- Karen Lau
- Last Updated: March 10, 2026
- Original Published: January 30, 2021
Planning a move comes with a long list of decisions, and furnishing your new apartment is one of the biggest. Between rising furniture prices, delivery and assembly logistics, and the reality of living in small, more multi-functional spaces, the true cost of furnishing an apartment in 2026 adds up quickly in both money and time.
Whether you’re furnishing your first apartment, relocating for work, or setting up a vacation or rental property, budgeting for furniture can feel overwhelming. How much should you spend? What pieces matter most? And where can you save without sacrificing comfort or quality in the furniture?
This guide breaks down the real cost of furnishing an apartment from scratch, step by step. You’ll find realistic budget ranges, room-by-room cost breakdowns, and practical advice based on how people actually live today.
And if you’re exploring a more hands-off way to furnish your space, one that’s designed, delivered, and set up in a single day, we’ll also explain when a turnkey furnishing solution makes sense and when it doesn’t.
Below, you can read more about how much furnishing costs and how to prioritize your budget broken down this article into a few key topics.
Key topics about the cost of furnishing an apartment
Getting Started with Furnishing an Apartment
Before we break down the cost of furnishing your apartment, let’s plan out what you need. You’re probably thinking, sofa, TV, mattress — easy! Shouldn’t cost more than a couple hundred dollars each here and there. The truth is that you need more than just these three items to live comfortably. How your home is set up has a huge influence on your mood, lifestyle and social life!
A truly upgraded and adult space should have a few more furnishings. Looking to create a space for dining with your friends and family? Add a sturdy yet stylish dining set. Want a cozy and comfortable living room? Let’s add in an armchair, coffee table and end table. Working from home? Fitting in a desk and comfortable task chair will make remote work seamless. Decor and accessories in different textures and shapes also help your space feel more warm and comfortable.
Starting from scratch with all this new furniture can feel daunting, but with a little careful planning, you can turn your space into a home.
Determine your furniture footprint
When furnishing a new space, the first step is to split the apartment into different functional areas, specifically the living room, dining room, bedroom(s) and home office. These four core areas serve the basic functions of a home. For example, a one-bedroom apartment typically includes a living room, a dining area for two to four people, a bedroom and a small home office.
Once you have a sense of how many areas you need to furnish and the size of those spaces, you can begin budgeting for your furniture needs. With that in mind, let’s look at the average price range for furnishing a home, from a studio unit to a three-bedroom apartment.
If you want a designer to curate all the furniture and accessories for your new apartment and get everything delivered and set up in one day, Furnishr is here to help. Start by submitting a design request.
Bonus: If you are furnishing a short-term rental, make sure to download our printable furnishing checklist here.
1. How Much Does It Cost to Furnish an Apartment in 2026?
If you’re looking for a realistic starting point, here’s what most people can expect to spend to furnish an apartment in 2026 using quality, better-than-IKEA furniture. These budget ranges include the essential furniture and some high-impact accessories to make the new home feel warm and comfortable.
We calculated these estimates based on our experience furnishing thousands of apartments and houses of various sizes and styles in cities across North America. Using that data, we crunched the numbers to come up with cost ranges that can help you build a ballpark budget for your apartment furnishing projec
The prices listed above assume a few things:
- You need to purchase primary furniture for all the main rooms or spaces in your apartment, including the living room, bedroom, dining room and work area.
- Your furniture blends durable, well-designed pieces that are meant to last several years with simple, functional accent pieces that balance the budget.
- Each room features a cohesive, “designed” look, not just the bare essentials.
These cost estimates do not include:
- Renovations or built-in units
- Appliances or electronics
- Highly customized or luxury furniture
Why is the budget range so wide? The cost of furnishing an apartment isn’t just about square footage. It varies based on four key factors:
- Your lifestyle
- Your space
- Your priorities
- Logistics
Keeping these factors top-of-mind can help you set a realistic budget for furnishing your apartment based on your unique needs and situation.
Try Our Furnishing Cost Calculator
The cost of furnishing your entire apartment will vary based on room sizes and your personal style. That said,
if you want a quick ballpark budget for the cost of furnishing your space, check out our handy Cost
Calculator that gives you a budget range. Remember to request a design so you can see options
based on your style within that budget.
Curious about your costs?
Don’t Forget: Time and Energy Costs
Even when you plan for all the major factors that can impact your budget, furnishing a new apartment can throw you some curveballs. Floor plans can be inaccurate with incorrect dimensions. Spaces can have quirky details you didn’t notice during your apartment tour. Shipping delays can leave you sleeping on the couch or an air mattress for weeks. We’ve all been there!
