Buying furniture online

Ainat

My husband and I are in the process of buying our first home. With that comes buying furniture.

We have a furniture budget that isn't unrealistic, but isn't extravagant either, so we do need to be careful.

Looking at bigger items like sofas, beds, etc... We have seen some in store that we like, but that are pushing the budget a little. We've also seen some online that we also really like - that are also cheaper - but obviously we've only seen pictures. A picture can't tell us how comfy the sofa is, or what the fabric feels like, etc.

Where do you stand buying furniture online? If you don't like it 'in real life' can you return it easily? Or are you likely to be 'stuck'? Do you end up with a ridiculous amount of charges?

seemasfriend

If I found something I liked online I would be inclined to try and find same make in local store and try out first. Even a sofa bought online is going to be quite an expense.
18 months ago I furnished our house entirely from eBay and charity shops. I have a beautiful leather sofa and chair (£125) which would have cost a fortune new, a teak kitchen table that all my friends covet and antique beds that we bought new mattresses for. My point is that you can stretch your budget in different ways. My family were so impressed with our buys that my parents have sworn they will not be buying new again.
Perhaps a combination of approaches? Whatever you decide to do - congrats on the new home and be happy!

Ainat

Thank you for the advice.

It's this kind of style that we want (sofa wise - not necessarily these colours)
http://www.very.co.uk/flora-3-seater-2-seater-fabric-sofa-set-buy-and-save/1268977141.prd?_requestid=260305

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8230717.htm

Something similar. And we want 2 sofas - either a 3 and a 2 seater or two 2 seaters.

We're debating spending more on the sofas/bed frame instore as these are the items we don't want to have to replace in the next few years, and are happy to go cheap on other things. However, if we can get something decent for a little bit less, of course this is preferential.

StevenMarks

I wouldn't buy soft furniture such as sofas online as I want to be sure they're comfortable.

I have bought other furniture online though: http://www.furniture-barn.co.uk has good prices on some really good quality furniture.

AlexLK

In my opinion, this depends on what you want from your furniture. Do you want quality pieces that will last a lifetime or something to "get you started"? Do you want brand new furniture? Lastly, if new, do you wish to see how the furniture is made?

Ainat

AlexLK wrote: »

In my opinion, this depends on what you want from your furniture. Do you want quality pieces that will last a lifetime or something to "get you started"? Do you want brand new furniture? Lastly, if new, do you wish to see how the furniture is made?

Sofa wise - we'd like something that will last us for a good few years, but still need to be realistic with the budget. Hopefully something that will last us 8-10yrs say rather than 'lifetime'. Everything else, we're good to go with something to get us started for now, and we can improve it in stages later.