My In-Depth Review After Buying from Furniture123 for Over 10 Years
As a seasoned Furniture123 customer, I‘ve bought countless home furnishings from this top UK furniture e-tailer. Across over a decade of purchases, how does their service, quality and value stack up? Read this detailed review for an unfiltered look at the highs and lows.
My Experience Buying Furniture from Furniture123
Back in 2011, I kitted out my first rented flat exclusively with furniture from Furniture 123. As a convenient online store with free delivery, they were perfect for a low budget. Since then I‘ve relied on them to furnish two more homes as my style evolved from shabby chic to modern contemporary.
Here‘s a quick overview of some of my Furniture123 buys over the years:
| Year | Items Purchased |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Oak bed frame, Navy velvet sofa, Glass coffee table |
| 2015 | Grey linen sofa, Marble dining table with 6 chairs |
| 2021 | Walnut sideboard, Leather desk chair, Rectangle mirror |
Based on owning these and many other pieces for 5-10+ years, I‘ve got extensive first-hand experience with Furniture123. Here‘s my detailed assessment across all the key metrics.
Diving Into the Furniture Quality
While affordable, Furniture123 focuses more on durable materials versus ultra cheap flatpacks. Most wood pieces use solid oak, acacia, mango and rubberwood rather than flimsy particle boards. Upholstered items feature sturdy internal frames coupled with polyester or velvet fabrics.
My dark green velvet sofa endured five house moves without wear and tear. And my marble dining set still looks polished and timeless after 7 years. For the price, their furniture generally exceeds expectations to rival mid-market brands.
I break down the quality across some bestselling categories:
Living Room Furniture
Sofas – Excellent density foam and reinforcement for long-lasting comfort and structure. Material is thick, whether velvet, linen or leather.
Coffee Tables – Predominantly strong wood like mango or acacia. Very few scratches or chips even after exposure to kids and pets.
TV Units – Thicker panels than IKEA‘s budget options. Handles several electronic installations without sagging or warping.
Quality Score: 4/5
Bedroom Furniture
Beds – My oak frame feels indestructible after 10 years of use! Slatted bases and built-in storage make excellent use of space.
Mattresses – More premium options with pocket springs and foam layers compared to basic chains. Provide back support and durability.
Wardrobes – Doors slide smoothly along metal rails. Withstood several house moves without loosening or splintering.
Quality Score: 5/5
Dining Sets
Tables – Scratch-proof wood or marble tops maintain their luster. No wobbling despite frequent family dinners.
Chairs – Materials vary but most boast solid beech or oak wood frames. Weave and foam seats are comfy.
Storage – Their buffets and sideboards cope with heavy crockery. My mango wood one still looks pristine.
Quality Score: 4.5/5
Storage Solutions
Bookcases – Versatile modular units survive kids‘ playtime chaos! Easy to dismantle and reassemble when moving house.
Chests – Typically pine or mango wood construction. My mid-century inspired one feels sturdy despite slamming those drawers…
Sideboards – As mentioned my mango wood one withstands hefty serving ware. Plus drinks spills wiped off easily.
Quality Score: 5/5
How Does Furniture123 Compare on Price?
Given the impressive construction and finishes, Furniture123‘s prices are affordable rather than ultra cheap. They occupy an appealing middle ground – more premium versus economy brands but still gentle on your wallet.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 3 Seater Velvet Sofa | £599 |
| 6 Seater Dining Set + Sideboard | £1999 |
| King Size Leather Bedframe | £949 |
| Glass and Oak Coffee Table | £299 |
| Mango Wood Media Unit | £599 |
For context, personal finance site Money.co.uk estimates the average spend on home furnishings per room:
| Room | Average Spend |
|---|---|
| Living Room | £1,250 |
| Dining Room | £799 |
| Bedroom | £550 |
So Furniture123 hits a nice sweet spot – elevated above ultra budget picks but still affordable for average shoppers.
My tip? Opt for bundles like mattresses with beds or dining sets and sideboards to maximize value.
