniture is made of makes a real difference in how long it lasts, how sturdy it feels, and how well it handles everyday use. Solid wood gives a different experience than something made with mixed or engineered materials. It usually means fewer problems down the line and more stability from day one.

Plank + Beam

Plank + Beam uses solid wood for all its main furniture pieces. There are no filler parts or surface veneers. Everything is cut from real wood, shaped and finished in a way that highlights its natural texture. You can feel the difference when you lift it, assemble it, and use it day to day.

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel uses different materials across their product lines. Some pieces are built with solid wood, others use engineered wood or wood veneers. It depends on the collection and the price point. While many of their pieces look finished and stylish, what’s underneath isn’t always easy to confirm.

Verdict

Plank + Beam is the clear winner. The materials are simple, strong, and consistent across the board. You know what you’re getting, and you’re getting a lot more long-term strength for the price.

2. Ease of Assembly

Assembly is often people’s first hands-on experience with a new piece of furniture. If the process is confusing, slow, or missing parts, it sets a frustrating tone. Good furniture should come together easily without needing special tools or extra help.

Plank + Beam

Assembly is simple. The packaging is compact. Instructions are clear. Hardware and tools are included. You can get a table or bed frame together in one session without calling in help or digging through online guides. It’s all built for quick setup.

Crate & Barrel

Some items arrive fully assembled, while others require setup. Instructions and tools vary. Larger items need two people or professional help. The experience depends greatly on which product you order and whether it comes with white-glove service.

Verdict

Plank + Beam makes it easier from the start. The setup is smooth and predictable. You don’t need to plan around it or hire help. You just open the box and get it done.

3. Finish and Safety

What a piece of furniture is coated with can impact more than how it looks. Finishes affect how long the surface lasts, how it holds up to scratches, and even the air quality in your home. This is worth paying attention to for families with kids or anyone sensitive to chemical smells.

Plank + Beam

Every item is finished with a Low VOC, water-based coating. It’s designed to be safer for indoor use and doesn’t bring strong odors into the home. The finish also adds durability, helping the wood resist daily wear without covering up its natural texture.

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel offers a variety of finishes depending on the collection. Some products use water-based options, while others may use standard commercial coatings. Specific details on finishes aren’t always listed, which can make it hard to know exactly what you’re getting.

Verdict

Plank + Beam leads here. Using safe, water-based finishes across all products gives customers a clear and consistent benefit. No surprises. No guesswork. Just furniture that feels ready to live with from day one.

4. Design Style

Style isn’t only about looks. It’s about whether the furniture works in your space, holds up over time, and feels like something you can actually live with. Flashy pieces may get attention, but simpler ones tend to last longer in both form and function.

Plank + Beam

The design approach is clean, calm, and focused on everyday use. The lines are simple. The shapes are practical. The pieces feel modern and trendy, and are designed to fit with your home and style.

Crate & Barrel

The catalog spans a wide range of styles—from bold and modern to rustic and traditional. That variety offers something for everyone, but it can also mean inconsistency. Some collections follow seasonal design shifts, which may not stay current over time.

Verdict

Plank + Beam comes out ahead by keeping things simple and balanced. Their pieces are made to work across different spaces and won’t go out of style after a few seasons. That makes them easier to keep, reuse, and mix with other pieces down the line.

5. Product Selection

Having too many options can feel overwhelming, especially when product differences aren’t always apparent. A smaller, more focused catalog can make it easier to find something that fits without second-guessing the choice.

Plank + Beam

The selection is carefully curated. They offer key furniture pieces for dining, bedroom, office, and living spaces. Each design is available in a few sizes and finishes, which makes it easy to find what works without digging through endless pages.

Crate & Barrel

Their catalog is broad. It covers furniture, kitchenware, decor, and more. There’s a wide range of styles and price points. While this works for shoppers who want everything in one place, it can feel crowded or complex to navigate if you’re just looking for something simple and solid.

Verdict

Plank + Beam keeps it clear. Their smaller catalog makes it easier to focus on quality, not quantity. This approach makes more sense when the goal is to find something dependable that fits your space without overthinking it.