These are the hidden time and energy costs that people often underestimate when they start furnishing a new apartment. Fortunately, there are ways to ease the process, minimize stress — and make the most of your budget. Let’s review furnishing costs in more detail, then we’ll break down when it makes sense to do it yourself and when a turnkey solution is more economical.
2. Cost to Furnish an Apartment by Room
The home design world has gone through a whirlwind of changes over the past few years. While supply chain issues are mostly resolved, the disruption caused a ripple effect across the board in every furnishing and decor category, raising prices for most items. To avoid sticker shock once you start shopping, let’s take a look at the realistic costs for furnishing each essential room in an apartment.
In 2026, you can furnish a living room for $3,800–$5,700, a dining room for $1,900–$2,600 and a bedroom for $2,700–$4,100. If you don’t need anything else, the cost of furnishing an apartment will range from $8,400–$12,400 using quality furniture that will hold up over many years. While this is a big range, these numbers give you a quick budget estimate for how much it costs to furnish an apartment based on the rooms you have. Keep in mind that costs can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle, life stage and style preferences.
Essential Functions for Each Room
Few things are as daunting as furnishing an empty apartment, especially if you’re on a budget. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to furnishing your new space, let’s simplify the process, room by room.
Each major room in your apartment needs at least two to three pieces of “essential” furniture to feel complete. Your living room should have at least a sofa and coffee table. Your bedroom should have a bed frame, a mattress and a nightstand. Your home office should have a desk and a task chair. If you’re on a budget and prefer to keep things minimal, you can focus on these essentials, adding non-essential items and decor as your budget allows.
To make sure you’re not missing anything, one easy approach to furnishing your apartment is to think about functionality. In each of the major rooms in your apartment, your furniture serves four essential functions:
✓ Seating / Sleeping
✓ Surfaces / Tables
✓ Storage
✓ Lighting
Seating and sleeping solutions provide comfort. Surfaces hold a drink, a phone or a book. Storage helps you organize and declutter your space. And lighting supports specific purposes: working, reading, cooking, moving around safely, creating the right mood and even supporting your mental health. Choose furniture that ticks off all four of these boxes in each room — and your new apartment will start to come together in no time.
Example: Cost to Furnish a 1-Bedroom Apartment
When it comes right down to it, the way you live is dictated by where you place your furniture. That’s the beauty and power of interior design. If you place a comfortable chair by the window, you’ll sit by the window and enjoy the view. If that chair is a broken hand-me-down, it changes how you use, experience and feel towards your space.
Especially if you’re making a big move or starting a new job, it’s likely time to graduate from your IKEA days! To begin furnishing our sample one-bedroom apartment, let’s find high-quality furniture that makes the space feel relaxing, stylish and mature.
In this section, we’re going to review the three to four pieces of essential furniture for your living room, plus three essential pieces for your bedroom, with an estimate of the costs associated with each. In the next section, we’ll review non-essential furniture and accessory costs for designing your space around your style and personality.
PRO TIP: Plan your furnishing budget around high-quality basics.
Cost to furnish a living room
Let’s start with the living room furniture. The living room is where you collapse after work, host movie nights, and have those late-night talks with friends.
The essential categories of seating, tables, storage and lighting will focus on four simple things: comfort, convenience, hiding the mess and setting the mood. How much furniture is needed for each category is based on the size of your space and the comfort level you want. Every person and every home has unique needs.
Here, you will see a detailed breakdown of essential living room furniture and their typical costs.
Seating: where you relax and gather
It is essential to have a quality sofa or sectional accented by one to two chairs, but your layout determines which items you need.
- The “Conversation Circle”: If you have a wide room, don’t just point everything at the TV. Adding an accent chair across from your sofa makes the room feel social. It’s the difference between “watching a screen” and “hosting a friend.”
- Mix it Up: Don’t be afraid to mix different fabrics and colors. A leather sofa with a fabric chair makes the room look like a designer did it, not a furniture store catalog.
- Small Space Tricks: If your place is tight, go for a smaller sofa and use “hidden seating” like poufs or ottomans. They act as footrests until you have guests, then—boom—extra seats.
- The Golden Rule: In small rooms, less is more. One big, comfortable sectional often feels much better than three tiny pieces of furniture that make you feel like you’re in an obstacle course.
Tables: where you place things
These accent tables are there to make sure your coffee, remote, and phone are always within arm’s reach.
- Everything in Reach: If you have two chairs, put a tiny side table between them. Nobody wants to hold their drink for an hour because there’s nowhere to put it down.
