Furniture & Home Setup Costs in the UAE (2026)
You get the keys, walk into an empty flat, and hear your own footsteps echo. The rent is sorted, and the first practical question is what you actually need to buy, and what it will cost. Most people under-budget this part: they price the sofa and the bed, then forget curtains, delivery charges, and the small kitchen items that turn a flat into a place you can sleep, cook, and sit down in.
This guide gives planning ranges, not quotes. Prices move with sales and stock, so check the current price before you pay. It covers the whole UAE: the chains here sell online across the country, and the guides used quote national prices rather than a single city. Where evidence for one emirate is thin, this guide says so instead of filling the gap with a guess. For the wider monthly picture, start with our full breakdown of the cost of living alongside this guide.
How much does it cost to furnish a home from scratch?
The most useful starting point is a 2026 guide that prices furniture only. Its ranges leave out appliances, curtains, mattresses at the higher end, decor, and moving costs, so treat them as the furniture core, not the finished total:
| Home | Basic furniture | Comfortable furniture | Premium furniture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | AED 5,000–9,000 | AED 9,000–18,000 | AED 18,000+ |
| 1-bedroom | AED 8,000–15,000 | AED 15,000–28,000 | AED 28,000+ |
| 2-bedroom | AED 15,000–25,000 | AED 25,000–45,000 | AED 45,000+ |
| 3-bedroom or villa | AED 30,000–50,000 | AED 50,000–90,000 | AED 90,000+ |
Other guides land in the same area, but not on the same numbers. One expat guide puts basic furniture for a studio or one-bedroom at AED 10,000–20,000 from IKEA or Home Centre, a two- or three-bedroom at AED 20,000–50,000, and villas at AED 50,000–80,000 or more. Another guide puts a basic one-bedroom at AED 11,000–18,000, a comfortable two-bedroom at AED 25,000–40,000, and a high-spec home or villa at AED 50,000 or more. A third guide is much higher, at AED 15,000–30,000 for a studio, AED 30,000–60,000 for a one-bedroom, and AED 50,000–100,000 for a two-bedroom, which suggests a fuller or more premium scope. Use the lower ranges for plain, functional pieces and the higher ones for larger sets or better materials.
Appliances sit on top of the furniture totals. One guide advises keeping around 10% of your budget as a buffer for the items people forget: curtains and blinds, mattress protectors, rugs, lighting, curtain rods, and moving help. On a AED 20,000 furniture plan that buffer is AED 2,000, and it is easy to spend that on curtains alone in a two-bedroom flat.
What does each room cost?
A room-by-room guide for a two-bedroom home breaks its totals down this way: budget AED 9,000, mid-range AED 21,000, premium AED 27,500. They are one guide’s illustrative split, not a market average:
| Room or category | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | AED 2,500 | AED 6,700 | AED 8,500 |
| Bedroom | AED 2,000 | AED 6,000 | AED 8,000 |
| Kitchen | AED 1,500 | AED 2,500 | AED 3,500 |
| Bathroom | AED 800 | AED 1,500 | AED 2,000 |
| Decor | AED 1,000 | AED 2,000 | AED 3,000 |
| Smart home | AED 1,200 | AED 2,300 | AED 3,000 |
The same guide prices a tight two-bedroom shopping list at AED 9,600 in total: two beds at AED 2,000, a three-seater sofa at AED 1,200, a dining table with four chairs at AED 900, a wardrobe at AED 1,000, a TV stand at AED 400, a desk at AED 600, a coffee table at AED 300, curtains at AED 500, kitchen appliances at AED 2,000, decoration at AED 400, and extra items at AED 300. Treat it as a check, not a promise: a AED 1,200 sofa and AED 2,000 for two beds leave little room for a good mattress, and AED 500 will not cover made-to-measure curtains in every room.
Bedrooms and living rooms take the largest share, because that is where you sleep and sit every day. Kitchens look cheaper here only because most rented flats already have fitted cabinets and, often, a cooker.
What do the big pieces actually cost new?
