Your All-Inclusive Guide to Buying Furniture Online

Price

Everyone’s comfort levels will differ, but I always suggest shopping at the highest end of your allocated furniture budget. This is one area where, unless you’re thrifting or hunting on Facebook Marketplace, your spend will directly relate to the quality of the piece you purchase. To ensure you don’t fall in love with an item substantially out of your price range (guilty!), use whichever filtering tools a site might have to dial in on your budget.

All that said, there are definitely some places where you can save and still achieve a stylish end result. Smaller pieces (think ottomans or side tables) or anything that will only get occasional use can be a great place to spend a little less money while still giving your room an aesthetic boost. 

Origin

In a day where fast furniture reigns supreme, finding an item that’s actually made with durable, quality materials can feel like striking gold. Examining the product description on your chosen piece can clue you into the type of quality you’re getting. As a general rule of thumb, anything made in America (specifically in known furniture hubs like North Carolina, Ohio, Vermont, and Los Angeles) typically indicates higher quality. 

Quality Indicators

Speaking of quality, there are other keywords you should keep an eye out for when reading those product descriptions. Look for phrases like “bench made,” “contract-grade,” “kiln-dried,” “dovetail joints,” “multi-density foam,” “hand-tied springs,” or “performance fabric,” all of which can indicate a piece that is thoughtfully made and designed to hold up to daily use.

Size

Size can be super hard to quantify, especially when it comes to furniture. Always shop with measurements in-hand (I like to keep a running list in my Notes app of spots I’m looking to fill!), so you’re never chancing a purchase without knowing for sure if something will fit in your living room—or through your doorway, for that matter.  

Reviews

Not every store or piece of furniture you shop for will have product reviews on its site, and that’s ok. In general, I think of reviews as nice to have rather than must-haves; I won’t not buy a piece because there aren’t reviews, but good (or bad) feedback from other shoppers can certainly sway my opinion. It’s often more important to pay attention to reviews when shopping at retailers where the quality tends to oscillate (like Amazon or Wayfair); at more consistent retailers, like Pottery Barn and West Elm, they’re a bit less important. 

Assembly

DO read the assembly instructions as carefully as you would the product description. Look for phrases like “tool-free assembly,” “one-person setup,” or a short assembly time listed; all of these can indicate that you’ve found a piece that won’t send you spiraling at 2:00 AM as you try to build it. Whenever possible, look to see if you can find the instruction manual online before you buy. Many brands have their PDFs available online, and a quick skim of it can clue you into exactly how difficult it will be to achieve your finished product. Beyond that, pay special attention to how the major components connect. A sofa with arms that attach to the body can be fine, provided that the hardware is substantial and the attachment points and joints are reinforced. 

DON’T assume that a simple-looking piece will be easy to assemble. Skip relying on any tools that come with your furniture assembly kit; instead, have a high-quality tool set on hand for builds, which will make the process run more smoothly (a starter collection that includes a screw driver, Allen wrench, and quality hammer should do the trick). Oh, and be wary of phrases like “some assembly required”—they’re vague for a reason. 

Fabrics and Finishes

DO shop with a balance of affordability and durability in mind. You need to go into your hunt with a bit of honesty and self-reflection; if you’re constantly spilling coffee on your couch or have a dog that doesn’t understand the phrase “down,” you’re probably better off skipping the luxe linen in favor of a high-performance fabric. Make peace with the fact that options like performance velvet, microfiber, and tightly woven poly blends are often worth the slight upcharge and will pay off in dividends when it comes to long-term wear. When it comes to finishes, avoid anything that looks too shiny or new; soft brass will typically read much higher-end than a gleaming gold, for example. 

DON’T shop for trends that don’t work with your price point. Higher-end finishes like burl wood, decorative veneers, or even nubby boucle can look inexpensive if not executed with craftsmanship in mind, so you’re better off purchasing the best quality piece you can rather than opting for a rough imitation.

Reviews

DO read reviews with a critical—and even skeptical—eye. Plenty of brands incentivise shoppers to leave reviews, either with free product or compensation, so you can’t always trust what you read. A few thoughtful reviews are much more beneficial than thousands of vague five-star ratings, and any time you can find a review not affiliated with the site you’re shopping on (I love Reddit for this), you’ll probably end up with more substantial feedback. 

DON’T put too much stake in reviews that sound generic, repeat the same phrases over and over, or don’t deliver on specifics, like fabric feel or firmness. Keep your eye out for any feedback labeled “sponsored” or “gifted,” and look out for any language that feels spam-y. This can include reviews that repeat the same “corporate” keywords, anything that sounds like it was pulled directly from the product listing, or overly vague statements (i.e. “This was great!). 

Warranties

DO consider opting into a warranty for any items that you’ll use daily, like a sofa or bed. In that same vein, double-check the return policy; many pieces are final sale (especially if custom), but some allow for a trial period in your home worry-free. It’s also a good idea to note how long your warranty covers you for, any limitations on the warranty, and what happens if your product fails after that point. 

DON’T add a warranty to smaller items or anything that’s purely decorative. As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t opt in on a warranty that will cost you more than 20% of the product’s purchase price. At that point, you’re better off just putting that money towards a higher-quality item from the jump.