Are you looking to buy home furniture online? If so, check out our twenty-one in-depth tips in this fabulous buying guide.
According to Ken Research, the Australian furniture market is expected to be worth AUD 14 billion by 2022. Thanks to both the pandemic and industry trends, an increasing number of consumers are purchasing furniture online. For many, however, buying large, bulky items such as tables, chairs, beds, ottomans, bookcases, coffee tables, and bedside tables online is a new experience. There’s a big difference between ordering a book from an online store and purchasing a whole bookshelf. The former is small and manageable, while the latter is big and heavy. Buying furniture online makes furnishing your home easier and more affordable, with a wide range of options to suit any budget, including living room furniture, bedroom sets, and more. Are you new to buying furniture online? If so, check out our 21 buying tips in this comprehensive guide.
Buying Furniture Online
1. Consider The Quality Of The Photography
Quality online stores understand the importance of quality photography. They understand that pictures give customers an accurate sense of what the product will look like when it arrives at their home (and how it relates to the rest of the environment). Great sites, therefore, include pictures of the furniture from multiple angles, giving you a sense of the proportions and dimensions. They also carefully consider backgrounds, showing you how good the furniture would look if added to the right interior. In addition, great photography highlights the styling of furniture in various rooms, such as living rooms, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces, making each piece appear more stylish and appealing. High-quality images can especially showcase the comfort, modern design, and style of sofas, helping customers appreciate features like plush lines and sculptural bases. Furniture packages are available for all sorts of rooms, providing convenience and savings.
2. Ensure You Know The Measurements When Buying Furniture Online
Quality stores also supply exact measurements, ensuring that you can install furniture where you intend once it arrives. Don’t assume that the furniture will automatically fit just because the measurements appear to indicate it will. Always consider whether the furniture will suit your space and needs, as different styles and sizes may be better suited to certain rooms or preferences. Often vendors will list lengths and widths that don’t take the furniture’s embellishments into account. For instance, a sofa might have a small footprint on the floor, but once you include the arms and back, it could be much bigger. The same applies to bedroom furniture, where bed frames and storage solutions can take up more space than expected.
Additionally, please note that some furniture may require assembly upon arrival. Check if you have the necessary tools and skills to assemble the item, or see if the store offers assembly services for added convenience.
If you’re unsure whether a piece of furniture will fit, contact the vendor or the manufacturer directly and ask for more information. They will usually be able to tell you whether their product will fit in the space you identify using the information you provide, plus warn you of potential issues you might encounter.
3. Check-Out Store Reviews
Thanks to the internet, finding verified customer reviews of furniture stores and furniture is easy. Just type the name of the vendor into Google search followed by the word review, or try searching for customer feedback specifically. The search engine will then automatically provide its own review page in results or those of third-party review sites. Most customers rate affordable furniture options between 4.5 and 5 stars for comfort and durability.
Reviews reveal all sorts of interesting information about the furniture vendor’s quality, besides a quick overall star-rating. Detailed customer descriptions discuss important aspects of the service, including the vendor's delivery time, the quality of products upon arrival, whether the seller honours its guarantees, and the quality of their support team in resolving issues.
4. Ask Whether The Returns Policy Suits You
Let’s say the worst happens, and you order furniture that doesn’t complement your interiors. In that case, it’s nice to have a comprehensive return and refund policy you can rely on if you make a mistake (or the product doesn’t meet your expectations). Honest, reliable, and confident companies are upfront about their return policies and will promptly address any issues with your order to ensure customer satisfaction. They may even advertise buying their furniture as ‘risk-free’ by offering a time-limited money-back guarantee. The majority of stores offer a standard 30-day return policy, allowing you to exchange or receive a full refund. Some will extend this to sixty days, particularly mattress vendors keen to reassure customers of their product’s comfort. Extended return policies allow for refunds if furniture is unused and in original packaging, typically within 30-60 days ,depending on membership status. The course of action for returns is usually outlined in the returns policy, so be sure to review it before making a purchase. Beware of restocking fees or any other additional charges when making a purchase. Most vendors will only charge you for the return postage. If you’re still concerned, check out reviews to find out more about other customers' experiences. Affordable assembly services are offered through an Airtasker partnership.
5. Consider The Shipping Costs
Some companies include shipping fees in the price. Others charge it separately, but ultimately, customers always wind up footing the bill. The question is, how? The simplest setup is when the vendor ships goods for free and rolls the courier fee into the price. This offers added convenience, as you don’t have to worry about extra charges at checkout and can easily compare the total price of the item across stores. Sometimes, though, the vendor will quote the shipping price separately. In this case, you’ll need to be more vigilant. The furniture’s sticker price might be lower, but the net cost could be significantly greater when you factor in hefty shipping fees. However, if you choose to collect items yourself, you may benefit from savings on delivery costs. Please note that even if a vendor says ‘free shipping’ there may still be caveats. For instance, to access free shipping, you might need to spend more than AUD$100 or 200. Free shipping is available for orders over $175, excluding oversized items. If your transaction is below the threshold, you may be required to pay an additional fee.