Retailer listings give the clearest anchor for individual pieces. IKEA UAE lists three-seater sofas from AED 995 to AED 4,750, with models in between at AED 1,895, AED 2,295, AED 2,995, and AED 3,595. A small sofa-bed, the FRIDHULT, is listed at AED 995, while a day-bed with two mattresses, the FLEKKE, is listed at AED 2,085 to AED 2,485 depending on mattress firmness. For a studio, a sofa-bed can replace both a sofa and a guest bed.
IKEA UAE lists a MALM ottoman bed, 160 x 200 cm, at AED 1,995, with the mattress sold separately. A frame price is not a sleep-ready price: add the mattress, bedding, and pillows before comparing it with a second-hand bed that already includes a mattress. One guide prices a queen bed frame with a medium-firm mattress at AED 4,800, a fairer point for a complete bed.
Appliances are where brand and size move the price most. A 2026 comparison across major UAE retailers puts LG refrigerators at AED 2,400–7,500 and Samsung refrigerators at AED 2,700–8,500, with LG washing machines at AED 1,900–4,200 and Samsung washing machines at AED 2,100–4,800. Smaller brands cost far less on promotion: a current LuLu catalogue in Abu Dhabi lists a Haier refrigerator at AED 1,199, a Samsung refrigerator at AED 1,499, a Siemens washing machine at AED 1,299, and a Midea gas cooking range at AED 749. Those are promotional prices in a catalogue running from 29 October to 8 November 2026, not everyday prices.
| Item | New price range | What to check before you buy |
|---|---|---|
| Three-seater sofa | AED 995–4,750 | Whether covers wash |
| Sofa-bed or day-bed | AED 995–2,485 | Bed size when open |
| Bed frame, 160 x 200 cm | AED 1,995 | Mattress sold separately |
| Refrigerator | AED 1,049–8,500 | Capacity and doorway fit |
| Washing machine | AED 999–4,800 | Load size and plumbing point |
| Gas cooking range | AED 749–1,699 | Gas connection and size |
Measure before you order anything large. Door widths, lift size, and the turn into your flat decide whether a sofa or a fridge can even reach the room, and some buildings need a lift booking for move-in day.
Is buying second-hand worth it?
Yes, for most pieces, if you inspect before you pay. One expat guide says second-hand buying from Dubizzle can save 40–60%, and a used-appliance guide gives the same range. Its table prices a new refrigerator at AED 2,500 against AED 1,200 used, and a new washing machine at AED 1,800 against AED 900 used. Those are averages from one seller, not a market survey, but listings show the same pattern.
Recent Dubizzle listings in October 2026 include an IKEA FRIHETEN corner sofa-bed, used for under a year, at AED 900; IKEA VIMLE sofa-beds at AED 1,800 to AED 2,800; an IKEA Ektorp corner sofa at AED 500; a Home Centre Murano corner sofa, originally about AED 4,300, listed at AED 1,750 to AED 2,250; and a Pan Emirates living-room set in Sharjah at AED 2,500. Second-hand beds in the same month include a single frame at AED 140, a metal double frame at AED 199, a king-size frame at AED 300, a queen frame with drawers at AED 750, and a bed with mattress and drawers at AED 850.
Appliances show similar savings, with one caution. A Samsung 8 kg washing machine in good condition was listed at AED 800; an LG washer-dryer, bought new in 2022 for AED 3,700, was listed at AED 1,500; and a Samsung washer-dryer combo from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi was listed at AED 1,950. A used fridge or washer with no warranty can cost more than a new budget model if it fails in the first year, so test it running, check for leaks, and ask for the purchase year. For mattresses, many buyers prefer new for hygiene, even when the frame is second-hand.
Second-hand supply is not even across the country in the listings retrieved here. Most examples were in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. No separate second-hand price range for the northern emirates was found, and this guide does not invent one. If you live in Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, or Umm Al Quwain, expect to search longer or pay for transport, and budget for that in the saving.
What do delivery and assembly add?
Delivery and assembly are often left out of shopping lists, and they are where a cheap order stops looking cheap. IKEA UAE, under its Price Lowered programme, lists delivery at AED 45, free for orders of AED 950 and above, and parcel delivery at AED 10, free for orders of AED 250 and above. Assembly is listed at AED 99 for IKEA Family members and AED 150 at the normal price, against a general flat-pack rate of AED 100–300 per item from an independent guide. An independent platform in Abu Dhabi charges AED 129 per hour for assembly.
