You signed the lease on that Manhattan one-bedroom three months ago. The sofa you ordered from a random online retailer arrived smaller than expected and the color reads more "sad oatmeal" than "warm linen." There are still 14 CB2 tabs open on your laptop, and you keep circling back to the same pieces without pulling the trigger. The room still feels temporary.
CB2, the contemporary sister brand of Crate & Barrel, has become the go-to for design professionals who want modern furniture with actual style credentials. But scrolling their site without a plan leads to decision paralysis. That's where knowing which pieces designers actually recommend makes the difference. When you're ready to stop overwhelming yourself with furniture choices, starting with proven favorites cuts your research time in half.
We analyzed dozens of designer reviews, editor testing sessions, and professional recommendations to identify the 20 CB2 pieces that experts return to again and again.
Key Takeaways
- Designer collaborations drive the best picks. Goop, Studio Anansi, VUUE, and Gianfranco Frattini collections consistently appear in professional recommendations.
- Natural materials dominate. Marble, travertine, burl wood, and bouclé pieces stand out as investment-worthy choices.
- The Faible Sectional is CB2's documented best-seller. Confirmed by store employees and multiple editor testing sessions.
- Small-space options exist. The Strato Sofa packs visual impact into just 80 inches, perfect for city apartments.
- Price range spans $299 to $6,796. There's something here whether you're anchoring a room or adding finishing touches.
Statement Seating: Sofas Worth Building a Room Around
The sofa sets the tone for your entire living room. These six pieces have earned repeat recommendations from designers and editors who've tested them in person.
1) Faible 4-Piece Sectional Sofa
Price: $4,896 | Why Designers Love It: CB2's best-selling couch with the deepest seats in the lineup
CB2 store employees confirmed this is their best-seller, and it's easy to see why. The Faible delivers 45-inch seat depth, which is the deepest of any CB2 sofa. It comes in 28 fabric choices including performance options that wipe clean.
Key Features:
- Extra-wide arms that practically double as side tables
- Spongy, supportive cushions ideal for families
- Clean silhouette that works with multiple aesthetics
- Also available as ottoman and standard sofa
Apartment Therapy editors rated it 4.5 out of 5 after hands-on testing. The oversized proportions make it perfect for households where everyone fights over the good seat.
2) Marconi Tufted Leather Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini
Price: $3,999 | Why Designers Love It: Vintage Milanese pedigree with modern construction
This sofa was originally designed for a classic Milanese restaurant, and that heritage shows. The button-tufted argyle pattern on the back and arms creates what editors call a "posh, club-like ambience". The whiskey-colored saddle leather ages beautifully.
Key Features:
- 81.5 inches long, fitting most living rooms
- Lumbar pillows included to compensate for the low back
- Available in 5 leather options
- Matching accent chair available
Tested as "Best Traditional Style" in Apartment Therapy's CB2 sofa roundup. If you want a sofa with actual design history behind it, this is the pick.
3) Mylene Bouclé Curved Sofa by Goop
Price: $3,999 | Why Designers Love It: Two-tone bouclé that actually makes an impression
Editors have seen countless bouclé sofas, but the Mylene made a lasting impression thanks to its black-and-white two-tone upholstery. Most bouclé reads as beige background furniture. This one doesn't.
Key Features:
- 97 inches long with a curved wraparound back
- 18 upholstery options available
- Texture described as "fuzzy and soft, like an expensive wool sweater"
- Goop collaboration with Gwyneth Paltrow
Rated "Best Textured Style" with a 4.4/5 score. The curved silhouette encourages conversation rather than everyone facing the TV.
4) Deseo Modular Charcoal Velvet Sectional
Price: $6,497 (3-piece) | Why Designers Love It: The rare charcoal velvet that actually exists
Most velvet sectionals come in predictable colors. The Deseo's deep charcoal is something editors had "never seen" in this shade. It remains their favorite modular option after testing everything CB2 sells.
