Should You Buy Furniture on Amazon in 2026? An In-Depth Guide

Furnishing a home can cost thousands of dollars these days, especially if you want quality materials and stylish designs that stand the test of time. With its seemingly endless selection and wallet-friendly prices, Amazon has become one of the top destinations for furniture shopping online. But is Amazon really the best place to furnish every room in your home?

This detailed guide examines the pros, cons, and key factors to weigh when buying furniture on Amazon. You‘ll learn how Amazon‘s prices, selection, shipping, and return policies stack up against other retailers. Read on to decide if Amazon is the right source for your next sofa, dining set, mattress, or other furniture purchase.

Amazon‘s Growing Furniture Business

As the largest online retailer in the world, it‘s no surprise that Amazon has become a go-to for furniture shopping. In 2021 alone, Amazon sold over $20 billion worth of furniture in the United States. Their furniture sales have grown by an average of 18% annually over the past 3 years.

This massive selection meets the needs of millions of Americans furnishing homes of all styles and budgets each year. Over 40% of adults under 35 bought furniture from Amazon in the past year according to surveys. The sheer variety, low prices, and convenience of shopping on Amazon has great appeal for younger individuals furnishing their first apartments. Busy families love having thousands of options for outfitting their homes quickly and affordably.

What Types of Furniture Does Amazon Sell?

Name a room in your home, and Amazon likely sells furniture to outfit it. Here are some of the main furniture categories available on Amazon:

• Living Room – Sofas, sectionals, loveseats, accent chairs, coffee tables, TV stands, media storage
• Bedroom – Beds, mattresses, dressers, nightstands, armoires, headboards
• Kitchen – Dining sets, bar stools, kitchen carts, cabinets, islands
• Home Office – Desks, office chairs, file cabinets, bookshelves, desk organizers
• Patio & Outdoors – Patio sets, outdoor sectionals, adirondack chairs, hammocks
• Decor – Benches, ottomans, side tables, plant stands, console tables

Within each category, you‘ll find dozens of styles catering to all tastes – from modern and contemporary to traditional, rustic, industrial, and more.

Amazon offers entry-level to luxe selections from over 25 furniture brands, including:

• AmazonBasics – Amazon‘s affordable, value-focused furniture line
• Zinus – Known for minimalist, contemporary designs, especially sofas and beds
• Nathan James – Stylish mid-century and modern furniture
• Rivet – Boasts mid-century, industrial, and contemporary furnishings
• Stone & Beam – Farmhouse and rustic designs mixed with industrial
• Modway – Sleek, modern pieces across living, dining, and bedroom collections
• Red Barrel Studio – Traditional and contemporary living room furniture
• Walker Edison – Casual, farmhouse-inspired furniture and home decor
• Ashley – Established furniture maker offering styles from traditional to contemporary

How Do Amazon‘s Furniture Prices Compare?

One of the biggest draws of Amazon is the competitive pricing, especially on budget- to mid-range furniture pieces. Here are some examples of average savings you can expect:

• A mid-century modern sofa on Amazon averages around $480, compared to $600 at Wayfair and $650 at IKEA for a similar style and size.

• Simple metal frame platform beds average around $180 on Amazon, while Wayfair‘s selection hovers around $220-$250. IKEA‘s platform beds cost roughly $275 on average.

• A basic dining table set with four chairs starts around $250 on Amazon. On Wayfair, dining sets start around $325. At IKEA, prices start at $299.

However, Amazon‘s pricing advantage shrinks for higher-end furniture. For example:

• A luxury leather sectional sofa on Amazon costs around $3,000 on average, just $100-$200 less than the same sectional at Pottery Barn.

• A solid wood media console averages $950 on Amazon vs. $1,050 at West Elm.

• A mid-century modern dining table and 6 chairs in walnut wood sells for around $1,800 on Amazon or $2,000 at Joybird.

While not always substantially cheaper, Amazon does offer the convenience of fast shipping on most luxury furniture brands. This allows you to skip trips to the designer showrooms.

Free and Fast Shipping with Amazon Prime

One of the biggest money saving perks of buying furniture on Amazon is free shipping for Prime members. The majority of sofas, beds, tables and other furniture shipped and sold by Amazon qualifies for free two-day shipping. This saves you at least $50-100 on delivery fees compared to purchasing furniture from other online stores.

Amazon Prime members shared experiences like:

• “I bought a new queen bed frame and headboard from Amazon Prime with free shipping. It arrived on my doorstep in 3 days without paying any delivery fees. At other stores, shipping would have been $150 extra.”

• “We needed a new couch quick when our old one broke. Found one on Amazon Prime for $500 with free 2-day shipping. Way cheaper and faster than going to the furniture store.”

Many Amazon Prime members are happy with quick 1-week turnarounds or less from ordering to receiving major furniture pieces. Other online sellers often have slower delivery timeframes of 2-3 weeks.

For non-Prime members, shipping costs vary based on size and weight. Smaller furniture like side tables or chairs averages $10-20 for standard 5-7 day shipping. Bulkier items like sofas or dining sets can cost $50-$200 or more to ship depending on distance. Prime membership can provide major savings on shipping for frequent Amazon furniture shoppers.

Quality, Comfort, and Durability

With lower prices comes the question – is Amazon furniture a good value for the money? Customer reviews provide helpful insight into the quality and durability of Amazon‘s furniture offerings.

The broad range of brands on Amazon means quality levels vary. But many ready-to-assemble furniture pieces receive high marks for being sturdy and well-constructed for the low price points. Simple bookcases, desks, end tables, and cabinets made with laminate, particle board, and engineered woods tend to stand up well to daily wear and tear, especially in home offices, kitchens, and kids‘ rooms.

