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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1






                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. of our report dated January 31, 1997,
included in the appendix to the Company's proxy statement, dated March 19,
1997, for the annual meeting of stockholders.

Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Haverty Furniture
Companies, Inc. listed in Item 14(a). This schedule is the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on
our audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above,
when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Company's Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-53607) pertaining to the 1993 Non-Qualified Stock
Option Plan of Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc., the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 33-28560) pertaining to the 1988 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
of Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc., the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
33-13755) pertaining to the 1986 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan of Haverty
Furniture Companies, Inc., the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-53609)
pertaining to the 1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan of Haverty Furniture
Companies, Inc. and the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-45724)
pertaining to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Haverty Furniture Companies,
Inc. of our report dated January 31, 1997, with respect to the financial
statements incorporated herein by reference, and our report included in the
preceding paragraph with respect to the financial statement schedule included
in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.



                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Atlanta, Georgia
March 17, 1997