Say you’re in the market for a sofa. A plush leather sofa perfect for that corner in the study, perhaps, or a comfy couch slip-covered with a nice washable fabric that will stand up to the family.

Maybe the budget is too tight to allow shopping at traditional furniture stores. And the thought of making the rounds of garage sales makes you tired.

So, what are your options?

Locally, more and more businesses are catering to shoppers who want a good buy on furniture but don’t want to sacrifice quality.

Upscale Home Furnishings in Spokane and Paris Flea Market in Coeur d’Alene, both consignment stores, are cashing in on interest in good buys on high-quality, gently used, furniture and accessories.

At Upscale, in its whopping 6,500-square-foot-showroom, the inventory is eclectic. Owner Joel Ferris says the variety of items accepted for consignment in the store offers something for every taste.

“That set,” he says pointing to a shabby chic style sofa and pair of overstuffed chairs, “is like something you would see in a magazine.” He’s right.

Ferris, who has a lifetime of retail furniture experience under his belt, closed the landmark “Joel” earlier this year. It was in the process of closing the store that he realized there was a market for used furniture in good condition.

“There was some interest in the resale market,” Ferris says. “So right after the store closed I bought this building and opened here.”

The store has been open since February.

Ferris says many of the people who stop by the store are in the market for dining room furniture.

“A good dining set, new, can set you back as much as $8,000 to $10,000,” he says. “Here you can find a fine set for a fraction of that.”

He points to several sets including an elegant Duncan Phyffe set from the late 1920s. “This is a fine, fine, set,” he says. “It’s from the South and there is a refined air about it.”

For items $1,500 and under, Ferris takes a 50 percent commission. On items over $1,500 his commission is 40 percent.

Ferris makes house calls to determine if an object is suitable for consignment. He then makes any necessary repairs or improvements.

“The point is to sell an item in the best condition for the best price. That’s what’s best for everyone involved in the sale.”

Willene Gagnon, the owner of Wiggett’s Marketplace in Coeur d’Alene, opened Paris Flea Market in early March. Gagnon felt that high rents downtown, and growing interest in the Garden District, made the time right for opening a new business. Gagnon carries antiques, collectibles and new merchandise, but she relies on high quality consignments to meet customer demand.

“People like the idea of getting what they want in good condition,” Gagnon says. “And they really like the idea of a bargain price.”

Gagnon’s store is full of unusual vintage pieces. An Art Deco martini bar, with mirrored interior and burled wood exterior, is a good example.

“It’s a fabulous piece,” she says, “very glamorous and hard to find.”

Gagnon takes a 35 percent commission on every sale. Both Ferris and Gagnon will reduce prices on items that don’t sell quickly.

They also see a bright future in the furniture consignment market.

“Tastes change and lifestyles change,” Ferris says, “This way you can update or completely redo a room, or a complete house, for very little money.”

Gagnon is so confident she’s planning to expand her consignment retail space.

“I’m adding more room so I can bring in more consigners,” she says. “And I’m counting on that making more furniture shoppers happy.”