Furnishing a home involves many decisions, from style and budget to where you’ll shop. In Eastern Ontario, Dufresne Furniture & Appliances and La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor are two well-known retailers, each with a long history and unique strengths.
Dufresne, a Canadian family-owned company since 1986, offers a wide range of furniture and appliances. La-Z-Boy, in business for over 90 years and locally owned in Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston since 2011, is best known for quality, comfort, and craftsmanship, particularly in living room furniture.
This article compares the two retailers across key factors such as product selection, brands, pricing, services, warranties, delivery, and locations to help you decide which best fits your needs.
Key Takeaways:
- Dufresne offers variety and affordability, sourcing from multiple external furniture brands.
- La-Z-Boy specializes in comfort-focused, high-quality recliners built in North America.
- Customization is more extensive at La-Z-Boy, with over 800 fabric options and advanced upgrades.
- Dufresne excels in appliance and electronics selection, while La-Z-Boy shines in living room comfort.
- La-Z-Boy offers free interior design services, whereas Dufresne does not provide design consultations.
- Warranty coverage varies significantly, with La-Z-Boy offering manufacturer-backed protection and Dufresne relying on brand-specific policies.
In This Article…
- A Brief Overview of Each Brand
- Where It’s Made?
- Customization Options
- Interior Design Services
- Cost Comparison
- Warranty Comparisons
- Delivery Options
- Where to Buy in Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston
Brief Descriptions of Each Retailer
Before we describe what each retailer provides regarding living room furniture, let’s take a look at each furniture retailer as a whole.
About Dufresne
Dufresne Furniture & Appliances is positioned as a broad home retailer, offering far more than just furniture. In addition to an extensive selection of living room, dining room, bedroom, and outdoor furniture, shoppers can browse home accents and décor to complete their space.
What sets Dufresne apart is its inclusion of major home appliances, such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, and microwaves, alongside electronics like televisions. This makes it a convenient one-stop shop for those outfitting an entire home.
When it comes to furniture, Dufresne sources from a wide range of brands and manufacturers, allowing customers to choose from different price points and styles.
Well-known upholstery brands available through Dufresne include Ashley HomeStore, Podium, Decor-Rest, Palliser, and Primo, giving shoppers access to multiple design aesthetics and quality levels under one roof.
About La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston
La-Z-Boy is a trusted American furniture brand with over 90 years of history. Locally, the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Kingston stores have been owned by the Maxwell family since 2011. These locations are known for their personalized service and focus on comfort-first living room furniture, setting them apart from larger chains.
La-Z-Boy offers a range of recliners, sofas, sectionals, and accent chairs that prioritize comfort, function, and style. Customers can choose between manual or power reclining options and add features like adjustable lumbar support and headrests. With over 800 fabric and leather choices, customization is one of La-Z-Boy’s strongest advantages.
In addition to seating, La-Z-Boy carries occasional furniture through brands like Hammary, American Drew and Kincaid, helping customers design well-coordinated spaces. While the price point is higher than budget retailers, many view La-Z-Boy as a long-term investment due to its durability, craftsmanship, and local showroom expertise. To learn more about the Quality of La-Z-Boy Furniture, take a look at this article.
Where It's Made
Where furniture is made tells you a lot about a company. Let’s take a look at where La-Z-Boy and Dufresne make their furniture items.
Where is Dufresne Furniture Made?
Furniture sold at Dufresne is made and assembled in a variety of places around the globe, given that their products are sourced from a variety of manufacturers.
The majority of brands offered at Dufresne are made and assembled in Asia, specifically China. Some pieces are also made and assembled in Malaysia and Vietnam.
Dufresne carries products from the Ashley brand, which is an example of a brand made and manufactured overseas. Ashley Furniture’s largest plant is located in China, with smaller plants located in North America.
Dufresne carries some brands that are made and manufactured in Canada. For example, Dufresne carries products from Decor-Rest, which are assembled in a factory in Toronto, Ontario. The materials used to make these products are shipped from overseas.
Where is La-Z-Boy Furniture Made?
La-Z-Boy takes pride in manufacturing its furniture, with most products for the North American market being produced in North America.
The primary manufacturing location for La-Z-Boy's recliners, chairs, sofas, and sectionals sold in Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston is in Dayton, Tennessee. This focus on North American production ensures high-quality craftsmanship and materials.
To learn more about Where La-Z-Boy Furniture is Made, take a look at this article.
Customization Options
Customization can be significant for customers looking to create a personalized living space.
Dufresne Customization Options
Dufresne offers customization of select furniture products and brands. With this, some brands carried by Dufresne do not allow for customization. If you are interested in customization at Dufresne, make sure to ask a sales representative which products can be customized while shopping.
Products that allow for customization at Dufresne come in a range of fabrics and leathers. In addition, you may have the option to change the arm and leg style. Further, you can customize the wood or metal finish.
La-Z-Boy Customization Options
In contrast, La-Z-Boy offers extensive customization options, especially for upholstered furniture. With over 800 fabrics and leathers to choose from, customers can create a personalized look that fits their style.
Additionally, La-Z-Boy offers various upgrades, including cushion density, leg styles, wood finishes, nailhead trim, and reclining options with power upgrades. These customizable features come at an additional cost, but they allow for a more tailored and unique product.
To learn more about Custom Furniture at La-Z-Boy, take a look at this article.
