There's a reason so many design lovers flock to Universal Furniture. It strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated modern design, reliable quality, and a price point that feels attainable for high-style pieces. Their furniture makes creating a polished, elegant home feel effortless.
If you appreciate Universal's curated-yet-livable aesthetic, you're in luck. There are plenty of other brands that hit a similar note of modern elegance. Here are 21 fantastic brands to explore for your next furniture find.
1. Ashley Furniture
As one of the biggest names in furniture, Ashley offers a massive selection of pieces with a focus on modern and transitional styles. With prices generally ranging from $200 for smaller items to $2,000 for full sets, it's known for making on-trend design highly accessible. You'll find sleek lines, contemporary fabrics, and versatile wood finishes that look right at home with Universal’s aesthetic.
While Ashley caters to a more budget-conscious shopper, it shares Universal's commitment to versatile, stylish design. Think of it as a great starting point for trend-forward pieces that won't break the bank.
Shop now at ashleyfurniture.com
2. Magnolia Home
From the mind of Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Home offers collections that perfectly blend modern simplicity with warm, rustic charm. With sofas, beds, and tables typically ranging from $500 to $3,500, the brand emphasizes cozy textures, neutral palettes, and timeless craftsmanship. It’s the definition of inviting, modern farmhouse style.
Compared to Universal's polished modernism, Magnolia has a softer, more handcrafted vibe. It’s the perfect choice if you want modern pieces that feel lived-in, warm, and full of character straight out of the box.
Shop now at magnolia.com
3. Bernhardt
For those looking to level up, Bernhardt is a premium brand specializing in high-end contemporary and transitional furniture. With price points often starting around $700 and climbing past $5,000, they are known for using luxurious materials like exotic woods and metallic finishes. Their designs are refined, sophisticated, and impeccably crafted.
Bernhardt shares Universal’s taste for modern elegance but elevates it with artisanal quality and more luxurious materials. It’s an investment in enduring style for someone who appreciates the finer details.
Shop now at bernhardt.com
4. VIG Furniture
VIG Furniture is all about contemporary European design, offering furniture for every room with a sleek, often glossy aesthetic. Their sectionals, platform beds, and dining sets usually fall in the $500 to $2,500 range. The collections celebrate clean lines, modern silhouettes, and a sense of practical luxury perfect for urban living.
While similar to Universal in its modernity, VIG leans more towards a streamlined, minimalist look with a younger, almost Italian-modern feel. It's a fantastic option for interiors that prioritize simplicity with a chic, polished edge.
Shop now at vigfurniture.com
5. Hooker Furniture
Hooker Furniture masterfully blends traditional craftsmanship with fresh, contemporary looks. They offer a huge range of furniture, from bedroom sets to home office solutions, typically priced between $300 and $4,000. Known for their solid construction and stylish, thoughtful finishes, their pieces feel both timeless and current.
Sharing Universal’s transitional appeal, Hooker stands out by often incorporating more decorative accents and intricate details. It’s a perfect choice for those who love a modern foundation but appreciate a touch of classic elegance.
Shop now at hookerfurniture.com
6. Lark Manor
A shining star from Wayfair's family of brands, Lark Manor specializes in furniture that feels fresh, stylish, and a little bit traditional. Its collections span modern farmhouse, coastal, and vintage-inspired designs, with most pieces priced affordably between $200 and $2,000. It's the go-to for achieving a curated, comfortable look on a budget.
Lark Manor shares a similar spirit with Universal, but with a more eclectic, trend-driven approach and a significantly lower price point. It’s ideal for decorators who love mixing styles to create a chic, personalized space.
Shop now at wayfair.com/brand/lark-manor
7. Norwalk Furniture
Norwalk Furniture is the ultimate destination for high-quality, customizable upholstered pieces. Specializing in sofas, chairs, and sectionals with modern and transitional frames, they put the power of design in your hands. Prices usually start around $1,000 and can go up to $5,000 or more, reflecting the bespoke nature of their work.
Like Universal, Norwalk is dedicated to sophisticated modern design. Their key differentiator is the emphasis on custom upholstery - if you want to pick the perfect fabric for a modern frame, Norwalk is a dream come true.
Shop now at norwalkfurniture.com
8. Lexington Home Brands
Lexington operates in a similar upscale space, offering beautifully crafted furniture that often features designer collaborations. Their collections seamlessly blend modern silhouettes with timeless materials and finishes, ranging in price from about $700 to $4,000. The aesthetic is all about refined, livable luxury.
While their quality and elegance are on par with Universal, some Lexington collections lean slightly more traditional or coastal, but always with a sophisticated edge. They're perfect for creating a classic, high-end feel.
Shop now at lexington.com
9. Olliix
Olliix offers a wide array of well-priced contemporary furniture and decor designed for everyday life. With bedding, sofas, and dining sets priced from $300 to $2,500, their focus is on providing modern looks that are both stylish and functional. The aesthetic is clean-lined, practical, and effortlessly cool.
Olliix echoes Universal's accessible modern style but with a stronger focus on casual comfort and functional, easy-living designs. It’s great for building a chic, comfortable home without a huge investment.
Shop now at olliix.com
10. Oly Studio
For the artistic soul, Oly Studio creates furniture that feels like functional sculpture. They specialize in artisanal, handcrafted pieces with a vibe that can be described as modern bohemian glamour. Known for using unique materials and textures, they are an investment, with prices from $1,000 to over $6,000.
Oly Studio diverges from Universal with its highly artistic and eclectic approach. If you're searching for a captivating, one-of-a-kind statement piece to anchor a room, this brand should be at the top of your list.
