10 Furniture Buying Tips to Help You Shop With Confidence

Buying furniture is a big decision, and it is easy to get caught up in a style or a sale price and miss the details that decide whether you will love a piece for years. These ten tips will help you shop with confidence, whether you are furnishing one room or the whole house.

1. Measure the room, then measure the way in

Measure the wall and floor space where the piece will go: width, depth and ceiling height. Then measure every doorway, hallway, stairway and elevator the furniture has to pass through on delivery day. Outline the footprint on the floor with painter's tape so you can see how much space it really takes up. Please do this before you order, because items that do not fit through a door or up a stairway are not considered defective. If you would like a second opinion, send your numbers to our team through Expert Help.

2. Set a budget for the whole room

A sofa is only the start. Add up the rug, lamps, side tables, wall art and delivery so there are no surprises. Our MillyDesign room planner has a budget slider built in, so the room it suggests is designed around the number you choose.

3. Start with the biggest piece, then build around it

Pick the sofa, bed or dining table first. Everything else, from the coffee table to the rug, should support it. Buying a matching set is the simplest way to get a room that looks put together, which is why our category pages show complete sets first and single pieces after.

4. Think about how you really live

Kids, pets, movie nights and frequent guests all change what works. Tightly woven or performance fabrics and wipe-clean finishes hold up better in busy homes. If you have pets, keep in mind that our Protection Plan covers accidents such as spills but does not cover pet damage or normal wear.

5. Look at how it is built

Check the frame, the joints and the hardware. Sturdy frames, firm and even cushioning, drawers that glide, and legs that feel solid tell you more than the photo does. Ask what the frame and cushions are made of if the description does not say.

6. Sit, lie down and test it

Comfort is personal. Visit our showroom at 10300 Southside Blvd in Jacksonville to try pieces in person before you buy. If you are shopping from home, chat with us or email us with questions about sizes, fabrics, finishes and availability.

7. Choose a mattress for how you sleep

The right mattress depends on your sleep position, body weight, temperature and any aches you wake up with. Our MillySleep Mattress Match asks nine quick questions and gives you Good, Better and Best picks to compare.

8. Know the full cost, including delivery

We deliver throughout Florida and South Georgia, with threshold delivery, in-home delivery and a white-glove service that includes unpacking, setup and packaging removal. Store pickup is free. See the options and rates on our Delivery & Installation page before you check out.

9. Read the return policy before you buy

All sales are final except for items that arrive damaged or defective, and delivery damage must be reported within 24 hours with photos. Clearance items and mattresses cannot be returned. Knowing this in advance is another reason to measure carefully and ask questions first. The full details are on our Returns & Refunds page.

10. Protect it and pay in a way that suits you

The 4-Year Furniture Care Protection Plan is a flat $149 per order and covers accidental damage to eligible furniture on that order, such as stains, spills, rips and burns. If you would like to spread out the cost, see our financing options, which include Synchrony financing, pay over time at checkout and lease-to-own, all subject to approval.