Is Buying Furniture on Amazon Worth It in 2023? Here‘s My Expert Opinion
As an experienced Amazon seller since 2015, this is a question I get all the time from friends and family furnishing their homes. My short answer: Yes, Amazon is absolutely worth considering for quality furniture at affordable prices.
I‘ve helped hundreds of clients source furniture on Amazon for their living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and offices. When you know which brands and items to target, you can save hundreds compared to traditional retailers.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll share my insider expertise to help you determine if Amazon furniture fits your needs. I‘ll cover:
- How I advise clients on finding the best Amazon furniture
- My analysis of Amazon prices vs. other major retailers
- The truth about quality – which product specs to examine
- Maximizing savings with Amazon Prime shipping
- Pro tips for a smooth customer experience
- When it may be better to shop elsewhere
- And much more of my hard-earned furniture buying advice!
Let‘s dive in to how you can make the most of Amazon for your next furniture purchase.
My Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Quality Furniture on Amazon
With millions of products on their site, I know Amazon‘s furniture selection can feel overwhelming at first glance! But as an avid user myself, I have a go-to search process to quickly find viable options.
Here are the steps I advise all clients to take:
Step 1) Start your search at Amazon‘s main furniture department page. Scan through the categories on the left to find your specific furniture needs – for example, "living room" or "kitchen & dining."
Step 2) Enter the piece you need, like "sofa" or "dining table set", into the main search bar. This brings up the most relevant results.
Step 3) Now‘s the time to filter – and this is KEY to surface quality products. I always recommend filtering by:
4+ star reviews: Focus on well-rated pieces with happy customer feedback.
Prime eligibility: Prime items ship free and fast, which I find worth the membership fee.
Brand: Stick to proven furniture brands that sell on Amazon. I like Zinus, Nathan James, and Walker Edison for affordable options.
Price range: Keep your budget in mind and adjust the slider filters accordingly.
Step 4) Scan through the filtered results and select a few top contenders to compare. Click through and read multiple reviews, checking photos and product details closely.
Step 5) Make your purchase confidently knowing you‘ve identified a quality, top-rated piece at a great price!
I know Amazon can seem hit-or-miss from the outside. But using this search process makes finding true gems much easier. Now let‘s examine why shopping Amazon furniture can save you big.
Just How Much Can You Save Buying Furniture on Amazon?
In my experience advising clients, Amazon‘s prices for quality furniture often beat major retailers‘ regular prices by 20-40%. Sometimes even more during sales events.
Here are some real examples of mid-range sofas I‘ve purchased for clients on Amazon versus chain furniture stores:
Sofa | Amazon Price | Retailer Price | Savings |
---|---|---|---|
Nathan James Bennett Sofa, 89" | $599 | $999 (Raymour & Flanigan) | $400 (40% savings) |
Zinus Ricardo Sofa, 91" | $509 | $799 (Wayfair) | $290 (36% savings) |
Modway Engage Sofa, 83" | $669 | $959 (Overstock) | $290 (30% savings) |
And here are some real dining sets I‘ve purchased for clients, with significant savings:
Dining Set | Amazon Price | Retailer Price | Savings |
---|---|---|---|
Poly & Bark Parker Extendable Set, 6 chairs | $849 | $1,599 (Overstock) | $750 (47% savings) |
AmazonBasics 7-Piece Wood Set | $289 | $499 (Walmart) | $210 (42% savings) |
Walker Edison 4-Seater Glass Set | $299 | $399 (Target) | $100 (25% savings) |
With savings like these, why would you shop traditional furniture stores? The numbers speak for themselves – when done right, Amazon delivers BIG furniture discounts.
How Can Amazon Furniture Be So Affordable?
Naturally, you may wonder how Amazon offers such competitive pricing. Here are the main factors, based on my business experience:
Lower overhead costs: Amazon avoids expenses associated with brick-and-mortar showrooms and warehouses. As an online retailer, their overhead is vastly lower.
Third-party sellers: Anyone can sell on Amazon, enabling market competition that pushes prices down.
Bulk purchasing power: As the largest online retailer, Amazon can buy furniture at significant wholesale discounts and pass those on.
Private label brands: Amazon brands like Rivet and Stone & Beam create quality furniture at lower price points due to Amazon‘s supply chain scale.
Loss leaders: Some furniture Amazon sells at razor thin margins or even at a loss to attract customers and improve brand perception.
Subscription revenue: Amazon Prime membership fees ($139 per year) and other recurring revenues enable them to sell some items closer to cost.
By leveraging these advantages, Amazon consistently challenges competitors on everyday low pricing across categories including furniture.
Evaluating the Quality of Amazon Furniture
Price isn’t everything though – furniture needs to last. As an expert advisor, here are the specifications I tell clients to look for when assessing furniture quality on Amazon:
Upholstered furniture:
- Materials: Top grain genuine leather and thick, durable fabrics like twill and linen last longest. Bonded leather should be avoided.
- Frame: Kiln-dried hardwood like oak, poplar, and rubberwood support the most weight and resist sagging when used in frames along with corner blocking and doweled joints.
- Cushions: Foam density of 1.8 lbs or higher provides proper cushioning and support. Detachable cushions can also be flipped and rotated to extend lifespan.
- Suspension: The best sofas use 8-way hand-tied suspension with multiple coils and zigzag springs to prevent sagging. Sinuous springs are decent too.
