The sofa you curl up on, the table you share meals on, the mirror you give that one last look before you head out the door—furniture is part of our everyday lives, from the special moments to the beautifully mundane. And how we select these items is changing. eCommerce is the future of furniture shopping and reshaping how consumers discover, select, and purchase home furnishings. With the market growing, more shoppers are embracing the convenience of buying furniture online.
As more shoppers embrace the convenience of online furniture shopping, retailers must find ways to replicate the confidence, personalization, and tactile experience of in-store browsing.
The answer lies in innovative solutions like immersive visualization, seamless digital journeys, and guided decision-making. By bridging the gap between physical and digital shopping, retailers can create an online experience that not only meets but exceeds customer expectations. In this blog, we’ll explore how e-commerce is transforming furniture shopping, the challenges that come with it, and the strategies that enhance the customer experience.
The Challenges of Online Furniture Experiences
The furniture industry is experiencing a digital renaissance. By 2029, the global furniture eCommerce market is projected to reach a staggering $436 billion, indicating that consumers are increasingly comfortable making these significant purchases online.
Why the shift? Today’s shoppers value:
- Access to extensive collections beyond in-store inventory limitations
- The convenience of browsing and comparing options from anywhere
- The ability to research through authentic customer reviews
- Flexible delivery options that fit their schedule
Yet, furniture presents unique challenges for online retailers. Unlike books or electronics, furniture helps create the very atmosphere of our homes. It’s experiential, emotional, and spatial: qualities traditionally appreciated through in-person interaction. These are the three major hurdles of online furniture shopping:
Visualization gap
Translating a 2D product image into a 3D understanding of how that piece will fit and feel in your unique space requires imagination. Will that sectional overwhelm your living room? Does that coffee table’s height work with your existing sofa? These spatial relationships are difficult to gauge from standard product photography.
Details matter
The finer details of an item, such as dimensions, styles, and compatibility with existing décor, are much easier to confirm when you can see, touch, and test out an item with your own eyes and hands. Deciding whether you like the texture of an item is harder to confirm without being able to feel the texture yourself.
Decision confidence
In-store sales experts can provide personalized guidance and assistance, recommending certain collections or furniture items that fit a customer’s wants, space, and style. Consumers are left without guidance when shopping online, making them feel less confident in their decision-making.
Crafting the Optimal eCommerce Experience
The basic online shopping experience of simply looking at images and adding to your cart isn’t enough when it comes to the future of furniture shopping. Improving the ecommerce experience is all about focusing on the key elements of the in-store experience and bringing those online as far as possible.
Immersive visualization technologies
3D technology enables consumers to recreate rooms and place furniture within them or see an item within their homes using their phone camera, leading to a 94% higher conversion rate.
A seamless shopping journey
By crafting an entire experience, from inspiration to final purchase, using interactive elements, consumers can experience walking around a store, selecting items, weighing up their choices, and heading to the till.
Personalization and guided decision-making
By infusing the online experience with tailored recommendations using a consumer’s style, aesthetic, budget, and desired size, you can suggest collections and items to help consumers make informed choices effortlessly.
The most effective approach isn’t purely digital; it’s omnichannel. By blending physical and digital touchpoints, retailers create flexible experiences where customers can:
- Research online, then visit showrooms to confirm their choices
- Use in-store tablets to access the full catalog beyond floor models
- Start configurations with in-store associates and complete them at home
- Receive consistent service regardless of channel
This integrated approach enhances customers’ confidence while maintaining the convenience of digital shopping.
A Seamless Customer Experience With HomeByMe
This is where HomeByMe steps in. Increasing retailer’s digital footprint and creating the ecommerce experience their customers crave, we are the ideal partner for retailers looking to combat online challenges and explore omnichannel solutions.
We offer 3D visualization solutions that allow customers to see furniture in their space before purchasing. We also provide a frictionless omnichannel experience that bridges online and in-store journeys.
Our intuitive and easy-to-use solutions are part of the future of furniture shopping, empowering shoppers across the buying journey and the in-store sales team. Your experts never miss a beat from quote to delivery through a fully connected sales operations management platform.
