The Most Common Mistakes People Make When Shopping for Furniture Online
(Presented by Goteso, Mobile App Development Company)
Shopping for furniture online can be a dream come true: no crowds, no pushy salespeople, and a world of choices right at your fingertips. But with the vast selection of products available, it’s easy to make mistakes that lead to frustration, regret, and even costly returns.
To help you avoid those pitfalls, we’ve compiled a list of the most common mistakes people make when shopping for furniture online—and how to steer clear of them. Armed with the right knowledge, you can confidently furnish your home while making smarter, more informed choices.
Let’s dive into the common missteps and how you can prevent them with a little planning and the help of modern furniture shopping apps.
1. Failing to Measure Your Space Properly
This is one of the biggest mistakes shoppers make when buying furniture online. It’s easy to fall in love with a sofa or dining table based on photos alone, but if you don’t measure your space beforehand, you might find that the piece is too big (or too small) for your room.
How to Avoid It:
- Measure First: Always measure the dimensions of the area where the furniture will go. Consider both the piece itself and the space around it for walking and movement.
- Room Planner Tools: Many online furniture apps now feature room planners that let you input the dimensions of your room and virtually place furniture pieces to see how they fit. These apps can save you from buying a piece that doesn’t suit your space.
- Account for Doorways and Hallways: Don’t forget to measure the doorways, staircases, and hallways your furniture will have to pass through. Even if a sofa fits in your living room, it might not fit through your front door.
2. Overlooking the Return and Shipping Policies
When shopping online, it’s easy to assume that the return process is straightforward, but this isn’t always the case. Some retailers have strict return policies, and shipping furniture can be expensive—especially if you didn’t account for the costs upfront.
How to Avoid It:
- Read the Return Policy: Always check the store’s return policy before purchasing. Many furniture retailers offer 30- to 90-day return windows, but some may charge a restocking fee or only offer store credit.
- Understand Delivery Costs: Make sure you know if shipping is free or if there are any additional costs for delivery and installation. Also, check if they offer white-glove delivery (where furniture is brought into your home and assembled) and whether that costs extra.
- Inspect Immediately: As soon as your furniture arrives, inspect it thoroughly for damage. Many stores only accept returns within a limited time frame after delivery.
3. Not Checking Product Dimensions in Detail
It’s easy to be captivated by product images, but sometimes those photos can be deceiving. A piece might look larger or smaller in photos than it actually is, so failing to check the specific dimensions is a common mistake.
How to Avoid It:
- Check the Full Dimensions: Always look for detailed dimensions, including height, width, and depth. Some retailers also provide details about seat heights, arm widths, and backrest heights for chairs and sofas, which are all important for comfort and fit.
- Use the “Measure Twice” Rule: It’s worth measuring your current furniture and any space you want to replace or complement to compare dimensions and ensure everything lines up.
4. Not Considering the Material or Fabric Quality
One of the most common disappointments comes when furniture doesn’t look or feel as good in person as it did online. A couch that seemed like the perfect color and texture in photos can sometimes feel flimsy or uncomfortable in real life.
How to Avoid It:
- Look for Detailed Descriptions: Read the product descriptions carefully to check the materials used in the construction of the furniture. Is the fabric durable? Is the frame made of solid wood or particle board? High-quality furniture should have well-explained product specifications.
- Request Fabric Swatches: Many retailers now offer free or low-cost fabric swatches, so you can touch and feel the material before committing to a purchase. This is particularly useful for upholstered furniture.
- Check Reviews for Insights on Comfort: User reviews can provide insights on how comfortable and durable a piece of furniture is, giving you a better sense of its quality before buying.
5. Ignoring the Style of Existing Decor
When shopping for new furniture, it’s easy to fall for pieces that catch your eye—but if the style doesn’t match your existing home decor, it can make the entire room feel disjointed. Buying furniture based on looks alone can sometimes lead to mismatched pieces.
