Best living room furniture under $1,000

Start with the Evansley set. It's the best all-round buy: a full sofa-and-loveseat pairing in a neutral gray, a solid 4.7 rating from real buyers, and it's sold at several stores, so you have some choice on where to get it. If you want the most furniture for the money, the Clearbrooke set is the one — sofa, loveseat, chair and ottoman in one go, with a corner-blocked frame that should hold up to daily use.

Who the rest suit:

• Bixler or Aviemore — if you want a tighter, more compact three-piece look for a smaller room.
• Navi or Adlai — if you'd rather have a wider sofa for lounging and movie nights.
• Stairatt — the value pick when you want a matching sofa and loveseat without stretching the budget.
• Perry — for a first apartment or a spare room where a smaller, shallower sofa is easier to fit.
• Jarenie U-shaped sectional — if you want a big, deep seating arrangement and don't mind a lower rating.
• BedLuxury loveseat or Leumius sofa bed — for a reading nook, a studio, or a room that doubles as a guest space.

Check the sofa width against your wall before you commit; the sets range from about 77" to 89" wide.