High Point, North Carolina – often dubbed the “furniture capital of the world” – is a small Southern city with an outsized reputation in luxury furnishings. For over a century, this unassuming town has been the epicenter of American furniture design and production, known for its rich heritage and the world-famous High Point Furniture Market. From its early 20th-century manufacturing boom to its modern status as a global furniture mecca, High Point’s story is one of craftsmanship, innovation, and enduring style. And while High Point (or High Point, NC) draws designers and buyers from every corner of the globe, discerning shoppers on the West Coast are discovering they can enjoy the same level of artistry and design closer to home. Enter Melaaura – a Los Angeles-based luxury furniture brand that brings global inspiration to California’s doorstep, appealing to those who seek the exclusive and design-forward without a cross-country trek. In this article, we explore why High Point became the furniture capital of the world, answer key questions about its allure, and introduce how Melaaura provides a refined alternative for luxury furniture connoisseurs in Los Angeles.
High Point, NC: A Heritage Built on Furniture Excellence
High Point’s journey to becoming the furniture capital of the world is grounded in history and natural advantage. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, North Carolina’s abundant hardwood forests and new railway lines set the stage for a booming furniture industry. High Point – named for being the highest point on the North Carolina Railroad – quickly attracted furniture craftsmen and entrepreneurs. By the early 1900s, ambitious local manufacturers were already planning a furniture exposition big enough to rival those in New York, Chicago, and Grand Rapids (the Michigan city that once styled itself the “Furniture City” of America). High Point opened its first major showroom building in 1921, boldly aspiring to become the foremost furniture market on the continent. It succeeded: over the ensuing decades, High Point overtook its rivals and solidified its status as America’s furniture capital.
Post-World War II, High Point’s dominance became unquestionable. By 1955, an estimated 60% of all furniture made in America hailed from within a 125-mile radius of High Point. In other words, this one region in North Carolina was producing more than half of the nation’s furniture – a staggering figure that earned High Point its celebrated title on a global scale. The city became not just a manufacturing center but also a key distribution and design hub. Twice each year, High Point’s week-long furniture markets drew buyers from across the country, helping the town transition from pure production into a showcase for the world’s finest furnishings. High Point even erected a 36-foot-tall bureau-shaped monument – the World’s Largest Chest of Drawers – back in 1926 to proclaim its claim as the furniture capital. This blend of industrial might and promotional flair cemented High Point’s identity: when one thinks of fine furniture, one can’t help but think of High Point.
High Point Furniture Market: The Global Stage for Design
One of the biggest reasons High Point retains its renown today is the High Point Furniture Market – a grand semi-annual event that is to furniture what Fashion Week is to haute couture. Held every spring and fall in High Point, NC, this market is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, encompassing over 11 million square feet of showrooms and about 2,000 exhibitors spread across 180 buildings. For a week each April and October, the city comes alive as 70,000–80,000 designers, retailers, and industry professionals arrive from around the globe. They come to view new collections, set trends, and strike deals on the upcoming season’s styles. The High Point Market’s impact is so massive that it virtually takes over the entire downtown; nearly every storefront and warehouse transforms into a showroom brimming with luxury sofas, artisanal casegoods, avant-garde lighting, and every imaginable décor item.
During Market week, High Point offers a spectacle of design innovation. Iconic heritage brands unveil their latest creations alongside cutting-edge contemporary designers. It’s an exclusive event – primarily open to trade professionals, not the general public – which gives it an air of excitement and insider importance. Deals worth billions are made here, and a 2018 Duke University study found the Market contributes about $6.7 billion to the region’s economy. But beyond the numbers, High Point Market has a cultural significance: it’s where the world sees what’s next in furniture. Trends in fabric, finish, and form often debut in High Point before filtering out to luxury showrooms worldwide. For anyone passionate about interiors, attending High Point Market is a pilgrimage of sorts – a chance to be immersed in an environment where furniture is fashion, and the city of High Point becomes an international design capital for one thrilling week after another.
North Carolina’s Furniture Outlets: Where Style Meets Value
Outside of Market season, the High Point area – and North Carolina as a whole – remains a furniture shopper’s paradise. In fact, some of the best furniture outlets in North Carolina can be found right here in the greater High Point region. With over 100 furniture stores and outlets in High Point and its surrounding communities, this small city offers an unparalleled concentration of home furnishings retailers. Shoppers from around the country (and beyond) venture to North Carolina’s famed furniture outlets to take advantage of the huge selection and attractive pricing on high-end pieces. Many of these showrooms are open to the public year-round, effectively making High Point an all-season furniture capital – not just during the trade shows.