Seven Key Pros of Buying from Furniture123
Across over a decade as a repeat customer, these positives keep me coming back to Furniture123 for all furniture needs:
1. Quality Materials – Natural wood, steel and premium fabrics create durable, sturdy furniture built to last years.
2. On Trend Styles – From glam velvet to mid-century or industrial, all latest looks covered.
3. Reasonable Value – Competitive pricing considering constructions that rival more premium labels.
4. Volume of Choice – Over 1000 pieces across living room, bedroom, dining room and office.
5. Prompt Delivery – 1-2 week delivery turnarounds in my experience.
6. Smooth Returns – No issues sending back unsuitable items.
7. Reliable Build – All pieces survived multiple house moves without damages.
For shoppers seeking decent furniture that looks way more expensive than it actually is, Furniture 123 delivers every time.
Potential Downsides to Consider
To provide balanced commentary, no company is completely perfect. Here are a few potential Furniture123 pitfalls to watch for:
1. Expensive Shipping – Can add £20-60 depending on location, item size and weight.
2. Spotty Stock – Best sellers often out of stock. New batches snap up fast so act quick!
3. No Assembly – Unlike IKEA, items arrive fully constructed. Handy but heavy to maneuver alone.
4. Fabric Care – Velvets and linens require professional cleaning. Too risky doing myself like previous slip-ups…
5. Indentations – Foam cushions dent easily if heavy use/users. Rotate regularly to maintain shape.
But overall these are minor gripes solved with careful browsing, planning and maintenance. The quality ultimately compensates for any small hassles.
How Does Furniture123 Compare to Other Retailers?
Curious how Furniture123 stacks up against its biggest competitors? Here‘s my insider perspective having bought from them all:
VS IKEA – Cheaper but lower quality. Wins on convenience but furniture won‘t last as long.
VS Made – Comparable quality and styles but 30-50% pricier.
VS Loaf – Similar premium designs but over double the prices.
VS Oak Furnitureland – Argues more choice but still costs £100s more.
For affordable but durable contemporary furniture that still looks expensive, Furniture123 leads the online market. Indicative of someone who has spent probably far too much time and money across multiple furniture sites!
Final Verdict After 10+ Years of Purchases
If you haven‘t guessed already from this very extensive review, I‘m clearly a superfan of Furniture123! Their consistent quality, affordable pricing and on-trend selection ticks all the boxes for savvy shoppers.
I can personally vouch for the durability and practicality of dozens of their products after a cumulative decade of use across several properties. While respecting budgets, they design pieces to last versus flimsy builds that end up as landfill.
For first time buyers to growing families or homeowners redecorating, Furniture123 caters to all needs. Their online convenience coupled with fast delivery slots provide a frictionless buying experience. And dedicated clearance sales help you nab designer looks at even lower rates.
After weighing all the pros, cons and personal experience, I happily award them 5 stars. I look forward to enjoying my ever-expanding collection of Furniture123 items for years more to come!
My Overall Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Excellent quality and value
Common Furniture123 Questions Answered
Still debating whether this furniture giant deserves a spot on your radar? See answers to some frequently asked buyer questions:
Who owns the company?
Furniture123 is owned by parent group Buy It Direct, run by CEO Natalie Rawson since 1999. They focus solely on homewares.
Can I pay by finance?
Yes! Interest free credit offers available on orders over £99
Where do they manufacture furniture?
As an ethically conscious company, they work with trusted factories across Asia and Eastern Europe. Products are handmade to order.
What is delivery time?
5-7 working days on average. Large items may take up to 15 days.
I‘m happy to answer any other questions – just drop me a message!
Contact Furniture 123 Directly At:
📞 Phone: 0871 984 1924
✉️ Email: [email protected]
Ready to Shop My Go-To Furniture Retailer?
Hopefully this transparent, detailed review has inspired you to try Furniture123! Sign up today for 10% off your first order over £250.
Explore their ever-evolving catalog now at Furniture123.co.uk.
Happy shopping and let me know what hidden gems you uncover!
