When the Home Furnishings Association named Room & Board the 2026 HFA Retailer of the Year (50+ Employees), it recognized more than a successful retailer. It honored a company that has spent more than four decades proving that great furniture retail is built on something deeper: strong values, thoughtful design, and a commitment to people.
Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Room & Board has become one of the most respected names in modern home furnishings. With 21 stores across the United States and national delivery, the company has built its reputation on quality craftsmanship, transparent pricing, and an unwavering focus on customer experience. Room & Board was nominated by its industry peers and selected by a panel of experienced judges from across the industry. Room & Board earned the hearts of our judges for the way it brings together innovation, sustainability, and employee ownership to create a modern retail model that benefits customers, staff, and communities alike.
A Company Built Around People
At the heart of Room & Board’s success is its people.
In 2024, the company celebrated a milestone: becoming 100% employee-owned, reinforcing a culture that has long emphasized shared responsibility and collaboration. Employee ownership encourages team members to think like owners—because they are. As the company explains, “people inspire everything we do.” That philosophy begins with hiring individuals who share the company’s values and commitment to doing the right thing.
Room & Board’s recruitment strategy focuses on attracting candidates aligned with the brand’s culture and mission. Through structured interviews, inclusive hiring practices, and a centralized recruiting team, the company ensures a fair and thoughtful hiring process while maintaining high standards across the organization. Once hired, employees are supported with robust professional development programs designed to help them grow within the organization. Staff members progress through a structured Growth & Development Framework that includes phases for learning, skill-building, and exploring new opportunities. Leadership programs such as the New Leaders Conference, Leadership Circles, and the Leaders for Belonging & Inclusion series help cultivate the next generation of company leaders.
The company also invests heavily in employee well-being. At its Central Campus, staff have access to amenities including a fitness center, a pickleball court, and wellness services. Employees and their families also receive support through mental well-being programs and a “Thrive Account” that reimburses wellness expenses—from gym memberships to pet care.
These initiatives are not just perks—they reinforce a culture built on respect, accountability, and shared success.
Room & Board believes community involvement is connected to their overall well-being. That’s why they donate 2% of their profits annually to organizations that protect the environment, provide relief after natural disasters, and build better futures for people and communities.
A Customer Experience Designed to Be Worry-Free
Room & Board’s philosophy toward customer service is refreshingly simple: make buying furniture easy. “Our promise to customers is for a worry-free experience,” the company explains. “We treat customers how we would want to be treated, from shopping to long after furniture arrives.”
That promise shapes every part of the customer journey.
Unlike many retailers, Room & Board practices transparent everyday pricing, avoiding inflated markups and artificial sales. Instead, the company works directly with manufacturing partners to deliver high-quality furniture at the best possible price year-round. The shopping experience is intentionally relaxed. Sales associates are salaried rather than commission-based, eliminating pressure and allowing customers to explore at their own pace.
Customers also have access to free design services for projects of any size—from styling a single room to planning entire homes. Designers help clients create mood boards, space plans, and even 3D renderings to visualize their spaces. The experience continues after purchase with Room & Board’s highly rated delivery service. For a flat fee, customers receive full-service delivery, including assembly, placement, and packaging removal, anywhere in the contiguous United States.
The results speak for themselves. In 2025, the company achieved a Net Promoter Score of 91 percent, far exceeding the industry average of 62 percent. That level of customer advocacy is a powerful indicator of loyalty and satisfaction.
Sustainability at the Core
For Room & Board, sustainability isn’t a marketing message; it’s a long-term commitment. The company achieved a major milestone in 2025 by reaching its goal of 100 percent sustainably sourced wood, supporting healthier forests and responsible supply chains. It has also significantly increased the use of environmentally responsible materials, including upholstery fabrics certified for indoor air quality and packaging designed for recyclability. Today, 82 percent of Room & Board’s packaging is recyclable, and its operations divert more than 87 percent of waste from landfills.
In addition, more than 90 percent of the company’s products are made by American artisans, supporting domestic manufacturing and strengthening relationships with skilled craftspeople across the country.
A notable innovation is Renew, Room & Board’s first 99% bio-based upholstered chair. Made from natural and renewable materials and crafted with partners in North Carolina, the chair represents a new benchmark in responsible furniture design. Its frame uses reclaimed urban oak sourced from fallen city trees, turning waste into beautiful, functional furniture.
Room & Board has further reinforced its commitment to responsible business practices by becoming a Certified B Corporation in late 2023, a designation awarded to companies that meet high standards for social and environmental performance.
The company’s sustainability strategy focuses on three pillars:
- Better Products: Designing furniture using responsibly sourced materials and environmentally conscious processes
- Better for People: Supporting craftspeople, employees, and communities
- Better for the Planet: Reducing environmental impact through renewable energy, waste reduction, and climate planning
Already, more than 68 percent of the company’s electricity comes from renewable sources, and the company plans to reach 100 percent by 2030.
Marketing with Authenticity
Room & Board’s marketing strategy reflects the same thoughtful approach seen in its products and culture. The company combines digital marketing, direct mail, and public relations to reach new customers while maintaining meaningful connections with existing ones. In 2025, its marketing efforts helped drive 17 percent growth in new customers, with peaks of 27 percent in August alone.
A key initiative was the “Broaden Our Appeal” strategy, which showcased the versatility of Room & Board’s designs and expanded the brand’s reach to new audiences.
Another standout campaign, Every Last Yard, demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability and value. The event uses excess fabric and leather from manufacturing partners to produce limited-run furniture pieces, reducing waste while offering customers 20–50 percent savings. The campaign not only drove sales but also strengthened customer engagement and helped attract new shoppers to the brand.
A Legacy of Leadership
In 2025, Room & Board celebrated its 45th anniversary, marking decades of growth driven by craftsmanship, design, and strong relationships with customers and makers. A consistent focus on quality and integrity has fueled the company’s success. Its products continue to earn recognition from industry experts and design publications, including multiple mentions in The New York Times’ Wirecutter for exceptional furniture design. But perhaps the most impressive achievement is the culture the company has built, a workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and invested in the company’s future.
Room & Board Is Retailer of the Year
The HFA Retailer of the Year Award recognizes businesses that continue to innovate and grow during times of disruption while positioning themselves as both a great place to work and a trusted brand to buy from. Room & Board exemplifies that standard.
Its employee ownership model fosters accountability and collaboration. Its customer-first approach delivers a seamless, worry-free experience. Its product innovation balances design, function, and sustainability. And its commitment to American craftsmanship supports communities across the country.
In short, Room & Board demonstrates what modern home furnishings retail can be when purpose, people, and product excellence work together.
For those reasons—and for the example it sets across the industry—the Home Furnishings Association proudly recognizes Room & Board as the 2026 HFA Retailer of the Year (50+ Employees).
