Every home comes with new furniture, designs, sofas, cabinets, and many more. In this present day, when everything is available at the click of a button, you can browse it with the click of your hand in online furniture stores like Artspire Home.
Just like every home, choosing the right furniture for your bedroom, living, dining, or lounge area is hard because of the different terms that they have, the materials needed and best for the climate, there are many factors and it can be costly, especially if you don’t buy the furniture you truly need.
That’s why we’re here to help you choose the right furniture for your home and save you from future problems and costly expenses. And if you’re someone who’s new in the furniture world, or not new but needs to know the terms and what type the furniture is, you can scan our glossary of common furniture terms that would help you shop like a pro.
But wait, before we dive into selection tips, let’s first understand the growing furniture market in Australia and why it’s important to make the right decisions when furnishing your home because this might benefit you, especially if you’re a first time homeowner or buyer.
The State of The Furniture Industry as We Know It
In 2025, the furniture market in Australia is projected to generate a revenue of AU US$12.65 billion, with more homeowners purchasing online. This growth is driven by various industry trends, including changing customer preferences, evolving market demands, local economic factors, and broader macroeconomic influences.
Functionality and durability are essential in every piece of furniture. Australian customers understand this well and have shown a growing interest in purchasing furniture that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and long-lasting.
As they buy furniture online, customers find and enjoy the convenience of online since it has a wider range of options, and more competitive pricing. One of the best advantages of online shopping is that retailers can also offer personalized and tailored recommendations based on customer preferences.
Another contributing factor to the increasing demand for furniture is Australia’s changing weather patterns. The country’s unique climate and outdoor lifestyle continue to shape the market. There is strong demand for outdoor furniture that is durable, weather-resistant, and perfect for entertaining or relaxing in alfresco spaces.
If you're looking for the best outdoor furniture materials, explore why teak is one of the top choices in our expert guide, and discover how it withstands Australia's climate. These pieces aren’t just built to last for years because they’re crafted to endure for decades.
Speaking of decades, Australia’s growing population and urbanization have led to a rise in housing construction and renovation activities as years pass by. As a result, demand for furniture has surged, with new homeowners and renovators seeking stylish, space-efficient, and functional pieces to complete their interiors.
After Australia experienced a period of declining housing affordability in recent years. The government sought a response where they introduced initiatives such as the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) and various tax incentives. These programs have made homeownership more accessible particularly for first-time buyers and, in turn, increased the demand for home furnishings.
First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): Current Overview by State and Territory
The FHOG, introduced in 2000, provides a one-off payment to eligible first-time homebuyers who are purchasing or building new homes. The grant amount and eligibility requirements vary by state and territory. As of this writing, here are the current offerings via their official First Home Owner Grant website:
- Queensland (QLD): Offers a grant of $15,000 up to $30,000 for first-time home buyers in Queensland.
- Victoria (VIC): Provides a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000. The property must be a new home that has not been previously sold or occupied.
- New South Wales (NSW): Grants $10,000 for new homes valued up to $600,000, or up to $750,000 if you're building.
- Western Australia (WA): Offers a $10,000 grant for eligible first-time home buyers purchasing or building a new residential property. The grant amount is the lesser of $10,000 or the consideration paid to buy or build the house.
- South Australia (SA): Provides a $15,000 grant for eligible first-time home buyers purchasing or building a new residential property to be used as their principal place of residence.
- Tasmania (TAS): As of 1 July 2024, the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Tasmania offers a $10,000 one-off payment to eligible first-time home buyers who purchase or build a new home.
- Northern Territory (NT): Provides a $50,000 grant under the HomeGrown Territory scheme for first-time home buyers building or purchasing a new home between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2026.
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Offers the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, which provides a full duty concession for eligible buyers. The scheme helps people to buy the home that’s right for them by removing or reducing duty on any property they want to buy.
These grants reduce the financial burden on first-time buyers, which enables more individuals to enter the furniture market and subsequently increasing the demand for furniture to furnish their new homes.
The Australian furniture market has experienced significant growth, with the home furniture segment valued at AUD 10.86 billion in 2024 and projected to reach AUD 15.35 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.98%. This growth is driven by factors such as rising homeownership, urbanization, and evolving lifestyle preferences.
Knowing these government initiatives helps you, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer, as your budget for furniture increases and you can incorporate the personal style you badly want into your home.
