Affordable Furnishings With Flair : Al’s Discount offers plenty of decorator choices--from sofas to dining room sets.

Sometimes in the search for bargains in home furnishings, you might dismiss the discounter when seeking out current designer styles. But Al’s Discount Furniture is full of pleasant surprises--including decorator choices.

A grouping of “slipcovered sofas,” one of the hottest items in the home furnishings industry these days, awaits just inside the door. Yes, you could go to places like Shabby Chic in Santa Monica and pay thousands for the slightly rumpled slipcover look, or you can be just as chic at Al’s for $800. That’s for a standard seven-foot sofa upholstered with a preshrunk slipcover.

Preshrunk is the key to saving more money, since all but preshrunk fabrics must be dry-cleaned, which can run $80 each time out.

If you’re looking for a more traditional but luxurious look, a down sofa that comes with a lifetime guarantee was offered for an amazing $2,300. Similar sofas start at $4,000. And if the manufacturer goes out of business, owner Al Segal says he will honor the warranty.

For the disposable furniture crowd that only needs a few years wear, a love seat and sofa combination were $350 ($150 for the sofa and $100 for the love seat). They were quite attractive in a jade and white striped fabric and have been spotted for $450 elsewhere.

For the essence of practicality, it’s hard to beat Berkline’s double recliner--one on each end of a sofa--with a snack tray and beverage counter in the center. It’s not great to look at but perfect for TV viewing comfort in a den. In black leather, this was $1,299 instead of $1,499.

Upstairs is the clearance room, where you’ll find many one-of-a-kind bargains. A five-piece country-style dinette set was $150, compared to $295 at several major stores. A glass-top pedestal table with four chairs that would fit a kitchen corner nicely was only $99.

Back downstairs and in the rear you’ll find dining room sets and entertainment centers. From Singer, a dining table with one 18-inch leaf, six chairs (two with arms) for $1,599 recently was “on special” at a major furniture discounter for $1,899.

San Diego Design’s traditional oak entertainment center is a good buy at $1,299, priced elsewhere at $1,650.

To the left as you enter the store is bedroom furniture. A solid pine bed with headboard, footboard and side rails was $299. Segal says this, Broyhill’s Fontana line, is the “hottest design in the country and sells at other stores for $399 and up.”

Many major lines of mattresses are available at Al’s--Spring Air, Sealy, Aireloom--and the prices are hard to beat. Actually, Al says he won’t allow it.

Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Friday in Valley Life! Questions about shopping may be sent to her, in care of Valley Life!, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. Letters will not be answered individually, but topics of general interest will be discussed in future columns. Geri Cook can be heard from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturdays on KIEV 870-AM.

Where to Shop

What: Al’s Discount Furniture.

Location: 4900 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, till 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Cards: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa.

Call: (818) 766-4289.