- Watch Your Toes: Round coffee tables are a lifesaver in small spaces or with sectionals. Since there are no sharp corners, you won’t stub your toe every time you walk by.
- The Multi-Tasker: If you eat dinner on the couch or work from home, look for a lift-top coffee table. It looks like a normal table but pops up to desk height. It’s a total game-changer for small apartments.
Storage: for hiding the mess
Even if you don’t have a lot of “stuff,” you probably have wires, remotes and gadgets. A TV stand is the “hidden hero” that keeps your room looking clean.
- Closed vs. Open: TV stands with doors (closed storage) usually cost a bit more, but they are worth it. They hide all the ugly black boxes and tangled cords that make a room look messy.
- The “Visual Trick”: To make your room look balanced, your TV stand should be at least 6 inches wider than your TV. If the TV is wider than the stand, the whole room will feel “top-heavy” and off-balance.
Lighting: for setting the mood
Lighting is a key component to making your home cozy and functional; it should never be considered an afterthought.
- Layer the Light: Use floor lamps to brighten the whole room and table lamps for “cozy” vibes.
- Task Lighting: Put a lamp right next to your favorite chair. It makes it the perfect spot for reading or scrolling through your phone without straining your eyes.
- The Final Touch: Hide your cords! Tucking away electrical wires is the easiest way to make your home look safe, tidy, and professionally finished.
The average cost of furnishing a living room with essential furniture only ranges from $2,700 to $6,800.
Here is a breakdown of the costs. At Furnishr, we source furniture from our supplier network and minimize as much middlemen costs as possible. That is how we can keep product costs low while providing full white-glove delivery services. This comparison is for furniture that is in the same tier of product quality as Article, West Elm, and Crate and Barrel.
Cost to furnish a bedroom
You’ve planned your living room, now let’s focus on your sanctuary! The bedroom is where you recharge, so the goal here is to balance total comfort with a layout that doesn’t feel cramped. We’ll follow a similar structure for the essential categories.
Let’s talk about each category of essential furniture for the bedroom in more detail.
Sleeping: The bed frame
Aside from your sofa, this is the most important thing you’ll buy. It’s the centerpiece of the room, so you want something that looks good and doesn’t squeak every time you move.
- Think Long-Term: A bed frame isn’t the place to go for the cheapest possible option. You want something sturdy that’s going to last for years.
- The Hidden Storage Gem: If your closet is tiny, look for a frame with drawers underneath or a “lift-up” base. It’s like having a secret dresser hidden under your mattress—perfect for storing extra blankets or out-of-season clothes.
- The Headboard Style: Your headboard is basically the “face” of the room. Whether you want soft fabric to lean against while reading or a sleek wood look, make sure it’s a style that makes you feel relaxed the second you walk in.
Sleeping: Mattress
A good mattress is the key to a good night’s sleep, so definitely don’t skimp here either.
- The Good News: Mattresses are made of a wide range of materials that each have unique features. Materials like memory foam have gained in popularity due to its ease of shipping while traditional mattresses made out of spring coils remain popular. But don’t worry, mattress technology has advanced so much over the past decade that it’s actually difficult to find an uncomfortable mattress unless you’re an extremely picky sleeper.
- The 8-Inch Rule: Pro tip—don’t buy a mattress thinner than 8 inches. You need that thickness to make sure the support layers actually do their job and don’t flatten out in six months.
- Size It Right: Don’t buy a king bed just because it fits on the floor plan. If you have to shuffle sideways to get to the bathroom, the bed is too big. You want enough room to sprawl out, but you also need space to move around the room without stubbing your toe. A king bed also needs a sizable nightstand to pair with it.
Tables: Nightstand(s)
We consider this an essential as you need at least one surface area next to the bed to place a table lamp, an alarm clock, your phone or a book.
- Charge Up: Try to put your nightstand near an outlet. It makes life so much easier when your phone charger actually reaches your bed.
- Two is Better Than One: Unless your bed is shoved into a corner, try to get two matching nightstands. It makes the room look balanced and “grown-up,” even if you’re the only one sleeping there.
Storage: Dresser
A dresser may not be essential for your bedroom if you have a large closet that is enough for all your clothes.
- Wide or Tall: If you have the space, a wide dresser is great because you can put a TV or some plants on top. If the room is tiny, go for a “chest” (the tall, skinny kind). You get all the storage but keep more of your floor space.
- Simplicity Wins: You don’t need twenty drawers. A solid three- to six- drawer dresser is usually plenty for most people.
