WALTHAM, Mass. — HomeByMe, an online solution dedicated to the creation of interior design projects, has released a new report, The Digital Furniture Index: How Americans Buy Now. The report highlights the way Americans shop for furniture and kitchens. Consumers get inspired online, personalize purchases, but still value stores for guidance. Expectations are evolving as fast as digital habits, and retailers must keep pace. 

American consumers have fundamentally changed how they shop for home furnishings. They get inspired online, and they expect control over every detail of their projects. At the same time, the need for in-store validation and the reassurance of a sales expert continues to be crucial:

• 43% U.S. consumers now make more than half of their furniture purchases online.
• 63% say they find their design inspiration primarily on the web.  
• 64% expect their shopping habits to change further in the next few years. Half toward more online, half toward more store visits.
• 50% of consumers say they would buy a sofa from a brand offering an online configurator.
• 53% of kitchen buyers say a 3D configurator would influence their choice of brand.

What the report discovered is hybrid behavior: digital exploration paired with in-store validation. Consumers are comfortable moving between channels, and they expect retailers to support that journey seamlessly.

Furniture purchases are increasingly project-based. This is especially the case with kitchens, where budgets are high and decisions are complex:

• 76% of U.S. consumers want to use a 3D configurator for their next kitchen project.
• 93% use these tools to create layouts; 74% to visualize style.
• 27% say personalization via 3D solutions directly triggered their purchase decision.

"American brands are relying on direct-to-consumer platforms, 3D visualization tools, and ultra-fast delivery to meet this demand," says a representative of Mordor Intelligence in the United States Home Furniture Market Size & Share Analysis (2025-2030) "The transformation is mainly being driven by younger generations." 

Furniture and kitchen retail’s next chapter is being written by brands that combine digital tools with human expertise. Customers are already there: they’re comfortable with technology, excited about new shopping experiences, and eager to take an active role in their purchasing journey. Instead of just upgrading back-office systems, retailers who invest in customer experiences will capture this shift first and see real revenue impact.

Key takeaways for retailers:
1. Age groups have distinct preferences.
2. The customer journey is hybrid.
3. Configurators are now essential. 
4. Personalization drives purchases.
5. Service and support remain paramount.

American consumers are clear: they want solutions that let them design and personalize, paired with the expertise of advisors who can validate their choices. For retailers, the opportunity is to bring these elements together into a hybrid experience that inspires online, reassures in-store, and converts across both. 

To read the full report, visit enterprise-home.by.me/resource.