Furniture is abig investment, one that can last years if you shop smart. Whether you're looking for a comfy couch to complete your living room or a stylish yet sturdy bed frame to make the centerpiece of your bedroom, there are so many options when it comes to retailers. We've shopped at our fair share of places to buy furniture here at The Spruce, and our team knows exactly which retailers are worth visiting and purchasing from.
Whether you’re shopping in a store or online, you want to feel confident that you’ll be getting a good-quality product for a fair price—and that you’ll have a service-oriented team helping you along the way. In-store, that means a friendly and knowledgeable staff, plenty of samples to test or sit on, and clear delivery and return policies that make you confident in your purchase. Online, more is more in terms of information: A company that offers measuring or shopping guides, free swatches, and easy, affordable delivery, and free returns will earn our loyalty!
With our extensive knowledge of the best furniture and home decor, we're sharing our favorite places to buy furniture with a look at some of our editors' top retailers.
Burrow
What We Like
Stand-out modular pieces
Easy to move
Stylish, functional, and modern pieces
Excellent variety
Free shipping
What We Don't Like
Limited styles
For comfortable modular furniture, consider Burrow. This company focuses on creating stylish and functional sofas, shelving units, and coffee tables and is rapidly expanding into rugs, lighting, and accessories as well.
The modular seating options are superior when it comes to selection and versatility of pieces, as you can rearrange as your needs change. You will need to purchase an additional set of arms or a corner piece to make conversions possible, but the flexibility of changing the use or configuration of your current furniture is well worth the cost.
If you’re an apartment dweller or frequent mover, you’ll also appreciate how easy it is to move Burrow sofas and sectionals. Each modular piece connects with hidden, heavy-duty clasps—so moving is as easy as unlatching each piece and transporting the individual sections.Our only complaint? We wish Burrow offered an even more extensive selection of pieces in various styles, going beyond the simple and modern.
Return policy: Return fee of up to 20% of the item | Return window:30 days | Payment options: Financing available |Shipping time: 1 to 4 weeks
Wayfair
What We Like
Free shipping on orders over $35
Budget-friendly
A one-stop furniture shop
What We Don't Like
Limited selection of kids' furniture
Wayfair is a one-stop shop for furnishing any room in your house. The online retail giant offers everything from sectionals to dining sets, and it stands out for its free shipping options. The mix leans heavily into budget-friendly furniture options, so it’s a good pick if you need to furnish a space for cheap and want to save costly shipping fees on large item deliveries.
While there are plenty of ready-to-ship items to choose from, you can also have more customized pieces built. Check out Wayfair’s custom furniture options in categories like armchairs, sofas, beds, dining tables, and more. Find the silhouette that fits your style, then make selections on items like finish, fabric, and dimensions.
Just note that if you're shopping for kids' furniture, the selection is a bit more limited. However, if it's affordable options and a vast variety of different decor styles, we find it's hard to top the options Wayfair offers.
Return policy: Free| Return window: 30 days| Payment options: Financing available|Shipping time: 2-day shipping on many items
Article
What We Like
Emphasis on quality materials and construction
Offers furniture bundles
Simple and modern aesthetic
What We Don't Like
Free delivery only if your order is over $999
$49 pick-up fee if you return an item
If you’re shopping for modern furniture, head straight for the stylish options available from Article. This online-only furniture business caters to those looking for a simple, modern aesthetic for their home or apartment. We love Article's Sven Sofa, which is a breeze to assemble, sleek in its styling, and wonderfully comfortable. Whether you're shopping for pieces large and small, all of Article's pieces offer a mix of go-anywhere style, durability, and comfort across the board.
While shopping Article's furniture selection, you'll notice a neutral-heavy color palette prevails. These pieces are versatile and easy to fit into any room, but you’ll also find options for accent color, especially in fabric upholstery options for items like armchairs and ottomans.
