Online Eames chair dealers. Mom-and-pop (or pop-and-pop) furniture showrooms. Big chains (Pottery Barn, West Elm, Ashley) hawking everything from couches to coasters. So many businesses want to outfit your home, it can be hard to tell which ones sell which style of stuff, or which retailers suit your budget, be it IKEA low or latter-day Versailles high.

That’s why, in addition to our ratings of local furniture stores by price and quality of service, we’ve also produced brief summaries on what you’ll find at retailers with store locations in the Washington area and online. It was spearheaded by our editorial director Jennifer Barger, who has covered the home décor industry for more than two decades for publications like The Washington Post. She wrote summaries for all of the companies listed in our Ratings Tables (those that received 10 or more ratings from our surveys of consumers), plus other well-known local, national, and online-only retailers. She tried to give basic and fair descriptions and conclusions based on her in-person and online research.

AllModern

Part of the jumbo Wayfair group of online retailers, this mid-century modern and contemporary website deals in moderate to expensive furniture with a poppy, sleek vibe. Brands include those made for the site as well as lines like Gus Modern, Jonathan Adler, Calligaris, and Greenington. Lighting, custom options on some upholstery, rugs, and bathroom accessories and linens. Online only

American Signature Furniture

Inexpensive to moderate-priced chain store for furnishings and accessories in a range of styles (modern, traditional, farmhouse) displayed in jumbo, warehouse-like spaces with room vignettes. Some upholstered items can be customized. Local store in Bear

American Street Showroom

In a restored, warehouse-like setting, this local manufacturer of very expensive, high-design furniture, much of it custom, with an industrial vibe and sustainable materials like brass and specialized wood. Built-ins and shelving a specialty; showroom also features art and lighting. Local store in Philadelphia

Anthropologie

The boho, downtown-cool women’s clothing retailer also offers its own line of upholstery and case goods both in many of its stores and online at moderate to very expensive prices. Some custom upholstery and many trendy accessories, window treatments, and lights. Local stores in Devon, Glen Mills, King of Prussia, Marlton, Newark, Newtown, Philadelphia

Arhaus

Expensive retailer known for its own line of large-scale furnishings and showrooms with bohemian, aspirational vignettes. Upholstered pieces mostly made in America and customizable in a range of mostly neutral fabrics. Also stocks outdoor furniture, gifts, and unusual accessories. Local stores in King of Prussia, Marlton

Ashley HomeStore

Inexpensive to moderately priced showrooms for the world’s largest furniture manufacturer offer upholstered pieces and other furniture including case goods, kids’ styles, and outdoor stuff, plus accessories like rugs, lighting, and décor. Merchandise comes in modern and traditional styles and is arranged in room vignettes. Local stores in Bear, Blackwood, Cherry Hill, Conshohocken, Fairless Hills, Philadelphia, Willow Grove, Wilmington

Ballard Designs

Mid-priced brick-and-mortar showrooms for the web-and-catalog retailer offering its own line of traditional, farmhouse, and transitional upholstery, case goods, outdoor furnishings, and accessories, all shown off in room-like settings. Custom upholstery available in dozens of colors and patterns, including a large selection of weatherproof fabrics. Local store in King of Prussia

Bassett Furniture

Expensive stores for long-running company with roots in the American South (and still producing a portion of its upholstery and case goods in the U.S.). Its own line of contemporary, eclectic, and traditional-style pieces are displayed in room settings. Also custom upholstery and custom-size dining tables plus in-house design services. Local stores in Colmar, Cherry Hill, King of Prussia, Wilmington

Birch Lane

Under the Wayfair brand umbrella, this country, rustic, and casual style website hawks inexpensive to expensive upholstery, case goods, and accessories. Carries its own house line as well as brands like Lexington and Trisha Yearwood Home Collection. Big focus on whole-room sets. Online only

Bloomingdale’s

Expensive New York City-based department store has furniture showrooms in many of its branches, selling contemporary and transitional upholstery, case goods, and accessories. Besides its own line, it also features upholstery by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, case goods by Calligaris, and some custom upholstery. Local stores in King of Prussia, Philadelphia, Willow Grove

Blu Dot

Mid-century modern-meets-contemporary maker, known for small space designs and cheeky colors, fills repurposed vintage buildings with upholstery, case goods, and accessories at mid to expensive prices. Online only in Delaware Valley area

Bob’s Discount Furniture

Chain store with outsize, warehouse-like digs for inexpensive to moderately priced furnishings in a range of styles. Local stores in Deptford, King of Prussia, Levittown, Philadelphia, Springfield, Wilmington

BoConcept

The expensive Danish modern furniture and accessories manufacturer known for its modular, often small-space-centric designs, offers its goods in chic, contemporary digs. Custom upholstery and design services available. Online only in Delaware Valley area

