Online furniture accessories shop

Homeowners doing up furniture, upcyclers and DIYers, plus small interior designers and furniture makers buying in small quantities.

You buy from wholesalers or suppliers and sell at a mark-up. Larger sets, bundles and trade orders can raise the average order value.

• Choosing products that sell
• Basic online shop setup and photography
• Organised stock and order handling

• Distance selling rules: customers generally have return rights for online orders, so check what applies
• Product safety and labelling rules, especially for soft furnishings and anything with fire safety requirements, check with Trading Standards
• Return costs and damaged parcels can eat into margins
• Register as a sole trader or limited company and check when VAT registration applies

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your opening range, stock volumes and website setup. Starting with a tight range, such as cabinet hardware, can help keep costs down.

Monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £3,000, depending on your range, pricing and marketing. This is revenue, not profit, and return costs and damaged parcels can eat into margins. Estimates suggest at least around 6 hours a week.

Check distance selling rules, as customers generally have return rights for online orders. Check product safety and labelling rules with Trading Standards, especially for soft furnishings with fire safety requirements. Also register as a sole trader or limited company and check when VAT registration applies.