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

Ana Furniture

Contemporary furniture specialists with bright stores hawking moderate to expensive case goods, upholstery, art, and accessories. Custom upholstery and design services. Local stores in San Francisco, San Mateo, San Jose, Union City

Anthem Home

Interior designer-owned furniture and accessories showroom in an open-plan space with coffered ceilings and limestone floors, showing off expensive upholstery and case goods by brands like Aerin and Dash and Albert, plus large stock of accessories, all with a modern, California vibe. Custom furniture via Anthem Design Lab. Local stores in Menlo Park, San Francisco

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 Berkeley, Corte Madera, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Jose, San Ramon, Walnut Creek

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 store in Walnut Creek

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 Concord, Dublin, Emeryville, Fairfield, Gilroy, Milpitas, Rohnert Park, Salinas, San Francisco, San Jose

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. Online only in Bay Area

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 Daly City, Dublin, Pleasant Hill, San Carlos, San Jose

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 Livermore, Palo Alto, San Francisco

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. Local store in San Francisco

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 San Francisco, San Jose

California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes

Mid-priced, family-run stores selling bar stools, kitchen sets, dining furniture, and bistro tables from small showrooms, mainly to restaurants but also to the public. Brands include Bermex, Gat Creek, Elite Manufacturing, and Saloom. Local stores in Pleasant Hill, San Jose

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 stores in Berkeley, San Francisco

Cole’s Interiors

Expensive to very expensive “one-stop shop” design studio and furniture showroom with interior designers on staff. Stylized room vignettes showcase contemporary and transitional accessories, curtains, upholstered pieces, and case goods by brands including Bernhardt, Century, Thomasville, and Tommy Bahama Home. Local store in Concord

Connolly’s Furniture & Mattress

Mid-price, long-running furniture showrooms (since 1945) for contemporary, traditional, and farmhouse-style upholstered pieces, case goods, and lighting. Brands include Parker House, England Furniture, and Winners Only. Also sells mattresses. Local stores in Castro Valley, Livermore

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 Corte Madera, Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek

Danish Concepts International

Homey, mid-priced to expensive showcase for Scandinavian, contemporary upholstery, case goods, and sofas and chairs made by comfort-focused brand Stressless. Local store in Mountain View

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 stores in Berkeley, Larkspur, Palo Alto, San Francisco

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 Concord, Corte Madera, Dublin, San Jose, San Mateo

Fenton MacLaren Home Furnishings

Craftsman and Shaker furniture specialists selling moderately priced to expensive case goods, upholstery, and locally made custom bookcases from 18,000 square foot showroom. Offers furniture made by the Amish and unfinished wood items as well. Local store in Berkeley

Flegel’s Home Furnishings

Very expensive, family-run furniture showroom and interior design biz for brands including Baker, Bracci, Marge Carson, and Stickley. Bright showroom offers traditional, transitional, and contemporary styles plus custom upholstery. Local store in Menlo Park

The Future Perfect

High-style, very expensive contemporary and fine art furniture in a gallery-like space also showing accessories. Cutting-edge brands include Piet Hein Eek, Matthew Day Jackson, and Seungjin Yang. Local store in San Francisco

Giorgi Brothers

Open since 1933, this expensive family-run furniture biz fills a 50,000-square-foot showroom with contemporary, farmhouse, and traditional styles. Brands, many American-made, include Hickory Chair, Hooker, and Worlds Away, and custom upholstery and design services are also available. Local store in South San Francisco

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

Hoot Judkins Furniture

Family-owned furniture showroom specializing in Shaker, craftsman, and traditional styles, focusing on wood pieces made in the U.S., including custom bookcases. Prices range from moderate to expensive, and there are some custom upholstery options as well. Local store in Redwood City

House of Values

Longtime (since 1949) family-owned chain of furniture retailers stocking 150 brands at prices from moderate to very expensive in styles such as contemporary, traditional, and transitional. Brands include Hooker, Stanley, Worlds Away, and American Leather. On-staff designers and custom upholstery available. Local store in San Mateo