Many online furniture stores offer fast and affordable delivery to major cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, making it convenient for residents in these areas to shop online.
6. Look For Stores Offering Pick-Up
Depending on the type of furniture you wish to purchase, you may want to consider stores that offer in-store pickup. For instance, if you are ordering a delicate piece of furniture and want it to arrive undamaged, you might opt to collect it from a depot or outlet, rather than leaving the last mile to couriers. Store pickup is a perfect option for anyone who owns a large truck or van. You can often save considerably on delivery costs by collecting the items yourself, adding extra value to your purchase and making it more cost-effective. Some online vendors will even offer discounts.
7. Choose The Right Delivery Method For You
Few people consider the optimal shipping option when buying books online. But when it comes to larger, less manageable items, choosing the right delivery method is critical. There are three popular deliver methods to consider: Most furniture orders arrive within 1–12 days, depending on your location.
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Front door delivery: Front door delivery is the least elaborate delivery method. A delivery driver hauls the furniture out of the van and leaves it by your door, before driving off (just as with any other regular delivery).
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Inside-delivery: This type of delivery service is a step up. It is where the delivery driver brings the furniture inside your house and places it in a location of your choosing. It costs more than traditional front-door delivery, but it reduces the risk of injury.
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White glove delivery: So-called 'white glove' delivery offers the full works, including bringing your new furniture inside and setting it up correctly. Most furniture pieces come flat-packed with clear instructions for assembly.
The choice you make depends largely on your health and fitness. If you're strong enough to lift furniture yourself and want to save money, front door delivery might be the best option. On the other hand, if you have a bad back, you might want to opt for white glove delivery.
8. Read The Description In Full
The description under the product might seem like a marketing spiel (and it is). But it would be best if you still read it. It will often provide essential information about the product and whether it is right for your circumstances. For instance, reading the descriptions in detail reveals the type of materials the product contains, such as wood, metal, or fabric, as well as its sustainability. Pay attention to mentions of soft finishes or upholstery, which can indicate added comfort and a gentle feel. It also educates you about alternative product uses, features you might miss, and the dimensions.
9. When Buying Furniture Online, Only Use Sites With Secure Connections
Most of the time, you don't think twice about entering your bank and credit card details into online shopping forms. After all, it's usually safe. However, not all e-commerce stores are secure, meaning that hackers could potentially intercept your personal data as it travels from your computer to the store's web host and back again. Here's some advice: whenever you visit an e-commerce website, always check for the padlock symbol to the left of your URL bar. If it's bolted, the site is safe. If it's not, the site isn't secure, and you shouldn't use it, even for browsing.
10. Use Stores With Brick-And-Mortar Locations
Online stores with brick-and-mortar locations offer several advantages for savvy shoppers. First, you can physically inspect goods and see how they feel before ordering them online, allowing you to view real-life colours instead of just seeing them on a screen. Second, you can eliminate shipping costs while benefiting from online prices. In some cases, the in-store sticker price may be higher than the online price, allowing you to save money by using click and collect.
11. Look For Stores That Match Your Personal Style
Not all online furniture stores are the same. While some generic vendors exist, the vast majority specialise in particular styles of products they hope will appeal to their customers the most. The range of styles includes:
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Fun-loving
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Green and sustainable
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Modern
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Neutral
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Designer
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Minimalist
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Zen
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Antique and traditional
Many stores also offer curated collections tailored to different tastes, making it easier to find a comprehensive range that matches your style.
If you’re struggling to find a furniture store that speaks to your personal tastes—whether you’re into minimalist décor, retro vibes, or man cave essentials—try typing your preferred style into Google alongside the name of the item of furniture you’re looking for. For instance, “modern bookcases” or “sustainable .” This way, you can refine your search and view vendors who sell the types of products you love. Be sure to look for stores that offer affordable furniture options, so you can enjoy stylish pieces without breaking the bank. Affordable furniture options are available with savings of up to $1,500.
12. Buy From Stores That Specialise In A Niche
Savvy shoppers will also usually buy from vendors that specialise in a particular niche. You could buy bean bag chairs from a generic retailer. Or you could go to a specialist such as Bean Bags R Us that stocks a wider selection of relevant products, giving you more choice. These specialist stores are proud to offer quality furniture tailored to your specific needs. Stores that specialise in a particular niche are usually able to provide you with better advice on what to buy, too. Because they work only with certain furniture types, you’re much more likely to get relevant information from them rather than stores that sell a little of everything.
13. Read Reviews On The Furniture Manufacturer And Vendor
While some furniture companies sell directly to customers, it's rare. Typically, the vendor (the e-commerce store itself) and the manufacturer are separate entities. Therefore, it is essential to do your research before making a purchase. Start with the manufacturer. Look for reviews of their products to determine whether they offer the quality you need. Specifically, read reviewers discussing the quality of the products themselves (such as the finish or longevity). Next, proceed to the vendor—the actual company that will source and ship the furniture items to you. Please consider how the public perceives them, paying particular attention to factors such as stock availability, shipping times, and the ease of returns. Separating the two allows you to distinguish between the furniture itself and the company supplying it. Ideally, you want both to be great. Most furniture purchases come with a warranty that ensures customer satisfaction and addresses defects.
