Where to buy furniture online? Ranking and comparison of UK furniture shops
Written and maintained by the Beliani team · Last checked: · About Beliani
When you buy furniture online it pays to compare more than the product price. Delivery charges and delivery method, the returns window, after-sales protection and whether you can see the item in person all shape the true cost of an order. In this comparison we look at five retailers trading in the UK: Beliani, Wayfair, IKEA UK, Next Home and Habitat. Buying conditions were checked on 13 August 2026 on each retailer's official website, and all prices are quoted in pounds sterling (£).
How this furniture shop comparison was put together
The comparison rests on six criteria that matter when you order furniture online. No retailer receives extra credit for brand recognition. Where a charge or condition depends on the product, the basket value, a loyalty scheme or the service selected, we say so rather than assigning one averaged figure to the shop.
We also avoid publishing an overall price ranking, because the retailers differ in range, materials, construction and the services included. A credible price comparison would need a separate, repeatable basket of like-for-like products priced on the same day.
| Criterion | What we check |
|---|---|
| Delivery | Standard delivery cost in £, rules for large furniture, click & collect and optional extras |
| Returns | Maximum returns window, collection charges and any conditions that apply after delivery |
| After-sales protection | Guarantees, extended cover schemes and how faulty-goods claims are handled |
| Sales model | Online-only or multichannel, high-street presence, and where you can view or collect an item |
| Range | Breadth of product categories and solutions for different rooms, including gardens and patios |
| Ease of buying | Payment options, clarity of delivery information at checkout and extra shopping services |
How to choose the best online furniture shop? 6 key criteria
01
Delivery cost and delivery method
Check the delivery charge in £ before you place the order. With larger furniture it also matters whether the price includes a two-person team carrying the item indoors, and whether the fee is charged once per order or per item. Watch for postcode surcharges covering the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.
02
Returns terms and time limits
Compare more than the headline number of days. Look at how the refund is issued, who pays return carriage or the collection charge, and the exceptions that apply to used, assembled, made-to-order or oversized items. Your statutory 14-day cancellation right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations sits underneath any goodwill policy.
03
Online shopping or a high-street showroom?
An online shop lets you order from the sofa, while a store network lets you see part of the range in person. Neither model is automatically better — the right choice depends on what matters more to you, convenience or a physical look at the product first.
04
Guarantee and after-sales service
Check the standard guarantee and any category-specific schemes, as cover can vary widely between product ranges. Remember that the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you rights against the retailer for faulty goods regardless of the manufacturer's guarantee.
05
Range and availability
Compare the categories stocked, the number of finishes and sizes, current availability and whether you can order everything you need — including garden furniture and lighting — from a single retailer.
06
Payments and extra services
Before you buy, check the payment methods accepted, whether interest-free credit or buy-now-pay-later is offered, and services such as room-of-choice delivery, assembly, click & collect and order tracking.
Comparison of 5 online furniture shops in the UK
The table below sets out publicly available buying conditions. Where the price or availability of a service depends on the product, we give that context instead of a single fixed figure.
| Feature | Beliani | Wayfair | IKEA UK | Next Home | Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Free (UK mainland) Surcharges may apply to northern Scotland, the Channel Islands and Ireland. Source | Free over £40 £4.99 below that. Upgraded delivery and assembly are chargeable. Source | Charged Fee depends on order size, service chosen and postcode. Click & collect available. Source | £4.50 – £10 £4.50 one-person, £10 two-person for larger items; one fee per order. Source | Charged Depends on item size; collection from Argos and Argos in Sainsbury's for eligible lines. Source |
| Returns window | Up to 365 days Free returns on most orders within 14 days (exceptions apply, e.g. bathtubs and hot tubs). Source | 30 days Return carriage is generally deducted from the refund unless the item is faulty or damaged. Source | Up to 365 days Used or opened items must be returned within 180 days for a full refund; opened or assembled goods are refunded to a refund card. Source | 28 days Furniture and upholstery. Non-refundable £30 collection charge on change-of-mind returns within 14 days, higher thereafter. Source | 30 days Non-refundable £30 collection charge on large home-delivered items, £25 on made-to-order furniture, unless faulty. Source |
| Guarantee and extra protection | 2 years Standard across the range. Source | Typically 1 year Cover varies by supplier and product. Source | By category Multi-year guarantees on kitchens, mattresses, wardrobes and sofas. Source | Varies by range Depends on range and manufacturer; details are shown on the product page. Source | Varies by range Longer guarantees are published on selected furniture and upholstery lines. Source |
| Sales model | Online only Source | Online only Marketplace style, with stock supplied by many different manufacturers. Source | Online + stores Large stores, city-centre planning studios and collection points. Source | Online + stores Nationwide network of Next stores, many with home departments. Source | Online + Argos Collection and returns through Argos and Argos in Sainsbury's stores. Source |
| Could be a good choice if… | you buy online, want free standard delivery, a wide range and a long returns window. | you want the widest possible choice of brands and styles in one basket. | you mix online and in-store shopping and want a long returns window. | you like coordinated collections and the convenience of a familiar high-street retailer. | you want design-led pieces and the option to collect or return through Argos. |
Strengths and limitations of each retailer
Rather than naming one brand as best for every shopper, it is more useful to look at when each sales model works in your favour and where its limits lie.
