Living Designs Furniture vs. Big-Box Retailers
Living Designs Furniture began with a simple goal: to build furniture people could truly rely on to stand the test of time. With more than 45 years of experience as a Houston-based furniture manufacturer, we believe quality furniture should be honest, fairly priced, and made to last for decades. This philosophy shapes everything we do, from how we build each piece to how we care for our customers well beyond delivery.
%201%20(1).webp)
Let’s Compare Furniture Stores
When choosing between local furniture stores vs. big-box retailers, there’s no competition. Let's break down exactly what sets Living Designs Furniture apart from big furniture retailers.
Handcrafted Quality vs. Mass-Produced Pieces
With 45 years in the furniture industry, we can tell you the biggest difference between a furniture manufacturer vs. furniture retailer: quality. Here’s how we can create better furniture for you than a big box company.
Material sourcing: Big-box brands shop globally for the lowest price, while we source all materials locally for the highest quality.
Craftsmanship: Our skilled Houston craftsmen handmake every piece we sell, while big-box retailers are just middlemen for mass-produced furniture made overseas.
Pricing: Our factory-direct pricing cuts out markups from distributors, wholesalers, and retail chains — compare furniture prices and see the difference immediately.
Long-term value: Our quality furniture lasts decades, while cheap brand furniture needs replacing every few years — we save you money in the long run, not just today.
True Customization vs. Limited Options
When big-box retailers say "custom," they usually mean picking from a handful of pre-set fabric swatches and maybe choosing left or right-facing. At Living Designs Furniture, we build custom living room furniture to your exact specifications, which means you get a piece you'll actually love, that fits your space perfectly, and lasts a lifetime.
Customization capabilities: We can build anything from scratch to your exact dimensions, style, and specifications, while big-box stores limit you to pre-configured options and a narrow fabric selection.
Design flexibility: Our craftsmen work with you to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces tailored to your home, while chain retailers offer cookie-cutter furniture with minor tweaks at best.
Personal consultation: You work directly with our team to design your perfect piece, while big-box employees just point you to a catalog and hope something works.
Perfect fit guarantee: We build to your exact measurements so your furniture fits your space flawlessly, while mass-produced pieces force you to compromise and work around what's available.
Custom Does Not Mean Overpriced
Custom furniture is often assumed to be expensive, but that is not always the case. When you understand how big-box furniture is priced and how factory-direct manufacturing works, the difference becomes clear.
Big-box furniture often includes multiple layers of markup before it ever reaches the showroom, including distributors, warehouses, and national retail chains. And guess who pays for that? You. Our pricing is based on the quality of materials and skilled craftsmanship, not inflated retail margins or artificial sale pricing.
Many customers are surprised to find our custom furniture is comparable in price, and sometimes less, than mass-produced alternatives once quality and longevity are considered. In addition to fully custom furniture, we also offer high-quality, in-stock pieces that are ready for faster delivery, giving you flexibility without sacrificing craftsmanship or durability.
Local, Family-Owned vs. Corporate Chains
The benefits of shopping local at a family-owned business like Living Designs Furniture go beyond supporting your community — you get better quality, real expertise, and a personal touch that corporate chains simply can't match.
Quality and craftsmanship: We've spent 45 years perfecting our craft and building customer trust, while corporate chains prioritize volume and shareholder returns over lasting quality.
Personalized service: You work directly with furniture experts who genuinely care about finding the right piece for your home, not commission-driven salespeople pushing whatever's in stock.
Custom designs: We create unique, upholstered furniture that reflects your style and sets your home apart, while chains sell the same mass-produced pieces to thousands of customers.
Community impact: Your purchase supports Houston families, local jobs, and our city's economy — not a faceless corporation shipping profits out of state or abroad.