14. Read About The Brand's Values
Most modern e-commerce furniture vendors differentiate themselves from their competitors with about pages. Here, they talk about their history, brand values and mission. However, for customers buying furniture online, about pages are helpful for another reason: they provide a contact point. Thanks to platforms like Shopify practically anyone can set up an online store, meaning that a high service level isn’t automatic. Vendors can literally operate from their bedrooms these days, and some don’t provide any points of contact at all. Your best defence against this is to browse the about page and check that the company lists a real telephone number, live chat option for real-time communication, and business addresses. This way, you can get in touch with them if something goes wrong with your order. For expert tips on selecting the right style, size, and material, check out our comprehensive Bean Bags Buying Guide.
15. Know Your Rights
Vendors supplying low-quality or inferior products are rare nowadays, thanks to online reviews and pressure from search engines. However, it can still happen. And in those cases, it pays to know your rights. In Australia, Australian Consumer Law sets out the automatic guarantees that come with many purchases you make online, including furniture. According to the rules, sellers have a duty to repair, replace or refund any defective items you buy. They must also provide compensation if you suffer damage or loss because of any item they sell you. Automatic warranties apply to many furniture products, too, even if the seller doesn't offer them explicitly.
16. Pay Using A Safe Method
Buying furniture can involve transferring a significant sum of money. So if something goes wrong, you could be out of pocket. In general, you should pay for goods using a credit card. You have more protection should something go wrong. Paying via PayPal is also a good option because you have the option to create disputes with vendors to recover your money. Many retailers now offer a variety of payment options, including major credit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and buy-now, pay-later options such as Afterpay, Klarna, and Zip, which provide flexible payment options for financing purchases. Factory Buys offers flexible payment options, including Afterpay and Zip. Cheque, debit cards and direct bank transfers are riskier.
17. If A Deal Seems Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is
Hackers frequently set up fake websites to entice customers and capture sensitive payment details. One way they do this is by creating deals that appear to be too good to be true. Usually, you can’t pick up a quality three-piece suite for AUD 100, but there are sites out there claiming you can. Be cautious if you see offers for extremely cheap furniture, as these suspiciously low prices may indicate a scam. Like Google, search engines are becoming adept at identifying and removing malicious sites from their search results and delisting them. But they may still be accessible via alternative search engines or links on third-party sites. Find out how much a bean bag costs here! If in doubt, always verify that the site is officially listed on Google, check the presence of the padlock symbol in your browser’s URL bar, and use a secure payment method. Never submit personal information to a site you accessed via a referring link without first checking that it is legitimate on search engines.
18. Avoid Shopping For Furniture On Public WiFi
Public WiFi is ubiquitous nowadays. It's in coffee shops, gyms and even train stations. But while it's great for shopping on the go, it can be a security nightmare. The reason for this is rooted in the technology itself. Most public Wi-Fi data is unencrypted, meaning that other people on the network can easily intercept your data, including your credit card information. Browsing for products on these networks is generally safe, but avoid entering any passwords or sensitive financial information. Wait until you get home.
19. Double-Check The Colours
Colour is a critical aspect of furniture selection—especially when you're wondering which sofa colour suits your space—but it can be difficult to make the correct selection on a screen. Most modern smartphones and PC displays can't accurately reproduce colours. Instead, they only cover a small subset of the official Adobe colour space, meaning that products you're ogling online could look very different in person. When shopping for furniture, be aware of this phenomenon. While the images on your screen might look complementary to your interiors, they may not be in reality. To illustrate, screens tend to make blacks appear lighter than they are (because it isn't possible to isolate the backlight in most technologies). What seems to be a grey finish on a display can often be jet black in real life.
20. Check Out Prices at Multiple Stores
Whenever you’re buying furniture online, be sure to compare multiple vendors to see if there are cheaper deals available elsewhere. Look for stores that offer affordable prices, allowing you to furnish your home stylishly without overspending. Prices can vary considerably from one online store to another for many reasons, including favourable relationships with OEMs, more efficient operations, and warehouse location. Furniture items can often be compared easily through online wishlists during the shopping process.
21. Shop In The Sales
Lastly, consider doing your furniture shopping during sale events, not during peak season. Many stores will lower their prices a couple of times a year to coincide with the holidays, encouraging additional spending when people are off work. Others will launch sales during the quietest parts of the year, such as January and February after the Christmas break, and some sales can last for a week or more, giving you extended opportunities to save. Various furniture items can be purchased at significant discounts throughout the year, offering great savings during these sales.
Bonus Tip: Use Coupon Codes
Finally, you can save even more money using coupon codes. Many manufacturers and vendors offer special discounts for magazine and website readers. Some of these can be worth as much as 20 per cent off the original price. Some online furniture stores provide discounts of up to 70% off retail prices. Using coupons is a great way to stay within your budget and get more value for your money when shopping for furniture.