6. Brand Identity

A brand’s identity shapes how it connects with people. It reflects what kind of customer it speaks to, how it communicates, and how consistent it stays across everything it offers. The feel of a brand matters, especially when it carries over into the buying and living experience.

Plank + Beam

Plank + Beam keeps things clear and consistent. The brand speaks directly through simple product names, no-frills photography, and honest descriptions. It doesn’t try to appeal to everyone at once. Instead, it focuses on real homes, real materials, and furniture that work without needing to be explained.

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel has a more polished, upscale tone. It blends retail design with editorial-style messaging and works across multiple categories, including kitchenware and decor. The identity leans heavily on the showroom experience and visual merchandising, which adds more branding but also more complexity.

Verdict

Plank + Beam feels more direct and grounded. It delivers a clearer message, with a focus that never strays from making practical furniture for everyday spaces.

7. Price

Price matters, but not just as a number. It’s about what you’re really getting for the cost. Materials, construction, and long-term usability should all match the price tag. Some furniture may look high-end, but what you’re paying for might be packaging, branding, or showroom space. On the other hand, a more affordable piece might offer the same core quality with less extra weight.

Plank + Beam

Plank + Beam keeps its pricing straightforward. A 72-inch Classic Dining Table made with solid wood costs around $429. A solid wood queen bed frame costs $459, and a full four-drawer dresser is priced under $350. These aren’t placeholder prices for engineered materials—they reflect real wood and are built consistently. Even their coffee tables and nightstands fall well under typical retail highs, often between $150 and $300. You’re not trading quality for cost. The value lines up with what’s in the box.

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel is positioned at the mid-to-high end of the furniture market. A standard queen bed frame like the Tate Walnut Bed can cost over $1,300. A large dresser such as the Soleri nine-drawer model costs around $1,400. Depending on size and materials, dining tables often start above $1,000, and sofas regularly push past $2,000. These prices reflect a broader retail setup that includes in-store experiences, designer collaborations, and seasonal collections.

Verdict

Plank + Beam wins on value without question. It delivers real materials and lasting structure at a much lower price. The money goes directly into the product, not the packaging around it. For anyone focused on getting strong, long-term furniture at a cost that makes sense, Plank + Beam is the more reasonable and rewarding choice.

Plank + Beam vs Crate and Barrel: What Do Customers Think?

Customer reviews say more than product descriptions ever could. They reveal how well a piece fits into real life, how it holds up after use, and whether the quality lives up to the photos. Both Plank + Beam and Crate & Barrel have received strong feedback from buyers, but the praise focuses on different things. Here’s what people are actually saying after the furniture is delivered and in their homes.

Plank + Beam

People consistently highlight the solid wood quality and easy setup of Plank + Beam furniture. Many are surprised by how sturdy the pieces feel, especially given the price. Customers also appreciate how the finishes look in person and how the furniture fits naturally into different types of rooms without feeling too trendy or too plain.

“The color is rich and the structure is sturdy. Love that it’s real wood and not engineered. It feels like something that will last.”

“Beautiful table with solid wood construction. Everyone comments on how gorgeous it is. We love it!”

Assembly is another high point. Customers often note that the instructions are clear and everything needed comes in the box.

“Very easy to put together. Took less than an hour. No parts missing. Everything lined up as it should.”

“Absolutely love it! Arrived in perfect condition and it was pretty straightforward on how to put it together.”

“Excellent quality; great look; easy assembly. Very satisfied with purchase.”

There’s also a lot of appreciation for the practicality of the designs. Reviewers mention how well the furniture works in both small and open spaces.

“Perfect size for our apartment. Doesn’t take up too much room but still feels solid and spacious.”

“Love this table. It’s perfect for large gatherings. I would highly recommend this table and all the other products.”

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel reviews focus heavily on style and comfort. Many customers mention how well the furniture looks in their space and how it often becomes a statement piece. Comfort is especially praised in larger seating items.

“Very comfortable and we receive many compliments on the color and quality. Depth is perfect for a cozy movie night or watching a game.”

Buyers also comment on the build quality of dining pieces, especially expandable tables that are meant for flexible use.

“This table looks and works great for a small space. Using the extendable part when there are extra guests is easy and does not sacrifice the look.”

Chairs are frequently described as sturdy and well-proportioned.

