Crate and Barrel Wall Art: Furniture Store Decor Reviews

Okay so I just spent like three hours at Crate and Barrel last week because a client bailed on me and honestly? Their wall art section is way more complicated than it needs to be but also there’s some really solid stuff if you know what to look for.

The Canvas Print Situation

First thing – their canvas prints are actually decent quality but you gotta check the edges. I’m serious about this. Turn that thing around in the store and look at how they wrapped the print around the frame. Some of their pieces have this weird white gap on the sides where the image doesn’t fully wrap and it drives me crazy when clients mount them on a wall. The better ones have mirrored edges or the image continues around which looks so much cleaner.

The Serene Landscapes collection they had last month (might still be there?) uses this textured canvas that actually photographs really well for blog content if that matters to you. I grabbed the eucalyptus one for a guest bedroom project and my dog knocked it over before I could hang it and there wasn’t a single dent in the frame so that’s saying something about the construction.

Price Points Are All Over The Place

You’re gonna see stuff ranging from like $79 to $800 and honestly the price doesn’t always match quality. I’ve found their mid-range pieces ($150-$300) are usually the sweet spot. The really cheap ones feel cheap – thin canvas, lightweight frames that warp if you live somewhere humid. The super expensive ones are sometimes just paying for the artist name which, fine, but you can find similar abstract pieces at actual galleries for the same price.

What Actually Looks Good In Real Homes

Their abstract geometric prints work way better than their photography pieces in my experience. I don’t know what it is but their photo prints always look a little…flat? Like the color saturation is off or something. Put one of their black and white architectural photos next to an actual photo print from a specialty shop and you’ll see what I mean.

The hand-painted stuff though – okay so this is gonna sound weird but they have these hand-embellished canvases where they add texture over printed bases. Some interior stylists hate this approach but I think it works for the price point. You get some dimensional interest without paying for a fully original painting. Just don’t tell people it’s “original art” because it’s not and someone will eventually notice.

Size Matters More Than They Tell You

Their size descriptions online are different from what you see in store sometimes? I ordered a “large” botanical print that was listed as 30×40 and got something that was definitely closer to 28×38. Not a huge deal but if you’re trying to fill a specific space or match existing frames, go in person.

Also their oversized pieces (anything over 40 inches) are actually priced pretty competitively compared to getting something custom. I did a whole living room last year with their 60-inch abstract triptych and it cost less than commissioning something similar would have.

The Framed Print Reality Check

Wait I forgot to mention – their framing quality is hit or miss. The acrylic frames are fantastic, super clear, easy to clean, modern look. The wood frames though…you gotta inspect those closely. I’ve seen gaps between the frame and mat board, finishes that aren’t consistent around all four sides, backing that looks cheap.

Their brass and gold frames are having a moment right now and they’re actually solid. Heavier than expected which is good because it means they’re not gonna feel flimsy on the wall. But test the hanging hardware before you leave the store. Seriously just flip it over and make sure the D-rings or wire are secure because I’ve had two pieces where the hardware was loose right out of the box.

What I Actually Buy For Client Projects

Okay so for actual client work here’s what I go back to Crate and Barrel for:

• Their line art prints in simple black frames – these are like $99 and look way more expensive than they are
• Abstract watercolor pieces in the 24×36 range – good for bedrooms and dining rooms
• Their metal wall sculptures which aren’t technically art but fill space really well
• Oversized botanical prints but only the ones with the white/cream backgrounds not the dark ones
• Black and white photography BUT only their architectural stuff not portraits or landscapes

The Collections That Rotate Too Fast

This is annoying but they rotate their art collections like every season. I’ll find something perfect for a project and go back two months later and it’s gone. They don’t keep stuff in stock the way they do with furniture. So if you see something you love, you gotta grab it. I learned this the hard way when I was trying to source matching pieces for a hallway gallery wall.

