Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Viking Trader carry so few brands compared to other furniture stores?We're selective by design. Every brand we carry — Stressless, Eilersen, American Leather, Copeland, and others — has been chosen because we believe in how it's made. We'd rather know a handful of lines deeply than stock a warehouse with furniture we can't stand behind. When you ask us a question, we know the answer.
What makes the furniture at Viking Trader different from what I'd find at a large retailer?The brands we carry are built to a standard most mass-market furniture doesn't attempt. Stressless recliners are handcrafted in Norway. Eilersen sofas are assembled with FSC-certified Scandinavian pine and down cushions. Copeland pieces are made from solid North American hardwood in Vermont. American Leather builds every piece to order in Dallas. These aren't furniture-shaped objects — they're things people keep for decades.
Do I need an appointment to visit the showroom?No appointment needed. Our Berkeley showroom is open five days a week, and we encourage you to come in and spend time. Sit in the recliners. Open a sleeper. Feel the difference between leather grades. There's no substitute for being in the room with the furniture, and there's no pressure to buy.
Can you help me figure out what's right for my space before I visit?Yes — and that's one of the things we do best. Whether you have a floor plan, a photo, or just a rough idea, bring it in. We've been helping Bay Area families furnish their homes since 1989, and we're happy to talk through scale, configuration, fabric, and finish before you commit to anything.
Who owns and runs Viking Trader?Viking Trader is a family-owned business, founded in Berkeley in 1989. We're not a chain, and there's no corporate playbook. The people you meet on the floor are the people who know the products, choose the inventory, and stand behind every sale.
How long does custom or special-order furniture take, and how does that process work?Lead times vary by brand and configuration — most custom orders arrive within 8 to 16 weeks. We walk you through the process from the start: choosing your configuration, cover, and finish, placing the order, and keeping you updated along the way. It's one of the advantages of buying from a store where the staff actually knows what's on order and why.
The best way to choose
furniture is to sit in it.
Our Berkeley showroom is open five days a week. No pressure, no sales scripts — just exceptional pieces and people who genuinely love what they do.