Online Furniture Shopping Tips: 8 Tips on How to Buy Furniture Online Without Regrets

Online furniture shopping can be a convenient and rewarding experience. You can browse through thousands of products from the comfort of your home, compare prices and features, and find the best deals and discounts. You can also access a wider range of styles, colors, sizes, and materials than you would in a physical store. Plus, you can avoid the hassle of transporting bulky items or paying for delivery fees.

However, online furniture shopping also comes with some challenges and risks. You can’t touch, feel, or test the furniture before you buy it. So, you have to rely on photos, descriptions, reviews, and measurements to make your decision. You also have to deal with potential shipping delays, damages, or errors. And if you change your mind or are not satisfied with your purchase, you may have to pay for return shipping or restocking fees.

So how can you do online furniture shopping without regrets? How can you ensure that you get what you want, what you need, and what you paid for? Here are some online furniture shopping tips that can help you make smart and informed choices.

1. Do Your Research

Before you start browsing for furniture online, do some research on the online retailer or seller. Check their reputation, credibility, customer service, and return policy. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Is the website secure and trustworthy? Look for a padlock icon in the address bar and a URL that starts with “https” (not “http”). This means that the website encrypts your personal and financial information.
• Does the website provide clear and accurate information about the products, prices, shipping costs, delivery time, and warranty? Look for detailed descriptions, specifications, dimensions, photos, videos, and reviews of the products. Avoid websites that have vague or misleading information or lack important details.
• Does the website have a customer service phone number, email address, or chat option? Try contacting them with any questions or concerns you have before placing an order. See how responsive, helpful, and professional they are.
• Does the website have a fair and flexible return policy? Look for websites that offer free or low-cost returns, full refunds or exchanges, and no restocking fees. Avoid websites that have strict or hidden return policies or charge high fees for returns.
• Does the website have positive reviews from previous customers? Look for websites that have a high rating and a lot of feedback on Google Product Search, Amazon, or other online platforms. Read both positive and negative reviews to get a balanced perspective. Pay attention to how the website handles complaints or issues.

2. Measure Your Space

One of the most common mistakes people make during online furniture shopping, is ordering the wrong size. To avoid this problem, measure your space carefully and compare it with the dimensions of the furniture you want to buy. Here are some tips to measure your space accurately:

• Use a tape measure to measure the length, width, and height of your space. If possible, use a laser measure for more precision.
• Draw a floor plan of your space on a graph paper or use an online tool like RoomSketcher to create a digital version. Mark the measurements on the floor plan and include any doors, windows, outlets, vents, or other features that may affect the placement of the furniture.
• Consider the clearance space around the furniture. For example, if you are buying a sofa, you need to leave at least 12 inches of space behind it for walking. If you are buying a dining table, you need to leave at least 36 inches of space around it for chairs and movement.
• Use painter’s tape or cardboard boxes to mark the outline of the furniture on your floor. This will help you visualize how much space the furniture will take up and how it will fit in your room.

3. Choose Your Style

Another challenge of online furniture shopping is choosing your style. With so many options available online, it can be hard to narrow down your preferences and find something that suits your taste and personality. Here are some tips to choose your style:

• Browse through online magazines, blogs, Pinterest boards, Instagram accounts, or other sources of inspiration for furniture ideas. Save or bookmark the images that catch your eye and reflect your style.
• Identify your style preferences by looking at the colors, patterns, textures, shapes, and materials of the furniture you like. Do you prefer warm or cool tones? Solid or floral prints? Smooth or rough surfaces? Curvy or angular forms? Wood or metal finishes?
• Create a mood board or a collage of your favorite furniture images using an online tool like Canva or Adobe Spark. This will help you see how different pieces of furniture look together and create a cohesive theme for your room.
• Look for furniture that matches or complements your existing furniture and decor. Consider the style, color, size, and proportion of your current pieces and how they will blend with the new ones. You can also use online tools like Modsy or Havenly to create a 3D model of your room and try out different furniture options virtually.

