When it comes to home furnishings, Room & Board and Restoration Hardware are two of the biggest names in the game. Both offer a wide selection of furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories, and more to outfit your home in style.
But when it comes down to it, which brand reigns supreme?
There are some key differences between Room & Board and Restoration Hardware in terms of their overall vibe and product offerings. Let’s take a look at how they compare:
A Quick Comparison Table
| Aspects | Room & Board | Restoration Hardware |
| Style | Contemporary, modern | Traditional, vintage inspired |
| Price point | Mid-high end | High end |
| Custom options | Limited | Extensive |
| Delivery | White glove delivery and assembly included | Delivery only, assembly required |
| Manufacturing | American made | Mostly imported |
Now let’s dive deeper into the details…
Key Differences Between Restoration Hardware and Room & Board Furniture
- Style & Design
When it comes to style, Room & Board skews more contemporary and modern in their aesthetic.
Their furniture often features clean lines, simple forms, and neutral colors.
Restoration Hardware on the other hand takes inspiration from antiquated and vintage designs.
Their pieces tend to have more ornate detailing and nod to European traditional styles.
Room & Board’s overall look is a bit more approachable and versatile. Their designs work well in a range of home settings from urban apartments to suburban family homes.
Restoration Hardware has more of a formal parlor style that leans into heavy silhouettes and dark moody colors. This look is bold and makes a statement, though it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
So if you like modern minimalism, Room & Board is likely more your speed. But if you love antique charm and maximalist opulence, then Restoration Hardware will appeal to your tastes.
- Quality & Construction
Both Room & Board and Restoration Hardware are known for producing high quality furniture built to last. They use premium materials like solid wood, metal, leather, and stone.
But when it comes to construction, there are some differences in their manufacturing processes.
The majority of Room & Board’s furniture is made in the United States at their own Minnesota factories. Their pieces are handcrafted by skilled American artisans using natural solid wood. This results in sturdy construction with dovetail joinery and furniture that can stand the test of time.
Restoration Hardware imports most of their furnishings from vendors around the world.
They lean towards oak, mahogany, walnut, and pine for their wood furnishings.
While the quality is generally very good, some pieces may be more vulnerable to loose joinery or damage over many years of use.
When it comes to durability and longevity, the nod goes to Room & Board. The mostly American made products undergo rigorous testing to ensure stability and endurance for decades to come.
Also Read: Differences Between Rove Concepts And Restoration Hardware.
- Customization & Options
If customization is important to you, then Restoration Hardware has the upper hand. They offer a huge range of fabric, leather, and finish options to customize upholstered furniture and wood pieces.
You can really make their products your own with various colors, materials, and detailing extras. However, this custom work does not come cheap. Expect to pay a premium for your one-of-a-kind creation.
Room & Board has a much more limited range of customization available. You can select different fabrics or leathers on some sofas and chairs, but that’s about it for made-to-order options.
The streamlined collection is designed to be simple, not overly personalized. If you want to choose every last detail, Room & Board won’t have what you need.
- Pricing & Value
In terms of everyday pricing, Room & Board runs less expensive than Restoration Hardware. Their standard collection is priced at a mid to high point compared to other retailers.
Restoration Hardware sits at the highest end of the spectrum, commanding top dollar for their products. You’ll pay a premium for their brand name and ornate detailing.
However, Room & Board does not run sales or offer discounts. The prices you see are typically the prices you pay.
Meanwhile, Restoration Hardware runs regular promotions with percent-off sales events. So if you shop strategically, you may be able to snag RH items for less than the sticker price.
When it comes to Delivery & Assembly:
Room & Board provides white glove delivery service on all their furniture purchases. This means their team will bring items directly into your home, assemble pieces, and remove all packaging. This full service delivery is a huge perk worth factoring into your decision.
Restoration Hardware offers delivery only.
You will need to assemble all furnishings yourself or hire third party assembly.
For large items like sofas, beds, and shelving units, the DIY construction can be challenging and time consuming.
Lack of assembly with RH purchases is an important caveat.
Taking all pricing factors into account, Room & Board likely provides better bang for your buck, especially when you consider the delivery perks. But savvy shoppers who catch a good Restoration Hardware sale and don’t mind complex assembly can also find decent value.
Also Read: How CB2 and Crate And Barrel Furniture Stores Are Different?
Room & Board Vs. Restoration Hardware: Which Is Better For You?
At the end of the day, which brand is right for you comes down to personal preferences.
If you love clean, contemporary style, Room & Board is a great one-stop-shop. Their offerings are cohesive, well-made, and simple to order. Delivery and assembly take all the work out of the process.
For shoppers who crave ornate, vintage-inspired decor, Restoration Hardware will delight your senses. Their products make a bold stylistic statement. And customization options let you curate pieces exactly to your liking. Just be prepared to put in some elbow grease with assembly.
There are also some key differences when it comes to large purchases like sofas or bedroom sets. Room & Board’s items will likely last longer thanks to hardy American construction.
Meanwhile, RH provides more opportunity to personalize through numerous fabric, finish, and detailing choices.
Here’s a quick recap of the major pros for each brand:
Room & Board Pros:
- Approachable, modern aesthetic
- Durable USA-made construction
- Simplified purchasing process
- All prices as marked, no markdowns needed
- White glove delivery and assembly included
Restoration Hardware Pros:
- Ornate detailing and bold traditional style
- Extensive customization offerings
- Frequent sale events and promotions
- Large assortment of furnishings for whole home
Hopefully this overview has provided some clarity on how Room & Board and Restoration Hardware compare. Take time to consider your personal tastes, budget, and needs for delivery to decide which brand best fits your lifestyle.
With their quality products and appealing aesthetics, either option can transform your space into a luxurious home you’ll cherish for years to come.
Now let’s get into some frequently asked questions about these two popular home furnishing retailers:
Also Read: Comparison of Room & Board And West Elm Furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Room & Board furniture is very high quality and made to last. Their products use solid hardwoods, durable fabrics, and sturdy joinery for long-term durability. Rigorous testing ensures stability and performance. The American-made construction adheres to exacting standards.
The majority of Room & Board’s furniture is made domestically in the United States. They have their own manufacturing facilities in Minnesota that produce most of their wood furnishings. Some accessories or upholstery may be imported, but Room & Board prides themselves on local production.
Restoration Hardware embraces a bold, ornate aesthetic inspired by antique and vintage designs. Their style has a formal parlor feel with European influences. Lots of heavy wood furnishings, moody colors, and maximalist details are hallmarks of the Restoration Hardware look.
No, Room & Board does not offer any trade or designer discounts. Their prices are the same for all customers without special sales or markdowns. The everyday prices you see advertised are what you will pay as a consumer. There are no behind-the-scenes breaks for the trade industry.
In Closing
Whether your style is pared-back modern or lavish antique, Room & Board and Restoration Hardware both offer quality home furnishings to suit your space. Room & Board wins for simplicity and durable construction.
Restoration Hardware takes the lead on bold stylistic statements and custom pieces. Consider how each brand’s strengths line up with your shopping priorities and home decor vision. Hopefully this overview has provided some helpful insight to guide your purchasing decisions!
Outfitting your home with fine furnishings is an investment, but the right pieces from brands like these will pay dividends in comfort, style, and daily enjoyment for many years to come.