Furniture Buying Guides

98+Expert Guides
10Categories
Every RoomCovered
FreeShipping on All Orders

Buying furniture is one of those decisions that's harder than it looks — not because the options are bad, but because there are so many of them. These guides exist to cut through that. Each one was written to answer the actual questions people ask when they're standing in a room trying to figure out what size rug they need, or whether a sectional will fit, or what the difference is between teak and aluminum for an outdoor dining set. No filler, no padding — just the information you need to make a confident choice. Browse by room or category below, or use the quick links to jump straight to what you're looking for. Interior designers and trade buyers can access up to 40% off on everything through the LOOMLAN Trade Program.

Living Room Furniture Guides

18 guides

Complete Sectional Sofa Buying Guide

Size configurations, L-shape vs. U-shape, fabric vs. performance fabric, and how to measure your room before you buy.

Complete Sofa & Loveseat Buying Guide

Frame construction, cushion fill, upholstery options, and the sizing rules that keep a sofa from overwhelming a room.

Complete Accent Chair Guide

Style categories, ergonomics, fabric durability ratings, and how to pair accent chairs with existing furniture.

Club Chair Buying Guide

Traditional vs. contemporary club chairs, leather vs. fabric, and what "tight back" vs. "loose cushion" actually means for comfort.

Chaise Lounge Buying Guide

Chaise configurations, indoor vs. outdoor use, sizing for small and large spaces, and the brands that make them well.

Coffee Table Buying Guide

Height rules, shape selection for sectionals vs. sofas, material durability, and storage vs. open-base tradeoffs.

Ottoman Coffee Table Guide

When to use an ottoman instead of a coffee table, storage configurations, tray styling, and weight capacity considerations.

Side Table & End Table Guide

Height matching with sofa arms, proportion rules, material coordination, and when one table isn't enough.

How to Pick a Good Side Table

A practical breakdown of the questions to ask before buying any accent table — height, function, finish, and fit.

Accent Tables in the Living Room

How to layer accent tables — nesting tables, C-tables, drum tables — and the spacing rules that make them work together.

Console Table Buying Guide

Entryway vs. sofa-back placement, depth requirements for narrow spaces, and styling with mirrors and lamps.

TV Stand & Media Cabinet Guide

TV size-to-stand width ratios, cable management, component storage, and the difference between a media console and an entertainment center.

Bookcases & Etageres Guide

Fixed vs. adjustable shelving, weight capacity, styling open shelves, and when an etagere works better than a bookcase.

Accent Cabinet Buying Guide

Closed vs. open storage, door configurations, interior dimensions for what you're actually storing, and finish coordination.

Storage Furniture Buying Guide

A comprehensive look at every storage category — cabinets, ottomans, shelving, and media consoles — and how to choose the right one for your space.

American Made Custom Leather Sofa Guide

Full-grain vs. top-grain vs. bonded leather, custom order timelines, frame construction standards, and what "made in USA" actually means for sofas.

How to Care for Leather Furniture

Cleaning methods by leather type, conditioning schedules, scratch repair, and what voids a warranty — practical maintenance from day one.

Recliner Buying Guide

Manual vs. power recline, wall-hugger mechanisms, fabric and leather options, and how to size a recliner for your room layout.

Dining Room Furniture Guides

13 guides

Complete Dining Tables Buying Guide

Shape selection, seating capacity formulas, material durability by finish type, and the sizing rules for round vs. rectangular tables.

Extendable Dining Tables Guide

Leaf mechanisms (butterfly, drop-in, self-storing), extension capacity, and how to choose a table that works for both everyday and entertaining.

Complete Dining Chairs Buying Guide

Seat height standards, upholstered vs. wood seats, mixing chair styles, and how many chairs actually fit at your table.

Dining Benches Buying Guide

Bench vs. chair seating, upholstered vs. wood benches, sizing for standard table heights, and how to mix benches with chairs.

Bar Stools & Counter Stools Guide

Counter height vs. bar height, swivel vs. fixed, backrest considerations, and the exact measurements that determine which stool fits your island.

Bar Tables & Counter Tables Guide

Standard heights for bar vs. counter tables, base styles, material durability for high-use surfaces, and pairing with the right stool height.

Buffet & China Cabinet Guide

Buffet vs. sideboard vs. china cabinet — what each one stores, standard dimensions, and how to position them in a dining room layout.

Credenza & Sideboard Guide

The difference between a credenza and a sideboard, interior storage configurations, and how to use them in dining rooms, offices, and living rooms.

Outdoor Dining Tables Guide

Material comparison (teak, aluminum, concrete, resin), weather resistance ratings, size for outdoor spaces, and maintenance by material type.

