Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel: secondhand furniture from Chicago's modern classic
Clean-lined American home design that started in an old Chicago elevator factory
Crate & Barrel is an American home furnishings brand founded in 1962 by Gordon and Carole Segal, who opened their first shop on North Wells Street in Chicago's Old Town, inside part of an old elevator factory. They wanted to sell the kind of simple, well-made European housewares they couldn't find at home, and famously displayed goods on the shipping crates and barrels they arrived in. Today the company is based in Northbrook, Illinois, and has been fully owned by Germany's Otto Group since 2011. On Whoppah you'll find a small selection of pre-owned Crate & Barrel furniture, and our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live. My honest take: this isn't collector's design, and that's the point. It's solid, clean-lined furniture that fits almost anywhere, and buying it secondhand makes a sensible choice even more sensible.
Iconic Crate & Barrel pieces
- Upholstered sofas and sectionals: Roomy, neutral and made for daily use, the brand's furniture backbone.
- Solid wood dining tables: Simple forms that work with almost any chair.
- Glassware and tabletop: Where the company began: simple European style housewares.
Crate & Barrel is the furniture I'd happily buy secondhand for the big everyday pieces, so the budget can go to one thing with real character.
Evelien Bunnik-Remmelts, Co-Founder and CEO of Whoppah
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Crate & Barrel start?
Gordon and Carole Segal opened the first store in December 1962, a space of about 1,700 square feet in Chicago's then bohemian Old Town. The idea came from European housewares they had discovered and couldn't buy back home.
The name came from the display method: products stacked on the crates and barrels they were shipped in. The Otto Group bought a majority stake in 1998 and became sole owner in 2011, while the headquarters stayed in Illinois.
What is Crate & Barrel known for?
Tabletop and glassware built the brand, and furniture followed. The look is modern without being cold: roomy sofas, solid wood dining tables, simple sideboards and neutral upholstery.
The company also runs CB2, a sister line with a sharper, more urban style. If a listing says CB2, it's related but not the same collection, so read the description.
What should I check when buying secondhand Crate & Barrel?
Start with the label. Upholstered pieces usually have a tag under the cushions or beneath the frame, and wood furniture is often marked underneath. Ask for a photo of it along with the model name if the seller has it.
Then look at the practical stuff. Sit tests aren't possible online, so ask about cushion firmness, removable covers and any pet or sun damage. For tables, check the top for water rings and the legs for wobble. Our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live, but a good set of questions never hurts.
How does Crate & Barrel fit into a home?
It's the reliable base layer. A neutral Crate & Barrel sofa or dining table gives you room to add one bolder designer piece, a statement lamp or a vintage chair, without the room fighting itself.
I think that's where it shines. Spend less on the big, practical items, buy them secondhand, and put the savings toward the piece you'll actually talk about.
When and where was Crate & Barrel founded?
Gordon and Carole Segal founded Crate & Barrel in 1962 in Chicago's Old Town. The company is now headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.
Who owns Crate & Barrel?
The German Otto Group took a majority stake in 1998 and became sole owner in 2011.
Is secondhand Crate & Barrel furniture a good buy?
For solid wood and well-kept upholstery, I think so. It's practical furniture that holds up, and buying it pre-owned keeps it out of landfill. Check the condition photos closely.
Is CB2 the same as Crate & Barrel?
CB2 is a sister brand from the same company with a more modern, urban style. The collections differ, so check which line a piece comes from.
How do I sell Crate & Barrel furniture on Whoppah?
List the piece with clear photos, including the label and any wear. Our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live.
Good basics deserve a second home, not the curb. Browse Crate & Barrel on Whoppah, or list the sofa you've outgrown.