Buying online - yea or nay?

Online shopping makes it possible

to sometimes find unique things

without having to battle congested

city traffic. Here mirrors from

Serena & Lily.

 

 

A client recently wanted my advice about an upholstered chair she had found online. She really liked it, but could she comfortably buy it without having seen it first hand? It was going to be used as an occasional chair in her bedroom.

My answer: "Ideally, you want to try it in person, to be sure that the comfort, quality and fabric meet your expectations. But if you trust the brand (which both of us did), and agree with the company's return policy (which was reasonable), then I would say: give it a try. Oh, and ask if you can't get a sample of the upholstery before committing."

The fact that the chair was not a key piece for the main living area, also contributed to my reply; I would never, never, buy a living room couch, for example, without having experienced it first hand. That's also true for dining room sets, antiques and anything else where the details are critical.

Baskets, hardware, mirrors and small side tables I think are fine if you are familiar with the company's finishes and you can't find what you're looking for in a nearby store.

What's your take on online shopping for the home? Is it for you? I'd love to hear your stories!