Home » CB2: Beautiful Modern Design, Weighed Against Serious Delivery and Service Complaints

CB2: Beautiful Modern Design, Weighed Against Serious Delivery and Service Complaints

by Jack Wilson

CB2’s documented strength is bold, contemporary design. CB2 is Crate & Barrel’s modern sister brand, first opened in Chicago and describing itself as “affordable modern for apartment, loft, home,” according to its Indeed profile. Apartment Therapy describes its furniture as bolder than Crate & Barrel, with clean lines, sleek finishes and eye-catching silhouettes. After testing every CB2 sofa, Apartment Therapy called them some of the most stylish it had seen and praised CB2’s commitment to sustainable material sourcing and extensive quality testing. CB2 has also collaborated with designers and brands, including Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, on mid-century Italian and modernist-inspired collections, according to Dezeen and Sunset.

CB2’s range covers sofas, sectionals, beds, dining tables and chairs, storage, lighting, rugs, outdoor furniture, tableware and decor. SlumberSearch lists CB2 furniture prices from about $199 to $3,899 and gives it 7.9 out of 10 overall, noting customers like its selection and modern styles, especially lighting, while some report durability and delivery issues. On Trustpilot, even unhappy customers often praise the designs. tecwmn (US, 1 star) called his dining chairs beautiful despite delivery problems. Maria LaPine (US, 1 star) acknowledged CB2’s beautiful products. Tracy Murphy (US, 1 star) said CB2 has great accessories and small items. CB2 also offers free design services in some stores, according to a reviewer.

The honest caveat: CB2’s Trustpilot score is 1.3 from 325 reviews, with 88% one-star ratings. The profile is unclaimed and CB2 doesn’t invite reviews, which skews results negative, but complaints are consistent. Reviewers describe delivery dates pushed back for weeks or months, white-glove delivery that failed to arrive, damaged items that customers had to take to UPS themselves, discontinued items never delivered without notice, inaccurate shipping estimates and slow, unhelpful customer service. Reperch notes CB2 doesn’t consistently publish frame specifications and doesn’t offer a standard sofa warranty.

Quick Highlights

✅ Bold, modern designs from Crate & Barrel’s sister brand
✅ Apartment Therapy called CB2 sofas some of the most stylish it’s seen
✅ Sustainable sourcing and quality testing, per Apartment Therapy
✅ Wide range: sofas, beds, lighting, dining and decor
✅ Designer collaborations, including Goop
✅ Stylish lighting praised by customers, per SlumberSearch
✅ SlumberSearch overall score of 7.9/10
✅ Great accessories and small items, per reviewers
✅ Free design services in some stores, per a reviewer
✅ Physical stores to see pieces in person
✅ White-glove delivery available
✅ Prices from about $199 to $3,899, per SlumberSearch

❌ TrustScore of 1.3 from 325 reviews, 88% one-star
❌ Delivery dates pushed back repeatedly
❌ Discontinued items not communicated, per reviewers
❌ Damaged items must be returned via UPS, per a reviewer
❌ Slow, unhelpful customer service
❌ No standard sofa warranty, per Reperch
❌ Frame specs not consistently published, per Reperch

Why Trust This Review

This review draws on 325 Trustpilot reviews of CB2 (TrustScore 1.3), Apartment Therapy’s hands-on sofa testing, SlumberSearch’s ratings, Reperch’s comparison with Crate & Barrel, and coverage of CB2’s collaborations from Sunset and Dezeen. CB2’s Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and doesn’t invite reviews, so it likely overrepresents problems. Prices and policies change, so check CB2’s site.

Safety note: Anchor tall furniture like bookcases, dressers and étagères to the wall to prevent tip-overs, especially in homes with children. Inspect glass and mirrors on delivery and don’t use damaged items. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with CB2 that affects this verdict.

Full Review Breakdown

Design and Style

CB2’s design is its main draw. Apartment Therapy says CB2 is known for a contemporary, trendy aesthetic that’s bolder than Crate & Barrel, with clean lines and eye-catching shapes. SlumberSearch calls CB2 a younger, more updated sibling of Crate & Barrel, with chic designs at more moderate prices. Its designer collaborations, such as Goop x CB2, featured mid-century Italian and modernist pieces including velvet sofas, boucle chairs and statement mirrors.

Customers consistently like the look. tecwmn said his dining chairs were beautiful even though delivery failed. Maria LaPine said beautiful products mean little without support, but acknowledged their beauty. For design-forward shoppers furnishing apartments and lofts, CB2 offers pieces that stand out.

Quality and Construction

Quality feedback is mixed. Apartment Therapy praised CB2’s commitment to extensive quality testing after testing every CB2 sofa. SlumberSearch reports mixed reviews on durability, with some customers praising lighting designs while noting construction and perceived quality issues.

Reperch says CB2 doesn’t consistently publish detailed frame specifications, making it harder to judge long-term durability, and that Crate & Barrel is the safer choice for frame quality and everyday family use. Elvira Veksler (US, 1 star) said CB2 dishes broke quickly. Before buying a large piece, check reviews for that specific item and ask about materials and construction.

Delivery and Order Experience

Delivery is CB2’s biggest weakness on Trustpilot. L Smith (US, 1 star) said her delivery date kept slipping over six weeks and she was charged an unexplained amount. Attie Carville (US, 1 star) said delivery would have taken eight weeks for in-stock items. Jay (Canada, 1 star) said a promised six-to-nine-day delivery to Canada stretched to six weeks. Richard Priest (US, 1 star) and tecwmn both said items were discontinued without notice after long waits.