However, some budget-friendly furniture categories like sofas and mattresses have mixed reviews on durability and longevity. Lower-priced sofas with fabric upholstery or bonded leather may sag, tear, or lose shape after 1-3 years of steady use. There are reports of poor quality mattresses dipping, sagging, and causing back pain after the first year. This makes it extra important to read reviews and materials descriptions closely before purchasing big-ticket Amazon furniture.

Items made with authentic, full-grain leather or hardwood tend to hold up better in reviews. For example, the Stone & Beam leather sofas and Rivet hardwood dining tables often receive high marks for quality craftsmanship and durability. Going with Amazon‘s mid-range to luxury selections generally provides longer-lasting furniture, similar to designer brands.

Reviewers highlight a few brands to potentially avoid due to quality concerns:

• Best Price Mattress – Numerous reports of sagging and impressions forming within months
• Bestmassage and Homall – Desks and dressers prone to scratching, chipping, and breaking
• Hodedah – Dressers with doors and drawers that won‘t open or close properly over time

Professional Assembly and Installation Options

Putting together furniture from Amazon is a cinch for some, but a nightmare for others. Many dressers, desks, tables, and other furniture arrive in boxes as ready-to-assemble pieces. Amazon offers optional professional assembly for those who struggle with Allen wrenches and unclear instructions.

To qualify for assembly and installation, you must live in an eligible ZIP code for Amazon‘s Home Services program. The professionals on Amazon‘s platform can put together and install select furniture accurately and safely. Common add-on services include:

• Assembly – Starting at $79 for most furniture items like beds, dressers, and desks
• Installation – Starting at $99 for mounting TVs, lighting fixtures, wall shelves

One happy customer reported:

"I was worried about getting a huge king-size bed frame delivered to my apartment with no help, but Amazon offered assembly services for only $79 extra. The professional who came even hauled away all the packaging which was a lifesaver."

While not available everywhere, Amazon‘s assembly and installation services are a convenient option for those who want help with tricky furniture pieces.

Returns and Warranties

One of the conveniences Amazon offers is flexible return policies on most items. For furniture, Amazon allows returns within 30 days of delivery for a full refund as long as the item is in original condition with all parts and packaging.

If an item arrives defective or becomes damaged shortly after delivery, you‘ll need to go through the manufacturer‘s warranty process. Most furniture sold on Amazon comes with a 1-3 year warranty. Carefully check the warranty terms before purchasing, as the process differs by brand. Some may require you to cover shipping costs for sending back defective items.

Pros and Cons of Buying Furniture on Amazon

Here‘s a quick comparison of the benefits and potential drawbacks of purchasing home furniture on Amazon:

Buying furniture on Amazon vs. other sources like IKEA and Costco also has tradeoffs:

Recommendations for Smart Amazon Furniture Shopping

Furnishing your home through Amazon takes some savvy shopping skills. Here are tips to score the best deals on quality furniture:

• Take measurements – Carefully measure the space furniture will occupy so you choose the right size. Include doorways and stairwells if moving large items.

• Read reviews – Don‘t just glance at the overall rating. Read detailed reviews to learn about quality, ease of assembly, durability concerns, etc.

• Compare prices – Quickly compare Amazon‘s pricing to other top retailers for the same or similar furniture.

• Add Prime – Sign up for a free Prime trial to qualify for free shipping on most items. Just remember to cancel before getting charged if you don‘t want a full membership.

• Inspect ASAP – Carefully inspect furniture when it arrives and report any damage immediately. Photos help speed returns/exchanges.

• assemble wisely – If you‘re taking on assembly yourself, don‘t force pieces that seem misaligned. Review instructions and contact support to avoid damaging furniture.

• Consider protection – Accidents happen. For expensive furniture, look into added coverage options like furniture protection plans.

• Ask about warranties – Don‘t assume everything comes with a robust warranty. Read warranty details before committing to a purchase.

Amazon Furniture FAQ

Still have questions about buying and receiving furniture from Amazon? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Does Amazon offer financing for furniture purchases?

Yes, Amazon provides financing options through partnerships with companies like Affirm. You can divide furniture costs into monthly payments.

Can I return Amazon furniture to Kohl‘s stores?

Yes! Eligible items can be dropped off for free returns at local Kohl‘s stores which is convenient for large/heavy items.

Does Amazon provide disposal of my old furniture?

Some retailers on Amazon offer old furniture removal and disposal services for an added fee. Or you can hire third-party junk removal services in your area.

Will Amazon replace furniture damaged during delivery?

Yes. If an item arrives cracked, broken, or with other shipping damage, Amazon will replace it for free or refund your money. Be sure to inspect deliveries promptly.

The Bottom Line: Is Amazon a One-Stop Furniture Shop?

For savvy shoppers, Amazon can be a complete destination for outfitting a home with quality, stylish furniture while saving money. No other retailer can match the combination of selection and affordability across living room furniture, kitchen, dining, bedroom, home office, outdoor, and decor essentials.

The wide range of style, budgets, and brands on Amazon suits first apartments to growing families. Shoppers wanting fine designer furniture may come up short. But for classic mid-century, industrial, farmhouse, or contemporary designs under $2,000, Amazon excels. Take time to be an informed shopper by comparing prices, reading reviews, inspecting items upon arrival, and taking advantage of free shipping and returns. By using Amazon‘s furniture offerings to your benefit, you can create Pinterest-worthy rooms on a real-world budget.