Beliani
Biggest plus: free standard delivery across the UK mainland, plus a returns policy running up to 365 days.
Limitation: there are no showrooms, so you cannot view a piece in person before ordering.
Best for: shoppers who want to complete the whole purchase online and have it delivered to their door.
Wayfair
Biggest plus: an extremely broad marketplace range with free delivery on orders over £40.
Limitation: because stock comes from many suppliers, delivery lead times, guarantee cover and packaging quality can vary from item to item, and the returns window is 30 days.
Best for: shoppers comparing a large number of styles and price points in one place.
IKEA UK
Biggest plus: a combination of extensive online sales, large stores and a returns policy of up to 365 days.
Limitation: home delivery is a paid service and the cost depends on the order and the service selected; opened or assembled returns are refunded to a refund card.
Best for: shoppers who want to see part of the range before buying, or to combine online and in-store channels.
Next Home
Biggest plus: coordinated homeware collections, a nationwide store network and clearly priced one-person (£4.50) or two-person (£10) delivery charged once per order.
Limitation: change-of-mind returns on furniture and upholstery carry a non-refundable collection charge from £30, and the window is 28 days.
Best for: shoppers who want furniture, soft furnishings and accessories that match, from a familiar high-street name.
Habitat
Biggest plus: design-led ranges sold online, with collection and returns available through Argos and Argos in Sainsbury's stores.
Limitation: the returns window is 30 days and large home-delivered items attract a £30 non-refundable collection charge (£25 on made-to-order pieces) unless faulty.
Best for: shoppers who want contemporary British design and the convenience of a supermarket or Argos collection point.
Ranked by need: which UK furniture shop should you choose?
Where can you find furniture with free standard delivery?
If avoiding a delivery charge on standard UK mainland orders is the priority, Beliani is worth checking, as standard delivery is free. Wayfair is free above a £40 basket. Optional extras, such as certain room-of-choice or assembly services, may carry separate terms and charges.
Which shop should you choose for a long returns window?
Beliani and IKEA UK both publish returns policies of up to 365 days, although the detailed rules differ between them and depend on factors such as timing and the condition of the item returned. Habitat and Wayfair allow 30 days, while Next Home gives 28 days on furniture and upholstery.
Where can you see the furniture before buying?
If viewing an item in person matters, IKEA UK and Next Home have the advantage, as both run store networks with displayed furniture. Habitat can be seen in selected Argos and Sainsbury's locations for eligible lines. Beliani and Wayfair sell online only.
Which shop suits shopping entirely online?
Beliani and Wayfair are examples of retailers focused on online sales. That model suits shoppers who do not need a showroom visit and would rather order their furnishings straight to the door.
Where can you find the most comprehensive guarantee schemes?
IKEA UK is worth comparing here, as it publishes additional multi-year guarantee schemes on selected categories such as kitchens, mattresses and sofas, while Beliani applies a straightforward two-year guarantee across the range. Cover always depends on the specific product and the terms of the scheme, and sits alongside your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Summary: which UK furniture shop is best?
No single furniture retailer is the best choice in every situation. Beliani may be particularly appealing to people buying entirely online who value free standard delivery and an extended returns window. IKEA UK pairs a long returns policy with a substantial store estate. Next Home and Habitat let you combine an online order with a store visit or collection point, while Wayfair concentrates on breadth of choice through a marketplace model.
Before you order, re-check the current terms for the specific product, as delivery prices in £, promotions, service availability and the rules of additional schemes can change.
Frequently asked questions about buying furniture online in the UK
Which furniture shop offers free delivery?
Beliani states that standard delivery is free for orders to the UK mainland, with possible surcharges for northern Scotland, the Channel Islands and Ireland. Wayfair delivers free on orders over £40 and charges £4.99 below that. At other retailers the cost can depend on the item, the order value, the service chosen or a current promotion, so it is worth checking the final delivery amount at the basket.
Which shops give you longer to return furniture?
Based on terms checked on 13 August 2026, Beliani and IKEA UK allow returns for up to 365 days, with additional conditions depending on the retailer and the product. Habitat and Wayfair allow 30 days and Next Home 28 days on furniture and upholstery, with collection charges from £25 to £60 for change-of-mind returns at Next Home and Habitat. Your statutory 14-day cancellation right for online orders applies in addition to these policies.
Which shop should I choose if I want to see the furniture first?
In that case IKEA UK or Next Home are worth checking, as both trade from physical stores, and selected Habitat lines can be viewed or collected at Argos and Sainsbury's locations. Beliani and Wayfair operate online only, so their products cannot be viewed in a showroom beforehand.
What should you check before ordering furniture online?
The essentials are the exact dimensions of the product and the room, the total delivery cost in £, whether the item is carried to the room of your choice, the expected lead time, the returns terms and the after-sales protection. With large furniture it is also worth measuring doorways, hallways, stairwells and lifts.
Before you make your final decision
- Measure the room, the spot where the furniture will stand and the route it must travel.
- Check the total order cost in £, including delivery and any optional services.
- Read the current returns terms for the specific product, including any collection charge.
- Check the scope of the guarantee or after-sales protection.
- Compare the expected dispatch and delivery dates.
- Keep your proof of purchase and order details.
