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 Alexandria, Annapolis, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Columbia, D.C., Fairfax, McLean, Reston

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 Annapolis, Columbia, Fairfax, McLean, Rockville

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 Capitol Heights, Catonsville, Columbia, Falls Church, Fairfax, Gaithersburg, Largo, Leesburg, Manassas, Sterling, Waldorf, Woodbridge

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 Tysons Corner

Bare Woods Furniture

Since 1986, retailer for moderate-priced to expensive furniture in traditional and rustic styles in a range of woods, custom finished to your taste with stains or paint. Outdoor pieces and items crafted from recycled barn wood also displayed in snug digs. Local store in Chantilly

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 Annapolis, Falls Church, Rockville, Sterling

Belfort Furniture

Moderate to expensive case goods and upholstery purveyor with a range of styles (country, contemporary, traditional) arranged into room galleries. The spacious, high-ceilinged showroom deals in brands including Boheme by Hooker, Scott Living, Rowe, and others. Design services, custom upholstery, and mattresses, too. Local store in Dulles

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 Chevy Chase, McLean

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 Washington 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 Columbia, Fairfax, Falls Church, Hyattsville, Rockville, Waldorf, Woodbridge

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 D.C., McLean

BOVA Contemporary Furniture

Mammoth showroom for moderate-priced to expensive contemporary furniture displayed in room settings. Brands such as BDI, Elite Modern, and Giuseppe & Giuseppe. Known for storage, small-space items, and outdoor furnishings. Local store in Beltsville

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 D.C.

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 Annapolis, Arlington, D.C., Tysons Corner

Creative Classics Furniture

In an early 20th-century storefront, this bright, expensive retailer specializes in American-made furni-ture in contemporary and classic styles, all displayed in room settings. Large selection of sleeper sofas and apartment-sized pieces by makers including American Leather, Gat Creek, Copeland, and Lyndon Furniture. Custom upholstery and design services, too. Local store in Alexandria

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 D.C.

Dinette Factory

No-frills, inexpensive to moderately priced warehouse setting for stools, tables, and chairs in a range of styles. Local store in Kensington

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 Annapolis, Arlington, Elkridge, Frederick, Rockville, Sterling, Vienna

Gladhill Furniture

Since 1915, house-like setting for moderate to expensive furniture in a variety of styles by brands like Durham Furniture, Kincaid Furniture, Universal, and others. Custom upholstery available. Local store in Middletown

Green Front Furniture

Outsize warehouse digs with in-stock and customizable furnishings in a range of styles and prices. Ac-cessories, rugs, and some deals on floor models from brands like Hickory Chair, Rowe, and Universal. Local store in Manassas

Hamilton’s Sofa & Leather Gallery

Family-owned upholstered furniture showrooms dealing in moderate to expensive fabric and leather-covered pieces in customizable and ready-for-delivery options. A range of styles from country to contemporary comes from brands including Bernhardt, Rowe, and Stressless. Bright showrooms also sell some case goods. Local stores in Chantilly, Falls Church, Rockville, Tysons Corner

Hardwood Artisans

Long-running, expensive to very expensive source for Virginia-made wood furniture in Asian, traditional, Shaker, and contemporary styles, all shown in homey stores. Also dealing in Murphy beds and other small-space solutions plus kitchen cabinets. Local stores in Arlington, Bethesda

Havertys

In business since 1885, these long-running, inexpensive to moderate-priced furniture stores have jumbo, warehouse-like display spaces. Styles include country, classic, and contemporary. Local stores in Bowie, Columbia, Dulles, Fairfax, Rockville, Woodbridge

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 & Crane

Petite, loft-like showroom for contemporary, transitional, and industrial upholstery, rugs, lighting, and case goods, plus locally made gifts. Prices range from moderate to expensive, and design services and custom upholstery are also on tap. Local store in D.C.