An emphasis on quality of materials and construction is evident, with solid wood construction for the majority of pieces or full-aniline leather upholstery designed to patina with age. Article offers discounted furniture bundles when purchasing multiple items.
Return policy:$49 pickup fee with original packaging| Return window:30 days Payment options: Financing available |Shipping time: 2 to 4 weeks
Amazon
What We Like
Arrives quickly
Most items ship free
Many budget-friendly options
What We Don't Like
Less likely to find premium materials
You can find furniture fast on Amazon to meet your needs. With a seemingly endless supply of different pieces, from office chairs and standing desks to couches, accent chairs, and bed frames, you'll be able to browse and shop just about every type of furniture here. Although you’re less likely to find premium materials like leather or solid hardwoods, most items ship for free and arrive quickly.
If you’re searching for complementary furniture pieces to finish a guest room or outfit your home office, Amazon is a great resource. There are plenty of choices for items like futons, desks, headboards, and coffee tables. Larger furnishings, like sectional sofas or entertainment centers, are more limited but can be found when perusing the site’s selections.
Return policy: Free| Return window: Varies by retailer| Payment options: No financing |Shipping time: Next day shipping on many items
Pottery Barn
What We Like
Complimentary fabric and leather swatches available
Offers eco-friendly furniture
Free design assistance
What We Don't Like
Items can't be returned without a receipt
Shipping fees are common
Consider Pottery Barn, both in-store or online, for traditional furniture. With everything from sleeper and sectional sofas to beds, chairs, dining tables, and even sheet sets and bath towels, Pottery Barn is one of our editors' favorite retailers for all things home goods. Whether you're hoping to purchase a complete furniture set or mix and match individual pieces, the customization and high-quality pieces sold here are all standout options.
We love the sheer number of helpful services offered by Pottery Barn. You can take advantage of free design assistance, which helps you find solutions for spaces large and small. Or, make an appointment with the Pottery Barn Design Crew in-store or at your home, or chat with a designer online, and you can get personalized help. A virtual room planner lets you visualize and rearrange furniture pieces to find an ideal combination.
If you'd like to try out upholstery materials before investing in a piece of customized furniture, we also love that Pottery Barn offers complimentary fabric and leather swatches.Plus, keep an eye out for designations like Fair Trade certified or GREENGUARD Gold certified items if you’re shopping for eco-friendly options.This retailer is home to quite a few eco-minded and sustainably-sourced pieces.
Return policy: Free| Return window:30 days | Payment options: Financing available |Shipping time: Next day for many items
Rove Concepts
What We Like
High-quality, long-lasting materials
Company has a hands-on approach to the making of their furniture
Contemporary design style
What We Don't Like
Must be a member to get the best price
Shipping fees
The contemporary looks of Rove Concepts will turn heads, but the quality of the materials means comfort and longevity for years to come. Based in Vancouver, Canada, the company owns an artisan workshop where it oversees the production of the majority of its furniture. This hands-on approach to the quality of materials and construction gives real staying power to this brand's sofas, beds, dining tables, and more.
Best described as a luxury for every day, furniture from Rove Concepts represents an investment. However, members gain access to better pricing and early sales, and they also receive a voucher with every purchase equal to 10 percent of the value of the item. These vouchers can be applied to any future purchase. At just $150 (and with the potential to save this sum many times over), it's worth enrolling as a member if you plan to purchase even one piece from this furniture retailer.
Even if you are a member, keep shipping costs in mind. Like many furniture retailers, Rove Concepts does charge shipping and delivery fees. However, we've found that the fees are generally a bit high compared to the other retailers on our list, which can increase your investment.
Return policy: Free with original packaging| Return window: 30 days| Payment options: Financing available |Shipping time: 2 to 4 weeks
Ikea
What We Like
Innovative ready to assemble pieces
Quality, space-saving furniture
Variety of price points
What We Don't Like
Delivery only available in select areas
$49 large item shipping fee
While wandering through the supersized blue-and-yellow warehouses is one way to shop IKEA's selections, you can also check out everything from futons to folding dining tables online. Shop the Swedish home retailer for products that are innovative, affordable, and ready to assemble. IKEA is a top place to buy furniture on a budget, and it's much-loved by college students, first-time renters, and enthusiasts of simple Scandinavian style for cheap.
