Online shopping has seen a monumental increase in traffic since the beginning of the pandemic. It is convenient, cheaper, and much easier than going into a store.

There is also the added benefit that online shopping will usually have many more options than an in-store display, so the shopper has greater freedom of choice. Whether you are trying to avoid in person shopping for pandemic-related reasons or just because it’s more convenient, there are a few strategies which can enhance your shopping experience.

The store that you choose to buy from is very important. Online scams currently run rampant across the internet, often even licensing adds on more reputable sites like Facebook or Instagram as a way to deceive potential buyers. Double checking every online shopping website before you enter your details is a must. Secure payment options such as PayPal are also extremely useful in ensuring your financial safety. There are a few telltale ways that you can identify a scam from a real site.

Firstly, double check the URL of the website. Some scams will use a similar name to a reputable website in the hopes of catching people unawares. Make sure that you are aware of any spelling errors – they will likely indicate that someone is mimicking trusted furniture websites trick people into thinking that it is the legitimate site.

You can also use a website checker such as the Google Transparency Report. This will tell you crucial information about the domain and safety of the website you are about to visit. Another good way to test whether or not a store is legit is to google reviews outside of the website. This should provide you with a less biased and unmoderated account of the results that customers have had from the business.

One of the most foolproof ways to make sure that you are purchasing safely is to buy furniture online from a brand that you are already familiar with. Brands that have a display store in your area which you can walk into are ideal. Though it may seem to defeat the purpose, going to an in-person store before purchasing online is a great failsafe that will prevent you being surprised by the product that arrives. Online shopping is still recommended even if you decide to visit the store, because there are more options (in terms of colours, styles, makes and types) and online shopping will often have coupons or other discounts that you will not be able to find in-store.

Currently, Australia is seeing a return to Scandinavian furniture design, with a Moroccan twist. Trends indicate that we are once again swinging the pendulum towards cozy, minimalist, and practical. This design style is usually complemented with neutral colours like beige, white, grey and light brown for signature furniture pieces, and colourful design accents like art, pillows, rugs or throws.

Ikea is one of the best known stores in the world for Scandinavian design. However, it is not the only high quality furniture store with online shopping available. Read on for a list of the best furniture stores online.