HIGH POINT, N.C. -- It's the little things that count in life.

That's especially true during a down economy, something furniture manufacturers recognized during the fall International Home Furnishings Market in High Point earlier this month. Companies including Four Hands, Hickory Chair, C.R. Laine and Phillips Collection have addressed the trend toward smaller purchases by offering a cornucopia of furniture scaled for downsized homes and wallets.

"We find that empty-nesters are moving into smaller houses, condos and patio homes. Many of the pieces that were appropriate for their home such as double pedestal mahogany dining tables with 10-12 chairs and a china and sideboard are too large for the new home," says Laura Holland of Hickory Chair.

"We have respected this desire by designing smaller round and square dining tables that seat 4-6 people that coordinate with their existing chairs and side pieces. The response has been very successful, since they can add the right size pieces and keep many of the quality pieces they invested in."

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Designer Alexa Hampton had several new introductions for Hickory Chair. Her Harrison side table, a nesting table that conserves space and can be used separately with the Harrison two-drawer chest, is a great example of small but smart furniture.

C.R. Laine is offering very small-scale comfort chairs great for bedrooms, dens and any space-challenged room.

"Smaller-scaled upholstery continues to gain popularity," notes C.R. Laine creative director Holly Blalock.

The company has seen a recent shift toward the urban lifestyle.

"It has gained the greatest momentum as career changes resulting from the economy are causing increased inner city migration," she says.

The company excels in designing clean, neo-traditional upholstery rooted in classic style. The Philippe leather swivel chair is modeled after a Parisian antique.

"The chair has classic rolled arms with a back designed to hug the sitter," says Ms. Blalock.

To add some modern elements without going all space-age, Four Hands created the Casper table. This small, round, clear acrylic occasional table also comes tinted in cobalt as well as other colors.

Adding a little unleashed humor is easy with the dog chairs from the Phillips Collection. They are head and tails above your ordinary seating. One or both can be droll or whimsical depending on your decor.

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.