In the pre-internet era, furniture shopping was an all-day event. You would make room in the back of your vehicle and bring along bungee cords in case you decided on a purchase. Then you would spend hours walking around a massive warehouse, ultimately only liking a few items. Today, on the other hand, you can shop for furniture on your smartphone during your lunch break.
Online furniture shopping has its advantages and disadvantages. Pictures can be deceiving, so it’s sometimes difficult to buy an item solely on its online photo gallery. Oftentimes, a piece of furniture will look different online than it will in your home depending on the lighting and other furniture. Furthermore, if you’re buying a sofa or recliner that you’re going to use daily, you’re going to want to feel the texture, and test the comfort level for yourself. In this article, we’re going to talk about some of the ups and downs of shopping for furniture online. And, we’ll give you some tips to improve your overall shopping experience.
When it comes to furniture shopping, the internet can save you time in multiple ways. If you’re shopping for a simple side table or throw rug, you might not need to see the item in person before you buy.
For bigger items like sofas and chairs, the internet can still be a useful tool. First, find out what you’re looking for and use the right search terms. Furniture, like anything else, has its own set of vocabulary. Chesterfield, mid-century modern, sectionals… all of these are important search terms for when you’re looking for the perfect sofa.
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, you have two choices. You can take that information to your local furniture store and start shopping, or you can order online.
There is a massive number of places to buy furniture online, and the list is constantly getting bigger. Here, we’ll break down some of the best places to shop online based on their different options, styles, and services.
Ikea. The unofficial king of online furniture shopping, Ikea makes affordable, modular, and modern furniture. With Ikea, you can browse items for any area of the house and of any size. If you’re lucky enough to have a brick and mortar store near you, you can browse the website or catalog and then go check it out in person.
Poppin. For all of your home office needs. Poppin offers customizable, modern desk and storage solutions. Their style tends to be sleek, minimal, and modern. But, as their name suggests, their furniture tends to pop with color.
Amazon, Overstock, Wayfair. These three web giants have a lot to offer at any price range. Be sure to read customer reviews carefully, as they will be a good indicator of quality.
Etsy. The rise of online shopping has given a boost to independent craftsmen and furniture makers. There are countless Etsy shops where you’ll find handcrafted, furniture that you won’t see anywhere else.