Boscov’s

Department store with furniture sections dealing in contemporary and traditional upholstery and case goods from brands including La-Z-Boy, Simmons Upholstery, and Lifestyle Solutions with inexpensive to expensive price tags. Stocks many leather options and recliners. Local stores in Bensalem, Christiana, Deptford, Exton, Media, Moorestown, Plymouth Meeting, Pottstown, Voorhees, Wilmington

CB2

Known for a contemporary, downtown loft aesthetic, Crate & Barrel’s younger-feeling sibling offers its own line of upholstery, case goods, seasonally changing accessories, and lighting, plus art and collaborations with artists and designers like Robert and Cortney Novogratz. Prices are moderate to expensive, and there’s custom upholstery. Local store in Philadelphia

Chain-Mar Furniture Showcase

Family-run furniture showroom since 1938 filling historic brick storefront with furniture in a range of styles by brands including Hooker, Flexsteel, Stanley, and Universal. Prices range from inexpensive to expensive, and custom upholstery is available. Local store in Norristown

Crate & Barrel

Expensive mod, country, and transitional furniture, rugs, and accessories star in crisp retail venues for the Chicago-based home giant. Sells its own lines of custom upholstery, home décor, kitchen items, and seasonal goods. Design services also available. Local stores in Cherry Hill, King of Prussia

Dane Décor

Housed in an 1863 church, this long-running, family-owned source for contemporary Scandinavian furniture deals in upholstered pieces, case goods, rugs, and lamps at expensive to very expensive prices. Brands include Stressless. Custom upholstery and design help are also on tap. Local store in Downington

Design Within Reach

Very expensive, crisp, minimalist showrooms stock modern (and mid-century) upholstery, case goods, lighting and accessories. Brand names include Saarinen, Knoll, Eames, and Noguchi. Custom upholstery and design services, too. Online only in Delaware Valley area

Doughty’s Furniture & Mattress

Room vignettes in a spacious showroom feature mid-priced to expensive contemporary, traditional, and transitional upholstery and case goods from brands such as Coast to Coast Imports, England Furniture, Tennessee Enterprises, and others. Custom upholstery and mattresses also available. Local store in Clayton

The Dump Furniture Outlet

Furniture and home accessories outlet in 100,000-plus square feet offering discounts and closeouts on brands such as Broyhill and Surya in rustic, contemporary, and traditional styles. Check hours of opening before visiting. Local store in Oaks

Ethan Allen

Long-running (since 1932), expensive American furniture maker selling a mix of classic and contemporary style upholstery, case goods, and décor. Custom upholstery, quick-ship items, and design services also available. Local stores in Chadds Ford, King of Prussia, Marlton, Montgomeryville

Fecera’s Furniture & Mattress

Mid-priced to expensive furniture store with casual, traditional, and country styles in upholstery and case goods, plus mattresses. Brands available include Ashley, Bernhardt, Pulaski, and Stearns & Foster. Longtime, family-run business also providing design assistance and custom upholstery in bright surrounds. Local store in Sinking Spring

Furniture Barn

Family-run 20,000 square foot warehouse devoted to room settings of sofas, case goods, and other furnishings. Styles include country, traditional, and contemporary, and prices range from mid-priced to expensive. Many items can be custom upholstered. Brands on offer include Artisan & Post, Ashley, Flexsteel, and Pulaski. Local store in New Castle

Gamburg’s Furniture

Historic storefront for family-run, longtime furniture dealership with sofas, case goods, mattresses, and custom upholstery in contemporary, traditional, and country styles at moderate to expensive prices. Brands include Vaughan-Bassett, Catnapper, and Hooker. Design assistance, too. Local store in Hatboro

Hendrixson’s Furniture

Family-run showcases for expensive to very expensive traditional, contemporary, craftsman, and farmhouse furnishings from brands including Stickley, Hickory Chair, Century, and Brown Jordan. Outsize brick buildings hold room vignettes as well as headquarters for on-site design services and custom upholstery. Local store in Furlong

Hive Modern

Expensive to very expensive, contemporary furniture with sleek lines and a mid-century feel by brands including Borge Mogensen, Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, and others. Custom upholstery, interesting accessories. Online only

HOST

Chic, homelike setting for expensive to very expensive stylized vignettes of transitional, contemporary, and traditional furniture from makers including Lee Industries, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Surya, and Bernhardt. Custom upholstery and custom finished furniture a focus. Local stores in Ardmore, Philadelphia

IKEA

Inexpensive, Sweden-based warehouse stores with extensive room vignettes displaying its own line of bright, contemporary furniture, accessories, kitchen and bathroom fixtures plus a jumbo marketplace with kitchen goods, lighting, kid’s items, and Scandi foodstuffs. Many furniture pieces are flat pack and can be picked up and taken home, delivered for a fee, or assembled for a fee. Local stores in Conshohocken, Philadelphia