While IKEA has made a name for itself with its affordable and space-saving furniture, there’s no shortage of variety in the retailer’s offerings. Shop the basics or splurge on premium materials and finishes. Professionally designed and carefully engineered features mean the dressers, beds, tables, desks, and other items from IKEA are capable of standing up to daily use for years to come.
Return policy: Free| Return window: 180 days| Payment options: Financing available|Shipping time: 2 to 4 weeks
Poly & Bark
What We Like
High-quality, yet budget-friendly
Solid customer-first approach
Great for first-time homeowners
What We Don't Like
$99 repackaging fee if returning an item without packaging
Aimed at providing quality furniture for an affordable price, Poly & Bark is a direct-to-consumer furniture brand. Outfit every room in your home with options for sofas, armchairs, dining sets, desks, beds, dressers, accent lights, décor, and more. This is a great place to buy furniture for first-time homeowners or anyone looking to furnish a home with quality pieces that won’t break the bank.
Premium materials, like full-grain, pure-aniline leather for the bestselling Napa sofa, are key to the Poly & Bark collection. However, these spendier items are complemented by more budget-friendly options—like dining tables with rubberwood legs that feature medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and veneer top.
Poly & Bark also stands out for its customer-first approach to doing business. For customers on the fence about colors or materials, Poly & Bark offers unlimited complimentary swatches. Order the colors and fabrics you’re most interested in, check them out in your space, then buy with confidence.
Everything ships free to your door, and there is a generous 100-day return window. If you don’t love what you bought, take advantage of the company’s no-cost return shipping (which applies to all purchases other than sale or clearance items). Just be sure to keep the original packaging or you'll face a $99 repackaging fee.
Return policy:Free with original packaging | Return window: 100 days| Payment options: Accrue |Shipping time: 2 to 4 weeks
Urban Outfitters
What We Like
Emphasis on rich textiles
Unique and eclectic options
What We Don't Like
Majority of furniture is only sold online
$99.95 shipping fee
For unique options to outfit your space, shop the eclectic selection at Urban Outfitters. This retailer is a great place to buy furniture if you want décor that isn’t boring or basic. Instead, you’ll find an emphasis on unique forms and shapes and rich textiles.
While the selections for large furnishings (like couches, beds, and armchairs) are more limited compared to retailers, Urban Outfitters is worth a look for unique options you won’t find elsewhere.The selection always features surprises, whether that's in the form of patterned rugs, gilded floor mirrors, or even modern sofas, bed frames, and chairs with a twist that stands out in any home.
Return policy:Free | Return window: 30 days| Payment options: Financing available |Shipping time: 2 to 4 weeks
Anthropologie
What We Like
Playful, stylish, and trendy aesthetic
Customizable, made-to-order pieces
Complimentary styling consultations
What We Don't Like
Not the widest selection of basics
For shoppers on the hunt for eye-catching furniture full of personality, check out Anthropologie’s wide selection of high-end pieces. The design-forward retailer offers unique and modern furniture made with quality materials sure to make a statement in any room. While this may not be the place to look for basic furniture pieces, Anthropologie’s bold designs are ideal for those looking to add visual interest into a space or spice up an otherwise plain room.
Anthropologie frequently releases new furniture collections and exclusive collaborations, so the retailer’s stock is always up-to-date with the latest design trends. In addition to pieces that are in stock and ready-to-ship, Anthropologie also offers a number of items that are made-to-order, allowing shoppers to customize specific sizes, dimensions, fabric types, colors, and finishes.
Those seeking some extra guidance should look into booking a free virtual appointment straight from Anthropologie’s design services website, which is featured alongside a number of tips and resources sure to inspire your next home makeover.