Lighting: Table lamps, wall sconces
Many bedrooms do not come with ceiling lights. Bedroom windows also tend to be smaller than living room windows.
- The “Chill” Factor: Table lamps on your nightstands give off a soft, warm glow that tells your brain it’s time to sleep. It’s a total game-changer for winding down after a long day.
- Rental Friendly: Wall lights (sconces) look cool, but they usually mean drilling holes. If you’re renting, stick to nice table lamps—no holes, no landlord stress, and they still look amazing.
- Height Hack: Pick a lamp that’s tall enough so the light actually reaches your book when you’re sitting up in bed, but not so big that it takes up the whole table!
The average cost of furnishing a bedroom with essential furniture only is $1,500 to $4,600.
PRO TIP: Add warmth and personality to your apartment by choosing pieces that spark joy.
3. Furnishing an Apartment to Feel Like Home
Now you know how to budget for the essentials when furnishing an apartment from scratch. Once you cover the basic pieces, you’re free to add more style and functionality to your space. So let’s level it up!
In this next section, we’ll cover the items that can transform any apartment into a home. These items are optional, but they definitely spruce up your space in terms of usability and aesthetic appeal. For these items, the interior design “rules” become a bit trickier. For instance, how do you choose the correct size for an area rug? How do you create a cohesive style — or make sure mismatched furniture looks intentional?
Cost of Non-Essential Apartment Furniture
Non-essential furniture and decor give you the feeling of coming home. They elevate your space, express your style and make your apartment feel like a personal oasis.
If budget is a constraint, you can always put non-essentials on the backburner and gradually build a comfortable home by adding them over time.
Need a little support?
Here are the non-essential categories that our design team recommends for every home.
Max out the essentials
- More seating or sleeping
- Add functional pieces to fill your space, but don’t clutter.
- You will always find a need for more chairs.
- If you can increase your sofa budget to include a sofa bed, your guests will always appreciate it more than a regular sofa.
- More tables
- Like seating, you can always use more small tables for surface spaces to add more functionality and aesthetic appeal. Give yourself more places to put lamps, glasses, and decor items!
- Each side table should be at least 18″ wide to hold everything safely. You ideally would have room for a few small knick knacks and several drinking glasses.
- Add a console table by the entryway, by the window or behind a sofa to make space for more decor and surface area.
- More lighting
- Layered lighting with a combination of floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces and ceiling lamps will create a homey ambiance for any space.
- More storage
- For small spaces, it is important to invest in one storage piece with ample storage compartments.
- Bar carts, bookcases and storage ottomans are all interesting furniture pieces to add to any space.
Area Rugs ($300 - $800)
- The standard size is 5×8′, then the next size up is 8×10′.
- For living rooms, measure your sofa and coffee table and make sure both front legs of your sofa can be on the rug. If your coffee table is centred on the rug, have at least 18″ of walkway between the coffee table and any surrounding furniture.
- For bedrooms, the rug should be near the foot of the bed with at least a third of the rug under the bed. Just like in the living room, both legs of the bed should fit comfortably on top of the rug.
- Bedroom rugs should be gentle, both in texture and color. You want to feel softness on your feet every morning when you get out of bed. You also want to see enough of the rug that you can really appreciate the patterns and colours on it!
Wall Arts and Wall Decor ($500 - $2,000)
- We suggest using one statement art piece or a collection of art in each room.
- The art should be on the wall opposite the entrance of the room, so it makes a strong first impression for the room.
- Use a consistent colour tone and style throughout the home to create cohesion.
Plants - Live or Faux ($100 - $400)
- Any bit of greenery brings a renewed energy to a room.
- Use a tall tree to make a statement.
- A collection of small plants also draws attention.
- If you cannot be diligent about watering the plants, then it is best to use faux plants instead of live ones.
After determining the amount of essential furniture you need, you will see how much of the budget is left for the non-essentials. Generally, 10% to 25% of the essential furniture cost can be budgeted for the non-essentials. As mentioned before, you can always take your time to curate the non-essential items.
4. The Hidden Cost of Furnishing an Apartment: Time and Logistics
For a lot of people, deciding on furniture isn’t the hardest part of a new apartment. Instead, it’s the time, energy and logistical planning needed to pull off a successful move.
Here are the most important things you need to consider, beyond choosing furniture.
Delivery
- Making Moves: When it’s time to transport your new furniture to its final destination, the real question is: how much is your time worth? You could rent a truck or get some friends to help you move each item. Or you could get your furniture delivered in multiple shipments. Either way, you will need to coordinate each delivery and remember to book the service elevator.
- Scheduling Specifics: Did you know most furniture stores can’t guarantee your furniture will arrive all at once? Before you buy, remember that most delivery services drop off items on different days.
- Additional Fees: If you’re purchasing furniture from multiple retailers, delivery costs add up quickly. Getting furniture delivered to your door can cost anywhere from $150 to $300 per item per store.
Assembly
- Putting It All Together: Many furniture stores don’t include assembly with their delivery service. Once you finally have all your unassembled furniture, it’s time to grab your toolbox and instruction manuals and get to work. Doing it yourself can be time consuming, while hiring a handyperson to assemble your furniture can cost you an additional $40-60/hour.
- Boxes and More Boxes: When assembly is done, what about all the cardboard and cleanup? Be sure to budget some time for breaking down boxes and making lots of trips to your building’s recycling bins.
An easier way
If all the fees, scheduling, assembly and cleanup sound like way too much — especially on top of a big life change like getting a new apartment, moving to a new city or starting a new job, that’s totally understandable. Fortunately, there’s a way to furnish your apartment completely from scratch and all in a single day, with no need to assemble anything or clean up. You don’t need to take vacation days to stay home, wait for multiple deliveries or build furniture!
A turnkey solution makes your move easy and lets you start your new adventure without the stress and anxiety of managing a complicated move.
Let’s look at a recent story from our customer Lucy who got the support she needed to design, furnish and set up her new apartment. We had her back from start to finish — and we’ve got yours too.
5. Case Study: Lucy's Furnishing Journey
When our customer Lucy set out to furnish her first adult apartment from scratch, she started by sketching out a budget. After tallying up the essential furniture she needed for each room, she came to a total cost of $1,985. Definitely a modest budget. Plus, she’s moved before, so she figured the logistics should be a breeze… Right?
Unfortunately, Lucy’s budget needed some changes. The costs of furniture on her list may have been accurate during her college days, but inflation, labour and gas prices have all increased since then. Even Lucy was surprised once she began to shop online. When she started adding items to her virtual shopping cart, her total estimated cost came in OVER BUDGET by 55% — and that was just with IKEA furniture!
Even if you’re a thoughtful planner like Lucy, you might be shocked by the total price of furnishing an apartment. While it can be tempting to hunt for the lowest prices, that often means you’re getting low-quality furniture that will need to be replaced or repaired in just a few years. Instead, consider your new home as an opportunity to invest in quality, stylish furniture that’s built to last.
Lucy's Studio
While Lucy started her planning process feeling armed with knowledge and experience from previous moves, she quickly became overwhelmed with the prices and options on the market.
She was paired with Elle, one of Furnishr’s dedicated designers. Together they chose the perfect items to fit Lucy’s budget and her style preferences.
- Size of Lucy’s studio: 350 square feet
- Lucy’s furnishing cost: $4,000 USD
Lucy’s living space is small, but it’s a good rectangular space that can easily be segmented into a living room and separate sleeping area. Just 15 days after placing her order, every single piece was delivered and set up in Lucy’s studio, all in a single day. Here’s how Lucy furnished her studio, from empty room to mood board to finished and styled!
Lucy received all the above items in her $4,000 USD Furnishr package. She was super happy to pay for a comprehensive service and save time and money on the furniture, delivery and assembly.
"I can't believe I furnished the whole apartment without doing any work. The transformation was miraculous!"
The biggest lesson? Lucy realized her time is actually the most valuable thing of all, especially in the midst of a big life change. Maybe it was on moving day that somebody coined the phrase “time is money!”
6. Key Takeaways for Furnishing Your New Apartment
Whew! What have we learned?
Well, for starters, moving can be stressful — but that means that you’re trying something new and exciting. So, congrats! Before you dive into furnishing your empty apartment, let’s recap some of the most important things to remember as you move through the process.
Summary of the Best Ways to Furnish Your Space
- Save money by furnishing your apartment with a single company. The retail costs of Lucy’s furniture would have been at least 20% more if she went elsewhere.
- Collaborate with a trained designer to save time and prevent mistakes. Lucy got the added benefit of working with a trained interior design consultant to create her perfect apartment, wrapped into the cost of finding furniture. There are a lot of surprising hidden perks to working with an interior design consultant.
- If you are planning a move, bookmark this page and get a custom proposal for furnishing your own space.
- We want to help you save time and create a nicely furnished home with high-quality furnishings. Our goal is to make your move easy, wherever your next adventure takes you. Check out your options to get a custom design now.
You are well on your way to furnishing an amazing apartment. Whatever challenges come your way, we’re here to make it easier.
Good luck and happy furnishing!