Industry West

Newish website for maker of industrial, mid-century modern, and Scandinavian vibe furniture at inexpensive to expensive prices. Trendy, millennial vibe means lots of cane case goods, pink upholstery, and whimsical stuff (a rattan swing chair, plug-in neon lights). Custom upholstery available on some pieces. Online only

JCPenney

Inexpensive department stores with upholstery, case goods, and, in most locales, a custom blinds and curtain section. Some brand-name goods including Ashley and Martha Stewart. Local stores in Cherry Hill, Deptford, Langhorne, Newark, North Wales, Wilmington

Joss & Main

Transitional, traditional, and boho furnishings on a website owned by the jumbo Wayfair group of online retailers. Prices range from inexpensive to very expensive, and many pieces have a decidedly feminine vibe (aka lots of pink and glam velvet). Custom upholstery, accessories, and window treatments, too. Brands include Tommy Bahama Home and Cynthia Rowley. Online only

La-Z-Boy

Expensive, jumbo showrooms for comfort-based upholstery, recliners, and case goods. Custom upholstery in dozens of fabrics and quick-ship items available. Design services. Local stores and affiliates in Abington, Cherry Hill, Exton, Jenkintown, Langhorne, Marlton, Montgomeryville, Newark, Philadelphia, Springfield, Stratford, Wilmington

 

Lastick Furniture & Floor Coverings

Open since 1973, this mid-priced to expensive family-run furniture showroom fills 28,000 square feet with customizable upholstery and case goods, as well as a flooring showroom. Pieces are available in a range of styles and brands include Ashley, Bassett, Benchcraft, and Pulaski. Local store in Pottstown

Macy’s

Mid-priced American department store features traditional and contemporary furniture sections in many of its branches with upholstery (some in custom fabrics) and case goods. Room settings include brands created for the store by names like Martha Stewart and Ennia Leather, and many items are quick ship. Local stores in Exton, Maple Shade, Philadelphia, Wilmington

Mastroieni Furniture

Leather upholstery, case goods, and customizable sofas and chairs in traditional, contemporary, and comfort styles are on offer at a long-running, family-operated showroom. Mid-priced to expensive brands include Artisan & Post, Bassett Mirror Company, Best Chairs and Recliners, and Rowe. Local store in Montgomeryville

Mealey’s Furniture

Mid-priced to expensive showcases for sofas, chairs, case goods, and accessories in contemporary, classic, and farmhouse styles. Custom upholstery, design services, and brands including Ashley, Lenox, and Homelegance. Local stores in Bensalem, Berwyn, Eagle, Fairless Hills, Maple Shade, Morrisville, Philadelphia, Pottstown, Warminster, Whitehall

Minima

Expensive showroom with gallery-like digs for room vignettes of contemporary, edgy brands—Porro, Moooi, and Artek—plus design advice, custom upholstery, and accessories like lighting and rugs. Local store in Philadelphia

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Very expensive, sleek, contemporary furniture showrooms for U.S.-made upholstery, case goods, and accessories like lighting and pottery. Dozens of custom upholstery fabric available, and showrooms channel a downtown vibe with art for sale, too. Local store in King of Prussia

Moore’s Furniture

Mid-priced to expensive contemporary, farmhouse, and classic case goods and upholstery by brands like La-Z-Boy and Jofran are shown in room settings. Custom upholstery and accessories as well. Local stores in Chester Springs, Pottstown

Nadeau

Colorful furniture in exotic woods in Asian, Caribbean colonial, and contemporary styles, sold in warehouse digs by a large chain importing from Indonesia. Prices are inexpensive to moderate. Local store in Philadelphia

Nastasi’s Furniture & Mattresses

Jumbo, family-owned home furnishings depot carrying contemporary, traditional, and country style upholstered pieces, case goods, and mattresses from moderate to expensive brands like Flexsteel, Kincaid, Hooker, and others. Custom upholstery available. Local store in Oaklyn

Nehlig’s Furniture

Decades-old, spacious showroom with room vignettes of moderately priced to expensive upholstery, case goods, and accessories in a range of styles. Brands stocked include Dimplex, Hammary, and La-Z-Boy; design services and custom upholstery are also available. Local store in Stratford

Oskar Huber Furniture & Design

Two family-run furnishings stores dealing in traditional and transitional styles (Southampton) and beachy designs (Long Beach Island) at moderate to very expensive prices. Multiple brands for sale (some U.S.-made) include Gat Creek, Bernhardt, and American Woodcrafters. Design services, custom furniture and upholstery also on offer. Local store in Southampton