What makes North Carolina’s furniture outlets so appealing? For one, many operate as direct factory outlets or large-scale galleries, meaning they can offer significant savings compared to typical retail stores. It’s not uncommon to find designer furniture at a fraction of the cost – whether it’s overstock from a major brand or a High Point Market showroom sample now up for sale. (In fact, the legendary Furnitureland South outlet often features recent Market floor samples at up to 70% off, letting savvy buyers snag cutting-edge designs without the premium price tag.) But value is only half the story. The variety is the other draw: styles range from ultra-modern Italian sectionals to classic American handcrafted dining sets, all in one region.
Several marquee destinations have helped put North Carolina furniture outlets on the map. Foremost is Furnitureland South in Jamestown (just minutes from High Point), which, with more than 1.3 million square feet of showroom space and over 1,000 brands represented, is billed as the world’s largest furniture store. Its sprawling campus is a luxury furniture wonderland – complete with an 85-foot-tall highboy dresser at the entrance, a tongue-in-cheek homage to the area’s “Furniture Capital” status. An entire Furniture District also thrives in High Point itself, where numerous galleries and manufacturer outlets cluster to form a one-stop destination for home furnishings hunting. Drive a bit further into the Blue Ridge foothills and you’ll find Hickory Furniture Mart, another famed complex that offers an extensive mix of showrooms and private galleries featuring pieces from over a thousand of the world’s most reputable manufacturers and designers. With so many options, it’s no surprise that furniture enthusiasts often dedicate long weekends – or even whole vacations – to exploring North Carolina’s treasure trove of furniture outlets in search of the perfect piece.
Yet, amid this abundance, it’s worth noting that the experience can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. Choosing from hundreds of showrooms and countless styles requires time, patience, and often travel logistics. Not every discerning buyer has the schedule (or desire) to trek through millions of square feet of furniture displays. Fortunately, for those who crave the quality and cachet of High Point’s offerings but prefer a more curated, convenient approach, there are other options closer to home.
Melaaura: Los Angeles Luxury with Global Inspiration
If High Point is the furniture capital for the industry at large, Los Angeles is a rising capital for the luxury consumer who knows what they want. Melaaura, a Los Angeles-based luxury furniture brand, is one shining example of how world-class design can be accessed without boarding a plane to North Carolina. Catering to design aficionados and discerning shoppers, Melaaura offers a refined, design-forward alternative that channels the spirit of global furniture hubs like High Point into a boutique, personalized experience on the West Coast.
What does this mean for a shopper who might be eyeing High Point? It means you can tap into international trends and exceptional craftsmanship right in the heart of Los Angeles. Melaaura curates furniture collections from elite makers around the world – including renowned Italian brands such as Flou, Meridiani, and Talenti – bringing the very same high-end pieces seen in High Point’s top showrooms to an intimate setting in California. The emphasis here is on quality over quantity: rather than navigating 100+ stores, clients at Melaaura can explore a handpicked selection of designs that represent the best of modern furniture art. Each piece is chosen for its timeless style, superior materials, and the story it tells. In essence, Melaaura distills the global furniture market experience into a single showroom, where every item is a highlight.
Beyond curation, Melaaura prides itself on an elevated service and bespoke approach. High Point’s heritage is built on craftsmanship and customization – values that Melaaura mirrors and brings to a local level. Customers can expect personalized design consultations, custom-order options, and white-glove service that transforms furniture shopping into a memorable journey. It’s an experience reminiscent of a high-end lifestyle editorial: sophisticated yet welcoming, with expert guidance rather than sales pressure. The tone is elegant and intelligent, much like a feature in Forbes or Porsche Magazine, where luxury is conveyed through storytelling and expertise. Melaaura’s team understands that furnishing a home is an intimate art – one that blends personal expression with comfort and functionality. By the time a client finishes a visit, they haven’t just shopped; they’ve envisioned a new way of living in their space.
For those researching the High Point furniture scene because they crave the best the world has to offer, Melaaura extends an invitation: Why not enjoy global furniture excellence right here in Los Angeles? Instead of navigating the bustling halls of High Point Market or hopping between North Carolina outlet towns, one can step into a West Hollywood showroom that captures that same magic. You’ll find hand-crafted European sofas, sculptural lighting fixtures, artisanal outdoor furnishings – all evoking the innovation of High Point’s finest, but curated with a California twist. In a city known for its appreciation of design and luxury, Melaaura stands out as a local purveyor of globally inspired style. It’s where the legacy of the furniture capital of the world meets the forward-thinking chic of Los Angeles.
