Homeware
Buying homeware online means trusting a seller with your money and hoping the cushions, lamps or bedding arrive as pictured and in one piece.
Companies in Homeware
794 companies
About Homeware
Online homeware retailers sell furniture, soft furnishings, kitchenware, lighting, rugs, bedding and decorative accessories to households across the United Kingdom. The category spans large general merchants with extensive ranges, specialist sellers focused on a single room or style, and independent makers who sell through their own websites. Most companies in the category reach customers through their own sites, online marketplaces and social media channels, with a growing share of sales made on mobile devices.
Delivery forms a major part of the category, since bulky items such as sofas and wardrobes are shipped by courier or specialist carriers, with home assembly or installation sometimes offered as an extra service. Returns and refunds are governed in the United Kingdom by the Consumer Contracts Regulations, which give buyers a statutory right to cancel most online orders within a fixed cooling-off period.
The Competition and Markets Authority oversees fair trading and consumer protection in online retail, while the Advertising Standards Authority regulates the claims that sellers make in their marketing. Trade bodies such as the British Retail Consortium represent larger retailers, and smaller sellers frequently belong to industry associations that promote standards for delivery and customer service.
Questions about Homeware
How do I choose a homeware retailer online?
Start by checking whether the retailer gives a full postal address, a UK company registration number and a clear returns policy on its website. Look at how long it has traded and whether its contact details work before you place an order.
What should I compare between homeware websites?
Compare the total price including delivery, the delivery times and the cost of returning an item. Check the warranty length, whether installation is offered and what the retailer says about product dimensions and materials.
Is it safe to pay by card on a homeware website?
Pay only on a page that begins with https and shows a padlock icon in the address bar. Paying by credit card gives you additional protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for purchases between £100 and £30,000.
Do I have to create an account to buy from a homeware retailer?
Most UK retailers let you check out as a guest, so you can decide whether to register. If you do create an account, read the terms on how your data is stored and used, as set out under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
How do I cancel an online homeware order?
Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 you have 14 days from the day after you receive the goods to cancel most online orders. Tell the retailer in writing or by using its cancellation form, and send the goods back within 14 days of notifying them.
What are my rights if my delivery is late or damaged?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 the retailer must deliver within the agreed time or, if none was agreed, within 30 days. Goods must arrive as described and in satisfactory condition, and you can reject them for a full refund within 30 days of delivery if they do not.
What if I am unhappy with a faulty homeware item after the first 30 days?
You can still ask for a repair or replacement under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and the retailer has a reasonable chance to put things right. If that fails, you may be entitled to a partial or full refund depending on the fault and how long you have owned the item.
How do I make a complaint to a homeware company?
Write to the company's customer service team with your order number, a clear description of the problem and what outcome you want. Keep copies of all messages and give the retailer a reasonable time to respond before taking the matter further.
What can I do if a homeware retailer will not resolve my complaint?
If the retailer is a member of an approved body, such as the Furniture Ombudsman for furniture purchases, you can refer the complaint to it free of charge. You can also contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline or use the online dispute resolution platform, although the EU platform closed to UK users in 2021, so Citizens Advice remains the main route.
Which regulators oversee online homeware sellers in the UK?
The Competition and Markets Authority enforces consumer law and can act against unfair trading practices, including misleading discounts. The Information Commissioner's Office regulates how retailers handle personal data, and Trading Standards at local councils enforce consumer protection laws.
What should I look for in reviews of homeware companies?
Look for reviews that describe a specific order, delivery and outcome rather than general praise or complaints. Check whether the reviews are spread over time and whether the company replies to criticism, since a pattern of unresolved problems matters more than a single bad experience.
Do I have to pay for a homeware item if it is not what I ordered?
You do not have to pay for goods that are not as described, and the retailer must collect them at its own cost. You can reject them and receive a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, provided you tell the retailer promptly.
Latest reviews in Homeware
Needed a cheap way to top up
Needed a cheaper way to top up the family plan each month and this was the one I found. The sign up took a few minutes and the first top up…
first order and it went smoothly
I needed a birthday present for my sister in a hurry and had never ordered from them before. Signed up in a couple of minutes, the checkout…
been using them for years
Been ordering from them for years now, mostly home bits and the odd present, and the prices have stayed reasonable even as everything else…
quicker than my bank
Compared to my bank's online loan form this was much quicker, I had a yes in about ten minutes on a Tuesday evening. The questions were…
Great first order
Really happy with this, first time buying from them and I'd definitely go back. The checkout was quick and I got a confirmation email…
consolidated my credit cards
I picked a loan to combine three credit cards into one payment, and I compared four different providers before deciding. The application…