Key Features:
- 36 fabric choices for customization
- 44-inch seat depth, nearly matching the Faible
- Armless configuration allows flexible arrangements
- Low profile with plush seats designed for napping
The expandable design means you can start with three pieces and add more later. Rated 4.6 out of 5 for lounging capability.
5) Strato Channeled Ivory Performance Fabric Sofa
Price: $1,999 | Why Designers Love It: Big style in a small footprint
At just 80 inches, this is the most compact sofa CB2 sells. But the wide channel-tufting makes it look substantial. Editors predict owners will "receive endless compliments from anyone who visits."
Key Features:
- 33 fabric options including performance fabrics
- High wraparound back creates a "cocooned" feeling
- Also available as a modular sectional
- Perfect for apartments under 700 square feet
If you're trying to figure out what furniture fits a small city apartment, start here. Rated "Best for Small Spaces" with a 4.2/5 score.
6) Lumis Modular Snow White Performance Fabric Sectional
Price: $5,196 (4-piece) | Why Designers Love It: The Cloud couch alternative that actually ships
The Lumis looks like the famous Cloud couch but without the Restoration Hardware price tag or 6-month lead time. It features the fluffiest cushions of any CB2 sofa tested.
Key Features:
- 126 inches long in the 4-piece configuration
- 30 fabric choices
- Cream-colored performance fabric for durability
- Perfect for movie nights and all-day lounging
Rated "Best for Lounging" with a 4.6/5 score. This is the couch you sink into and don't leave.
Dining Showpieces: Tables That Anchor the Room
A dining table does double duty as workspace, gathering spot, and design statement. These three pieces earned top marks from editors who tested them in person.
7) Aster Oval Black Marble Dining Table
Price: $3,499 | Why Designers Love It: The piece that greeted editors "right as they walked into the store"
The S-shaped fluted aluminum base is "impossible to ignore." The black marble top with white veining creates drama without overwhelming the room. Despite the sculptural base, there's still generous legroom for all eight guests.
Key Features:
- 96-inch oval seats up to 8 people
- Black marble with natural white streaking
- S-shaped aluminum base as design focal point
- Functions as both showpiece and practical dining spot
Rated 4.8 out of 5 and named "Best Large Style." If you entertain regularly, this table earns its price.
8) Albertine Oval Dining Table by Goop
Price: $2,999 | Why Designers Love It: The table that made the biggest impression on professional testers
The brass detailing and exposed screws on the plank-style legs make this table "impossible to look away from." It perfectly marries modern and traditional aesthetics.
Key Features:
- 110-inch oval seats up to 10 people
- Oak construction with unlacquered brass accents
- Oval-shaped cutouts in the legs add visual interest
- Goop collaboration piece
Rated 4.8 out of 5 and named "Best Statement Maker." This is the table you build Thanksgiving dinner around.
9) Taza Round Travertine Dining Table
Price: $1,699 | Why Designers Love It: Sculptural base that "steals the show"
The coiled pedestal base gives this table an almost ancient feel while the travertine surface handles moisture better than marble. The slightly textured finish adds an artisanal quality.
Key Features:
- 54-inch round seats up to 6 people
- Crème caramel colored travertine
- Coiled pedestal base as focal point
- Moisture-resistant for practical dining use
Rated 4.6 out of 5 and named "Best Sculptural Style." Perfect for smaller dining rooms that still want presence.
Bedroom Anchors: Beds and Nightstands That Set the Tone
Your bedroom furniture affects how you start and end every day. These pieces create impact without overwhelming the space. For more ideas on pulling together a cohesive bedroom, check out our guide to bedroom decorating ideas.
10) Davison Fluted Wood Bed by Studio Anansi
Price: Starting at $1,999 (queen) | Why Designers Love It: "Almost sculptural" presence
Designed by Evan Jerry of Studio Anansi, this bed's wraparound wood frame and curved headboard create the kind of piece you'd find in a design magazine spread. The fluted detailing adds texture without fussiness.
