What is CB2: The Modern Furniture Brand Explained

Ever spotted a sleek modern sofa with a CB2 tag and wondered what this brand is all about? You’re not alone.

Many shoppers confuse CB2 with Crate & Barrel, and it’s easy to see why. They’re connected, but they’re not the same thing. The two brands share ownership but target different customers with distinct styles.

This guide covers CB2’s history, its relationship with Crate & Barrel, its products, its customers, and whether its style matches yours.

Let’s clear up the confusion and get you the answers you need.

What is CB2?

CB2 is a furniture and home decor retailer owned by Crate & Barrel.

Launched in 2000, the brand targets shoppers aged 25 to 45 who live in urban areas or in smaller homes and want quality furniture without premium prices or traditional styles.

CB2 sits between budget chains and high-end retailers, not as cheap as IKEA, not as expensive as West Elm or Room & Board.

It offers first-time homeowners and city dwellers well-made pieces at accessible prices.

The brand operates as a standalone entity with its own stores, website, and customer base. It’s not a discount line; it’s an independent company that shares Crate & Barrel’s parent company.

CB2’s Design Style

Three elements define CB2’s design identity: style influences, material choices, and space-conscious functionality.

Design Influences

CB2 blends modern minimalism, industrial design, and Scandinavian functionality. Clean lines, metal frames, concrete accents, and raw finishes create a warehouse-loft aesthetic.

Mid-century modern touches appear in select pieces with tapered legs and organic curves. Form follows function throughout.

Colors and Materials

Neutral foundations, blacks, whites, grays, and natural wood dominate with bold accent colors breaking monotony.

Materials mix intentionally: wood with metal, glass with concrete, creating contrast over coordination. Geometric patterns in angular shapes and clean grids replace traditional florals.

Furniture Characteristics

Pieces scale for smaller spaces with compact proportions perfect for apartments and condos. Modular designs adapt to changing needs.

Multi-functional furniture maximizes utility, including storage ottomans, expandable tables, and nesting pieces. Every item prioritizes both style and practical use.

CB2 and Crate & Barrel: The Full Story

Why create CB2 in the first place? Crate & Barrel had a loyal customer base, but market research showed an entire demographic wasn’t walking through their doors.

Instead of repositioning an established brand, the company built something new from scratch. CB2 launched as a separate brand to capture that opportunity without risking Crate & Barrel’s reputation.

The customer divide runs deeper than age. Crate & Barrel shoppers buy furniture for established homes, making purchases that last decades. CB2 targets a different mindset, one that values flexibility over permanence.

This means zero competition between the brands. A couple furnishing a four-bedroom colonial isn’t browsing CB2. Someone outfitting a studio rental isn’t considering Crate & Barrel.

The overlap is minimal, allowing both brands to operate in the same markets without cannibalizing each other’s revenue.

Operationally, they stay separated with different management teams, marketing campaigns, and store experiences.

What Does CB2 Sell?

CB2’s product range spans complete home furnishings, from foundational furniture pieces to finishing touches that pull a space together.

1. Furniture Collections

minimalist furniture grid with sectional, bed, dining table, desk, outdoor seating, and dining set in contemporary design

CB2’s furniture lineup covers every room. Living rooms get modular sectionals, lounge chairs, and media consoles.

Bedrooms include platform beds, dressers, and nightstands. Dining spaces have expandable tables and counter-height options for smaller kitchens.

Office furniture addresses work-from-home needs with desks, task chairs, and organization pieces built for tight quarters. Outdoor collections include weather-resistant seating, dining sets, and loungers for patios and balconies.

2. Home Decor and Accessories

contemporary living room with geometric lighting, industrial mirrors, storage baskets, and minimalist decor accessories

Lighting ranges from pendant fixtures to floor lamps and sconces. Window treatments include curtains, blinds, and room dividers. Mirrors come in various shapes and sizes, many with metal or minimal frames.

Decorative objects include vases, sculptures, and tabletop pieces. Storage solutions like baskets, bins, and organizational systems help maximize space in compact homes.