Pala Brothers Furniture

Hickory Chair, Century, Theodore Alexander, and other expensive to very expensive brands headline at this long-running furniture showroom. Transitional, traditional, and contemporary furniture available plus custom upholstery and design services. Local store in Wilmington

 

Perigold

Expensive to very expensive online source of high-style, high-end upholstery, case goods, and accessories. Traditional, transitional, contemporary and other styles from names like Bernhardt, Century, Juliska Home, and Aerin Home, with many custom options on upholstery. Also wallpaper, rugs, and fabric by the yard. Online only

Pottery Barn

Expensive classic furniture and accessories chain known for oversized, comfortable furniture and an all-American vibe. The chain’s multiple stores display furniture and accessories together and have many items that switch seasonally. Custom upholstery in a limited number of fabrics; separate baby and kids’ lines that are sometimes shown in the same spaces. Local stores in Cherry Hill, Glen Mills, King of Prussia, Newark

Raymour & Flanigan Furniture

Northeastern U.S. chain for craftsman, country, and contemporary-style furniture, much of it sold in sets, at inexpensive to moderate prices. Brands include Whalen, Hooker, and Homelegance. Accessories like rugs, lamps, and lighting, too. Local stores in Cherry Hill, Collegeville, Deptford, Exton, Jenkinstown, King of Prussia, Langhorne, Marlton, Montgomeryville, Newark, Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, Quakertown, Royersford, Southampton, Springfield, Voorhees, Wilmington, Woodbury, Woodlyn

RH

Aka Restoration Hardware, the sleek, modern-meets-classic brand known for very expensive upholstery with many custom fabrics, case goods, rugs, custom draperies, and oversized furniture. Also offers design services, outdoor furnishings, and bath hardware. Some locations have restaurants or other extra features. Local store in King of Prussia

Robinson’s Furniture, Bedding & Home Decor

Large, barn-like family furnishings shop and outlet with a range of styles in upholstery, case goods, mattresses, and recliners. Inexpensive to expensive brands carried including Ashley, Coaster, La-Z-Boy, and Elements. Custom upholstery, mattresses, and furniture repair are also on offer. Local store in Oxford

Roche Bobois

Very expensive, very modern upholstery, case goods, and accessories by the avant-garde French company are offered in gallery-like surrounds. Known for partnerships with fashion houses like Missoni and Kenzo, Roche Bobois also offers custom upholstery and design consulting. Local store in Philadelphia

Roman Furniture & Carpet

Since-1967 source for furniture and floor coverings in unfussy digs selling inexpensive to moderate-priced goods. Local store in Glen Mills

 

Room & Board

Expensive contemporary furniture retailer offering its own lines of upholstery, case goods, décor, and rugs, much of it made in the U.S. with sustainable materials. Custom upholstery available with dozens of fabric choices. Showrooms are often carved out of vintage, repurposed buildings. Online only in Delaware Valley area

Sensenig Furniture

Homey dealership for traditional, country, and contemporary furnishings at moderate prices. Local store in New Holland

Serena & Lily

Beachy, breezy expensive traditional and transitional upholstery, case goods, outdoor furniture, and bedding in coastal-chic digs. Custom upholstery, design services. Online and catalog, too. Online only in Delaware Valley area

Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Classic, craftsman, and contemporary style furnishings displayed in room settings from a decades-old showroom selling Baker, Century, Hickory Chair, Maitland-Smith, and other expensive to very expensive lines. Custom upholstery, design services. Local stores in Malvern, Phoenixville

Wayfair

Online furniture and accessories giant selling trendy, transitional, and country pieces at inexpensive to moderate prices. Custom upholstery on some items, large stock of rugs and lighting. Online only

West Elm

Known for its millennial vibe, this mid-priced chain (owned by the same company as Pottery Barn) fills its downtown-loft-like stores with mid-century inspired furniture, case goods, and seasonally changing accessories. Custom upholstery program with 80-plus fabric options. Local stores in Ardmore, King of Prussia, Philadelphia

Wisteria

Family-run online shop and catalog for bohemian, exotic-looking, traditional, and contemporary upholstery, case goods, and accessories at moderate to expensive prices. Some handicrafts, seasonal goods, and antique items, too. Mirrors and small tables a focus. Online only

World Market

Warehouse-style home, décor, and foodstuff chain and website offers its own inexpensive to moderate-price furniture and lighting, too. Stock generally includes small-space items (futons, small dining sets) as well as trendy pieces. Some upholstery available in more than one color, but no custom upholstery. Local store in Lansdale

Z Gallerie

Glam, colorful upholstery, case goods, and accessories at moderate to very expensive prices from an online and brick-and-mortar maker of goods with a flashy, Miami look. Custom upholstery available on many items. Online only in Delaware Valley area