If your living room feels a little “off” and you can’t put your finger on why, the rug is usually the culprit—either it’s too small, floating awkwardly under the coffee table, or pushed off to one side like an afterthought. The fix is simple. To properly place an area rug, center it in the seating area and either rest the front legs of your sofa and chairs on it, or place all of the furniture legs fully on top. Leave 10 to 18 inches of bare floor between the rug and the walls, and make sure the rug is big enough to anchor the furniture rather than drift beneath the coffee table alone. Done right, a rug pulls the whole room together and makes the space feel intentional instead of accidental.

Rugs are one of the most overlooked elements in a room, and once you understand the three standard placement methods, choosing what works for your space becomes much easier.

Shopping at a discount furniture store can save you money upfront. The tradeoffs, though, often include limited customization, less customer support, and questions about long-term quality. Whether a discount store is the right fit depends on what matters most to you — price, selection, durability, or service. Here’s what to weigh before you decide.

Some of the best furniture stores in Columbia, SC and the surrounding Midlands region include Chapin Furniture, Dan Rich Furniture, Marty Rae’s, Strobler Home Furnishings, Ashley, Haverty’s, Rooms To Go, Ethan Allen, and La-Z-Boy. Each store offers a different shopping experience, from locally owned showrooms with decades of community roots to nationally recognized brands with broad selections and design services. Whether you’re furnishing your first home or refreshing a room you’ve lived in for years, understanding what each store brings to the table can help you shop with confidence.

As a local and family-owned authorized La-Z-Boy dealer that has served the Midlands since 1976, we believe informed customers make the best buying decisions. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to some of the furniture stores in the Columbia and Lexington area, so you can get a feel for what’s out there before you start shopping.