While shopping for sofas online Australia has been increasing steadily in the past few years, more purchases were made in 2020 than ever before. However, online shopping is not for electronics, clothing, or groceries anymore. More people are turning to e-commerce sites for furniture.
Purchasing sofas online Australia can feel overwhelming. A simple Google search will pull up the fanciest sleeper sofa, sectional sofa, or love seat. The search usually ends up in a regretful purchase or frustration. Placing an order for furniture online is a challenge without visiting a brick-and-mortar location and seeing it in person. From the description given, you have to determine the dimensions, color, cushion size, fabric, etc. Unless you’re an expert or a seasoned sofa buyer, you’re probably going to feel confused.
It can be hard to find furniture and design specialists in modern and mid-century sofas online Australia so consider this a mini-guide! This guide will help you find the sofa for your home.
Let’s get started with six tips on how to purchase a sofa online.
1. Conduct research.
Do a quick search on Google to find online furniture stores that suit your style and budget. Not sure where to start? Simply enter the furniture you’re looking for and /or its design. Examples include ‘modern sectional’ or ‘ottoman’. The search will bring up images of the item including the stores where you may purchase them.
Once you’ve noted down at least five online retailers that carry your furniture, visit each website. Don’t forget to check out the e-commerce retailer’s reviews as well. If they have a physical store, try to visit.
2. Know your space requirements.
Grab some tape, paper, and string to pinpoint the furniture’s layout. This will help you determine how much space it will take up in the room. To get a better sense of the size, fill up the marked space with boxes, stacked books, etc.
Don’t forget to check out the size of the door, stairways, elevators, and passageways. Imagine ordering your dream sofa and it doesn’t fit through your door!
3. Check out the reviews.
Want to learn what a particular sofa is like? Read what other customers have to say about it. Both happy and unhappy customers will post reviews. Take the time to read these reviews. Look for descriptions related to comfort, usability, durability, etc. Most importantly, do customers find a discrepancy between sofas online Australia and the real thing? If they do, think twice about buying that particular item.
This step will save you a lot of energy, money, and time.
4. Order fabrics.
In this step, the best approach is to get hands-on. Order a few fabric swatches. Images are color-corrected and illuminated. The actual color of the item may vary in your home. Before making your purchase, it helps to order the fabric swatch. This will give you a real sense of the color and texture.
5. Learn about your furniture.
In this tip, we’re suggesting you become familiar with buzzwords related to the product. For example, a wooden dining table that is kiln dried is a great option, especially if you’re looking for hardwood. Kiln drying minimizes the moisture content in the wood. Over time, the table is less likely to split or crack. Similarly, MDF or medium-density fiberboard made up of broken pieces of hardwood. Although it is more affordable, furnishings built using MDF have a shorter lifespan.
In addition, fabric is quick to wear and fade, so it helps to invest in an upholstery that is high quality. Be sure to look at the double rub count number. The higher the number, the better the quality. Don’t forget to check out the material’s method of weaving and fiber content.
6. Study the return and exchange policy.
As a consumer, your best protection against poor product quality purchases is research. Before paying for sofas online Australia, thoroughly read and understand the return policy and warranty. A sofa is a big purchase. What if you don’t like what you buy? Does the store allow exchanges or returns? If so, what’s the grace period? Some e-commerce retailers offer two weeks while others give up to a year for exchanges. Read the fine print.
Are you ready to shop for sofas online Australia? Check out online retailer Vavoom to start the process!