Wooden furniture:
- Materials: Solid wood is strongest and can be refinished versus veneers which can peel. Durable plywood prevents warping. Avoid particleboard.
- Joinery: Look for premium joinery like mortise and tenon, dovetail, and tongue and groove joins. Dowels and corner blocks also add stability.
- Hardware: Metal cam lock connectors are sturdy versus plastic alternatives which can snap.
- Construction: Heft and supports like apron rails, stretcher rails, and reinforcement indicate resilience.
**: I know it can take time, but examining these specifications carefully helps avoid flimsy furniture. An ounce of research prevents regret down the line!
How I Vet Specific Amazon Furniture Brands
While specs are critical, the brand reputation also matters when assessing furniture durability.
Through my own purchases and advisor experience, here are the Amazon-available brands I recommend most often based on quality:
Budget-Friendly (Under $500):
- Zinus – Reliable starter furniture with impressive value
- Nathan James – A frontrunner for affordable living room and dining sets
- Walker Edison – Sturdy, versatile furniture for home offices and bedrooms
- Novogratz – Playful, unique pieces for first apartments or dorms
- AmazonBasics – Decent quality considering bargain pricing
Mid-Range ($500 – $1,500):
- Rivet – Amazon‘s trendy mid-century and industrial furniture
- Stone & Beam – Farmhouse style made more affordable
- Modway – Modern, often customizable sectionals and living room sets
- Poly & Bark – Sleek contemporary designs for dining rooms and offices
High-End ($1,500+):
- Rove Concepts – Premium European-style sofas and sectionals
- Andrew Home Studio – Luxe classic bedroom and dining furniture
- Stone & Leigh – Heirloom-quality artisanal wood furniture
I can personally vouch for these brands‘ quality from my own home and those of dozens of satisfied clients. While not perfect, their track records are impressive considering the pricing.
Don‘t Forget to Factor in Amazon Prime Shipping Savings
One of the biggest perks of Amazon furniture shopping is the fast, free Prime shipping on most items. Prime helps you in two big ways:
1. Save money on delivery fees. Stand-alone delivery of a single sofa can easily cost $50-$250 with major retailers. Those fees add up buying multiple furniture pieces! Amazon Prime eliminates fees on millions of items.
2. Get items faster with Prime shipping speeds. Once you account for lead times at brick-and-mortars, Amazon Prime‘s 2-day, 1-day, and even Same-Day delivery offers unmatched convenience for urgent furniture needs. No more waiting weeks on backorders.
I advise all my consulting clients to take advantage of an Amazon Prime 30-day free trial when furnishing their home. The shipping benefits often outweigh the $139 annual membership fee after just one or two furniture pieces. Existing Prime members already have this perk!
Pro Tips for a Seamless Amazon Furniture Buying Experience
After advising clients on Amazon furniture for years, I‘ve gleaned some pro tips for making the buying process smoother:
Do your homework – Vet brands, read reviews, confirm specifications to pick quality pieces the first time. Research prevents returns.
Measure thoroughly – Double check room dimensions and entryway openings to get the right size item.
Consider pro assembly – If handyman tasks aren‘t your forte, hire assembly help through Amazon Home Services for complex items. Well worth the cost for peace of mind.
Verify delivery dates – Need furniture by a certain date? Chat with Amazon customer service to confirm availability and estimated delivery ahead of purchase.
Inspect packages before signing – Ensure heavy boxes don‘t show external damage and are properly labeled upon delivery.
Use the 30-day return period – If the furniture falls short of expectations upon inspection, process a return through Amazon‘s website. Hassle-free.
Follow these tips and buying furniture through Amazon will be a breeze compared to the antiquated processes of legacy retailers.
When It May Be Better to Buy Furniture Elsewhere
While I‘m overall bullish on Amazon furniture, there are a few cases where other retailers may be a better fit:
Amish-quality solid wood – For indestructible hardwood furniture, try local Amish craftsmen or American-made brands. Some quality is hard to mass produce.
High-end furnishings – If money is no object, invest in luxury brands like B&B Italia, Natuzzi, or Restoration Hardware supported by localized service.
Special sizing – Those needing custom dimensions outside standard offerings may need to go made-to-order. But you‘ll pay a premium.
White glove delivery – Amazon offers basic assembly, but not unpacking, setup, and removal of packaging and old furniture. Specialty retailers provide concierge services.
Instant gratification – For those who prefer to test furniture in person before buying, physical showrooms provide that experience. But patience pays when ordering online.
Even in these cases, I suggest clients first check Amazon. You may be surprised by the selection. But alternatives exist for more specialized needs if Amazon falls short.
The Bottom Line – My Expert Verdict on Amazon Furniture
After sourcing quality, affordable furniture from Amazon for years, I highly recommend it as a go-to resource for furnishing needs. The combination of reasonable prices, Prime shipping conveniences, and wide brand selection is hard to beat.
By carefully vetting products using my tips above, you can confidently invest knowing Amazon has durable, comfortable furniture options suitable for every budget.
While buying furniture sight unseen has some risks, Amazon‘s return policy provides a safety net if items fall short of expectations.
For both clients and my own home, I continue relying on Amazon as a trusted source for essential furniture. So take it from me – give Amazon a chance to earn your business and avoid overpaying at legacy retailers. Just be sure to do your research. Happy furniture hunting!