Key Features:
- Pine and poplar construction
- Curved headboard with thick frame
- Optional built-in nightstands available
- Makes a strong design statement without overwhelming
Named "Most Stylish" bed at CB2 after hands-on testing. Worth the investment if your bedroom needs a true anchor piece.
11) Egan 2-Drawer Nightstand
Price: $699 | Why Designers Love It: Art Deco influences with modern execution
Interior designer Hannah Rusnac sees "art deco and art nouveau influences" in the long brass pulls and curved shape. This nightstand would feel at home in a luxurious, classic bedroom.
Key Features:
- Dark wood finish with brass hardware
- Two drawers for practical storage
- Curved silhouette adds sophistication
- Pairs well with both traditional and modern beds
The vintage-inspired design creates a sense of permanence. This feels like furniture you'd keep for decades, not replace in five years.
12) Diana Bouclé Bed by Ross Cassidy
Price: Starting around $1,299 (queen) | Why Designers Love It: 68 upholstery options for true customization
The organic curved headboard has a "blob-like" contemporary silhouette that leaves an impact without being too attention-grabbing. The solid wood nub legs add a grounding detail.
Key Features:
- Most fabric options of any CB2 bed
- Curved headboard works in smaller spaces
- Contemporary silhouette by designer Ross Cassidy
- Great anchor for a room that needs softness
Named "Best Contemporary" in editor testing. The customization options mean you can match virtually any color scheme.
13) Kamari Oak Wood and Upholstered Bed
Price: Around $1,500-2,000 (queen) | Why Designers Love It: Mixed materials done right
Designer Hannah Rusnac calls this bed "actually quite lovely" thanks to the thoughtful combination of oak wood and upholstered inset. The curved corners create softness.
Key Features:
- Oak frame provides durability
- Upholstered headboard inset adds comfort
- Curved corner details
- Works with both warm and cool bedroom palettes
The mixed-material approach gives you the warmth of wood and the comfort of upholstery without committing fully to either.
Lighting as Art: Fixtures That Double as Sculpture
Good lighting transforms a room. These three pieces provide illumination while functioning as standalone design objects.
14) Enoki Sandstone Wall Sconce
Price: $299 | Why Designers Love It: The "epitome of 'quiet luxury'"
Interior designer Hannah Rusnac would use this sconce like an art piece. The mushroom-inspired organic shape in natural sandstone creates ambient glow without harsh light.
Key Features:
- 16-inch height
- Natural sandstone texture
- Functions as sculpture even when off
- Aligns with organic modern trends
The sandstone material means each piece has subtle natural variations. This is lighting for people who care about details.
15) Melani Polished Nickel Dome Lamp
Price: Around $200-300 | Why Designers Love It: "Such a new classic"
The offset dome under the support arc is "to die for" according to Hannah Rusnac. It's a modern riff on vintage dome lamps that creates timeless appeal.
Key Features:
- Available in polished nickel and brass
- Offset dome detail adds visual interest
- Bridges vintage and modern aesthetics
- Works on nightstands or living room side tables
This lamp will look current in ten years. That's rare for lighting at this price point.
16) Polaris White Marble and Brass Globe Pendant
Price: Around $300-500 | Why Designers Love It: Elevates an overdone trend
Globe pendants are everywhere, but most look cheap. The brass cap on the Polaris makes it "a little jewel" that avoids the tacky look of spherical fixtures.
Key Features:
- White marble globe shade
- Brass accent cap
- Stands out from basic globe lights
- Works over dining tables or kitchen islands
The marble adds weight and luxury to a shape that usually feels insubstantial.
Coffee Table Centerpieces: The Pieces You'll Style Around
Coffee tables anchor your seating area and hold everything from books to drinks to decorative objects. These two earned designer endorsements for good reason.
17) Scatola Burl Wood Coffee Table
Price: $1,499 (48-inch round) | Why Designers Love It: Rare material you "don't see every day"
Designer Hannah Rusnac loves the simplicity of the shape paired with the complex burl wood texture. Each piece is unique thanks to natural wood variations.