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 East Palo Alto, Emeryville

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 Antioch, Concord, Fairfield, Hayward, Pleasanton, San Bruno, San Jose

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

KCC Modern Living

Nine thousand square feet of minimalist-sleek space dealing in expensive European and American contemporary furnishings. Brands include Calligaris, Bontempi, IMG, and Saba Italia, and customization is available. Local store in Berkeley

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 Emeryville, Fairfield, Morgan Hill, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, South San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Union City, Vallejo

Living Spaces

Moderate to expensive furniture seller of contemporary, country, and transitional lines including Nate + Jeremiah and Magnolia Home. Outdoor furniture and natural wood pieces a specialty. Local stores in Fremont, Millbrae, San Jose, San Leandro

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 Concord, Daly City, Pleasanton, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Union City

Mark Thomas Home

Expensive, family-run furniture showrooms in warehouse settings with hundreds of room vignettes starring upholstery, case goods, and accessories in styles including mid-century, traditional, craftsman, and industrial. Custom upholstery and interior design services available. Brands include Century, Hooker, Caracole, and Lexington. Local stores in Santa Clara, Santa Rosa

Millbrae Furniture & Appliance

Mid-priced to expensive spacious, family-run store for formal and casual furniture in a range of styles from brands including Bernhardt, Lane, and Rowe. Also on site: custom upholstery lab and a showroom of appliances, blinds, and rugs. Local store in Millbrae

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. Online only in Bay Area

Noriega Furniture

Snug, family-run space for expensive to very expensive furnishings (upholstery, case goods, accessories) in styles including craftsman, Shaker, and others. Focuses on U.S. made and artisan brands including Hickory Chair, Charleston Forge, Kindel, Stickley, and Wesley Allen. Interior designers on site. Local store in San Francisco

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 Alameda, Burlingame, Corte Madera, Pleasanton, Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Ramon, Santa Clara, Walnut Creek

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 Corte Madera, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Walnut Creek

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 San Francisco

Roney’s Furniture

Since 1946, mid-priced to expensive family-run showroom with vignettes of traditional and contemporary furniture in 20,000-square-foot, warehouse-like space. Focus on North American-made products. Custom upholstery available. Brands carried include American Leather, Bernhardt, Charleston Forge, Stuart David, and Wesley Allen. Local store in San Leandro

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 San Francisco

Rosso’s Furniture

Mid-priced-to-expensive, family-run furnishings showrooms dealing in contemporary and traditional styles by Ashley, Hooker, La-Z-Boy, and others in large spaces with on-site design services and custom upholstery options. Local stores in Gilroy, Morgan Hill

Scandinavian Designs

Contemporary, mid-century modern, and rustic upholstery, case goods, and accessories with Nordic flair are sold at bright branches of this inexpensive-to-expensive chain. Room vignettes showcase goods including custom upholstery and futons. Local stores in Berkeley, Concord, Cupertino, San Jose, San Mateo, San Rafael, Santa Rosa

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 stores in Berkeley, San Francisco

Sofa Creations

Customizable contemporary sofas, chairs, and beds at moderate to expensive prices sold from snug, warm digs. Much of the upholstery is made locally, too. Local stores in San Francisco, San Rafael

Sunrise Home

Expensive 30,000-square-foot store holds room vignettes, an outlet section, and interior design services for furniture in a range of styles. Custom upholstery options. Local store in San Rafael

Thos. Moser

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

Three Brothers Furniture

Since 1952, mid-priced, family-run dealer in large digs with displays representing 30 lines including Lane, Ashley, and Flexsteel in a range of styles including traditional and contemporary. Local store in Vallejo

Viking Trader

Contemporary and Scandinavian furniture specialist showing and selling expensive imported and U.S.-made case goods, upholstery, and accessories displayed in room settings. Brands include Copeland, Mobican, and Stressless. Custom upholstery available. Local store in Berkeley

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 Emeryville, Mill Valley, Palo Alto, San Ramon

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 stores in Antioch, Concord, Daly City, Greenbrae, Mountain View, Napa, Oakland, Pleasanton, Redwood City, San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek

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 San Jose