FAQ: Your High Point and Furniture Shopping Questions Answered
Where is the furniture capital of the world?
The furniture capital of the world is High Point, North Carolina. High Point earned this nickname due to its enormous furniture industry and international trade show. As far back as the 1920s, High Point was promoting itself with that title, even building the “World’s Largest Chest of Drawers” – a 36-foot tall dresser – in 1926 to celebrate its status. Today, the city remains renowned globally for its furniture market and manufacturing legacy.
What is High Point, NC known for?
High Point, NC is primarily known for furniture. Often called the “Home Furnishings Capital,” it’s famous for its semi-annual High Point Furniture Market – the largest home furnishings trade show in the world – and for its many furniture manufacturers, showrooms, and outlets. The city and its surrounding area boast over 100 furniture stores and factory outlets, where consumers and designers can find everything from custom luxury pieces to great bargains. High Point is so proud of its furniture heritage that it features quirky attractions like the world’s largest chest of drawers (a civic landmark nodding to the city’s furniture fame).
What is the High Point Furniture Market?
The High Point Furniture Market is a massive trade show and exhibition held in High Point, NC, twice a year (every spring and fall). It’s considered the premier event in the furniture industry worldwide, where furniture brands and designers showcase their newest collections to retail buyers, interior designers, and other industry professionals. With roughly 11 million square feet of exhibits and around 2,000 exhibitors, High Point Market draws 70,000–80,000 attendees from around the globe each season. It’s not generally open to the public – it’s a business event – but its influence is enormous: many of the furniture styles and trends that consumers see in stores each year first debut at High Point Market.
What are the best furniture outlets in North Carolina?
Some of North Carolina’s best furniture outlets are centered around the High Point area and nearby towns known for furniture-making. A few standout destinations include:
Furnitureland South (Jamestown, NC) – The world’s largest furniture store, with 1.3 million sq. ft. of showroom space and over 1,000 brands on site. It’s a must-visit, offering everything from high-end designer pieces to an outlet center with steep discounts.
Hickory Furniture Mart (Hickory, NC) – A famed multi-store complex featuring an extensive range of showrooms and galleries, with offerings from more than a thousand manufacturers and designers under one roof. It’s known for its variety and competitive prices, drawing tens of thousands of shoppers annually.
High Point Furniture District – Not a single store, but a cluster of renowned showrooms and factory outlets in and around downtown High Point. Here, you can hop between numerous furniture retailers – often the very showrooms used during High Point Market – to find a vast selection of styles.
These outlets are popular for a reason: they offer high-quality furniture at lower costs by selling manufacturer samples, overstock, or showroom models. Shoppers willing to travel to North Carolina often find that the savings (and the sheer choice of designs) make the trip worthwhile.
Is High Point the best place to buy furniture?
High Point is certainly one of the best places to buy furniture, especially if you’re looking for selection and value. Nowhere else will you find such a concentration of showrooms and outlets showcasing top-tier brands – often at discounted prices. In High Point and the surrounding North Carolina furniture hubs, you can directly source pieces that might otherwise only be seen in designer catalogs. Many shoppers discover that they can get luxury-level furniture at a fraction of the usual price by buying through North Carolina outlets. However, whether it’s “the best” place depends on your needs and preferences. If you enjoy exploring dozens of stores and don’t mind the travel, High Point offers an unparalleled experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a more curated, convenient approach, you might opt for a local luxury retailer. For example, in Los Angeles, a showroom like Melaaura can provide access to exclusive, design-forward furniture without the journey – ideal for those who want the High Point caliber of quality, but with personalized service and immediate accessibility.
Ready to Elevate Your Space? High Point’s legacy proves that exceptional furniture can transform not just homes, but entire cities. If you’re inspired by the idea of the furniture capital of the world but want to experience that level of artistry and luxury closer to home, Melaaura invites you to our Los Angeles showroom. Come discover how global design heritage and local California luxury unite in our curated collection. Whether you’re furnishing a new home or seeking one perfect statement piece, we offer the refined choices and expert guidance to bring your vision to life. Experience the world’s finest furniture – no passport needed – with Melaaura’s globally inspired, locally curated luxury.
