What to check when buying furniture online

Online furniture shopping has matured, and more people now buy big pieces such as leather and fabric sofas without ever seeing them in a store. When the delivery crew brings them in, most people count the boxes, check that the model and color match the order, and sign. Very few inspect the furniture properly. A sofa is one of the larger purchases a household makes, so a careful check on delivery is the first and best protection against paying for something with a fault. Here are six things to go through.

1. Count the packages

Before delivery, confirm with the seller exactly how many packages to expect. When they arrive, do not rush to open them. Check the outer packaging first. Shipping damage is common with furniture, and if a box arrives crushed or torn you are within your rights to refuse it and contact the seller right away.

2. Check the finish

Once unpacked, look at the surface. A painted or lacquered finish should be smooth and even, with no runs, bubbles or wrinkles. On veneered pieces, check that the color is consistent and the grain matches, and look for stains, dead knots and chips. On a leather sofa, run your hand over the surface and look for scratches or tears. Check the edge banding as well: it should be flat and tight. Loose or lifting edges usually mean the board inside got damp, and the banding will come away within days. Particleboard and fiberboard pieces must be fully edge-banded, with no bare ends and no unfaced parts.

3. Check the joints

Look at every point where parts connect. On a solid piece, every joint, horizontal and vertical, should close tightly with no gaps and no movement.

4. Check the frame

Make sure the structure is sound: the frame should be square and rigid, with no lean and no twist. On a leather or fabric sofa, the seat should be level, not lumpy. Press down on the cushions to test the springs. If the springs are poorly laid out and rub against each other, you will hear it.

5. Check the size

Looks are not the first priority; use is. Measure the piece and confirm it matches the stated dimensions. Whether the proportions suit the body, in seat height, seat depth and back height, decides if the sofa will be comfortable and hold up over years of use.

6. Check the fittings

Confirm that the small parts are all there: seat cushions, anti-slip pads on side panels, hinge covers and any other accessories the piece needs to work properly. Look at the hardware for rust, and open and close every moving part. It should move smoothly with no obvious catching. These are the parts that carry the load, so they need to be right. We hope this helps the next time a delivery arrives at your door.