Return policy: Restocking fee | Return window: 30 days | Payment options: Financing available | Shipping time: 30 days or less for most items
The Home Depot
What We Like
Large selection and variety of furniture
Free delivery to your home or local Home Depot
Carries furniture from other popular retailers
What We Don't Like
In-store selection is limited
You can shop a surprising selection and variety from Home Depot. Find furniture for the bedroom, dining room, home office, or living room in traditional, modern, or contemporary interior design styles and more. Across the categories, Home Depot’s in-house brand, Home Decorator’s Collection, dominates the product picks. But you’ll also see products from home retailers like Safavieh, Noble House, Serta, and StyleCraft.
The in-store selection for anything other than patio furniture is limited, but you can shop online and arrange for free delivery to your home or a nearby Home Depot store.
Return policy: Free| Return window: 30 days| Payment options: Financing available |Shipping time: 2 to 4 weeks
Room & Board
What We Like
Majority of items are made in America
Free virtual design services
Timeless, well-made styles
What We Don't Like
Limited style variety
Room + Board is a beloved option for high-quality furniture staples that are designed to outlive seasonal trend cycles. Online and in-store, you can find options for every room in your home, including upholstered bed frames, customizable sectionals, and even patio furniture.
Before you commit to buying something, we particularly like that you can take advantage of the retailer's complimentary design services, where you'll be paired with a design expert—either virtually or in-person—for decor inspiration and help with furniture selection, floor planning, and more. Returns are free and easy, and they offer free leather and fabric swatches to help make your shopping decisions easier.
Many of Room + Board's offerings are on the pricier side, but if high-quality craftsmanship is a priority for you, then we'd argue it's well worth the splurge. Just note that if you're looking for styles other than timeless modern, your options will be limited here.
Return policy: Full refund with receipt | Return window: Varies | Payment options: Financing available | Shipping time: Varies
Etsy
What We Like
Supports small, independent sellers
Unique and one-of-a-kind pieces
Usually less expensive than designer or name brands
What We Don't Like
Shipping times can be long
Quality and value can vary depending on seller
Sellers aren’t required to accept returns
Etsy offers a truly one-of-a-kind, personalized shopping experience for those willing to stray outside of the typical large furniture retailers. With an endless number of independent sellers and small businesses on the e-commerce platform, shoppers can expect to find quality products for a fraction of the cost. Many Etsy sellers offer handmade, vintage, and artisan pieces you won’t find elsewhere. Whether you’re looking for whimsical, rustic, or contemporary furniture styles, Etsy’s selection is sure to please even the pickiest of shoppers.
While Etsy offers a ton of high-quality furniture on its website, shoppers should note the importance of researching the product and storefront beforehand, as return policies are left up to the seller and quality can vary drastically between sellers. In order to ensure that you’re purchasing from a reputable and high-quality seller, shoppers should look at Etsy’s editors’ picks as well as other recent customer reviews.
Return policy: Varies by seller | Return window: Varies by seller | Payment options: Financing available | Shipping time: Varies by seller
Serena & Lily
What We Like
Free design service
Casual and refined styles
Quality materials
What We Don't Like
Limited color palette
The coastal and modern design influences of Serena & Lily are perfect for brightening and cozying up any space. For those looking to incorporate a casual yet refined style into their home, shop the retailer’s luxury selection of modular sectionals, coffee tables, bookshelves, nursery decor, and even outdoor lounge furniture both online and in-store. Serena & Lily’s understated and timeless furniture is ideal for those looking to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
While most of Serena & Lily’s color palette leans neutral, the retailer embraces pops of color and bohemian elements that wonderfully balance one another. These high-end furniture pieces boast quality materials, including brass finishes, handwoven rattan, and marble. Serena & Lily might not be known for their flashy catalog, but their attention to detail and effortless look allow their furniture to ooze quiet luxury.