Outdoor Dining Chairs Guide

Frame materials, cushion vs. no cushion, stackable options for commercial use, and UV/weather resistance ratings by brand.

Outdoor Bar & Counter Height Dining Sets

When to choose bar-height over standard dining height outdoors, set configurations, and the brands that make commercial-grade outdoor bar furniture.

Outdoor Bar Stools Guide

Weather-resistant materials, height selection for outdoor bars and kitchen islands, and the commercial-grade options rated for hospitality use.

Sustainable Dining Room Furniture Guide

FSC certification, reclaimed wood sourcing, low-VOC finishes, and how to build a dining room that's both beautiful and responsibly made.

Bedroom Furniture Guides

3 guides

Complete Bed Buying Guide

Platform vs. panel beds, headboard height, mattress compatibility, and how to size a bed frame for your bedroom dimensions.

Dresser & Chest Buying Guide

Dresser vs. chest vs. armoire, drawer count and dimensions, mirror options, and how to fit bedroom storage into rooms of every size.

Nightstand Buying Guide

Height relative to mattress, drawer vs. open shelf, charging station integration, and how to pair two nightstands that aren't identical.

Home Office Furniture Guides

2 guides

Home Office Desks Buying Guide

Writing desk vs. executive desk vs. standing desk, surface dimensions for dual monitors, cable management, and finish durability for daily use.

Home Office Chairs Buying Guide

Ergonomic vs. accent chair for home offices, lumbar support, seat height adjustment, and the difference between task chairs and executive chairs.

Entryway Furniture Guides

1 guide

Entryway Benches Buying Guide

Seat height, storage vs. open base, upholstered vs. wood, and how to size an entryway bench for narrow hallways and mudrooms.

Outdoor Furniture & Living Guides

22 guides

Best Outdoor Furniture Materials Guide

Teak vs. aluminum vs. HDPE wicker vs. wrought iron — durability, maintenance, climate suitability, and cost over time for each material.

Outdoor Lounge Chairs Guide

Chaise lounges, Adirondack chairs, club chairs, and sling chairs — material comparison, cushion options, and commercial-grade ratings.

Outdoor Sofas Buying Guide

Frame materials, cushion fill and covers, modular vs. fixed configurations, and how to size an outdoor sofa for your patio or deck.

Outdoor Modular Sectionals Guide

Module configurations, weather-resistant fabrics, how to plan a modular layout for irregular outdoor spaces, and storage during off-season.

Outdoor Daybeds Buying Guide

Canopy vs. no canopy, frame materials, mattress and cushion weatherproofing, and sizing for pool decks and covered patios.

Porch Swings Buying Guide

Weight capacity, hanging hardware, chain vs. rope suspension, material durability, and how to size a porch swing for your space.

Outdoor Side Tables Guide

Height matching for outdoor lounge seating, material options, nesting tables for flexible layouts, and weather resistance by material.

Fire Tables Buying Guide

Gas vs. propane, BTU output, table height and dining vs. lounge configurations, safety clearances, and all-weather materials.

Stackable Patio Chairs Guide

Commercial-grade vs. residential stackable chairs, weight ratings, material durability, and the brands rated for hotel and restaurant use.

Outdoor Rugs Guide

Material comparison (polypropylene, natural fiber, recycled PET), UV resistance, sizing for outdoor dining and lounge areas, and cleaning.

Outdoor Pillows Buying Guide

Outdoor fabric ratings, fill options, UV and mildew resistance, sizing for outdoor furniture, and care instructions by material.

Outdoor Throw Blankets Guide

Weather-resistant materials, care and storage, how to style outdoor throws on lounge furniture, and the difference between indoor and outdoor textiles.

Outdoor Wall Art Guide

Materials rated for outdoor use, UV-resistant finishes, sizing for exterior walls, and how to hang art in covered vs. uncovered outdoor spaces.

Outdoor Planters & Garden Stools Guide

Material durability for planters, drainage requirements, garden stool sizing for outdoor dining spaces, and styling both together.

Outdoor Wall Art & Lighting for Dining Spaces

How to layer outdoor wall art and lighting to create a defined dining atmosphere on a patio, deck, or covered terrace.

Traditional & Classic Outdoor Dining Style Guide

How to design a traditional outdoor dining space — furniture proportions, material choices, color palettes, and the brands that do classic outdoor best.

Commercial Quality Outdoor Furniture Guide

BIFMA ratings, frame warranties, commercial-grade fabric specs, and which LOOMLAN brands are rated for hotel, restaurant, and resort use.

Multi-Family & HOA Outdoor Furniture Guide

Common area procurement, durability requirements for shared spaces, volume pricing, and how LOOMLAN's Trade Program serves property managers.

