West Elm vs Pottery Barn: Which is the best brand?
West Elm and Pottery Barn… if you’re in the market for stylish furniture and home decor, chances are you’ve come across these two furniture stores.
But when it comes to choosing between the two; what are the differences and which brand should you pick? Well… I’ve got your answers!
I’ll show you the similarities, differences, and various offerings of both brands.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect coffee table to take your living room to the next level or a dining room table fit for hosting memorable dinner parties, I’ll give you all the info you need to make an informed decision on which brand is best for you.
Before we get to the differences, if you’re new to these brands all together – let me show you what these brands offer and why they’re some of the top names in the home furnishing and decor industry!
What is West Elm?
West Elm is a home furnishings brand that fully embraces modern and contemporary style.
When you step foot into a West Elm store or browse its online catalog, you see that its curated collection of furniture and decor items has a fresh and trendy aesthetic.
West Elm is all about creating spaces that are both stylish while also being highly functional.
Founded in 2002 as part of the Williams Sonoma Inc. family of brands, West Elm has also gained a reputation for its commitment to sustainability.
They prioritize using eco-friendly materials and partnering with local artisans to create unique pieces that not only enhance your home but also contribute to a better world.
With customization options available for select items, West Elm is a brand that helps you to put your personal touch on their designs.
This makes them a great option for those who have a great sense of design and want furniture that reflects their individual style.
In addition to furniture, West Elm offers many other modern home decor items and accessories such as eye-catching rugs, trendy lighting fixtures, unique wall art, and a variety of textiles to add a pop of texture and color to your space.
West Elm also offers kitchenware, decorative accents, and storage solutions that combine their trademark practicality with a touch of modern design and aesthetic.
What is Pottery Barn?
Pottery Barn is also an extremely well-known home furnishings brand that specializes in timeless elegance and classic designs.
Their collection of furniture and decor items reflects a refined and sophisticated style that has truly withstood the test of time.
Pottery Barn is known for creating spaces that are welcoming and comfortable, and steeped in traditional charm.
Like West Elm, Pottery Barn is also a part of the Williams-Sonoma Inc. family and has a rich history.
It was founded in 1949 and is known for its quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the use of premium and natural materials. However, it’s important to note that the price tag reflects this.
From comfy sofas to handcrafted dining tables, Pottery Barn offers furniture and house decor that showcases long-lasting beauty for your home.
As a Williams-Sonoma Inc. brand, they continue to evolve, like West Elm, providing homeowners with high-quality products to create beautiful spaces.
While a bit more pricey, Pottery Barn is the perfect brand for those who appreciate traditional designs, incredible craftsmanship, and a touch of luxury.
Their furniture and decor offerings cater to individuals who seek to create timeless, elegant, and comfortable spaces in their homes, which is why you’ll find most of its items and furniture available in neutral colors.
West Elm vs Pottery Barn
Similarities between West Elm and Pottery Barn
When it comes to West Elm and Pottery Barn, these two brands share quite a bit of common ground.
Wide Range of Styles
Although the styles of each of these brands vary slightly, both West Elm and Pottery Barn offer a diverse selection of furniture styles meaning that there is something there for everyone!
From sleek and minimalistic to timeless and traditional, you’ll be able to find pieces that align with your personal taste and home decor preferences.
Quality Materials
Both West Elm and Pottery Barn prioritize the use of high-quality materials in their furniture and decor.
From solid wood and sturdy metals to luxurious upholstery fabrics, their products are crafted with durability and longevity in mind.
This commitment to quality ensures that whichever brand of furniture you decide on, your purchase will be an investment piece that will last for years to come.
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Customization Options
If you desire a personalized touch, both brands provide some level of customization options.
Whether it’s selecting the fabric for your sofa or choosing from various finishes for a dining table, West Elm and Pottery Barn allow you to tailor certain pieces to match your own style and preferences.
This is incredibly helpful if you’re looking for a piece to fit perfectly in an already decorated room or to mix and match materials, different colors, styles, etc.
Parent Company
West Elm and Pottery Barn are both part of the Williams-Sonoma Inc. family of brands (CEO, Laura Alber), which also includes the brands Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and Green Row.