“These are great, sturdy chairs that feel like they will last a long time! They come assembled which is great, and are great for my tall husband!”

Though style and appearance lead the reviews, there are also positive notes about how well the pieces hold up in busy households.

“The wood is stunning and great quality. There is a leaf in the middle so you can extend the table to 70 inches or keep it smaller… Seems to be pretty durable to me!”

Plank + Beam vs Crate and Barrel: Promotions and Discounts

Deals can make a difference, especially when buying larger pieces. Whether it’s a seasonal markdown, a bundle price, or free shipping, a brand’s discount structure can say a lot about how accessible their products really are. Both Plank + Beam and Crate & Barrel run promotions, but the way they handle them is very different.

Plank + Beam

• Up to 30% off on dining bundles
• Up to 25% off select new arrivals
• Free shipping on all U.S. orders over $300 (contingent on location; excludes Hawaii and Alaska)
• Occasional seasonal and clearance sales
• No membership or credit card required to access discounts

Crate & Barrel

• 10% to 30% off during seasonal promotions (Spring Event, etc.)
• Up to 70% off in clearance section (limited stock)
• 10% off full-price items with email signup (some exclusions apply)
• Free shipping on selected smaller items only; furniture may include delivery fees
• Credit card program with reward points (not stackable with other offers)
• Offers vary by product type and may change frequently

Verdict 

Plank + Beam keeps its discounts simple and easy to access. The deals apply to meaningful categories like furniture bundles and new arrivals, and free shipping over $300 adds extra value. There’s no need to navigate multiple programs or fine print. Crate & Barrel offers some strong markdowns, especially in clearance, but many discounts are tied to conditions or limited availability. For clear, consistent savings on furniture, Plank + Beam comes out ahead.

Plank + Beam vs Crate and Barrel: Shipping and Returns

Shipping and return policies are easy to overlook until something goes wrong. Whether it’s about getting your order on time or returning something that didn’t work out, how a brand handles logistics says a lot about the experience you can expect after checkout.

Plank + Beam

Shipping is straightforward. Orders over $300 ship free across the contiguous U.S. Processing takes about two to five business days, and packages arrive through FedEx in compact, manageable boxes. Returns are accepted within 30 days, as long as the item is unused and unassembled. The brand offers doorstep pickup, which simplifies the process and saves time. Please note that return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer, and original shipping fees are non-refundable.

Crate & Barrel

Shipping depends on what you’re buying and how it’s delivered. Some smaller items qualify for free shipping, but larger furniture orders often come with delivery fees. The brand offers standard, premium, and express shipping options. For returns, eligible items can be sent back within 30 days, but customers cover the return shipping costs, and original delivery fees are not refunded.

Verdict

Plank + Beam makes the process more predictable and customer-friendly. Free shipping on larger orders, compact delivery, and simple returns take the guesswork out of post-purchase logistics. Crate & Barrel offers more flexibility in shipping methods, but that also comes with more conditions, higher fees, and a less consistent return setup.

Who Will You Shop With?

The decision between two furniture brands often comes down to more than just appearance or price. It is about what each brand stands for, how it handles the details, and what kind of experience it delivers from beginning to end. Furniture becomes part of your everyday routine, so the brand you choose should make that experience feel right, straightforward, dependable, and worth your time.

Plank + Beam focuses on what matters most. The furniture is built from solid wood and finished with care. Every piece is designed with long-term use in mind. Measurements are accurate, assembly is clear, and the result feels strong and lasting. The pricing matches the materials. The process feels smooth, from the first look at the website to the moment the furniture is in your space.

Everything about it reflects focus. The catalog is easy to navigate, and the designs suit many spaces. Each piece has a purpose, whether it is a dining table, bed, or desk. There is no extra noise or clutter to work through—just thoughtful furniture that feels like it belongs the moment it arrives.

Crate & Barrel provides variety and reach. It is a well-established brand with years of design influence. But when comparing the whole experience—materials, clarity, ease of assembly, value—Plank + Beam delivers something more focused. It removes the guesswork and puts quality at the center of everything.

So, who will you shop with? Go with the brand that builds strong pieces, ships them without hassle, and lets the furniture speak for itself. Plank + Beam makes that decision feel simple, in the best way.

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