How to Shop for Furniture Online
Shopping for furniture online is one of the most contemporary things you can do these days. You just fill your virtual shopping cart with a couch and after you’ve spent the extra money to ship it, it arrives at your front door.
There’s a huge risk in this big-ticket investment.
There’s really no guarantee that you’ll like it once arrives but the more you know about what you want and need the easier your search and the better you’ll be at making the right choice for you and your space.
Before you start your search, you want to have some basic criteria in mind to keep you on track while you’re looking for the right furniture piece for your space.
To put it more simply, what do you need?
- I start by entering what I’m looking for directly into Google’s search engine. You want to start with simplified search terms. This helps Google display as many options as possible.
For example, if I were to type “storage cabinet” into google tons of websites will pop up with images of their products. You can also choose the “Shopping” tab to see more options available.
–>Please keep in mind that you will have to adjust your search terms after each time you find a design element you like.
2. After you’ve done a quick scan of that page. Start opening new tabs of the products that speak to you. Then add screenshots and the links to the products to a Google Doc.
–>Don’t be afraid to visit sites that are luxury brands or what you consider to be your dream furniture stores.
3. Open the Google doc with the product screenshots on your computer or phone and examine if the items match your preferences.
4. Decide what look you’re going for. You will know what works best when you’ve measured and considered the colors in the space.
5. Now let’s talk cost. So many products came up because the style is a style. It will exist on affordable sites like Target and Ikea as it would Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn.
–>You’ll have to settle on a number you’re comfortable spending.
When comparing the item links:
- Begin to identify what you like and what you don’t like. Consider the color(s), the material, the size, and shape.
- Evaluate your needs. Do you need it now or in 10 weeks? Do you need it to be fit into a certain area, does it have to match other pieces in the space, or is it going to stand out and be an accent piece?
- Readjust your search terms: returning to the open shelves example I could add: “black metal open shelves $150” and google will get to work
- Consider the resale value is this something you plan to keep and store or will you need to sell it after your lease is up?