Determine Your Needs and Wants
First and foremost, it’s important to know what kind of style you want in your home because, by doing that, you help yourself narrow down what you want and need in your space. For your needs, it’s better to consider the function of each room and the activities that will take place there.
For example, in the living room, you may need a sofa, coffee table, and entertainment center. In the bedroom, a bed, nightstands, wavy mirror, and a dresser are essential. Meanwhile, in the dining room, will you be needing an extendable dining table or just a regular table? By determining your needs, you can prioritize your furniture shopping and make sure you have the basics covered.
Another important need is considering your space, whether it’s big enough or just a small one. It’s crucial to measure your space and understand its limitations. By doing so, you can think about the layout of the room and how the furniture will be arranged by considering factors such as traffic flow, natural light, and focal points.
Next is your style. As we always say, your furniture should reflect your personal style. Are you more of a “less is more” person, or do you have the mindset of going vintage, or are you looking for that nostalgic vibe? When you understand the design or furniture style you want, you are making an informed decision when selecting the furniture.
But don’t worry, mix and match can also happen with the style and furniture you are purchasing, because remember, it’s your home after all.
Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing Furniture (And How to Overcome Them)
By understanding what could go wrong and how to solve the problems, we break down the top 10 challenges in choosing furniture and how to overcome them with confidence, practicality, and style.
1. Limited Space
The Challenge: Smaller apartments or compact homes make it difficult to fit standard-sized furniture. Also, a common issue keeps happening is failing to measure your space and doorways before making a purchase, which, in turn, means your dream sofa won’t fit through the door. Your side tables eat up your floor space.
How to overcome it:
- Go for multifunctional pieces like modular lounges, storage ottomans, or foldable dining tables, especially if your space is space-saving.
- Mirrors help create an illusion of space and amplify natural light to make your space look bigger.
- Measure everything from walls, floors, to doorways and use room layout tools to test scale.
- Decluttering is a must, and embracing light colours helps visually expand your space.
- When in doubt, scale down. Smaller furniture can still make a big impact.
2. Choosing the Right Material
The Challenge: With so many materials available like wood, metal, fabric, leather, or sometimes velvet, linen, veneer, or oak—there’s so many to choose from. But how do you choose the right one?
How to overcome it:
- Match materials to your lifestyle. Do you have pets or kids? If yes, consider maintenance needs by sticking to durable and easy-clean fabrics or leather.
- Spills and wear and tear are common in the living and dining rooms, so it’s better to choose resilient fabrics.
- Research how each material holds up over time, especially for high-use furniture.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for fabric swatches or test samples.
- Know how to clean and take care of your furniture to help it last longer and look great in the long run.
3. Style vs. Comfort (Can’t I Have Both?)
The Challenge: While aesthetics are important, comfort should never be sacrificed. When you fall in love with a designer chair, then sit on it and realise it’s just made for photos and not for humans to sit in, which ends up unused and unloved.
How to overcome it:
- Before you buy, spend some time sitting, reclining, or lying on the furniture.
- Choose ergonomically designed furniture for daily-use items like sofas, beds, and desk chairs.
- Check the cushioning: look for thick padding, supportive frames, and breathable fabrics. Upholstery plays an important role in both comfort and durability.
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The best thing you can do before purchasing is by always reading reviews or better yet, test in-store if you can.
4. Durability Concerns
The Challenge: Not all furniture is built to last. If you go for that online bargain, the next thing you know, it starts wobbling after three months, and the cost of replacing items adds up quickly. Keep in mind: furniture is an investment and it can be used for the long run.
How to overcome it:
- Check for high-quality materials, solid wood is much better than particleboard.
- Solid wood, such as oak or teak, is a popular choice for its strength and natural beauty.
- Metal frames and upholstery made from durable fabrics like linen or leather are also excellent options.
- Investigate build quality and pay attention to details: look for sturdy frames, reinforced corners, and weight capacity ratings.
- Review warranty policies. Brands that stand by their craftsmanship usually deliver on it, and it indicates their confidence in the product’s quality.
5. Budget Limitations
The Challenge: Just like durability concerns, while it’s important to stick to a budget, selecting the least expensive option can cost you more in the long run. You want the best, but your budget says otherwise. No worries, you can still get them one at a time.