Return policy: 15% restocking fee | Return window: 30 days | Payment options: Financing available | Shipping time: 2 to 3 weeks
Apt2B
What We Like
Free delivery on every order
100-day return window
Affordable yet durable options
What We Don't Like
Options are limited in terms of style
If you’re shopping for modern furniture, Apt2B is a top retailer to check out. With a focus on options that are built to last, this furniture doesn’t just look good, it's durable. Many pieces are made in the USA, and you can also customize upholstery and color options using the site’s online shopping tool. For some items, like sofas or sectionals, you can even choose options like width and seat depth for semi-custom furniture that fits your space.Custom sofas take just 2-3 weeks to make—a welcome departure from lengthier wait times at some other popular retailers.
Keep in mind that this is an online-only option, so you won't be able to try anything out in person before buying. However, if you're dissatisfied with your purchase for any reason, the retailer does offer a generous 100-day return window.
Return policy:Shipping fee | Return window:100 days | Payment options: Financing available |Shipping time: Next day shipping for many items
When Is the Best Time to Buy Furniture on Sale?
The cost of furniture varies greatly, with smaller pieces like accent chairs and desks starting as low as $100 and larger custom pieces like sofas and beds reaching $3,000 or more in price. Because furniture is always an investment regardless of price, you'll find sales offered throughout the year across the retailers on our list (and anywhere else you might shop for furniture, too.)
If you want to score a great deal, Maxim recommends shopping after a big sale, when suppliers want to get rid of surplus inventory. More specifically, he says to look "one week after Black Friday and Father's Day sales"—that is, if the piece you're eyeing is still available.
What to Look For When Buying Furniture
Product Assortment
Look for retailers with a range of product assortment, because many times, you're not buying furniture for the entire home in one go. "It can cost $20,000 to $30,000 to furnish an entire home with matching sets. So, depending on your budget, you're probably going to be buying furniture room by room," says John Maxim, a real estate investor and master house flipper.
We like furniture retailers that offer a wide selection of different options. That way, you have the flexibility to customize each room and each piece to your liking. You don't have to stick with a dedicated set that matches couches and chairs or bed frames and dressers; as Maxim suggests, "Mixing and matching can be fun; you don't always have to copy looks right out of the catalog."
Return Policy
Before committing to a purchase, be sure to get an upfront understanding of the retailer's return policies. How long is the return window? Will you have to cover the shipping costs? Return policies can vary widely, so you'll want to read the fine print before adding any furniture to your cart (especially if you're shopping online without seeing products in person.)
Be extra sure to examine the item upon arrival to make sure there's no damage. "If there's a tear or missing piece when the furniture arrives, take pictures and address it right away," says Maxim. Often, if you wait more than a few weeks, it will be too late.
Shipping Time
Shipping varies depending on the retailer and time of year, but it's important to factor in when you're making a purchase—especially if that purchase is time-sensitive. "If you buy something that's in stock and on the floor, expect it within the week," says Maxim. But many times that's not the case, especially due to ongoing supply chain issues.
It's also important to note how your furniture will be shipped and delivered. If the pieces you're purchasing will require assembly, shipping timeframes are often shorter and speedier. For example, items that can be flat-packed and sent via delivery couriers like UPS and FedEx will often arrive within days or weeks. However, if your furniture is being assembled before it arrives and requires special delivery, it may take longer to both ship and reach your front door.
Additionally, don't overlook the timeframe for custom furniture. Opting for custom upholstery or an entirely custom-built piece can extend the shipping time, taking anywhere from six to eight weeks or months to ship out for home delivery.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This story was written by Erica Puisis, who has been a contributor to The Spruce since 2017. She considered dozens of online and in-store furniture retailers for this story, evaluating each on product assortment, return policy, shipping time, and payment options.
Our Experts:
- John Maxim, a real estate investor and master house flipper.
- Heather Adams, senior editor at The Spruce
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