Shopping Resources and Buyer's Guides
- Before You Buy (15)
- Buying Bed Pillows (10)
- Buying Bed Sheets (5)
- Buying Mattress Pads (7)
- Flea Market Tips (9)
- Top Picks (13)
Online Shopping Sources for Home Decor
You can't expect to find everything you need in your local stores. Try these online sources for just the right furniture, accessories, and artwork to finish off your home's decor.
Before You Buy a Down Comforter
A cuddly down comforter is not just for people living in Alaska. Down bedding products are available in a variety of weights, qualities, colors, and sizes for a cool sleep or one that will warm you from the chilliest of night winds. Because down is so lightweight, it's one of the most comfortable and sought after fills for a blanket or comforter. Before you shop for a blanket, get some basic information from our tips on buying a down comforter for your bed.
Guide to Buying Wood Furniture
Before you go shopping for wooden furniture, there are questions you should answer for yourself. Read here to learn what to look for and things you should know about construction, finish, and quality.
Compare.net
Choose a category and a product, then find links to product reviews and shopping tips with important features.
Consumer Reports
You'll need to join this organization in order to read their detailed and invaluable product reviews. Subscribe for under $25.00 a year or a few dollars for a month.
Consumer World
Lots of shopping tips, advice, links and information on this site.
ConsumerGuide.com
Click on "Best Buys" to get to the product reviews for a wide variety of household items and appliances.
ConsumerSearch.com
A new site that is adding more reviews all the time. See a page of "Fast Answers", the "Full Story", or get links to "All Reviews" from all over the Net for phones, appliances, home design software and more.
E-Smarts.com
Short online buying guides for groceries, flowers, electronics and more, with a list of "recommended" sources.
Epinions.com
This site boasts that they have over 1 million reviews online. Learn more about appliance brands, or search by brand, style, or price to get to reader reviews.
Good Housekeeping
Find some general product reviews and buying tips for some major and countertop home appliances.
HomeTips Buying Guides
Impartial product reviews for Dishwashers, Faucets, Hot Water Dispensers, Kitchen Cabinets, and lots more.
Sears Appliances
Choose "Appliance Advisor" to get to FAQs, purchasing tips, energy info, maintenance how-tos, safety, and terminology.
Shopping at AltaVista.com
Choose the "Home and Garden" section to find products and price comparisons for home appliances.
Superpages.com
Use the "Product Reviews" section to get to price comparisons for several types of dishwashers, ranges, or refrigerators and freezers. The best feature of this site however are the "Editors' Buying Tips" to read some good info on selection.
Online Furniture Shopping Do's and Don’ts
Buying furniture online can be a little scary. Not being able to see items before you buy them means you can't be 100% sure of what you're getting. It can also be big and costly hassle to return things. So before you start buying furniture online check out these online furniture shopping do's and don'ts.