How to overcome it:
- Set a budget per room to stay in control and prioritise spending on key pieces that will have the most impact.
- Prioritise investment pieces or what your home needs, like your bed, sofa, or dining table.
- Do mix and match, combine high-quality essentials with more affordable accents.
- Shop off-season, browse outlet stores, or consider second-hand pieces in good condition.
6. Matching Existing Décor: Does It Even Match?
The Challenge: If you’re renovating your space, it can be tricky to integrate new furniture without clashing with your current interior style. You buy that bold statement chair and… it clashes with everything else.
How to overcome it:
- Create a mood board with your space in mind to keep your vision cohesive.
- Start with a neutral foundation and add pops of colour through accessories.
- Embrace transitional styles that blend modern and classic for versatility.
- If you’re unsure what style fits your home, browse through Furniture Design History: Key Styles for inspiration and guidance.
7. Delivery Drama: Ignoring Return Policies
The Challenge: Damaged goods, long delivery times, tricky assembly instructions, and unclear return policies can sour the buying experience. You don't want to get stuck with a piece that doesn’t work in your space because you overlooked the shop's policy.
How to overcome it:
- Choose retailers with strong delivery reviews and clear return policies, like Artspire Home.
- It’s better to opt for pre-assembled or easy-to-assembled pieces.
- Always familiarise yourself with the store’s return policy and manufacturer’s warranty.
- Keep packaging until you're sure you’re keeping the item.
8. Lack of Storage
The Challenge: Aesthetic furniture doesn’t solve your storage problems, which can eventually turn into more of a burden than a blessing. It’s frustrating when you buy something only to realise it doesn’t help, and clutter keeps winning the war against your floor space.
How to overcome it:
- Small space? Think smart storage.
- Functionality is key, especially if you have limited space or specific needs.
- Choose dual-purpose furniture like beds with built-in drawers or coffee tables with compartments, like the Celian Coffee Table Set where you can store magazines or books.
- Think vertically by adding bookshelves, wall-mounted cabinets, or ladder-style racks.
9. Environmental & Ethical Concerns
The Challenge: According to a study from Monash University's Australian Consumer and Retail Studies (ACRS), nearly half (46%) of Australian shoppers consider sustainability an important factor when making retail purchases. As more consumers become conscious of sustainability and willingly pay more for eco-friendly options, ethical furniture remains hard to identify.
How to overcome it:
- Look for brands with labels like FSC-certified wood for responsibly sourced timber, GECA for low-toxicity materials, OEKO-TEX for chemical-free textiles, low-VOC finishes, or recycled materials.
- Shop locally to help reduce carbon emissions from freight and promote low-waste manufacturing.
- Invest in well-made pieces that last for years, not fast furniture that ends up in landfill. Choose solid wood frames, durable upholstery, and timeless designs.
- Don’t hesitate to email a brand or visit their sustainability page. Ethical retailers are often proud to explain how their furniture is made.
10. Decision Overload
The Challenge: The more you scroll through Google or Pinterest, the more overwhelmed you feel. With so many styles, colours, and configurations, how do you even begin to choose?
How to overcome it:
- Go back to what we said first: be honest about your lifestyle when selecting furniture.
- Use mood boards and style quizzes to clarify your direction.
- Make a checklist of your budget, your space, and your needs to help you narrow down options.
- Ask a trusted friend for a second opinion. Don’t be shy about getting their thoughts. Or even better, bring in a stylist for professional guidance.
Another tip we’d like to leave you with is this: don’t rush the process. Take your time, because if you move too quickly, you might end up with pieces you don’t truly love, or worse, don’t need. It’s always better to start with the essentials and build your home gradually. Slow and steady wins the styling game.
By avoiding these mistakes doesn’t mean overthinking every decision, it means making smarter, more intentional choices that suit your lifestyle, your space, and your style. With the right mindset and some planning, you can create a home that’s not just furnished, but a home you can truly live in.
Make Every Piece of Furniture Count
At the end of the day, furnishing your home isn’t just about filling rooms, it’s about creating a space that reflects your personality, supports your lifestyle, and grows with you.Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer unlocking government support or simply someone looking to refresh their interior, the key is to buy furniture that not only looks good but works hard for your needs.
Because in the end, a well-furnished home isn't the one with the most expensive pieces, it's the one that feels right every time you walk through the door.
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