Garden Stools Buying Guide

Indoor vs. outdoor use, ceramic vs. metal vs. concrete, weight capacity, and how to use garden stools as side tables, plant stands, and extra seating.

Outdoor Dining — Contemporary Style Guide

How to design a contemporary outdoor dining space — clean lines, mixed materials, and the collections that define modern outdoor entertaining.

Outdoor Dining — Coastal Style Guide

Natural materials, relaxed proportions, and the color palettes that define coastal outdoor dining — from teak to wicker to weathered finishes.

Outdoor Dining — Modern Farmhouse Style Guide

Mixing rustic wood with metal frames, farmhouse-style outdoor furniture, and how to create a relaxed, gathered feel in an outdoor dining space.

Lighting Buying Guides

8 guides

Complete Home Lighting Buying Guide

The full picture — ambient, task, and accent lighting, layering techniques, fixture types by room, and how to choose the right bulb for each application.

Chandelier Buying Guide

Sizing formulas for dining rooms and entryways, hanging height rules, wattage and bulb type, and the chandelier styles that work in each room.

The Complete Guide to Finding the Perfect Chandelier

A deeper dive into chandelier selection — style matching, ceiling height, room proportion, and the brands that define designer chandelier quality.

Pendant Lighting Buying Guide

Single vs. cluster pendants, hanging height over islands and dining tables, cord vs. rod vs. chain, and how to size pendants for your space.

Table Lamp Buying Guide

Shade sizing, base height relative to eye level, wattage for reading vs. ambient light, and how to pair table lamps in a room.

Floor Lamp Buying Guide

Arc vs. torchiere vs. task floor lamps, height and reach, placement relative to seating, and the styles that work in contemporary and traditional rooms.

Wall Sconce Buying Guide

Hardwired vs. plug-in sconces, mounting height, spacing for flanking a mirror or bed, and the finish combinations that work with different wall colors.

Flush Mount Ceiling Light Guide

When to use flush mount vs. semi-flush, ceiling height requirements, room size and lumen output, and the styles that work in bedrooms, hallways, and kitchens.

Rugs & Textile Guides

7 guides

Rug Size Selection Guide

The definitive sizing rules for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms — what "all legs on" vs. "front legs on" actually means, and how to measure before you buy.

Best Rug Size for Every Room

Room-by-room rug sizing — living room, queen bed, king bed, dining room — with specific dimensions and the most common sizing mistakes to avoid.

Handmade American Rug Buying Guide

Hand-knotted vs. hand-tufted vs. hand-loomed, wool vs. cotton vs. silk, pile height, and what "made in USA" means for rug quality and pricing.

Runner Rug Buying Guide

Standard runner dimensions, hallway and kitchen sizing, pile height for high-traffic areas, and how to layer runners over carpet.

Washable Rug Buying Guide

Machine-washable vs. spot-clean, pile height limits for washing machines, material durability after repeated washing, and the best washable rug brands.

Wool Rug Buying Guide

Wool pile types, hand-knotted vs. machine-made wool rugs, cleaning and maintenance, and why wool outperforms synthetic fibers in high-traffic areas.

Accent Pillow Buying Guide

Insert sizing vs. cover sizing, fill types (down, down-alternative, foam), fabric durability, and how to mix patterns and textures without overdoing it.

Decor & Wall Art Guides

7 guides

Wall Decor Buying Guide

Gallery walls, single statement pieces, mirrors as decor, and the sizing and spacing rules that make wall arrangements look intentional rather than random.

Wall Mirror Buying Guide

Mirror sizing for entryways, living rooms, and dining rooms, frame styles, leaning vs. hanging, and how mirrors change the perception of space.

Floor Mirror Buying Guide

Leaning vs. wall-mounted floor mirrors, sizing for bedrooms and dressing areas, frame styles, and safety anchoring for leaning mirrors.

Canvas Wall Art Buying Guide

Gallery-wrapped vs. framed canvas, sizing for different wall spaces, hanging height rules, and how to choose art that works with your existing palette.

Framed Wall Art Buying Guide

Frame material and finish, mat vs. no mat, glass types, sizing for single pieces vs. gallery arrangements, and how to mix framed art with other wall decor.

Wall Shelves Buying Guide

Floating vs. bracket shelves, weight capacity, depth for books vs. decor, and how to arrange a wall shelf display that doesn't look cluttered.

Storage Furniture Buying Guide

Every storage category in one place — accent cabinets, ottomans, shelving, media consoles, and buffets — with guidance on choosing the right type for each room.

Bar & Entertainment Guides

3 guides

Home Bar Cabinet Buying Guide

Freestanding vs. built-in bar cabinets, interior storage for bottles and glassware, locking options, and the styles that work in living rooms and dining rooms.

