10 questions to ask yourself before buying outdoor furniture online

Buying furniture online has become a simple and convenient way to furnish your home, terrace, or garden. In just a few clicks, you can compare dozens of models, view their features, and order directly from home.

But buying a piece of furniture online, particularly when it is a bulky item such as a table, sofa, or garden furniture set, requires a little more attention than buying home décor.

Dimensions, materials, comfort, maintenance, delivery, warranty… several criteria should be checked before placing an order.

At Mobellia, a specialist in garden furniture, we know that a product page should help you visualize the item even before you receive it. Here are therefore the 10 questions to ask yourself before buying furniture online.

1. What are the exact dimensions of the furniture?

This is the first piece of information to check before buying any furniture online.

A photograph can give a misleading impression of proportions. A sofa or table may look compact in an image but ultimately take up much more space than expected.

Before ordering, carefully check the length, width, height, and depth of the furniture. For a round or square table, also check its diameter or overall dimensions.

Our advice: take a tape measure and mark out the location of the future piece of furniture on the floor with masking tape. This will allow you to visualize the space it will actually occupy.

At Mobellia, the dimensions are indicated directly on the product pages to help you check that your future garden furniture will fit your space.

2. What payment methods are available?

The price of a piece of furniture or a garden furniture set can represent a significant investment. Before ordering online, it is therefore worth checking the payment methods offered by the website.

A reliable website should clearly present its payment methods and guarantee transaction security. This makes it easier to order furniture online with greater peace of mind, especially when making a substantial purchase.

At Mobellia, several payment methods are available to make purchasing your furniture easier. Payment takes place in a secure environment, with the available options shown at checkout.

Good to know: beyond payment, also remember to review the other reassurance elements before checking out: warranties, delivery terms, return policy, and customer service contact details. This information helps distinguish a simple online store from a seller you can buy from with confidence.

3. What materials are used?

The material is an essential consideration when buying furniture online.

It affects the furniture's appearance, but also its durability, weight, maintenance, and lifespan.

Outdoor furniture commonly uses aluminum, steel, wood, resin, and various synthetic materials. Each option has its own characteristics.

At Mobellia, the choice of materials is an integral part of the collections' design. We continually seek materials suited to the demands of outdoor use.

Before placing your order, take the time to read the product's detailed specifications rather than relying solely on its appearance.

4. Is the furniture designed for outdoor use?

This is an essential question when looking for garden furniture.

Furniture installed outdoors is exposed to different conditions from indoor furniture: sunlight, humidity, rain, temperature fluctuations, dust, and wind.

It is therefore important to check the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the product's use and maintenance.

Also beware of a common misconception: furniture designed for outdoor use is not necessarily intended to remain exposed to the elements all year round without any protection.

At Mobellia, the collections are designed specifically for furnishing outdoor spaces, with particular attention paid to durability, resistance to weather and sunlight, aesthetics, and ease of maintenance.

5. What maintenance will be required?

Before falling for a piece of furniture, also ask yourself whether its maintenance fits into your daily routine.

Some materials require more care than others. For garden furniture, you also need to consider cleaning the cushions, protecting the surfaces, and possibly storing certain items during the winter.

Outdoor cushions and textiles deserve particular attention: they may be exposed to sunlight, moisture, and dirt.

A piece of furniture may be very attractive, but if it requires demanding maintenance while you are primarily looking for an easy-to-maintain patio, it may not be the best choice.

6. Does the actual appearance match what I see in the photo?

This is one of the main concerns when buying furniture online.

The color displayed on a screen may vary slightly depending on the lighting, screen settings, and shooting conditions.

For a more accurate impression, view the different photos available and, whenever possible, look at the furniture from several angles.

At Mobellia, we are committed to providing high-quality photos that reflect reality as accurately as possible. However, please note that colors may appear different depending on the light or shade on the furniture.

7. Is the furniture comfortable and suited to how I will use it?

A beautiful piece of furniture is not necessarily comfortable.

Before buying a garden sofa, armchair, or outdoor chair, take a close look at the seat height, depth, cushions, and materials.

