Buying furniture online has a lot of advantages. You can find several options with just a click of a button and you can basically do it anytime, anywhere. However, there’s a huge risk that comes along with purchasing expensive products online. There’s a possibility that the furniture may not look exactly as it is in person. Second, the item may not arrive fast as most furniture retail stores outsource their delivery services so the delivery date might depend on the courier. Thirdly, there’s the hassle of having to return and ship back the item if it turns out not exactly as you hoped for.
However, these situations rarely happen. So, if you are considering to buy furniture online, make sure to find a reliable furniture store that you can trust. Nothing beats having peace of mind when you buy something expensive from an online store. To make sure that you don’t get any regrets when buying furniture online, we’ve gathered a few tips for a regret-free online shopping experience.
1. Know Your Budget
Shopping online gives you a lot of options. From furniture style, color, to size. Sometimes, it can be challenging to choose which item to purchase. Before you splurge, it is important to stick to your budget. Determine your budget first and come up with a list of furniture pieces you can possibly buy that’s within your given budget. This will help you narrow down your choices and eventually pick those pieces that you can be happy purchasing.
2. Choose a style
It is ideal to know what kind of furniture you are going to purchase before checking online stores. Doing this will save you time on browsing and you won’t be stuck in an analysis paralysis situation. Create an inspiration board that will serve as your guide on the color and style of furniture to buy. This is the same process that interior designers do when designing interior spaces.
Of course, it is inevitable that once you begin looking, you will find a certain furniture type, fall in love with it, and purchase it right away. This is possible, but make sure you have your mood board at hand so you don’t wind up buying furniture that doesn’t go with your interior design scheme.
3. Measure your room
You don’t want to end up buying furniture that’s either too big or too small for your space. Before you search for furniture, measure the dimensions of the space where you’re going to place the furniture items. Create a basic floor plan and layout how you want your furniture to be arranged.
Start by placing the sofa in the center of your design to maximize space. Make a list of the dimensions and the number of chairs you’ll need. When shopping online, take note of the measurements and compare them to the space you have available as well as the style and materials of the furniture.
4. Check the store’s return policy
Before you check out the items, make sure you read and understand the store’s return policy. There are furniture retailers that will allow you to return an item as long as you pay the shipping fee. There are also retailers that charge a restocking fee. However, there are also certain furniture, especially upholstered ones that are not returnable. To avoid confusion in case of a situation where you feel the need to return the item, make sure to review the return policy and you agree with it.
5. Read the product description
This one is a no-brainer. Take note that some furniture pieces look different in person and in images. Photos of the furniture in the store may be staged and its color might be affected by lighting during the photoshoot. Don’t be easily fooled by pretty images. Make sure to read the product description to know what material the furniture is made of, how it is crafted, how to properly maintain it, and what its dimensions are.
6. Read customer reviews
Visit the customer reviews, know the real quality of the items, and get an idea of how they manage delivery to be sure you’re buying from a reliable furniture retailer. If you have any inquiries about the items and delivery, you must also use the website’s live chat feature or phone the customer support department. Make informed decisions when shopping furniture online to avoid regrettable choices.
7. Ask questions to the seller
If you have additional questions about the product, don’t hesitate to talk to the buyer. It is always a good idea to ask as many questions as you can before making a purchase. Furniture items are expensive and as much as possible you want to make the best purchase from a trusted furniture retail company.
8. Inquire about delivery and assembly
Finally, ask the seller how the item is going to be delivered. Who is the courier service? What about additional shipping fees? Do they offer furniture assembly? Some furniture items are very fragile depending on the material and need to be handled with care. Moreover, there are furniture items that are a bit complex to set up. You might need the help of a professional when assembling it. Ask about these details to make sure that your furniture items will arrive in good condition and on time.
Whether you are planning to buy a new set of furniture for your new home, or considering replacing your old ones, there’s always something you can find online. Singapore Furniture Rental now has a Shopee store where you can purchase some of the most popular home furniture items. Browse our catalog of furniture products and find the next furniture piece to add to your home! Check our Shopee store here.