Interior Design Services
Interior design services can help customers create a cohesive and stylish living space, whether they choose customizable furniture or not.
Dufresne Interior Design Services
Dufresne provides light interior design support in-store, mainly through sales staff or decorators who assist with furniture selection, colour coordination, and layout advice.
Some locations may have trained interior decorators on staff, but the service is limited to in-store consultations and doesn’t include full home design or 3D planning.
While free and helpful for basic guidance, Dufresne design services are not as extensive as those from specialty retailers. Customers needing full-service design may want to seek outside professionals.
La-Z-Boy Interior Design Services
La-Z-Boy provides a more hands-on approach with its complimentary interior design services. Customers can schedule an appointment or a virtual call with a La-Z-Boy interior designer to receive personalized furniture and design recommendations.
These services include a complete room design, mood board, and 3D model, allowing customers to visualize their space before purchasing.
To learn more about La-Z-Boy’s Interior Design Services, take a look at this article.
Cost Comparison
The furniture cost can vary significantly depending on the quality of materials and craftsmanship.
Generally, La-Z-Boy’s furniture falls within the market’s mid to high price range. In contrast, Dufresne is known for its affordability, with its furniture falling in the low-mid price range. Nonetheless, both furniture stores are great examples of shopping for good-quality furniture in Canada.
|
Furniture Type |
Dufresne Price Range |
La-Z-Boy Price Range |
|
Recliner |
$249 – $3,199 |
$1,199 – $3,000+ |
|
Sofa |
$599 – $5,499 |
$1,999 – $7,000+ |
|
Sectional |
$899 – $6,199 |
$3,499 – $10,000+ |
Please note that La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change without notice. Information is current as of August 8th, 2025. Contact your local Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston location by phone or in person for up-to-date pricing.
Warranty Coverage
A robust warranty can provide peace of mind, ensuring the longevity of your furniture investment.
Dufresne Warranty Coverage
Because Dufresne sells furniture from multiple brands, warranty coverage varies depending on the manufacturer. Sales staff should clearly explain the specific warranty for each piece at the time of purchase.
In addition to manufacturer warranties, Dufresne offers extra protection options, including a “Peace of Mind Promise”, which allows the value of your protection plan to be applied toward a gift certificate after coverage ends, and a Furniture Protection Plan that covers accidental damage not included in the standard warranty.
La-Z-Boy Warranty Coverage
La-Z-Boy is known for the quality and durability of its furniture, which is reflected in its warranty offerings. All La-Z-Boy furniture comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty covering the frame, springs, and mechanical parts for life, with additional coverage for other components lasting 1-3 years. An Extended Protection Plan is available for up to five years of accidental damage at an additional cost.
Delivery Services
Both retailers offer delivery services, but there are notable differences in their approaches and costs.
Dufresne Delivery Services
Dufresne offers three main levels of delivery at different price points. Their Doorstep Delivery service brings your order right to your front door. Locally, this is free for qualifying purchases over $250, and for smaller orders, there is a modest fee. Out-of-town deliveries come with an additional charge.
For those who want the furniture placed directly where it will be used, Room of Choice Delivery includes placement in your preferred room and removal of all packaging. This service also offers optional old-item repositioning or removal for a small extra fee per piece.
The most comprehensive option, White-Glove Delivery, covers placement, assembly, and set-up of your furniture. The delivery team will remove all packaging materials, reposition existing items, and haul away old furniture if required.
To make the process even smoother, Dufresne uses a real-time dispatch tracking tool, allowing customers to follow their delivery status from warehouse to doorstep.
La-Z-Boy Delivery Services
La-Z-Boy offers a comprehensive white glove delivery service that includes setup, assembly, and disposal of old furniture at an additional cost. Local delivery within Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston costs $129.99, with out-of-town delivery at $169.99.
For an additional fee of $25 per furniture piece, we can assist with either moving out old furniture from different rooms or bringing it to the curb.
Additionally, we offer the option to dispose of any old furniture in a local landfill at an extra charge of $50 / per furniture seat.
To learn more about delivery at La-Z-Boy, check out our delivery service page: La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston Furniture Delivery Service.
Where to Buy (Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston)
If you're shopping locally, here’s where you can find Dufresne and La-Z-Boy furniture:
Dufresne Locations
- 290 W Hunt Club Rd, Ottawa
- 1901 Cyrville Rd, Ottawa
La-Z-Boy Locations
- 8231-A Campeau Drive, Ottawa
- 290 West Hunt Club Road, Ottawa
- 1750 Cyrville Road, Ottawa
- 770 Gardiners Road, Kingston
- 920 Maloney Blvd, Gatineau
What's Next?
La-Z-Boy has over 90 years of experience in furniture. There’s a reason La-Z-Boy is the number one selling recliner in North America. The quality and variety of La-Z-Boy recliners will ensure you find the perfect match for your needs.
If you’re still not sure which one to choose, you can check out our recliners or contact us today. We’re happy to answer your recliner pricing questions at any one of our La-Z-Boy furniture stores in Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston.
We know that functionality is essential in building a comfortable life, not just a stylish one. That is why we offer a complimentary in-home design service should you need help designing the room of your dreams!
To learn more about La-Z-Boy furniture, take a look at our comprehensive Living Room Furniture Buyer’s Guide.
Related Articles: