Exciting project -- congratulations and have fun!

I've had very good luck with Wayfair, the Canadian version at least. It helps to research the item, though, and know what you're getting.

You can also find some items under different manufacturer names at Wayfair. I couldn't find some Safavieh lamps I'd seen online (knock-knock-offs of the original Christopher Spitzmiller and the knock-off Bunny Williams at $950 each) anywhere in Canada, and then stumbled across them on the Wayfair website under a different name (Brayden Studio). They looked like the Safavieh lamps, and when they came (directly from the manufacturer), the box said Safavieh.

It might help to know what your style is, or what style you're going for in the house. Do you want cheap and cheerful for a vacation home, or do you want better quality that will stand the test of time? Will you have a vehicle while you're there? Can you try antique and consignment stores if that's your style?

Aside from Wayfair -- Pottery Barn, Crate + Barrel, CB2, West Elm. Especially on sale. Crate + Barrel has a good upholstery sale every fall. I've also had good luck with Ballard Design and Wisteria (the latter when I was briefly in the U.S.).

I got some great rugs from Wayfair. I've also purchased items from Amazon, and from Bed Bath and Beyond. I do like to see colors in person when I can, since monitors are inaccurate, but I was indeed satisfied with the rugs from Wayfair though I could not see those prior to purchase. Go with neutrals since they are likely to match or complement better.

I've been happy with www.allmodern.com, a wayfair affiliate. The queen platform bed came cleverly packed. I carried it up one floor and set it up in no time, all by myself.

Also happy with www.esalerugs.com

I also like H&M for bed linens and funky bathroom mats and shower curtains.

Definitely do a google image search, once you've decided on an item.

Wayfair is great and Free shipping

Did you check Yelp for furniture stores near your new house? Also, you could rent a truck or van and do a run to the nearest Ikea assuming you are physically able to carry heavy items. The problem with online shopping is the difficulty scheduling the delivery. The items come when they come and you might or might not be there to receive them, plus returns can be problematic logistically.

I forgot, Zara Home has some nice things, smaller items like accent tables, bedding, lamps. Good quality and very good prices, especially on sale.

I buy almost everything on-line and have used amazon.com, wayfair, overstock, and esale for rugs. Also country curtains for very nice quality drapes. Amazingly everything turned out to be satisfactorily, except that I returned some rugs from esale, since return is free, but I had my husband to help me with repacking, and you do have to drive it to a shipping outlet such as Fedex or UPS, although we once arranged for them to pick up one of the rugs at our house for a $5 fee.

I agree with shopping locally (even two hours away) and either renting a truck to bring the stuff home (assuming you can get help unloading) or paying a delivery service to bring it to you if the store doesn't deliver. There must be some great stores in Phoenix. I can't imagine furnishing a home without being able to sit on the couches and chairs to see if they are comfy enough.

Shop in Phoenix and rent a truck? Where is this house?

I've had good luck with Overstock, Wayfair and Walmart

Phoenix is the mecca for estate sales. Check out estatesales.net. If you have a bit of time, you can score incredible bargains. Get the basics now and spend next winter on the finishing touches. Also Ikea is in Phoenix.

I can't imagine buying furniture you'd be sitting on without trying it first for comfort. I've ordered rugs, benches, bar stools, etc. online but nothing like a sofa or chair. I did order a dining room set from Costco with the idea that we'd assemble one chair first and if we didn't think it was comfortable then we'd return to the store. Fortunately it worked out.

3katz just reminded me -- we got a great patio furniture set from Costco online/delivered.

If you live near any of the above-mentioned stores now, you can try out sofas/chairs and look at rugs for color, and then order online to deliver or pick up (Ikea).

I didn't know about Phoenix and estate sales,

Overstock is good and only 2.95 for shipping of anything you buy, a great bonus. I like Wayfair and Houzz for shopping too but you have to pay shipping on Houzz and Wayfair you don't if you spend more than 50.00. I have been very content with all my purchases at those sites. I've also used many others but try to eliminate high mailing costs. Use the Houzz site here to get inspiration for furnishing your rooms and then have a blast buying. I detest shopping so I do it all on the internet.

Wow, thanks for all the tips everybody! I'm looking for recommendations for online because I'm not able to easily move big stuff myself, and would really like to just have it brought to me! I'm 62, live alone with 2 1/4 dogs, and don't relish trying to find my way around a big city that I'm not familiar with. Later on I'm sure I'll be out exploring, checking out estate sales and all that fun stuff, but for now I'm looking for easy, bare bones, basic. My heart calls for lots of decor, boho, full out gypsy wagon type of look, so I'll have fun with that later. I've been measuring, really studying descriptions and ratings, and am thinking that if I don't spend too much it will do for now even if it's not perfect. Costco is the only big store close enough to me to look in person. The new place is in Ajo, AZ, home of one of the prettiest central plazas in the country.

