Will my new furniture arrive in time for Christmas?

There is never a better time to get family and friends together than over the Christmas holidays. The festive season is fast approaching and while most of us spend the year procrastinating over whether or not to purchase the essential new sofa or bed for the spare room, there is still time to order and receive the necessary furniture to accommodate your visitors before the big day.

Michael Murphy Interiors are offering free local delivery on all in stock items right up until December 23rd and have a huge range of sofas, dining sets and beds in stock and applicable for pre-Christmas delivery.

"If a customer is unsure if an item is in stock, customers can check stock levels by asking a member of staff in store or via live chat service on the website," advises a spokeswoman. "We currently have offers including a Boxer three -seater electric recliner which was €1,599 and is now €1,099, a studio sofa bed down from €599 to €349 and a Milan Dining Table light grey, reduced from €1,199 to €599.00."

Róisín Madden of Maddens Furniture Ennis says they will continue to take orders right up to Christmas Eve for collection, but delivery cut off is about December 20th.

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“At the moment our customers can order a lot of products such as divan beds and dining furniture,” she says. “We have a lot of stock in our warehouses so can guarantee Christmas delivery on many items. However, while our cut-off for suite orders have gone through, there is still limited availability to order some models up to the end of November.”

Littlewoods Ireland have a number of items available for pre-Christmas orders including the Saskia left-hand compact corner chaise sofa for €773 and a Sweet Dreams sheba crushed velvet divan bed (includes headboard) between €999 and €1,199.

"The last day for ordering two-man products (bulky items of furniture which require more than one person to lift), is December 1st. However, this is subject to product availability. Delivery is free as with all our products on Littlewoods Ireland. We also offer our customers free delivery and free returns on all standard orders," says Niamh Kuzbari.

Harvey Norman has pre-Christmas delivery on all products which are in stock up to and including December 15th. These include the Becky three-seater sofa at €699, the Callisto extending dining table for €1,299, the Stockholm dining table at €799 and the Coen recliner corner sofa for €1,599.

Staff can advise customers on lead times for other products which are not customized or in-stock.

Brian Gillivan, furniture buyer for Arnotts, says there is no problem with ordering new beds until the end of November and any item which is in stock can be bought right up to two weeks before Christmas.

“It’s too late to order Italian leather sofas, but we do have some on sale which can be delivered over the next few weeks.

“The last day for ordering stock to be delivered before Christmas depends on the manufacturer but if an order is over €1,000, there is no charge for delivery (otherwise the cost is €40) and we do take away beds and mattresses if a customer is ordering a new one from us.”

Paul Kingsbury of Kingsbury Furniture Studio says they still have plenty of options for last-minute furniture buying.

“Most of our products are still available and we try to keep stock of our best sellers,” he says. “So beds, dining sets and even some sofa beds are available to order right up to the weekend before Christmas, with delivery during Christmas week.

"Currently our offers include a Ragusa extending dining set €999 which is available right up to Christmas (bigger sizes also available) and a Tanya Sofa bed for €999 which is available to order up to December 17th, with delivery on Christmas week.

“Most of our beds are all available and start at €249 for a single, Harry chairs cost €159 while an Earl leather three-seater sofa costs between €2,199 and €2,400. It comes in petrol blue or taupe and is available up to December 17th.”

Christopher Flanagan says his company, Flanagan's Furniture, can also deliver many items pre-Christmas. "All of our mattresses are Irish made and can be ordered up to the December 10th, while our bespoke sofa is still available for pre- Christmas delivery," he says.

“We also make bespoke dining tables in a choice of solid timbers – mahogany, oak, walnut and cherry – in accordance with your specifications. And we also offer matching dining chairs in customers own fabrics. Plus we are now offering 10 per cent off on all orders over €250.”

So with all of the options available, there is no excuse for putting auntie Mary up on an inflatable bed or making your American cousin sit on an upturned crate throughout Christmas dinner.