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 Bloomington, Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Wayzata

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 Edina

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 Albertville, Fridley, Maplewood, Shakopee, Woodbury

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 Twin Cities 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 or affiliates in Blaine, Burnsville, Minnetonka, Roseville, Woodbury

Becker Furniture World

Casual, contemporary, and country furniture is sold at moderate to expensive prices via this small chain’s jumbo showrooms. Upholstery, case goods, mattresses, and office pieces displayed; design help on site. Brands stocked include Ashley, Bassett, Simply Amish, and Vaughan-Bassett. Local stores in Becker, Blaine, Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Roseville, Woodbury

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

Blu Dot

The mid-price to expensive furniture maker, known for channeling a mid-century-meets-contemporary vibe offers factory seconds, floor models, and other as-is merch at discounts in a warehouse setting. Local store in Minneapolis

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 Twin Cities area

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 Minneapolis

Ciel Loft and Home

In a hip warehouse setting, find mid-priced to expensive furniture in rustic, Asian, and contemporary styles, some of it crafted from reclaimed wood. Design services, custom pieces, accessories, too. Local store in Tukwila

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 store in Edina

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 Edina

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 Edina, Maple Grove, Woodbury

Furniture and Things

Large, open showrooms for classic, contemporary, rustic, and country style furnishings and accessories, including many lines made in the U.S. or by Amish workshops. Prices are mid-range to expensive, and brands include Stressless, Theodore Alexander, and Hooker, and outdoor and porch furniture is a focus. Custom upholstery, too. Local stores in Anoka, Elk River, Coon Rapids

Furniture Manor

Large, long-running retailer for classic, contemporary, and comfort-focus upholstered pieces, case goods, and accessories at mid to expensive prices. Open-concept showroom features names including Braxton Culler, Hooker, Lane Venture, and Stressless. Quick ship and custom upholstery available. Local store in Osseo

The Furniture Outlet

Unfussy furnishings and mattress discount showroom for mid-priced brands like Ashley, Sealy, Restonic, and others with frequently updated stock. Items are final sale, and some are sold at further discounts due to shipping and handling flaws. Local store in Edina

Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furniture

Uncluttered, serene digs and numerous on-staff designers are among the offerings at this long-running source for moderate-to-expensive furnishings in contemporary, rustic, and transitional styles. Custom upholstery, large selection of customizable rugs. Brands include Stickley and American Leather. Local stores in Edina, Little Canada

Happy Harry’s Furniture

Mid-priced, family-owned retailer for traditional, country, and transitional furnishings by names like Ashley, Urban Amish, and Viking Log. Large, open showroom also features lamps, art, and other accessories. Local store in Farmington

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

HOM Furniture

Mid-sized midwestern furniture chain with jumbo stores for inexpensive to expensive upholstery, case goods, outdoor pieces, and mattresses. Leather furniture a focus, and custom upholstery and design help is available. Local stores in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Coon Rapids, Lakeville, Little Canada, Plymouth, Rogers, Woodbury

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 Bloomington

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

International Design Center

Spacious, sleek showroom for moderate to expensive European and Scandinavian contemporary furnishings, much of it with a comfort focus and some of it in teak. Brands include Scan, Natuzzi, Ekornes, and others, and custom upholstery and design services are on tap as well. Local store in Edina

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 Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Roseville, Woodbury

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 Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Eagan, Edina, Fridley, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Oakdale, Ramsey, Roseville, Woodbury

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 Bloomington, Edina, Roseville

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 Twin Cities area

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 Minneapolis

The Original Mattress Factory

Unfussy showrooms for beds, headboards, and mattresses. Local stores in Apple Valley, Bloomington, Chanhassen, Eagan, Fridley, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minnetonka, St. Paul, Woodbury

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 Edina, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, St. Paul

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 Edina

ROAM Furniture & Lighting

Groovy storefront for moderate-to-expensive European and American contemporary brands, many with a whimsical bent, including Gubi, Kartell, and Tom Dixon. Custom upholstery, unusual lighting, and rugs a strength. Local store in Minneapolis

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. Online only in Twin Cities area

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 stores in Edina, Golden Valley

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 store in Roseville

Schneiderman’s Furniture

Spacious furniture dealerships in a longtime regional chain carry dozens of mid-priced to expensive brands including Broyhill, Liberty, Leather Italia, and Pulaski. Contemporary, country, and casual pieces are a focus, and some items are Amish-made. Also available: custom upholstery and design help. Local stores in Lakeville, Plymouth, Roseville, Woodbury

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 Twin Cities area

Slumberland Furniture

Comfort-focused regional chain with room vignettes of moderate to expensive recliners, beds, sofas, and mattresses, primarily with a contemporary or country vibe. La-Z-Boy is prominently featured but other brands are on offer as well. Custom upholstery and design services. Local stores in Albertville, Bloomington, Burnsville, Eagan, Fridley, Little Canada, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Ramsey, Ridgedale, Roseville, Shakopee, St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Woodbury

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

Welcome Amish Furniture

Outsize, 60,000-square-foot store for expensive U.S.-made case goods and upholstery from Amish craftspeople in Shaker, contemporary, and traditional styles. Range of finishes and woods including cherry, maple, oak, and others, meaning many pieces can be customized, though quick-ship items are also available. Local store in Albertville

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 store in Edina

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 Bloomington, Maple Grove, Roseville

Yetzer’s Home Furnishings & Floor Covering

Open since 1941, this furniture and flooring business deals in a variety of styles (industrial, country, traditional) in a large space with room vignettes and departments devoted to custom upholstery and carpets. Moderate to expensive price range. Local store in Waconia

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 Twin Cities area