White-glove service also draws complaints. Roberto Hernandez Giannini (1 star) said he paid extra for white-glove mirror delivery, waited 42 minutes on hold, and the delivery team arrived late, costing him his building’s elevator slot. Jessica Oquendo (US, 1 star) said damaged furniture had to be packed and taken to a UPS store herself. Morgan Chambers (US, 1 star) said a warehouse pickup required an appointment she wasn’t told about. Paul Trachtenberg (US, 5 stars) praised an on-time delivery and setup, though for a Crate & Barrel couch.

Customer Service and Design Services

Customer service complaints are frequent. Junian Ioffe (US, 1 star) said reps repeatedly claimed to take actions they didn’t. Madison Kessler (US, 1 star) said that after a $25,000 order through CB2’s free design service, her designer stopped responding and four deliveries failed. Cindy (US, 1 star) said a shower gift order was delayed repeatedly with no updates. Jihaan (US, 1 star) said CB2 offered only virtual consultation for a multi-room project.

Some issues do get resolved. tecwmn eventually received a full refund including shipping, and Jen Z (US, 3 stars) said order errors were fixed, though frustrating at the price. If you order, keep records, track your order closely, and escalate early if delivery dates slip.

Best Products Worth Buying

CB2 Sofas

CB2’s sofas offer bold silhouettes, modern fabrics and sustainable sourcing, and Apartment Therapy tested every one, calling them some of the most stylish it’s seen. Best for design-focused buyers furnishing apartments and modern homes. Trade-offs: Reperch notes CB2 doesn’t offer a standard sofa warranty or consistently publish frame specs, and Crate & Barrel may suit heavy family use better. Test sofas in a store before buying.

CB2 Lighting

Statement floor lamps, pendants and table lamps that customers particularly praise for style, according to SlumberSearch. Lighting is one of the easiest ways to add CB2’s modern look. Best for refreshing a room without a big furniture commitment. Trade-offs: some customers report construction and quality issues, so inspect pieces on arrival.

CB2 Dining Chairs

Sculptural modern dining chairs in materials like boucle, leather and metal. tecwmn called his chairs beautiful. Best for updating a dining space with a designer feel. Trade-offs: tecwmn waited months and his chairs were discontinued before delivery. Confirm stock and delivery dates before ordering.

CB2 Accessories and Small Decor

Pillow covers, vases, tableware and other decor in CB2’s modern style. Tracy Murphy said CB2 has great accessories and small items, even though she wouldn’t order its furniture. Best for adding modern touches at lower risk. Trade-offs: Tracy paid $24.95 for express shipping on pillow covers that didn’t arrive on time. Choose standard shipping unless you can confirm dates.

What Customers Actually Think

“The chairs themselves are beautiful, but the customer service and delivery experience has been unacceptable.” — tecwmn, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, dining chairs)

“I would never order furniture from them, but they have some great accessories and small items.” — Tracy Murphy, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, pillow covers)

“Beautiful products mean very little when there’s virtually no support after the purchase.” — Maria LaPine, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, furniture order)

“Delivery kept getting pushed for over a month.” — Junian Ioffe, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, furniture order)

“Had some bad order errors but they did fix it.” — Jen Z, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 3 stars, CB2 order)

Is It Worth It?

CB2 is worth it for design-led shoppers who want distinctive modern pieces, especially lighting, decor and accessories. For large furniture, buy only if you can wait, confirm stock before ordering, see pieces in person, and keep detailed records of every interaction.

Competitors Table

Feature

CB2

Crate & Barrel

West Elm

Article

Burrow

Joybird

Trustpilot rating

1.3/5 (325 reviews)

1.1/5 (493 reviews)

1.2/5 (1.6K reviews)

2.6/5 (941 reviews)

Not checked

Not checked

Style

Bold modern

Classic modern

Mid-century modern

Mid-century modern

Modular modern

Retro modern

Physical stores

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Limited

Limited

Design services

Yes, some stores

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Standard sofa warranty

No, per Reperch

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Price level

Mid to premium

Premium

Mid to premium

Mid

Mid

Mid to premium

FAQs

Is CB2 owned by Crate & Barrel?

Yes. CB2 is Crate & Barrel’s modern sister brand.

Is CB2 furniture good quality?

Apartment Therapy praises its testing and style, but reviews on durability are mixed.

Why is CB2 delivery so slow?

Reviewers report delayed, rescheduled and sometimes discontinued orders, so confirm stock before buying.

Does CB2 offer design help?

Some stores offer free design services, according to a reviewer.

Does CB2 offer a sofa warranty?

Reperch says CB2 doesn’t provide a standard sofa warranty.

Final Verdict

CB2 offers some of the most stylish modern furniture and decor available, with bold designs, notable collaborations and pieces that Apartment Therapy calls among the most stylish it has tested. Its accessories and lighting are lower-risk ways to get the look.

But CB2’s delivery and customer service problems are severe and consistent in recent reviews, from months-long delays and discontinued orders to damaged items and unanswered calls. Shop in store when possible, confirm stock and delivery timelines, and document everything. For design, CB2 shines. For reliability, proceed with caution.

Scorecard

Category

Score

Design & Style

9.2/10

Product Selection

8.4/10

Build Quality

6.6/10

Delivery Reliability

3.4/10

Customer Service

3.0/10

Returns & Damage Handling

4.0/10

Warranty

4.6/10

Value for Money

6.4/10

Overall

5.8/10

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