How to Avoid It:
- Take a Holistic View: Consider how new furniture will fit with your current decor in terms of color, material, and design. Online furniture apps often let you visualize how new pieces will look in your actual room through augmented reality (AR) or room planners, so use these tools to get a clearer picture.
- Create a Mood Board: Before shopping, create a digital mood board of the style and colors you want to incorporate into the room. Apps can help you put together a vision for your space, so you can avoid impulsively purchasing items that don’t fit.
6. Not Checking Shipping and Delivery Times
Furniture is typically bulky and requires careful handling, which can make shipping and delivery times much longer than you expect. Not accounting for these delays can result in inconvenience or even frustration if you’re on a tight timeline.
How to Avoid It:
- Confirm Delivery Dates: Check the estimated delivery date before you order. Many furniture stores offer a specific delivery window, but you may also want to confirm if you can track the shipment and get updates.
- Account for Lead Time: If you need furniture by a specific date (like a housewarming or holiday), factor in delivery lead times and avoid last-minute purchases.
7. Ignoring the Quality of Customer Service
While online shopping offers convenience, poor customer service can make returns, exchanges, and troubleshooting difficult. Not considering the quality of customer service before purchasing can result in hassle down the line if something goes wrong.
How to Avoid It:
- Research Customer Service Reputation: Check the retailer’s customer service reputation through online reviews and forums. How responsive are they to questions? How easy is it to resolve issues like returns or exchanges?
- Live Chat or Phone Support: Some furniture apps offer live chat or easy access to customer service representatives. Use these resources to ask questions before making a purchase, and make sure you have access to support after your order is placed.
8. Not Taking Advantage of Sales and Promotions
Many online furniture retailers run frequent sales, promotions, or discount codes. However, some shoppers forget to search for these deals before making a purchase, potentially missing out on valuable savings.
How to Avoid It:
- Sign Up for Alerts: Sign up for email alerts and notifications from your favorite online furniture retailers. You can also follow them on social media to stay informed about flash sales or special promotions.
- Look for Coupons and Discounts: Before checking out, search for coupon codes on trusted discount websites or use any app-exclusive promotions available. Some online furniture apps automatically apply these codes, ensuring you don’t miss any potential savings.
9. Buying Impulsively Without Proper Research
It’s tempting to buy furniture on the spot when you find something you love, but making impulsive purchases without considering all aspects can lead to dissatisfaction later. Rushed decisions may lead to poor-quality furniture or a mismatched home design.
How to Avoid It:
- Take Your Time: Don’t rush through your purchase. Spend some time browsing and comparing similar products. Consider how the piece fits your lifestyle, needs, and existing decor.
- Read Reviews and Ask Questions: If you’re uncertain about a piece, take a moment to read customer reviews and ask questions about the furniture’s durability, comfort, and suitability for your home.
10. Not Using Augmented Reality (AR) to Visualize the Furniture
One of the biggest advantages of shopping for furniture online is the ability to use AR technology to see how a piece will look in your space. Not using this tool can lead to surprises when the furniture arrives.
How to Avoid It:
- Use AR Features in Furniture Apps: Many furniture apps now offer AR features that allow you to place digital models of furniture into your actual room using your phone’s camera. This helps you see how the furniture fits with the rest of your decor, its scale, and how it looks in different lighting.
Conclusion: Shop Smarter, Not Harder
Online furniture shopping can be a breeze if you avoid these common mistakes. By measuring your space, considering material quality, checking return policies, and using tools like AR and room planners, you can make informed decisions that lead to furniture you’ll love for years to come.
At Goteso, we specialize in developing intuitive mobile apps that help businesses and consumers navigate the complexities of online shopping. Whether you’re a retailer looking to enhance your app or a consumer hoping to make smarter purchases, we can help you make the most of your furniture shopping experience.
Ready to shop smarter? Let’s chat about how we can create a seamless, efficient furniture shopping app that enhances the customer experience and helps you avoid costly mistakes.
