The best furniture stores in NYC

Started in 1964 as a marriage of the Jensen family’s long-running sail-making business and the Lewis’s canvas-awning business, this store—originally for all-canvas furniture—quickly grew to become one of New York’s most trusted purveyors of contemporary and modern furniture. Though the Chelsea gallery is sprawling in size, the painted walls, friendly staff and inviting, mostly European furniture might just make you feel like you're on a Nancy Meyers film set.

You can feel extra good about your next purchase at this environmentally friendly vintage shop. Every secondhand item goes through the store’s workshop to ensure it's fully functioning and like new. You’ll find beautiful and unique pieces like a walnut art deco chifferobe with a drop-down secretary ($604) or a bold black vinyl armchair ($426).

This Japanese import has a devoted following among those who cherish well-made and simple yet sleek designs. In addition to selling clothing—mostly non-branded, superior-quality basics—the store offers a strong selection of furnishings and storage solutions perfect for a New York apartment, like beds with built-in shelves under the mattress ($550) or the incredibly comfortable and compact high-back reclining sofa ($1,100).

Started in the late ‘90s by two architects and a sculptor in Minnesota, this award-winning furniture company embodies modern ideals. While its wares are frequently sold at high-end luxury spots—including a few other places on this list—its Soho storefront is where you’ll find everything you need to furnish your home. Popular items include the playfully named One Night Stand Sleeper Sofa ($1,199) and the geometric, futuristic Real Good Chair ($179) that comes in seven colors, including both green and aqua.

Since 2000, Christiane Lemieux’s vibrant and inviting bedding and textile line has grown to include furniture and baby accessories. Today, the flagship Soho showroom is like a Pinterest board come to life—the furniture, accessories and wall art are displayed so perfectly it will inspire the inner interior designer you didn’t know you had. While the furniture prices are a bit steep (sofas start at $1,000 and go way up from there) a small accent rug that will pull the whole room together can be found for less than a Benjamin.

There’s a word from every letter of the alphabet to describe this luxury carpet depot and home goods store—alluring, bountiful, chic, etc.—but none can encompass the store’s true might. Though you’ll certainly be paying luxury prices—a gorgeous throw blanket could throw you back $2,350—every item is guaranteed to be high quality, including a futuristic, geometric Kartell Black Masters chair ($300) or the modern art-inspired Urban 2.0 Bookshelf ($895). Pro tip: The Bronx and Flatiron stores have a big sale twice a year, so wait until the perfect moment to buy that ottoman you’ve been eyeing.

Despite the store’s name, this spot climbs far beyond the reach of what can reasonably be considered a budget buy. Pieces like the versatile Nelson Day Bed ($2,775)—designed by legendary mid-20th-century industrial designer George Nelson—manage to be comfortable, practical and aesthetically pleasing. New Yorkers lucky enough to have a yard or roof access should check out the luxurious chaise chairs—they’ll make you want to lay out tanning for days.

A younger and hipper spin-off of the stalwart home-goods behemoth Crate & Barrel, CB2 is a haven for folks looking to make their apartment more stylish without paying luxury prices. Give your sun-soaked pad a beachy feel with a woven malawi chair ($299) or minimize your cluttered look with a transparent peekaboo acrylic console table that appears to blend into your walls ($379).