Their website shows more options than most stores carry which means you’re ordering blind a lot of the time. The return policy is decent but who wants to deal with shipping back a large framed print? The packaging is good though – had a client order three pieces shipped to her house and nothing arrived damaged.

Color Accuracy Is Tricky

Oh and another thing – the colors online look different than in person like 80% of the time. What looks like a soft sage green online might be more gray-green in your actual space. What looks like warm beige might read straight up yellow under certain lighting. I always tell people to order swatches of their coordinating textiles if they’re trying to match colors exactly because returns are a hassle.

I was watching this restoration show the other night while cataloging photos and realized like half the wall art they used was from Crate and Barrel which either means their styling team is really good at making it look high-end or the quality is actually there. Probably both.

Installation Hardware They Include

Most pieces come with basic hanging hardware but it’s not always appropriate for your wall type. The little nails they include are fine for drywall but if you’re hanging on plaster or concrete you’re gonna need different hardware. Also their wire hangers are sometimes too loose which makes leveling a nightmare.

Pro tip – if you’re buying multiple pieces for a gallery wall, grab their hanging template kit. It’s like $12 and actually useful unlike most hanging tools. Has the sticky templates you can arrange on the wall before making holes.

What To Skip Entirely

Their poster prints in the $29-49 range are not worth it. You can get better quality from an online print shop or even Target honestly. The paper is thin and they curl at the edges before you even get them framed.

Also skip their “inspirational quote” art unless you’re decorating a teenager’s room. They’re cheesy and feel dated already. Every home goods store does this and none of them do it well.

The really trendy stuff – like right now they have a lot of terracotta and rust tones – will look dated in two years. If you’re gonna invest more than $200 in wall art, go for something more neutral or classic so you’re not replacing it when trends shift.

Comparing To Other Furniture Store Art

Okay so compared to West Elm their selection is less edgy but more accessible. West Elm tries really hard to be cool and sometimes it works but sometimes their art just looks like they’re trying too hard. Crate and Barrel plays it safer which isn’t a bad thing for most homes.

Pottery Barn’s art is more traditional and honestly more expensive for similar quality. But PB has better framing quality overall so if framing is your priority and you like classic styles, go there instead.

CB2 which is Crate and Barrel’s younger sibling brand has more interesting art if you want something with more personality. More colorful, more experimental. But the quality is about the same as regular Crate and Barrel just different aesthetic.

The Custom Framing Service

They offer custom framing now at some locations which is new-ish. I tried it once for a vintage print I found at an estate sale and it was…fine. Not amazing, not terrible. Took forever though – like 6 weeks when they said 3-4. And it wasn’t cheaper than going to an actual frame shop so I’m not sure what the advantage is except convenience if you’re already shopping there.

Seasonal Sales Are Where It’s At

Wait I should mention timing because this actually matters. Their art goes on sale during the same periods as their furniture – basically January, July, and right after Christmas. I’ve seen pieces marked down 40% which makes their pricing actually competitive with online-only retailers.

Sign up for their email list because they send random 15% off coupons that work on art. Can’t combine with sale prices usually but still helpful for new releases.

Oh and their outlet stores (if you have one near you) get art pieces pretty regularly. It’s hit or miss but I’ve found some great deals – like $300 pieces for $99 because they’re discontinued or have minor imperfections.

My Actual Honest Recommendation

If you need wall art that looks good, won’t fall apart, and doesn’t require taking out a loan, Crate and Barrel is a solid middle option. You’re not getting museum-quality pieces but you’re also not getting dorm room posters. It’s good for filling space in guest rooms, offices, casual living areas.

For main living spaces or anywhere you’re really trying to make a statement, mix their pieces with some higher-end art or original work. A room full of only furniture store art – from anywhere not just C&B – tends to look a little catalog-y no matter how nice the individual pieces are.

The quality is consistent enough that I recommend them to clients who don’t wanna invest thousands in art but still want their homes to look finished and intentional. Just gotta be selective about which specific pieces you choose and don’t assume expensive automatically means better.