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 College Park, Woodbridge

IMI Furniture

Loft-like, contemporary furniture showroom for sleek, citified styles from brands including Vanguard, Uttermost, Hickory Chair, and Lane Venture for moderate to very expensive budgets. Custom upholstery and design services available. Local store in Sterling

Indoor Furniture

Expensive modern furnishings in a sleek showroom stocking Amisco, Copeland, Incanto, Mobican, and SpectraWood. Custom upholstery available. Local store in Columbia

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 Annapolis, Columbia, Fairfax, Forestville, Hyattsville, Lanham, Springfield, Sterling, Waldorf, Wheaton, Woodbridge

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

Joybird

Bright, outsized showroom for mid- to expensive-priced upholstery and a few case goods with mid-century modern shapes and colors. Custom upholstery with dozens of fabric options. Local store in D.C.

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 Alexandria, Annapolis, Columbia, Fairfax, Gainesville, Leesburg, Rockville, Severn, Sterling, Waldorf

Little Homestead Furniture

Since 1987, family-owned business for classic and country-style hardwood furnishings including pieces that can be customized. Snug, simple surrounds. Local store in Rockville

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 Annapolis, Arlington, Bethesda, Bowie, Columbia, D.C., Dulles, Fairfax, Gaithersburg, Hyattsville, Temple Hills, Waldorf

Marlo Furniture

Jumbo showrooms for inexpensive to moderate furniture in a range of styles including modern, country, and traditional. Brands include Ashley, Hillsdale, Lifestyle, and Homelegance. Local stores in Alexandria, Forestville, Laurel, Rockville

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 D.C., McLean

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 Alexandria

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 Annapolis, Arlington, Bethesda, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, McLean

Powell’s Furniture

Sixty-five thousand square-foot store selling furniture by moderate to expensive brands including Craftmaster, Kincaid, and Flexsteel in a range of styles. Local store in Fredericksburg

Random Harvest Home Furnishings

Long-running upholstery and case goods shops for moderate to expensive furnishings with a classic, worldly vibe. Custom upholstery available, and rugs and lighting a highlight. Local stores in Alexandria, Bethesda, D.C.

Red Barn Mercantile

Country, contemporary, and rustic furnishings at moderate to expensive prices, most by special order, are on offer at a snug, beachy-chic storefront in Old Town Alexandria. Eco-friendly fabrics and American makers a focus. Local store in Alexandria

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 stores in Annapolis, McLean

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 stores in D.C., Tysons Corner

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 D.C.

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 opening very soon in Washington 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 Dulles, Rockville

Simms Furniture & Interiors

Expensive to very expensive showroom for classic and contemporary upholstery and case goods displayed in elegant room vignettes. Brands include Century, Lee Jofa, and Maitland-Smith. Design services, curtains, and custom upholstery. Local store in Fredericksburg

Theodores

Sleek, 10,000-square-foot showroom for expensive to very expensive contemporary upholstery and case goods by American and Italian makers including Cattelan, American Leather, and Nais. Design services and custom upholstery. Local store in D.C.

Thos. Moser

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

Urban Country Designs

Spacious, light-filled surrounds for country, traditional, contemporary, and transitional furnishings at expensive to very expensive prices. Custom upholstery, design services, and a focus on sustainable pieces are hallmarks of this longtime, family-run operation. Brands include American Leather, Bungalow 5, Hickory Chair, and Worlds Away. Local store in Bethesda

Value City 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 stores in Falls Church, New Carrollton, Rockville, Sterling, Waldorf, Woodbridge

Warehouse Showrooms/ The Chair Shop

Long-running classic, rustic, and contemporary furniture purveyors showcasing moderate to expensive furniture in a warehouse setting. Brands, some made in the U.S., include Gat Creek, Rowe, and Y and T Woodcraft. Design services and custom upholstery available. Local store in Alexandria

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 Alexandria, D.C., Fairfax

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

Wolf Furniture

Inexpensive to moderate-price furniture showroom stocking a range of brands including Ashley, Broyhill, Kincaid, and others in contemporary, country, and classic styles. Mattresses and accessories also on offer. Local stores in Frederick, Leesburg

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 stores in Alexandria, Arlington, D.C., Dulles, Fairfax, Falls Church, Rockville

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. Local store in Columbia