For a table, focus instead on how you will use it: how many people would you like to seat? Do you regularly host guests? Do you need an extendable table?

At Mobellia, our goal is to design outdoor furniture that combines aesthetics, comfort, and functionality. Your choice should therefore be guided by how you actually use and enjoy your outdoor space.

8. How will the furniture be delivered?

Delivery is a particularly important factor when buying furniture online.

Before ordering a bulky piece of furniture, check not only the delivery times, but also the delivery conditions and access to your home.

Your future sofa may fit perfectly in your living room… but the package must still be able to pass through the door, up the stairs, or into the elevator.

Mobellia currently offers home delivery to the foot of the building/house in France within 4 to 5 business days from the date of order, with different delivery times for other countries. Delivery costs may vary, particularly depending on the product’s weight.

9. What guarantees and solutions are provided in the event of a problem?

This is probably one of the most important questions to ask before buying furniture online.

A reliable brand should be identifiable and offer clear solutions if there is a problem with an order or product.

At Mobellia, all products come with a 2-year warranty. The terms and conditions also specify the applicable statutory warranties, including the statutory warranty of conformity and the warranty covering hidden defects. If a product is deemed non-compliant or defective under these warranties, Mobellia provides, in particular, for repair, replacement, or refund, subject to the applicable conditions.

This is an important reassurance when investing in furniture intended to be used for several years.

10. What happens if the furniture ultimately does not suit me?

Even after checking all the specifications, it is perfectly reasonable to wonder what happens if the furniture ultimately does not meet your expectations.

Mobellia gives you 30 days from receipt to request a return for an order. Mobellia may arrange collection through its carrier; return costs will then be deducted from the refund in accordance with the applicable conditions. Products must in particular be returned in perfect condition and in their original packaging.

This option makes it easier to approach buying furniture online with greater peace of mind.

Buying furniture online with confidence

Buying furniture online does not mean buying blindly. On the contrary, a good product page should provide enough information for you to make an informed decision.

So remember to check the following before ordering:

• the exact dimensions of the furniture;
• the space available in your home;
• the payment methods available;
• the materials used;
• the intended use, indoors or outdoors;
• maintenance requirements;
• comfort and functionality;
• the delivery terms;
• the warranties offered;
• the return conditions;
• and, above all, how well the furniture suits your lifestyle.

At Mobellia, we have chosen to develop specific expertise in outdoor furniture. With more than 25 years of experience in the garden furniture sector, the brand focuses in particular on the choice of materials and the design of collections intended to combine comfort, aesthetics, and durability.

Mobellia currently offers collections of garden tables, chairs, armchairs, sofas, garden furniture sets, parasols, sun loungers, and accessories, allowing you to create a cohesive outdoor space suited to every setting.

Finally, support does not end when you place your order: Mobellia has a customer service team based in Aix-en-Provence, available before and after your purchase.

Buying furniture online becomes much simpler when the right information is available at the right time. The best piece of furniture is not necessarily the one you immediately like in a photograph: it is the one that suits your space, your needs, your constraints, and your preferences, and that you can truly enjoy every day.

FAQ: Buying furniture online

Is it reliable to buy furniture online?

Yes, provided you check the essential information before ordering: dimensions, materials, delivery conditions, returns, warranties, and the seller’s contact details. Choose clearly identified retailers with accessible customer service.

What warranty does Mobellia offer?

Mobellia states that it offers a 2-year warranty on all its products. The products also benefit from applicable statutory warranties, including the legal guarantee of conformity and the warranty against hidden defects. You can find our terms and conditions of sale here.

Can a piece of furniture purchased from Mobellia be returned?

Yes. A return may be requested within 30 days of receipt. The return conditions and costs depend on the terms applicable to the product and order.

What should you do if a piece of furniture arrives damaged?

Mobellia recommends taking photographs of the packaging and the product and contacting its customer service team to find a solution. It is also recommended to keep the packaging to facilitate any potential claim.

Why choose Mobellia for your garden furniture?

Mobellia specializes in outdoor furniture and draws on more than 25 years of experience in garden furniture. Mobellia particularly highlights its choice of materials, comfort, aesthetics, durability, and customer support.