I try to avoid buying upholstery online-it's wise to try it first.

I also tend to buy vintage, either in my area, so then I can see it, or from allover, if it's something smaller and shipping costs are not prohibitive. It's usually cheaper, well made, and just plainly more interesting, on many levels-as an experience, since every purchase becomes a small story of its own, and for the collected unique look, that reflects how life usually is, and thus is more authentic I'd say.

I did use several internet sites though for smaller furniture when trying it out was less important, thus less chance of having to return it.. Except for a folding bed-chair..Overstock, glowing reviews, great service-was pleased with it. Was used by many guests for sleepovers. Did use Wayfair but not for furniture..great service, usually good return policy(was able to return a mirror after a year (was beautiful; but our remodel took too long, and things changed in the middle). The rules change though -the return policy and shipping costs will depend on a product. Did use OneKingsLane for a side table and (recently) an ottoman. Did use West Elm for a daybed(frame only)-but waited for months for it to go on huge sale to pay only third of the initial price(and right I was lol) Did use Ballard Designs for an etagere, recently. Did use Anthropologie for cheaper nightstands and a chest(usually their prices are too steep for me) . Did use Palecek for an ottoman. Did use Etsy (vintage and handmade) for couple ottomans and lots of lighting. Did use eBay for lighting.

I was mostly pleased with the service of all these stores. I do read reviews very attentively, if there are any.

I'd also try to go to estate sales in your area, check Craigslist..check online estate sales site Everything But The House that covers more and more areas and is a source of great finds..check Chairish ( new and vintage by individual sellers)-you can limit the results to your area, plus-minus.

Don't be in a hurry, and start with a great mattress that you've tried first..unless you have it already:)

(sorry was writing before I saw your comment..so I must have repeated something you know already)

Oh! I can help with a mattress recommendation : )

If you like something on the firm side, I highly recommend Costco's Novaform Serafina Pearl Gel memory foam mattress. We've been sleeping on one for about six months now and I love it -- it replaced a not-very old traditional mattress we bought the old-fashioned way, trying it out in the store. Ugh. It was fine for 2 weeks.

The Costco mattress, which I read about online at Consumer Reports (and Costco reviews to back it up), has been amazing. And the price was right, and delivery free.

I do a lot of online shopping because I live in the middle of nowhere in very rural northern Canada (not close to the U.S. border like the rest of the country).

Since you mentioned boho, sketchum, I'll suggest Saffron Marigold for their beautiful block print curtains, shower curtains, bedspreads, tablecloths, etc. And Cost Plus World Market (in the Bed Bath Beyond family) should have some things.

I also would keep JC Penney in mind for things like curtains and shades, and even flatware, dishes, etc.

Also, if you stick with some of the more well known brands for furniture you can "shop" at home but order from a Phoenix store and have several items delivered at once to save on transportation.

sketchum, which way are you thinking of going for things like sofa and chairs -- cheap and cheerful (like Ikea) or more investment/long haul (like Lee Industries, which you can get as part of the Crate + Barrel sale every fall)? If I recall correctly, when I ordered the other year, delivery for two sofas, three club chairs and an ottoman was free from C+B.

I ordered a bed similar to this one from Wayfair based on ratings and what one of my kids wanted for style. Delivery was free. I think it's entirely possible to order everything online AND with free delivery. At any rate, it would be a fun/interesting exercise to see how much you could do. Do you have someone to take delivery in AZ for you or are you going to order while you're on a visit there and hope for no backorders?

Don't overlook used/2nd hand stores and "antique" stores. Craigslist, too. If you have a hot plate, chair and a bed when you move in you can play for a long time finding the rest.

Also, keep in mind that many furniture items that are ordered online arrive to your front door and need to be assembled. Usually the assembly is not complicated. (If you ask your delivery person real nice, they may place it inside your door, I am lucky to have great delivery people. Not everyone does. )

If you see something you like at Wayfair, cross check it on Joss & Main, their sister store. For some reason, it will often be cheaper there. I have had good luck with overstock.com and Ballard as well.

becky, thank you for mentioning Saffron Marigold..never heard of them before.

ETA-I like how their tablecloths are wider than standard..since our table is oval and standard always looks a bit skimpy..