Shop now at olystudio.com
11. Scandinavian Designs
As the name suggests, Scandinavian Designs is your destination for modern furniture inspired by Nordic simplicity and functionality. They offer everything from sofas to office furniture, typically priced from $200-$2,500, all characterized by light woods, clean lines, and a minimalist spirit.
While Universal's modernism is more transitional and elegant, Scandinavian Designs offers a purer, more organic take on modern. It’s perfect for creating a bright, airy, and uncluttered space with a nature-inspired feel.
Shop now at scandinaviandesigns.com
12. Caliendo Furniture
Caliendo Furniture excels at creating handcrafted modern pieces with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Their collections feature furniture made from natural, eco-friendly materials using artisanal techniques, with prices starting around $1,000. Their style fuses sleek modern lines with beautiful organic textures.
Sharing Universal's clean aesthetic, Caliendo differentiates itself with a powerful commitment to eco-conscious design and small-batch craftsmanship, appealing directly to those who want style with a story.
Shop now at caliendofurniture.com
13. Rove Concepts
Rove Concepts holds a special place in the hearts of mid-century modern enthusiasts. They focus on high-quality reproductions of iconic designs and original contemporary pieces that honor that legacy. With sofas and beds often in the $1,000 to $4,000 range, their furniture is celebrated for its sleek forms and quality materials.
Rove's aesthetic leans more specifically into mid-century and retro-inspired modernism compared to Universal’s broader transitional style. It's the ideal destination for anyone looking to build a timeless-yet-cool space worthy of Mad Men.
Shop now at roveconcepts.com
14. Vaughan Designs
Vaughan Designs is a UK-based brand known for its exceptional lighting, but its furniture line is equally impressive. Specializing in elegant, residential-style pieces, their work has a transitional, almost bespoke quality. Expect premium pricing, with small accent pieces starting around $1,000 and larger items going much higher.
Like Universal, Vaughan aims for a sophisticated, timeless look. However, Vaughan feels more curated and luxurious, with a subtle British flair in its details and finishes, making it a great find for truly elegant touches.
Shop now at vaughandesigns.com
15. Arhaus
Arhaus is committed to creating heirloom-quality furniture with a global perspective, favoring artisanal techniques and sustainably sourced materials. Their collections feel both modern and rustic, with prices typically ranging from $800 to $8,000+. They are known for their handcrafted details, live-edge woods, and unique finishes.
Arhaus shares Universal's audience for modern transitional pieces but stands out with a strong story of sustainability and worldly, handcrafted artistry. Shopping here feels like discovering a one-of-a-kind piece with history.
Shop now at arhaus.com
16. Crate & Barrel
A household name for a reason, Crate & Barrel delivers clean, modern, and accessible design for the whole home. Their furniture offerings range from around $400 for accents to $3,000+ for large sofas and dining sets, all defined by a practical yet sophisticated aesthetic. It’s perfect for families and first-time home buyers wanting quality and style.
Crate & Barrel's style is very much in line with Universal’s, focusing on clean lines and livable modernism. The key difference is a slightly more casual and approachable vibe that makes it perfect for stylish, everyday living.
Shop now at crateandbarrel.com
17. Restoration Hardware (RH Modern)
For those aspiring to a truly luxurious contemporary home, RH Modern is the benchmark. The brand focuses on large-scale, statement-making furniture often crafted from premium materials like marble, solid oak, and lacquered brass. Pricing reflects this, starting at $1,000 for accessories and soaring past $10,000 for sofas.
RH Modern operates in a much higher price bracket than Universal but appeals to the same affinity for a sophisticated, sleek look. It offers a more dramatic, monochromatic, and industrial-influenced version of modern elegance.
Shop now at rh.com
18. Modloft
Modloft brings a chic, cosmopolitan energy to its contemporary furniture designs. With pieces generally priced between $800 and $4,000, they blend minimalism with luxurious touches and innovative materials. Their style is distinctly modern, edgy, and built for sophisticated urban spaces like city apartments and lofts.
Compared to Universal, Modloft’s pieces have a sharper, more architectural feel. They are perfect for anyone seeking sleek furniture with a bit of a high-fashion, metropolitan vibe.
Shop now at modloft.com
19. Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen has a long-standing reputation for quality craftsmanship, classic design, and extensive customization options. While often known for more traditional styles, their collections beautifully span transitional and modern looks, backed by a commitment to durability. Pricing starts near $1,000 and can reach over $10,000 for custom pieces.
They share Universal’s focus on elegant, well-made furniture but offer a wider range of styles, from classic to contemporary. Ethan Allen is the go-to for someone looking for timeless quality and loves to personalize their selections.
Shop now at ethanallen.com
20. West Elm
West Elm is a go-to for anyone who loves mid-century modern design with a contemporary twist. Their collections are stylish, accessible, and perfectly suited for apartments and modern homes, with most furniture pieces falling in the $500 to $3,000 range. They also prioritize fair trade practices and organic materials in many of their lines.
Falling into a similar price and quality tier as Universal, West Elm offers a younger, more trend-forward take on modern design. If you love clean lines but want a distinct mid-century flair, this is your brand.
Shop now at westelm.com
21. Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is an expert in creating comfortable, classic, family-friendly homes. Their style balances traditional American design with relaxed, updated silhouettes. Known for their cozy sectionals, sturdy dining tables, and plush bedding, pieces typically range from $500 to $4,000.
While often seen as more traditional than Universal, Pottery Barn’s well-made transitional pieces frequently appeal to the same customer. It's the perfect choice for someone wanting timeless comfort and a warm, inviting aesthetic that will last for years.
Shop now at potterybarn.com
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