People often dismiss the idea of buying furniture online because they think it is too risky. They think that what they receive will not be anything like what they have paid for and that the piece will be unsuitable for their home.
If you have ever had these apprehensions about buying furniture online, you have come to the right place. If you have experienced the anxiety of buying a leather sofa online without knowing if it will match your lounge’s wallpaper then read on – we have the top four tips for purchasing furniture online, so that you don’t have to worry about your purchase and that you receive what you think you should be receiving.
Measure Your Space, Multiple Times
Measuring is already the most important element of successful furniture shopping, so it’s only natural that the importance of correct measurements are even further amplified when shopping for furniture online. After all, it’s not as if you will be checking out the furniture in person, so you want to ensure your measurements are perfect before you purchase.
One of the things you need to look out for when looking at a piece you like are the pieces dimensions. It may sound slightly dramatic, but if you can’t find a pieces dimensions in the online store – don’t buy the piece, as it is more than likely it won’t fit in your space.
Afterwards, use measuring tape to produce a layout of how the piece will fit into the space – if the tape layout doesn’t fit into your home, naturally that particular piece is a no-go.
Read Reviews
A product’s listing is supposed to make it sound nice. But it’s the customer review section where you find out the real details about a piece of furniture. Ensure that you carefully read over the reviews left by customers about a particular product, and if you start to detect a common theme that the product is subpar, don’t buy it.
However, don’t be completely deterred by a couple of negative reviews, but if they are the overwhelming responses to a product – definitely give it a miss as there really must be something awry with it.
Try and See the Product In Person if Possible
Online images can be deceiving. Although the image displayed may technically be what the piece looks like, the picture could also have been taken simply to compliment a subpar product. If you get the opportunity to see the product in person – do it.
If seeing the product in person is undoable, see if you can request fabric swatch from the store. This will give you a good idea of what the colour and texture of the piece is like, and this goes a long way to helping make the final decision of whether or not to purchase.
Understand the Returns Policy
Obviously, you don’t want to purchase a product with the idea you are going to have to send it back. Sadly, it often ends up being the case. Ensuring you have and understood the return policy can help if you do need to send the product back to the supplier.
Look out for the following:
- Do they accept returns?
- Does the piece have deadline for returns?
- Do they have to be in their original packaging when being returned?
- Are there fees attached when returning items?
- What do you have to do when returning the item?
Remember to follow these four important tips when purchasing furniture online and you should find products you will be truly happy to have a part of your home.
