7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Furniture Online

Online shopping has become so much more common these days. The ease and convenience are amazing and it’s great to be able to read reviews before you checkout. I love buying furniture online for clients because it can make a project run so much faster and for my e-design clients, it’s a necessity.  However, buying furniture online comes with its own set of challenges. Here are the 10 biggest mistakes of buying furniture online and how to avoid them.

1. Color

Different screens display colors totally differently. To avoid receiving an item that looks totally different in real life, look at the item on a few different screens. Also, request a sample swatch if possible. Even if there is a fee for the swatch, it’s totally worth it to avoid an expensive mistake later. Some companies also have a “view in room” feature. Take advantage of that.

2. Comfort

In general, I would not recommend buying couches or recliners online. An item where comfort is a high priority should usually be sat on in person. If you do choose to buy a couch online, read all reviews super carefully.

3. Dimensions

So many times, people buy furniture without thinking too much about the numbers. So my advice to you is measure, measure, measure. Make sure that you measure the space twice to ensure a proper fit. As they say “Measure twice, cut once.”

Aside from just measuring the space where the furniture will be going, you need to measure the pathway to get to the space. This means measuring all doorways, stairs, etc. You don’t want your beautiful furniture piece to come and then realize it doesn’t fit through your door.

Additionally, think about how your new furniture will work together with your old furniture. Will the new desk chair you order fit under your desk? Try to avoid these scenarios by measuring everything so you can cover all the bases.

4. Assembly

Don’t assume that assembly will be easy. Since shipping is a large expense, companies will try to ship the item as flat as possible which might mean more work on your end. If you’re not super handy, you may need to hire someone to put the item together. 

5. Customer Service

If you see a furniture website you’ve never heard of with prices too good to be true, it probably is. Try to buy from reliable companies with good customer service policies. Also, if you have a credit card with return protection, use it! Especially on a big purchase like furniture, you want to protect yourself from expensive mistakes as much as possible.

6. Impulse buying

Although impulse buying can happen in-store as well, it’s way easier to make an impulsive buy from your couch in your pajamas. Make sure you do your research on big-ticket items before pressing buy.

7. Aesthetics over Practicality

You need to consider your lifestyle needs when buying furniture. If you have kids or pets, you need pieces that are stain resistant and not too fragile. Make sure you do the research on the piece you are buying online. If you get a swatch, test it for stain resistance and pay attention to the material the item is made from. Avoid fragile fabrics and materials for furniture that will be well used.

I don’t need to tell you how simple online shopping is. But, for online furniture buying, make sure you do the research so you can avoid expensive mistakes.

Happy shopping!