Home Decor Accessories
In addition to furniture, both West Elm and Pottery Barn offer a very large selection of home accessories.
You can find decorative accents, lighting fixtures, rugs, bedding, and other elements to complement your furniture or decorate and style your living space.
Physical Store Presence
West Elm and Pottery Barn both have brick-and-mortar stores all across North America.
Their physical stores are beautifully styled and set up to allow the opportunity for you to see and touch the furniture, experience the craftsmanship firsthand, and get any assistance you might need in customizing.
Both are designed up to provide you with an enjoyable furniture shopping experience.
These brands also offer online shopping platforms for online orders, but as we know when picking out furniture and other home decor items, sometimes you just need to physically feel and experience it, which is why it’s so nice they still have physical stores.
Differences between West Elm and Pottery Barn
Design Aesthetic
West Elm leans towards a contemporary and modern design aesthetic, think clean lines, minimalist elements, and on-trend styles.
Pottery Barn, on the other hand, embraces a more traditional and classic design approach, incorporating classic elegance, intricate details, and warm tones.
Target Audience
West Elm primarily appeals to a younger crowd such as young professionals, and those seeking a more contemporary look for their living spaces.
The Pottery Barn brand, with its more classic designs and a broader range of styles, caters to a wider demographic, including families, interior designers, and those with a preference for more traditional aesthetics.
Price Range
One of the most noticeable differences between the brands is price.
West Elm generally offers a more accessible price range – again targeting the younger crowd and making their products attainable for budget-conscious shoppers.
Pottery Barn furniture tends to focus more on high-end finishes and craftsmanship, which typically leads to their products having a higher price point.
Product Selection
While both brands offer a large selection of furniture and home decor items, they differ in their product focus.
For example, West Elm tends to excel in smaller-scale furniture and decor suited for small spaces, while Pottery Barn offers a broader range of larger pieces and furniture sets.
Customization Options
While both brands allow for some level of customization, West Elm typically offers more options for personalization, allowing you to choose specific finishes, fabrics, or configurations for certain pieces.
Sister Brands
Pottery Barn has sister brands like Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen, but West Elm does not.
These offset brands cater specifically to a younger demographic and their different style preferences.
What West Elm and Pottery Barn Sell
At both of these stores, you can find a variety of home furnishings and decor items, including:
- Furniture (sofas, beds, dining tables, chairs, storage solutions, etc.)
- Home decor (rugs, lighting fixtures, wall art, mirrors, vases, decorative objects, etc.)
- Bedding and textiles (bed sheets, duvet covers, pillows, blankets, towels, etc.)
- Kitchen and dining items (tableware, dinnerware, glassware, cutlery, kitchen accessories, etc.)
- Small appliances and gadgets (coffee makers, toasters, blenders, mixers, etc.)
- Bath products (towels, bath mats, shower curtains, bathroom accessories, etc.)
- Outdoor furniture and decor (patio sets, outdoor seating, rugs, umbrellas, etc.)
- Office furniture and accessories (desks, office chairs, bookcases, organizers, desk lamps, etc.)
- Baby and kids’ furniture and decor (cribs, changing tables, bedding, toys, wall decals, etc.)
- Gifts and seasonal items (candles, picture frames, holiday decorations, etc.)
Are West Elm and Pottery Barn the Same Company?
No, West Elm and Pottery Barn are not the same company, though they share a very close relationship.
Both brands are part of the Williams-Sonoma Inc. family, which is a worldwide retail company specializing in high-quality home furnishings and decor.
West Elm and Pottery Barn operate as separate entities within the Williams-Sonoma Inc. company, each with its own distinct identity and product offerings.
While they may have some similarities in terms of style and design sensibilities, West Elm and Pottery Barn have their own unique collections, target audiences, and brand philosophies which we’ll chat about below!
If you’re drawn to all of the things that West Elm and Pottery Barn have to offer, but maybe also want to explore other options, here are some of their closest competitors and furniture brands worth considering:
More Stores Similar to West Elm and Pottery Barn
Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel is a great alternative known for its contemporary design aesthetic and high-quality furniture.
Like West Elm, they focus on clean lines, a modern look, and functional pieces and also offer a wide range of home furnishings that strike a balance between fashion and functionality.
Their price range is generally more mid-range. And if you live near one of their outlet stores you can find some seriously killer deals.