4. Check the Quality

One of the biggest concerns people have when buying furniture online is the quality. You can’t inspect the furniture in person or test its durability, comfort, or functionality. You have to trust the online description and reviews, which may not always be accurate or reliable. Here are some tips to check the quality of the furniture online:

• Look for furniture that is made from high-quality materials and has a sturdy construction. For example, if you are buying a wooden furniture, look for solid wood or hardwood veneer, not particle board or MDF. If you are buying a metal furniture, look for stainless steel or aluminum, not iron or steel. If you are buying a fabric furniture, look for natural fibers like cotton or linen, not synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon.
• Look for furniture that has a good finish and craftsmanship. For example, if you are buying a painted furniture, look for smooth and even coats of paint, not chipped or cracked paint. If you are buying a upholstered furniture, look for tight and neat stitches, not loose or frayed threads. If you are buying a assembled furniture, look for strong and secure joints, not wobbly or squeaky parts.
• Look for furniture that has a warranty or a guarantee. This shows that the seller is confident in the quality of their products and is willing to stand behind them. Look for websites that offer at least a one-year warranty or a 30-day money-back guarantee on their furniture.

Also Read: Sofa vs Sectional: 7 Tips to Find Your Perfect Comfort Zone

5. Read the Reviews

One of the best ways to learn more about the furniture you want to buy online is to read the reviews from other customers who have bought it before. Reviews can provide valuable insights into the quality, comfort, functionality, appearance, and durability of the furniture. They can also alert you to any potential problems or issues with the product or the seller. Here are some tips to read the reviews effectively:

• Look for reviews that are recent, relevant, and detailed. Avoid reviews that are too old, too vague, or too brief. Look for reviews that include photos, videos, measurements, pros and cons, and personal experiences of the customers.
• Look for reviews that are verified, unbiased, and honest. Avoid reviews that are fake, sponsored, or biased. Look for reviews that have a verified purchase badge, a balanced tone, and a constructive feedback.
• Look for reviews that are consistent, helpful, and informative. Avoid reviews that are contradictory, confusing, or misleading. Look for reviews that have a high rating and a lot of votes from other customers.

6. Compare the Prices

One of the advantages of online furniture shopping is that you can compare the prices of different products and sellers easily and quickly. You can find the best deals and discounts on the furniture you want without having to visit multiple stores or haggle with salespeople. Here are some tips to compare the prices effectively:

• Look for websites that offer price comparison tools or features. For example, Google Shopping allows you to search for products across different websites and compare their prices, ratings, reviews, and shipping costs.
• Look for websites that offer price match guarantees or policies. This means that if you find a lower price on another website for the same product within a certain period of time, they will match it or refund you the difference.
• Look for websites that offer coupons, promo codes, or discounts on their furniture. You can find these on their own websites or on third-party websites like RetailMeNot or Groupon. You can also sign up for their newsletters or follow them on social media to get notified of their latest offers and sales.

7. Consider the Shipping

One of the drawbacks of online furniture shopping is that you have to deal with the shipping process. Shipping can add extra costs, time, and hassle to your online purchase. You have to consider the shipping options, costs, time, tracking, delivery, and assembly of

• Look for websites that offer free or low-cost shipping on their furniture. Some websites may offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount or on selected items. Some websites may also offer flat-rate shipping or discounted shipping rates on multiple items.
• Look for websites that offer fast or expedited shipping on their furniture. Some websites may offer same-day delivery, next-day delivery, or two-day delivery on their furniture depending on your location and availability.
• Look for websites that offer tracking and confirmation services on their furniture. Some websites may provide you with a tracking number and a link to track the status and location of your shipment. Some websites may also send you an email or a text message when your furniture is shipped, delivered, or ready for pickup.
• Look for websites that offer different delivery options on their furniture. Some websites may offer curbside delivery, which means that they will deliver your furniture to the curb or the driveway of your address. Some websites may offer threshold delivery, which means that they will deliver your furniture to the first dry area of your home, such as the garage or the porch. Some websites may offer white glove delivery, which means that they will deliver your furniture to the room of your choice, unpack it, assemble it, and remove the packaging materials.
• Look for websites that offer assembly services on their furniture. Some websites may include assembly in their shipping costs or offer it as an optional add-on. Some websites may also provide you with instructions, tools, and hardware to assemble your furniture yourself.

Also Read: 7 Secrets to Create your Living Room with Different Furniture Styles