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

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 Boston, Burlington, Cambridge, Dedham, Hingham, Natick, Newton

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 Burlington, Natick

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 store in Attleboro

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 Natick

Basics Carpet & Furniture

No-frills stores offering contemporary furnishings with inexpensive to moderate price tags. Known for its selection of futons, mattresses, and small-space items. Local store in Allston

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 Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Stoughton

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

Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture

Regional furniture-store chain with large showrooms full of room vignettes for upholstery, case goods, and accessories at a range of price points. Mission, traditional, contemporary, and other styles represented; custom upholstery and mattresses also available. Some items are Amish or American made. Local stores in Braintree, Nashua, Natick, Raynham, Saugus, Westborough

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 Chestnut Hill, Wrentham

Boston Interiors

Regional chain of furnishings stores for mostly made in North America upholstery and case goods in contemporary, country, or transitional styles plus custom upholstery and design services. Large, stylish spaces for moderate to expensive pieces, including many suited to smaller homes. Local stores in Burlington, Dedham, Hanover, Natick, Saugus, Stoughton

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 Boston 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 Bellingham, Dedham, Lowell, Natick, North Dartmouth, Salem, N.H., Saugus, South Attleboro, Stoughton, Woburn

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. Local stores in Boston, Cambridge

Cardi’s Furniture & Mattresses

Inexpensive to moderately priced upholstery, case goods, and fireplace accessories at brightly lit, outsize showrooms for this New England chain. Styles include small-space, transitional, contemporary, and farmhouse, and some items can be custom finished or upholstered. Stocking Ashley and various mattress brands. Local stores in Attleboro, Boston, South Attleboro, Swansea, Wareham

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 Boston

Cherrystone Furniture

Expensive source for American-made hardwood furniture from its own house line, Gat Creek, Woodforms, and Lyndon Furniture, all showcased in a cozy, warm store with room vignettes. Custom bookcases, kitchen cabinets, and office furnishings available. Local store in Littleton

Circle Furniture

Warm showrooms for mostly locally made hardwood furnishings and upholstery, in business since the 1950s. Moderate to very expensive pieces come in contemporary, craftsman, and transitional styles and can be custom finished or upholstered. Kid’s furniture as well. Brands include Stressless, Wilton, and Copeland Furniture. Local stores in Acton, Boston, Cambridge, Framingham, Middleton, Pembroke

City Schemes

Open since 1987, this expensive contemporary and mid-century modern-style furnishings retailer in a snug, modern space stocks brands like Huppe, BDI, and Natuzzi and aims at city or small-space living. Custom upholstery and design help available. Local store in Somerville

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 Boston, Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Hingham, Natick

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. Local store in Cambridge

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 Burlington, Natick, North Andover, Quincy, Saugus

Europe Today Furniture

Jazzy, jumbo showroom for moderate to expensive furnishings in a range of styles (classic, contemporary) with many comfort seating options. Brands include Cozzia, ACME, and Bromi Design. Local store in Brighton

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

Hudson Interior Designs

High-end, high-style furnishings boutique with upholstery, case goods, and storage pieces in contemporary and eclectic styles, at very expensive prices. Design services and custom upholstery a focus. Local store in Boston

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 store in Stoughton

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 Marlborough, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Peabody, Salem, N.H., Wareham

Jordan’s Furniture

Big showrooms for inexpensive-to-expensive furnishings with country, contemporary, and transitional vibes from brands including Ashley, Sunset Trading, and Flexsteel. Custom options on upholstery and some case goods also available, and Avon, Natick, and Reading branches have additional entertainment for kids and families including a ropes course and movie theaters. Local stores in Avon, East Taunton, Nashua, N.H., Natick, Reading

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 Attleboro, Boston, Natick, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Plymouth, Saugus, Seabrook, South Attleboro, Stoughton

LaChance Interiors

Mid-priced to expensive dual furniture showrooms by the same owner: a Kraft Street branch offering classic styles and a W. Broadway location selling “loft” pieces (aka contemporary or transitional). Goods are displayed in vignettes inside outsize, vintage buildings. Custom upholstery an option. Local store in Gardner

Lekker Home

Family-owned store for expensive to very expensive contemporary European furnishings (the name is Dutch for “alluring” or “enticing”) by names like Arne Jacobsen, Noguchi, and Space Copenhagen. Local store in Boston

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 Braintree, Framingham, Hanover, Kingston, Marlborough, North Attleboro, Peabody, Saugus

Marty’s Furniture

In business since 1960, moderate to expensive furnishings dealership in jumbo, high-ceilinged, warehouse-cool digs for contemporary and classic upholstery, case goods, recliners, mattresses, and accessories. Brands include Stressless, Stanley, and Jofran in styles including country, classic, and contemporary. Local store in Melrose

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 stores in Boston, Burlington, Natick

Montage

Contemporary, European upholstery, case goods, and accessories are sold in sleek surroundings. Family-run business for expensive to very expensive brands include Alias, B&B Italia, and Cassina. Custom upholstery and design assistance as well. Local store in Boston

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 Burlington, Chestnut Hill, Lynnfield, Salem, N.H., Seekonk

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 Millbury, North Attleboro

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 Boston

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 Boston

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. Local store in Boston

Rotmans

Massive, long-running showroom for moderate to expensive furnishings in a range of styles from IMAX, Kluft, Hamilton Home, and American Woodcrafters. Custom upholstery, design assistance, mattress section, and flooring. Local store in Worcester

Sam’s Appliances TV & Furniture

Open since the 1930s, this moderately priced, family-run furniture and appliance business sells country and classic upholstery, mattresses, and case goods plus a range of appliances in cozy digs. Local store in Norwood

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. Local store in Chestnut Hill

Simon’s Furniture

In business since 1911, moderate to expensive provider of traditional, transitional, and contemporary furnishings plus mattresses and appliances. Brands, some American-made, include Durham, Whittier Wood, Rowe, and Bassett. Custom upholstery, too. Local store in Franklin

Stickley Audi & Co

Expensive dealer for craftsman, contemporary, and transitional furnishings from Stickley, Lexington, Nichols & Stone, and others. Sleek spaces also dole out design services, custom upholstery, and mattresses. Local store in Natick

 

Thos. Moser

Very expensive, American-made hardwood furniture in Shaker, craftsman, and traditional styles from a long-running family brand. Local store in Boston

Warmington Furniture

A 12,000-square-foot, home-like showroom for country, contemporary, and traditional case goods and upholstery from a long-running family operation. Moderate to expensive brands include Superior Furniture, Maple Hill Woodworking, and Winners Only. Large stock of recliners and mattresses, too. Local store in Rockland

Wayfair

In 3,000-plus square feet, bright brick and mortar outpost for the online furniture and accessories giant selling its own line of trendy, transitional, and country pieces at inexpensive to moderate prices. Custom upholstery, design services, many “smalls” on offer. Local store in Natick

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 Boston, Burlington

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