Decorating Guides
How Do I Buy Furniture Online With Confidence?
'Tis the season of online shopping – here, an expert reveals the secrets of shopping successfully from your device
Alex Holmwood, furniture buyer at online interiors store Temple & Webster, reveals the signs of quality to look for when you’re buying furniture online.
What to look for in an online description
- Materials, colours and dimensions all included in the description.
- Good-quality images showing the piece from multiple angles.
- Country of origin – this will help you understand the price point for the piece. In general, Australian-made products will be more expensive, but that’s not to say that pieces made in China or India are poor quality – they simply allow for a more accessible price point.
Tips for shopping success
Find a decorator to help select furniture for your home
- Before you buy, measure your entryway, stairs, lifts, internal hallways and doorways to ensure your new piece will fit through.
- When buying furniture – and in particular outdoor pieces – make sure you can commit to the care requirements. Solid timber, for example, will require ongoing care to maintain its appearance. If you’d prefer less aftercare, look for a piece in a low-maintenance material instead.
- Be aware that reviews can be both a help and a hindrance. If you see many good reviews and only one or two bad ones, don’t disregard the good. You will always find customers who are dissatisfied with some aspect of a product.
Find a decorator to help select furniture for your home
Know the different timber types
Solid timber
This solid, natural material is extremely durable and can be stained in various colours. No two pieces are exactly alike. Solid timber is generally more expensive than timber veneer or laminate, but with proper care will last far longer.
Check the product care instructions to know what ongoing maintenance is required, particularly if the piece is going to be used outside where it may be subject to weather.
Solid timber
This solid, natural material is extremely durable and can be stained in various colours. No two pieces are exactly alike. Solid timber is generally more expensive than timber veneer or laminate, but with proper care will last far longer.
Check the product care instructions to know what ongoing maintenance is required, particularly if the piece is going to be used outside where it may be subject to weather.
Timber veneer
Furniture made from timber veneer has a thin layer of real hardwood applied to a base of a less expensive material such as plywood. Veneer has the look and feel of solid timber and is available in a wide range of timber finishes. It weighs and costs less than solid timber, but features the natural grains, texture and detailing of the real thing.
Furniture made from timber veneer has a thin layer of real hardwood applied to a base of a less expensive material such as plywood. Veneer has the look and feel of solid timber and is available in a wide range of timber finishes. It weighs and costs less than solid timber, but features the natural grains, texture and detailing of the real thing.
Timber laminate
Timber laminate furniture has a printed surface that mimics real wood. It is generally made from plastic that is bonded to a composite base. It’s the most affordable of the three materials mentioned, and is best kept for trend items that you are happy to replace within a few years.
Wondering which finish to choose – wood veneer or laminate?
Timber laminate furniture has a printed surface that mimics real wood. It is generally made from plastic that is bonded to a composite base. It’s the most affordable of the three materials mentioned, and is best kept for trend items that you are happy to replace within a few years.
Wondering which finish to choose – wood veneer or laminate?
And don’t forget to check…
- Freight costs
- Lead-time
- Returns policy
- Warranty
Read more:
Your Essential Checklist Before Buying Home Accessories Online
Tell us:
Have you bought furniture online? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below.
Your Essential Checklist Before Buying Home Accessories Online
Tell us:
Have you bought furniture online? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below.
Spend a little time doing your homework before you click ‘buy’ and you’ll boost your chances of making a successful purchase.
- Shop around
To assess whether the piece you’ve got your eye on is a fair price, compare the price of similar items in the same materials at other online retailers.- Check imagery from all angles
The more images that show the product from different angles the better – check them carefully to make sure that when the finished product turns up on your doorstep it contains no hidden secrets.- Know your materials
Is the upholstery real or synthetic leather? Is the fabric synthetic or a natural cotton or linen? Is it washable or dry clean only? These are important things to know.