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When the country shut down during the first wave of COVID-19, people learned to shop differently. Instead of perusing grocery aisles at the supermarket, they ordered provisions online for delivery to their front door. In fact, people started ordering just about everything through the web, and many discovered they could even furnish their home at the click of a mouse.

“Buying furniture online can make the process easier,” because you can often find inspiration and product options quicker than in person, notes Madison Adam, interior design services manager at Article, an e-commerce retailer for distinctive modern furniture and decor. Direct-to-consumer brands can also offer better pricing on high-quality products because they work directly with manufacturers, cutting out the middleman and the cost of overhead for brick-and-mortar locations, she says.

Despite the benefits of shopping online, some people still find the idea of purchasing furniture without seeing items in person unnerving. What if you don’t like your new love seat or table once it’s in your home? And how can you know you’re getting a well-made piece when you’ve only viewed it on your computer screen? We asked three industry insiders to share their best tips for buying furniture online to make the process enjoyable and hassle free.

1. Find a reputable online furniture retailer.

High-quality furniture is an investment, and you want to buy from retailers that will stand by their products and be with you long term, says Stephanie Kennedy, national retail market manager for customer care at Room & Board, which has furniture showrooms nationwide — including in Dallas — as well as a