Conscious design, textural sophistication, and seasonal comfort: What Crate & Barrel and CB2 bring to the GCC with New Stores and Collection

Crate & Barrel has always been about creating spaces that feel lived-in, warm, and inspiring, but this season there’s an added sense of anticipation in the air. The brand has just opened two new flagships that firmly anchor it in the GCC design scene: Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi, where it sits side by side with its sister brand CB2 for the very first time, and Sahara Mall in Riyadh, which marks its third location in the Kingdom. Both stores bring the latest Fall/Winter 2025 collections to life, curated with the kind of craftsmanship and global flair that have made Crate & Barrel a household name.

The collection itself is a study in comfort layered with sophistication. Think oversized chaise lounges that invite lazy Sunday afternoons, FSC-certified woods and organic cotton that showcase the brand’s sustainable commitments, and luxe neutrals and jewel tones that shift a home’s mood instantly.

Sarah Sullivan, Senior Director of International Operations at Crate & Barrel Holdings, summed it up: “We are excited to expand our footprint in the GCC with our new stores, bringing fresh, new global perspectives and the latest design trends to our regional audience. We have seen regional demand surging for Crate & Barrel and CB2, and our thoughtfully designed product that’s both beautiful and responsible. We look forward to continuing to curate inspiring spaces, introduce exclusive collaborations, and become an integral part of the UAE and Saudi Arabia design community.”

Crate & Barrel Verbier Kombu Green Dining Table with Dark Walnut

Those exclusive collaborations are shaping much of the buzz. Among them, the debut outdoor collection by interior designer Jake Arnold, known for weaving Los Angeles ease with London refinement, is a standout. Arnold talks about escapism being at the heart of his work, how a sofa or an umbrella can conjure the feeling of being on vacation every day. His Hartford wood outdoor sofa (pictured above) channels vintage European garden furniture while being perfectly practical for today’s patios, and the Cobden teak umbrella takes its cues from Italian beach cabanas. He insists that it’s the little details, like antique bronze finishes or the subtle pattern on a pillow, that elevate a piece from ordinary to timeless, mixing materials in a way that makes a space both collected and deeply personal.

CB2 Lucie White Boucle Upholstered Outdoor Daybed

It’s this mix of comfort and refinement, everyday usability and design-forward touches, that defines the Fall/Winter lineup. Alongside Arnold’s breezy take on outdoor living, there’s also a culinary-inspired collaboration with chef Daniel Humm, bringing Bauhaus lines to marble utensil holders and sculptural bowls. Together, the collections feel modern but never sterile, luxurious without losing their sense of ease.

Crate & Barrel Palermo Wood & Upholstered 2-Drawer Queen Storage Bed

CB2 Cova Round Marbled Resin Outdoor Coffee Table

With the Abu Dhabi and Riyadh openings, Crate & Barrel goes beyond selling furniture to offering a glimpse into how design can transform a lifestyle. From interiors services like The Design Desk to swift omnichannel shopping, the brand is doubling down on making design accessible, aspirational, and deeply rooted in the way people across the region actually live.

And for anyone stepping into the new flagships this season, the takeaway is clear: Crate & Barrel wants your home to feel like a sanctuary: comfortable, beautiful, and just a little bit like the vacation you didn’t know you needed.

You can now shop the collection on crateandbarrel.me