Bar Cart Buying Guide

Two-tier vs. three-tier, wheel locking, glass holder configurations, material durability, and how to style a bar cart for both function and display.

Home Bar Island Buying Guide

Freestanding bar islands, counter height vs. bar height, seating configurations, storage capacity, and how to integrate a bar island into an open-plan space.

Sustainability & Trade Resources

2 guides

Sustainable Furniture Guide for Designers

FSC and GREENGUARD certifications explained, LEED credit eligibility, low-VOC finishes, and how to specify sustainable furniture for commercial and residential projects.

Resale Certificate Guide — All 50 States

How to apply for and use a resale certificate as an interior designer or trade buyer in every US state — state-by-state requirements, forms, and renewal timelines.

Interior Designers & Trade Buyers: Up to 40% Off

LOOMLAN's Trade Program is open to interior designers, architects, property managers, hospitality buyers, and commercial specifiers. No minimum order. Free shipping on everything. Apply in under 5 minutes and get instant access to trade pricing on all 50+ brands.

Quick Reference: Which Guide Do I Need?

If You're Shopping For… Start With This Guide Then Shop Here
A sofa for a large living room Sectional Sofa Guide Sectionals
A dining table that seats 8+ Extendable Dining Tables Guide Dining Tables
Outdoor furniture for a patio Outdoor Materials Guide Outdoor Patio Furniture
A chandelier for a dining room Chandelier Buying Guide Chandeliers
The right rug size Rug Size Selection Guide Area Rugs
Outdoor furniture for a hotel or resort Commercial Quality Guide Trade Program
A home bar setup Home Bar Cabinet Guide Bar Cabinets
Sustainable furniture for a LEED project Sustainable Furniture Guide Trade Program

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Furniture

How do I know what size furniture to buy for my room?

Start by measuring your room and marking out the furniture footprint with painter's tape before you order anything. For sofas, leave at least 18 inches between the sofa and the coffee table, and at least 36 inches for main traffic paths. For dining tables, allow 36–48 inches from the table edge to the nearest wall so chairs can pull out comfortably. Our rug size guide covers sizing for every room configuration.

What furniture materials last the longest?

For indoor furniture, solid hardwood (oak, walnut, maple) and solid teak are the most durable frame materials — properly maintained, they last generations. For upholstery, performance fabrics rated 100,000+ double rubs outperform standard fabrics in high-traffic areas. For outdoor furniture, Grade-A teak, cast aluminum, and marine-grade aluminum are the top performers for longevity and weather resistance. LOOMLAN carries HiTeak for teak and Castelle and Lloyd Flanders for aluminum and wicker outdoor furniture.

What is the difference between a sectional and a modular sofa?

A sectional is a fixed configuration — the pieces are designed to connect in one specific way and aren't typically sold separately. A modular sofa is made of individual pieces (armless chairs, corner units, ottomans) that can be rearranged into different configurations and added to over time. Modular sofas cost more upfront but offer more flexibility for changing rooms or moving. See the sectional sofa guide for a full comparison.

How do I choose between teak and aluminum outdoor furniture?

Teak is warmer in appearance, naturally weather-resistant, and develops a silver-grey patina over time if left untreated. It's heavier and typically more expensive. Aluminum is lighter, maintenance-free, and available in a wider range of styles and colors. For coastal environments with salt air, aluminum with a powder-coated finish or Grade-A teak are both excellent choices. The outdoor furniture materials guide covers every material category in detail.

What rug size do I need for a living room?

For a standard living room sofa arrangement, an 8×10 rug is the most common choice — it allows the front legs of all seating pieces to sit on the rug. For larger rooms with sectionals, a 9×12 is more appropriate. The rug should extend at least 6–8 inches beyond the sofa on each side. See the best rug size guide for room-by-room sizing charts.

Does LOOMLAN offer trade pricing for interior designers?

Yes — LOOMLAN's Trade Program offers up to 40% off retail pricing for interior designers, architects, property managers, and commercial buyers. There is no minimum order requirement, and free shipping applies to all trade orders. The application takes under 5 minutes. Visit the Trade Program page to apply.

How do I hang a chandelier at the right height?

Over a dining table, the bottom of the chandelier should hang 30–36 inches above the tabletop for standard 8-foot ceilings. Add 3 inches for every additional foot of ceiling height. In an entryway or foyer, the bottom of the fixture should be at least 7 feet from the floor. The chandelier buying guide covers sizing formulas for every room type.

What is the return policy on furniture at LOOMLAN?

LOOMLAN offers hassle-free returns on most items. Free and easy delivery is included on all orders. For specific return windows and conditions by product category, see the Return & Refund Policy page.