3. Kitchen, Dining, and Bedding

minimalist kitchen and bedding items with white dishes, cutting boards, striped towels, quilted bedding, and throw pillows

Dinnerware sets and individual pieces cater to everyday use and entertaining. Glassware includes tumblers, wine glasses, and barware. Kitchen tools range from cutting boards to utensil sets and small gadgets.

Bedding collections offer duvet covers, sheet sets, and quilts in solids and simple patterns. Bath linens include towels, bath mats, and shower curtains. Most textile items stick to neutral colors with occasional bold options.

CB2’s Target Customers

CB2 draws several customer types at similar life stages, all looking for furniture that fits their current situation without long-term commitment.

Young professionals furnishing first solo spaces with quality pieces at accessible prices, past hand-me-downs but not ready for lifetime investments.
Newlyweds combining households who want cohesive, compact furniture for starter homes and rentals.
Design enthusiasts who refresh spaces every few years, using seasonal collections to stay current without major reinvestment.
Empty nesters and retirees downsizing to condos need scaled furniture for tighter floor plans.
Remote workers need functional home office solutions—desks, storage, and seating that blend with residential spaces.

CB2 Price Range and Value

Here’s a quick breakdown of CB2’s pricing across major product categories to help you understand what to expect before shopping.

Category	Price Range	Typical / Most Common Range	Notes
Sofas	$800 to $2,500	$1,200 to $1,800	Price depends on size and materials
Dining Tables	$400 to $1,500	$600 to $900 for standard four-person tables	Compact options start lower, and extension tables cost more
Lighting Fixtures	$50 to $600	$100 to $300 for most pendant lights and floor lamps	Table lamps start at $50, and chandeliers reach $600
Throw Pillows	$20 to $50	—	Affordable decor option
Rugs	$100 to $1,200	—	Accent rugs at the lower end, room-sized at the higher end
Wall Art	$30 to $400	—	Price varies by size and framing
Sales & Clearance	30% to 50% off	—	Seasonal sales and discontinued styles in the outlet section
Value & Longevity	5 to 10 years of expected use	—	Longer lasting than fast furniture, not heirloom quality

Where to Shop CB2

CB2 operates through multiple channels, giving shoppers flexibility in how they browse and buy.

Physical Store Locations: CB2 runs over 20 stores across major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. Locations sit in urban shopping districts or lifestyle centers with open floor plans and displays styled like actual apartments.
Online Shopping at CB2.com: The website includes room planning tools, product specs, customer reviews, and filters for size, color, material, and price. Most items ship within one to two weeks, though custom orders take longer.
Mobile App Experience: The app mirrors website functionality with added in-store barcode scanning. Check colors, read reviews, save wishlists, and track orders.
Design Consultation Services: In-store and virtual consultations are complimentary. Design associates help plan layouts, suggest pieces, and coordinate purchases with no purchase obligation.

Is CB2 Right for You?

CB2 works well for specific situations and style preferences, but understanding these factors helps you decide before investing.

CB2 makes sense if you’re drawn to modern minimalist interiors and living in smaller spaces. The brand centers on clean lines, industrial touches, and Scandinavian simplicity with furniture scaled for apartments and condos.

If you prefer traditional styles or need pieces for spacious homes, CB2 won’t align with your needs.

The pricing sits between budget retailers like IKEA and premium brands like West Elm. Expect furniture lasting five to ten years solid quality without heirloom expectations.

CB2 follows current design trends, so pieces feel fresh now but may look dated compared to timeless options.

Access to physical stores and a functional website make shopping straightforward. However, if you live far from urban centers or need rock-bottom prices, CB2’s model might not suit your situation.

Consider your space constraints, budget, and style preferences before committing.

The Bottom Line

So, what is CB2? It’s Crate & Barrel’s modern furniture brand targeting shoppers aged 25 to 45 who want contemporary style at mid-range prices.

Launched in 2000, CB2 specializes in minimalist, space-conscious pieces for urban living and smaller homes.

The brand succeeds by addressing a clear market need for quality furniture that feels current without luxury-brand budgets or long-term style commitments. Whether CB2 fits your needs depends on your design preferences, space constraints, and budget.

Ready to shop? Visit CB2.com for collections, room planning tools, or store locations. Their design consultations can help determine if this approach works for your space.