Medley vs Crate and Barrel: Who Has Better Couches?
Looking for the perfect couch but can't decide between Medley and Crate and Barrel? Discover which brand offers the ideal blend of craftsmanship, style, and service.
Alex Back | Couch CEO & Founder
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Choosing between Medley and Crate and Barrel for your next couch can be quite the task. Which brand will come out on top as the provider of your dream couch that perfectly combines style and comfort?
Side By Side
Features
Medley
Crate and Barrel
Made to Order Lead Times
8+ weeks
4-10 weeks
Free Shipping Option
White Glove Delivery Option
$175
$279-$399
Return Option
Warranty Included
Financing Option
Affirm
Crate and Barrel Credit Card
Assembly Required
Large Fabric Selection
Free Swatches Available
Manufacturing Origin
USA
USA + Import
Avg. 3-Seat Couch Price
$$$-$$$$
$$$
In the side by side comparison, Medley and Crate and Barrel are assessed across various factors. Medley provides eco-friendly options with Latex + Wool materials and lifetime warranties, but lead times can be long. On the other hand, Crate and Barrel, known for its high-end aesthetic and modern style, offers a wide variety of fabric options and a white glove delivery service.
BRAND #1: Medley
Medley was founded in 2017 by two brothers, Travis and Ryan Nagle. But their story actually begins in 2005 when they were selling sofas out of their living room. They are one of the only couch companies offering ultra-green material options.
Medley | Brand Summary
Medley furniture is one of the few brands that genuinely delivers on sustainability and craftsmanship. With a focus on non-toxic finishes, FSC-certified wood, and plant-based latex cushions, Medley has become a go-to brand for buyers looking for a high-quality, eco-friendly couch.
Best Medley Couches & Sofas:
Medley Blumen Sofa – Best for deep seating & comfort
Medley Kirnik Sectional – Best for families & large spaces
Medley Rio Sofa – Best all-natural, non-toxic option
What Makes Medley Different?
Handcrafted in the USA with FSC-certified solid wood frames.
Latex + wool cushion options for an all-natural, chemical-free experience.
Lifetime warranty on frames & 10-year cushion warranty.
Downside? Lead times can be longer than average (8-18 weeks), depending on materials.
Extremely high quality materials and craftsmanship
Lifetime warranty on sofa frames and 5+ year warranty on materials
Generous 30 day return policy
Cons
Limited sofa style options
Fabric selection can significantly raise sofa price
Latex + Wool option can be pricey
Lead times can be extremely long
No brick-and-mortar stores
It can be hard to find any flaws in Medley’s business. But while their standard couches usually have lead times of 8-10 weeks (not counting delivery), their wonderful Latex + Wool options often take 14+ weeks to build. That’s a long time to wait, especially when there are no brick-and-mortar stores where you can test out their couches. Their base prices are great considering the high-quality materials and craftsmanship, but choosing a higher-tier fabric and their natural Latex + Wool materials will significantly raise the sofa price. But they’ll still be cheaper than Maiden Home’s offerings. Medley’s styles are nice, but they might be a little bland, depending on your tastes.
However, the pros vastly outweigh the cons. Their plant-based Latex + Wool material options are incredible and put Medley in a class of its own. Their wood is sourced from sustainable forests, their fabrics are eco-friendly, and every aspect of their construction process considers the sustainability impact. They also use a high-quality spring system similar to 8-way hand-tied suspensions. This is top-tier craftsmanship. Their frames also come with a lifetime warranty, the cushion filling has a 10-year warranty, and the upholstery workmanship has a 5-year warranty. Add in their 30-day return policy and there’s a whole lot to like about Medley.
Crate and Barrel, founded in 1962 by George and Carole Segal, emerged from a passion for simple, beautiful, and practical housewares discovered during their European honeymoon. With over 60 years of experience, the brand has become a household name, celebrated for its modern, timeless style and high-end aesthetic. Boasting a wide range of products for the entire home and numerous physical stores across North America and internationally, Crate & Barrel has solidified its position as an aspirational brand for those seeking a touch of elegance in their living spaces.
Crate and Barrel | Brand Summary
Crate & Barrel is a household name in modern, high-end furniture. Known for its sleek designs and refined aesthetics, the brand promises quality craftsmanship and timeless style. But is Crate and Barrel furniture good quality, or are you just paying for the name?
Does Crate and Barrel’s furniture quality match the hype?
How does their customer service, delivery, and warranty compare to competitors?
What do Crate and Barrel reviews reveal about real-world experiences?
In this in-depth Crate and Barrel review, we break down everything you need to know—from quality and materials to warranty policies and customer service pitfalls.
Crate & Barrel, a household name in home furnishings, offers a stylish selection of sofas that blend modern flair with classic appeal. However, the allure of their elegant designs is tempered by some notable drawbacks.
The lack of a clear warranty policy raises concerns about long-term support. Additionally, the restrictive return policy for custom orders, coupled with inconsistent lead times, can lead to frustration for buyers seeking flexibility and timely delivery.
While these shortcomings are worth considering, Crate and Barrel also boasts several compelling advantages.
The brand's extensive fabric selection, detailed cleaning instructions, and complimentary swatches empower customers to make informed choices and maintain their sofas' pristine condition. White-glove delivery adds a touch of luxury to the purchasing experience, ensuring your new furniture arrives hassle-free. Furthermore, the availability of some USA-made collections appeals to those who prioritize domestic craftsmanship.
Overall, Crate & Barrel sofas offer a blend of style and convenience, albeit with some caveats. If you're willing to navigate the potential pitfalls and prioritize aesthetics and fabric choices, their collection might hold the perfect piece for your home.
And the winner is Medley! Combining eco-friendly options, American-made quality, comprehensive warranties, and a generous return policy, Medley emerges as the ultimate choice for those in search of top-notch sustainability and craftsmanship in their couch. However, Crate and Barrel is a strong contender, especially for those prioritizing a modern aesthetic and convenient delivery service.
Alex Back
Couch CEO & Founder
Alex Back is the founder and CEO of Couch. Previously, he was the co-founder and COO of the popular furniture brand, Apt2B, which was acquired by a large US retail furniture chain in 2018. He worked to integrate Apt2B, one of the very first online furniture retailers on the Shopify platform, into the operations of the 100 year old larger business entity and was deeply immersed in the business operations of both online and brick and mortar retail for 4 years before leaving in 2023 to start Couch. Working in various parts of the furniture industry since 2004, he has 20 years experience in retail sales, e-commerce, marketing, operations, logistics and wholesale manufacturing and distribution. He has worked extensively with partners such as Costco, Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon and his work has been highlighted in many publications such as Forbes, CNN, and HGTV, among others. Alex is delighted to bring his experience and authority on couches and the furniture industry to this platform, along with many of his industry colleagues who are helping him keep the Couch.co audience informed and engaged on a daily basis.