Key Features:
- Available in 48-inch round and rectangular versions
- FSC-certified wood
- Contract Grade durability
- Natural patterning makes each table one-of-a-kind
Burl wood brings character that veneers and solid colors can't match. This is a coffee table that becomes a conversation piece.
18) Enyo Travertine Coffee Table
Price: $1,899 | Why Designers Love It: Natural stone that "won't be out of style anytime soon"
Victoria Adesanmi of Aesthetics Studios calls this an investment piece. The oversized scale works perfectly with large sectionals, and the post-and-lintel construction gives it architectural presence.
Key Features:
- 55-inch rectangular
- Travertine veneer with plinth-style construction
- Low-to-ground design for large rooms
- Exceptional durability for high-use surfaces
Unlike most travertine tables, this one has legs, which makes it easier to vacuum underneath. Practical detail, major visual impact.
Accent and Storage: The Finishing Pieces
These final pieces complete a room without competing for attention.
19) Argyle Bello Black Leather Bench
Price: Around $800-1,000 | Why Designers Love It: Distinctive half-circle metal legs
Designed by Melbourne-based studio VUUE, this minimal bench works at the end of a bed, in an entryway, or as extra seating in a living room.
Key Features:
- Black leather with metal legs
- Half-circle leg detail creates visual interest
- Minimal modern aesthetic
- Part of larger VUUE collaboration with CB2
The leg shape is the kind of detail that makes guests notice furniture.
20) Cupla Wood Entryway Cabinet
Price: Around $800-1,200 | Why Designers Love It: Starburst veneer as "delightful ornamentation"
White oak is "versatile and classic", and the small footprint works in entryways, hallways, or living rooms.
Key Features:
- White oak construction
- Starburst veneer detail on doors
- Small footprint for tight spaces
- Concealed storage keeps clutter hidden
This cabinet solves the "where do I put my keys and mail" problem while looking intentional.
Pulling It All Together
Knowing which pieces designers recommend is the first step. The harder part is figuring out how they work together in your specific room with your specific budget and constraints.
First Chair helps you move from "I like these CB2 pieces" to "here's what actually works in my living room." Upload a photo of your space or an inspiration image, describe what you're going for, and First Chair generates cohesive room concepts using real, shoppable pieces from retailers like CB2, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and brands you haven't discovered yet. Every recommendation is something you can actually buy, with insider pricing on most pieces.
The goal isn't more tabs to keep open. It's a room that finally feels finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes CB2 furniture popular among interior designers?
CB2 hits a sweet spot between price and design credibility. The designer collaborations with Goop, Studio Anansi, and Gianfranco Frattini bring actual design pedigree. The pieces photograph well and hold up to professional use. Interior designer Hannah Rusnac calls CB2 "one of my favorite furniture retailers in that price point."
Does CB2 offer options for small living spaces?
Yes. The Strato Sofa at just 80 inches was specifically tested as "Best for Small Spaces." The Lola Concrete Dining Table works in tight dining areas. And many storage pieces like the Cupla Cabinet have small footprints designed for city apartments.
Are CB2 furniture pieces a good long-term investment?
The pieces on this list were selected because designers return to them repeatedly. Natural materials like travertine, marble, and burl wood age well. Designer Victoria Adesanmi notes that natural stone pieces "won't be out of style anytime soon." Performance fabrics on sofas like the Faible handle daily wear better than standard upholstery.
How does CB2 compare to other modern furniture brands?
CB2 sits between IKEA and higher-end brands like West Elm or Crate & Barrel in terms of price and quality. The designer collaborations set it apart from budget options, while the pricing stays more accessible than Article or Pottery Barn for comparable pieces. The FSC-certification goal on wood furniture adds sustainability credentials.
How can I integrate CB2 pieces into my existing decor?
Start with one anchor piece rather than replacing everything at once. A sculptural coffee table like the Scatola or statement sofa like the Mylene can elevate existing furniture around it. The neutral color options on most CB2 pieces make them adaptable to various living room decorating approaches.
