People sometimes don’t believe me when I mention I bought almost half of my furniture online. And they would be in further disbelief if they only knew how much I saved by doing so. For some, the idea of purchasing a brand new piece of furniture only after seeing it on a computer screen can certainly scare many a shopper away. However, if done carefully, it can save a bundle, plus give you access to a much broader selection than you would ever imagine.
Reliable First Stop Sites for Online Furniture
It’s no fun to hunt all day online for furniture, only to find something you like, and then wonder if the site is legit or if customer service is similar to waiting in line at the DMV. That said, here are some go-to sites to check out on your furniture shopping journey, all of which fall under the following key categories:
- Safe and trusted place for transactions
- Great selection of furniture and home furnishings
- Affordable prices and/or discounts
- Above average customer service
- Easy navigation
- Quality products
- Clear shipping and return policies
One Kings Lane and Joss and Main: Products change daily and you must register to shop (it’s free and has email opt-out), but both sites have great regular furniture selections from economical to high-end brands, all of which are well discounted. Both include designer recommendations and editorials too. I find them to be extremely addictive if you are out on the hunt, so note, you have been warned!
Great Furniture Deals: Like a virtual furniture showroom, they carry furniture and home furnishings for every room of the house. The difference is that they have about 100 well-known brands, free shipping and daily deals. I have bought high-end, formal living room furniture here as well as headboards and have been extremely happy with the whole experience.
Rugs Direct: A vast selection of rugs of all kinds. Well-known manufacturers and reviews also help make this site a great choice, in addition to sales promos often offering 15% off and free shipping. They also allow risk free, in-home trials, which is great if you aren’t sure that tone of beige is going to look good in your living room or not.
Gallery Direct: Like other similar online art sites, they have all types of art available and often seem to run promotions for up to 30% off. The best part, however, is the free shipping and the collections that have a limited number of prints for very reasonable prices. I have at least 10 of their prints around my house, which still make me happy every time I see them.
Overstock: Besides carrying almost everything under the sun, they do have some good furniture options. While the selection may be more limited than sites dedicated entirely to furniture, they have great deals and shipping. I found a beautiful, faux leather, nail-head bench for under $300, which always receives tons of compliments. In fact most everyone thinks I bought it from a well-known home catalog, where I have seen a very similar piece that retails for over $2,000.
Read the Reviews
I can’t tell you how many times I have been saved by another shopper’s review of a product. Find reviews either at the site of purchase or search elsewhere, but it certainly is helpful to hear someone’s take on the color, quality, or size in person vs. what it looks like online. Some reviewers even post pictures of the products in their home, which is super helpful. Make sure to return the favor if you can, and review your product alerting others to helpful things you found as well.
Compare Multiple Sites
If you have stumbled across a great piece of furniture or you know exactly what piece you want, it is definitely worth the time to do an online search, so as to compare prices. Try sites like BizRate, TheFind, and Shopstyle, which give you multiple listings of where your product may be sold online. Often times the shipping alone (which can be quite pricey on some sites) will be waved, making the item cheaper overall.
Know How Your Furniture Will Arrive
Be sure you know how your product will be shipped and what is necessary for set up. Since white glove delivery is usually expensive, I opt for curbside delivery many times. This can be quite challenging with big pieces, but it can save a lot. Also, if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and put together some pieces yourself, you will find your options opening up tremendously to cost savings, as well as selection.
