An Insider Guide to Shop Best Furniture Online

Ahhhh, the tyranny of picking the best when having multiple choices - we all go through this at least once in our lifetime. ChosenFurniture website has so much great furniture and decor options, so it can be a bit overwhelming. But our furnishing curators have got you covered. On this shop page, you'll find some of our latest favorites, lists that are always updated with the best furniture brands and products. Just remember, we have such a vast collection of furniture and decor items throughout our site, beyond what you see here. Happy shopping, and don't forget to check back as often as you can! Buying furniture online doesn't have to feel like you're playing the lottery. You need to master the right information, be smart and intuitive about your selection process. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of our best advice for shopping furniture online. Keep these tips in mind for the next time you're ready to make a buy, and we're pretty sure you'll feel 100% secure about what furnishing you're bringing home.

Measure Everything at Least Once

Measuring is the most important component of buying furniture, period. It's even more crucial when buying online. Since you won't be able to walk into a brick-and-mortar store and see with your own eyes how that piece will fit in your space, you'll have to make sure your measuring skills are solid. When you have an item you want to buy, read over the product listing to find the dimensions (if you can't find the dimensions, don't buy that one). Then, use measured-out painter's tape or string to build a layout of how it will look in your home. If your furniture expands somehow — like a recliner or extendable dining table — make sure you account for the largest version. Then, double check your work. Keep in mind this isn't the only measurement you have to account for. If your furniture is coming to you already assembled, you need to measure any relevant doorways and stairways to make sure you can actually get it to where it's supposed to go.

Study Reviews from Other Buyers

Studies conducted in the last decade have confirmed what we already know: people read reviews and decide by them. Research shows that 91 percent of people regularly or occasionally read online reviews, and 84 percent trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation. 68 percent form an opinion after reading between one and six online reviews. More recent research confirms that reviews, promotions, ads, and trends observed on social media influence purchase decisions, but not directly. In the end, people are no longer relying on a single source - they are using a combination of on-site media (manufacturer's websites), social media (Facebook, Twitter), and conversations with friends and family. So, when shopping for online furniture, product reviews are key to your success. Weigh these reviews in your decision, and pay close attention to the percentage of bad vs good reviews. It is natural for a product to have a few bad reviews, especially if it has a very high number of comments. So, to be reflective, use your instincts or check for more information. If a products review doesn't ring the bell for you, it's probably best to explore other options.

Choose Neutral Colors

When it comes to best furniture upholstery colors and you don't know what to choose, we recommend picking neutral colors. Neutral does not mean grey, white, or black. In home furnishing decor, neutral means light to medium colors that work nicely with other colors. That means that most neutrals have different colored undertones. Neutrals can be cool (blue or green undertones) or they can be warm (brown, red, orange, or yellow undertones). The first thing you will want to decide is if you want a cool or a warm neutral. Warm colors are stimulating and work really well in the social rooms, such as the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Cool colors are more calming and work best in private rooms, like the bedroom, office, and nursery. Whether you are modern, traditional, eclectic, or love rustic charm, neutral colors work every time. Bottom line: The most common approach is to choose a piece of furniture that complements the decor and is not camouflaged into the wall color. And don't forget accessories or prints as the finishing touches when coordinating your new furniture with your room decor.

Check the Return Policy

Nobody wants to purchase furniture and sending it back. Yet, it's often unavoidable. We all can make mistakes and the selected piece of furniture just won't sit great in your home the way you thought it would. Or, it comes with damages and you do not receive what you expected. Either way, checking the return policy ahead of time gives you the reassurance that you have a backup plan if things go wrong. Here are a few things to check before. Do they accept returns? Is there a time limit for return policy? Do return items need to be in their original packaging? There are any fees for returning a product? What's the return process like? What will you need to do to return the item? What is the turn-around time for a refund? When can you expect to get your money back? Since furniture can be a costly item, we recommend sticking to purchases that allow returns so you can protect your investment.

Always Shop from Secure Websites

We strongly suggest shopping furniture ONLY from secure websites to reduce the risk of identity theft. Even big online furniture stores like Target and Home Depot have been targets of data theft over the last years. In addition, online shoppers are vulnerable to scams like phishing or fraudulent websites. Once you begin the checkout process, you should see details that indicate the website is secure. First, check the URL for the page. If you buy furniture from a secure site, the URL begin with HTTPS instead of HTTP, indicating the site is secure. This means the site is secured using an SSL Certificate. SSL Certificates secure all of your data as it is passed from your browser to the website's server. Double-click the lock icon to review information about the website’s security measures. Secondly, if you see a "Secure and Verified" or a similar badge at the bottom of a website, hover your cursor over it. If it goes to where it purports, clicking it should initiate a pop up displaying the correct certificate and verification information. If the information displayed does not match up with the website you're visiting, it is not legitimate and most likely not secure. In addition, secure websites typically have more information on the website, like FAQs, return policy, privacy policy, contact information, that details their security policies. Exercise caution when responding to promotional emails, and look for assurances that an email is valid and secure, before clicking through any links in the email. Once you click a link, look for the above signs that the website you are visiting is secure before finalizing any purchases. Also, opt for your mobile phone network over public Wi-Fi or hotspots.

Accumulate Furniture Slowly

Nowadays, especially younger people expect to have everything at once, but that's a sure path to go broke in the process. Sure, credit cards have larger limits, products are becoming cheaper, and buying is as easy as a click online. The world is expecting our consumption. Once you have your furniture must-haves, you can be patient to accumulate the nice pieces you want. Make a story of slow acquisition - never be in a hurry to spend money you don't have. Accumulating slowly helps prevent the danger of starting with costly debts which can take years to overcome financial mismanagement. When you purchase furniture, choose pieces that are made of high-quality materials and will resist for years. Stay away from super trendy items that you will tire of in a few seasons. Buy classic pieces that you can update with accessories like throw pillows, blankets, prints, or other decorative items. You can also shift furniture from room to room to get the new look you want.

View the Real Thing

Online product photos can trick you easily. Certain major details like color and texture can be wildly different than in an online photo. Yes, it might be due to your computer and bad monitor resolution, but it's also because the product can be shown in the very best light and with the very best placement to encourage you to make a furniture purchase - conditions you don't have at home, in your space. That's why we recommend viewing the real product before buying if it's possible. Take a trip to a local furniture store to see it "live", that's your best bet. If not, try requesting a fabric swatch. Many companies will send one to you to ensure you're happy with the way the fabric looks. Lastly, if a swatch is not an option, you can always do an image search for consumer photos of the product. While some details will still be slightly altered by your computer screen, those will show you a different version of how the piece will look into your home.