Room & Board
While Room & Board is a great place to look for modern and timeless designs, their price point is slightly higher than that of West Elm and Pottery Barn.
However, you can be assured that your furniture will be custom with an emphasis on good craftsmanship and sustainable practices!
CB2
CB2 is a sister brand of Crate & Barrel.
While the style, design aesthetics, and offerings of products are very similar to Crate & Barrel, CB2 is a much more affordable brand and focuses on its online shop rather than brick-and-mortar locations.
Their price range is similar to that of West Elm with reasonable prices.
If you’re looking for items in neutral color palettes for a small apartment, CBS should be the first place you look!
Article
Article is an online retailer that specializes in Scandinavian-inspired furniture.
Their pieces showcase clean and modern designs of fairly high quality.
Article is known for having wide selection of stylish furniture at competitive prices, often more affordable than West Elm and Pottery Barn.
Anthropologie
Anthropologie is a popular brand known for its bohemian-inspired style.
Their furniture and home decor items offer unique textures, vibrant colors, and artistic details.
While their price range can vary, they offer options for various budgets, including affordable decor items and higher-end furniture pieces.
Houzz Shop
A bit of a different option, Houzz is an online platform that not only provides design inspiration but also offers a curated shop with a wide selection of furniture and home decor.
They feature products from various brands and styles, allowing you to explore different aesthetics and find items that match your preferences and budget.
IKEA
Ikea is another incredibly popular brand that is known for its affordable and stylish furniture.
IKEA offers a wide range of modern designs that cater to various living spaces and budgets.
In recent years, they have become increasingly popular for their functional and space-saving solutions.
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H&M Home
A sister brand to the well known H&M brand, H&M Home provides an affordable range of home decor items, including furniture, textiles, and accessories.
They offer a mix of trendy, modern, and classic styles at a affordable prices.
Urban Outfitters
Similar to Anthropology, Urban Outfitters offers a fun blend of bohemian, vintage, and contemporary styles in their furniture and home decor collections.
Their pieces often feature eclectic designs and quirky details at a lower price point.
World Market
World Market is a household name that specializes in globally inspired furniture and home decor items.
They offer a wide range of styles, from traditional to bohemian, and feature unique, handcrafted pieces sourced from around the world.
Joss & Main
Joss & Main is said to be the trendy counterpart to Wayfair.
They offer a wide selection of furniture and home decor items that encompass various styles such as contemporary, traditional, and farmhouse.
In addition, the majority of the pieces are priced at an affordable range for those seeking stylish and on-trend pieces on a budget.
Lulu & Georgia
Lulu & Georgia is one of the best stores like West Elm and Pottery Barn that carries a selection of chic and trendy furniture and decor items.
This brand perfectly blends contemporary designs with eclectic touches at a mid-ranged price point similar to West Elm and Pottery Barn.
Restoration Hardware
This brand is definitely on the pricier side, but the quality and craftsmanship of its items are almost unmatched.
They are most notably known for their cloud couch and reclaimed wood dining table, but also offer much more than that.
One Kings Lane
One Kings Lane is an online store similar to Joss and Main and actually, you can find a lot of the exact same items here.
It’s a great place to do price comparisons when shopping for an item you already have your eye on.
Home Goods
Home Goods is a great place for unique finds at a good value.
They are a bit different from Pottery Barn and West Elm in that they don’t stock multiples of furniture, rather they have 1 or 2 of (for example) a dining set but once it’s gone its gone.
The prices are amazing, you just have to pop in frequently if there is something specific you have in mind.
Which is the Better Brand?
Ultimately, it boils down to your personal taste and budget.
If you gravitate towards a more contemporary or modern styles that won’t break the bank, West Elm is a great option for you.
On the other hand, if you’re drawn to timeless and classic elegance and are willing to invest a bit more in higher-end craftsmanship, Pottery Barn just might be the brand you want to consider.
The “better” brand simply depends on what exactly you’re looking for in cost, style, design, and customization needs.
When it comes to choosing between West Elm vs Pottery Barn, no matter which one you choose, you can feel confident that you are choosing a brand that values high quality pieces, beautiful styles and designs, and the goal of making your new home the perfect living space!
