The convenience of online shopping has extended to nearly everything, including furniture; however, our furniture experts at Living Designs Furniture believe the choice to buy furniture online is not the smartest one for your home or your wallet.
Is it risky to buy furniture online?
In short, yes. While the idea of avoiding a trip to the furniture store might seem appealing, there are several compelling reasons why purchasing furniture from online retailers could cost you more time and money in the future.
Before you click “add to cart,” consider these four critical drawbacks of purchasing pieces from online furniture stores:
- You might have to assemble it yourself
- The materials will be of lower quality
- You could order the wrong size
- It will cost more than it’s worth
Our resident furniture expert, Sarah Zubowski, dives into why you should never buy furniture online — especially when Living Designs Furniture has multiple showroom locations in the Houston area for convenient and stress-free shopping.
1. You might have to assemble it yourself
One of the most frustrating aspects of buying furniture online from certain retailers is the dreaded assembly process. Because fully assembled furniture can’t fit into a shipping box, it must be dismantled and shipped to its customers. Upon arrival, it is up to the buyer to get the furniture assembled and hope that it is executed correctly.
Many customers who purchase assemble-it-yourself furniture have to deal with the following inconveniences:
- Confusing instructions
- Missing parts
- Special tools required for assembly (and not provided)
- Time dedication
- Poor durability once assembled
Did you know that incorrect assembly can actually void your warranty? If your furniture does not live up to expectations, you may not be able to return it or replace it without paying the retailer. Before you buy furniture online, be sure to read the warranty — and don’t be tricked out of your money!
We do all of the hard work
When you shop at a traditional furniture manufacturer like Living Designs Furniture, you do not have to lift a finger. All of our pieces are crafted and assembled by our expert furniture builders, who ensure the construction is top-quality. Then, your furniture is delivered straight to your home and set up in your desired room by our staff. You just get to enjoy your new furniture!
2. The materials will be of lower quality
The reason we caution against mass-produced fast furniture is the same reason we caution against shoppers who want to buy used furniture online: the quality of the materials will not be good and the furniture will not last as long.
Online furniture retailers often have to cut corners to keep their prices competitive, and what suffers is the quality of the furniture. This means your upholstery fabric might fade or tear easily, your accent hardware might rust, the legs of the chair may break because the wood is cheap, or the cushions could give out and not provide any support or comfort. Good quality, durable furniture can last you a lifetime if you take care of it properly.
We never compromise on quality
As a local furniture manufacturer in Houston, we only use top-quality, American-sourced materials in every piece of furniture we create. Our hardwood is sturdy and locally sourced from Texas and Louisiana, our upholstery fabrics are resilient and comfortable, and our cushions are made from high-density foam that is luxurious and reliable!
Our customers can see and feel the difference in our furniture’s durability and craftsmanship from day one and throughout the years.
3. You could order the wrong size
Nothing is worse than getting furniture delivered and realizing it’s the wrong size when it’s already too late. Even if the website details the dimensions of a piece, it’s hard to visualize how furniture will fit in your space when shopping online (and don’t get us started on those 3D “see it in your home” features).
One of the most common mistakes when buying a sofa is not measuring your room before purchasing. Imagine buying your dream couch only to realize it can’t even fit through your front door! To avoid mistakes like this, read our full guide on how to measure your room and your furniture to ensure you always get the right size.
We’ll ensure your furniture fits perfectly
Shopping in-store at any of our showrooms will eliminate all of the confusion regarding the size and shape of your furniture. With our expert guidance, you can sit, measure, and visualize with full confidence that every piece will be the perfect fit.
We can create custom furniture for both spacious and compact floorplans. Our designers will want to know the dimensions of the room you’re working in (including doorways) so that construction and delivery are as smooth as possible.
4. It will cost more than it’s worth
Is it cheaper to buy furniture online? Short-term, sure. Long-term, absolutely not. We understand that in difficult economic times like these, lower prices are too tempting to pass up. However, if you were to add up all of the money spent replacing cheap furniture over time, you’d be shocked at how much more you have actually spent. If you’re not satisfied, you may have to go through a grueling return process or be stuck with it, which is just money down the drain.
Online retailers can have hidden costs behind those lower price tags, including:
- “Brand premium” costs (paying more for the brand name)
- Storage and other third-party fees
- Assembly services
- And more
No middlemen, no markups, no stress
Living Designs Furniture, how are you able to give your customers such fair prices for handmade, quality furniture? We’re so glad you asked! It’s called factory-direct pricing.
We are a furniture store in Houston that makes all of our pieces in our on-site factory in Downtown Houston. Operating in-house allows us to cut out any middlemen and the unnecessary fees that come with them — and we pass those savings on to you! With us, you can get your dream furniture at a way cheaper price tag. And it will actually be great quality.
Online furniture shopping — FAQ
Q: Should you buy furniture online?
A: As experts who care about your shopping experience, we wouldn’t recommend it. The cons outweigh the pros of convenience in almost every way.
Q: Which is the best way to purchase furniture?
A: The best way to purchase furniture is in person at a local furniture store and manufacturer. Here are a few examples of advantages you enjoy when shopping with Living Designs Furniture:
- Direct access to the craftsmen who make your furniture
- Ability to customize pieces to your exact specifications
- Transparent pricing without hidden fees
- Professional delivery and setup
- Quality guarantee
- Support for local business and craftsmanship
Q: Any tips for how to shop for furniture online?
A: Look for inspiration online, but always purchase furniture in person so that there are no surprises.
The better alternative: Shopping local with Living Designs Furniture
While there are valid reasons for wanting to buy furniture online, the risks and hidden costs make it a less attractive option compared to working with a trusted local manufacturer. With Living Designs Furniture, we can guarantee you will be satisfied with your furniture purchases as these pieces were made with you in mind. You’ll save time, money, and stress.
Visit any of our Houston furniture stores today to experience the difference that handcrafted, quality furniture can make in your home. We encourage you to book a free design consultation with our experts so they can best understand your needs, but walk-ins are always welcome!
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