Other stores bundle these costs differently, so compare the finished price, not the sticker price. Pan Home advertises free delivery and installation within 48 hours on online orders, and Danube Home promotions advertise free delivery. Marcolo offers free delivery on orders from AED 189, next-day delivery to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman for orders placed before 3 pm, and delivery in two to three days to the other emirates.
Moving help is separate from store delivery: it does not move your old flat or carry second-hand pieces upstairs unless the service says so. Most second-hand listings are collection only, so add a van or mover to the saving. For the full move-in picture, see our guide to rent.
What should you buy in the first week?
Buy in this order, and leave the rest for later:
- Bed, mattress, pillows, and bedding. Sleep first.
- A table and chairs. One table can serve for meals and work until you buy a desk.
- A fridge and basic kitchen kit. Plates, cutlery, pots, a kettle, and cleaning supplies.
- Curtains or blinds for the bedroom. Privacy and sleep come before living-room decor.
- A sofa or seating. Start small and add chairs later, once you know how you use the room.
- Storage. A wardrobe or rail, a shoe rack, and a few boxes.
- Cleaning kit and basic tools. A broom, mop, and simple toolkit.
Everything else can wait: rugs, wall art, extra lighting, a TV unit, a coffee table, and guest bedding. Buying in stages spreads the cost and stops you ordering a large piece for a room you have not lived in yet. For weekly spending once settled, our guide to groceries and our guide to transport costs cover the budgets that follow furnishing.
Where should you buy?
Start with the large chains for the core pieces, then fill gaps second-hand. IKEA, Home Centre, Pan Emirates, and Danube Home appear across the guides used here, alongside Amazon.ae and Noon for smaller items. Pan Emirates is headquartered in Sharjah and runs stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, and Fujairah. Danube Home runs showrooms in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Al Ain.
Sales timing matters more than store loyalty. The LuLu prices here show the effect: a Siemens washing machine at AED 1,299 against AED 2,199, and a Siemens cooking range at AED 1,699 against AED 2,799. Check the pre-sale price, not just the discount label. Instalment plans help only if the monthly payment fits comfortably.
One choice to settle before you spend is whether to rent furnished at all. One guide notes that furnished homes typically rent for 15–30% more than equivalent unfurnished homes, with a security deposit of 5% of annual rent for unfurnished homes and 10% for furnished homes, and an Ejari fee of AED 220 in both cases. On a home rented at AED 60,000 a year, that deposit difference alone is AED 3,000. If you stay a year or less, furnished can still win. If you stay longer, furniture you own moves with you, while a furnished premium is paid again on every new lease.
Questions people ask before they buy
How much should a first home budget in total?
For furniture only, use AED 5,000–9,000 for a studio, AED 8,000–15,000 for a one-bedroom, and AED 15,000–25,000 for a two-bedroom at the basic level, then add appliances, curtains, delivery, and assembly, plus around 10% as a buffer.
Is it cheaper to buy new or second-hand?
Second-hand is usually cheaper by 40–60% on the same type of piece. It wins most clearly on sofas, tables, and bed frames, and least clearly on mattresses and older appliances with no warranty left.
What is worth paying more for?
The bed, the mattress, the sofa, and the dining table. Those four take daily use and are hard to replace without disruption. Save on side tables, decor, and rugs, which are easy to change and find second-hand.
Do prices differ by emirate?
No separate by-emirate furniture price table was found for this guide. Chain prices here are national online prices, and second-hand listings retrieved were mainly in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Delivery times do differ: one brand delivers next day to four emirates and in two to three days to the others.
Should you furnish everything at once?
No. Buy the bed, a table, seating, and kitchen essentials first, then add the rest over a few weeks as you learn how you use each room. Staged buying spreads the cost and lets you catch a sale for the later items.
Sources
- WriteUpCafe, How Much Does It Cost to Furnish a 1BHK, 2BHK or Villa in the UAE? A 2026 Budget Guide — writeupcafe.com, accessed 30 October 2026
- Dubai Expat Hub, Hidden Costs Calculator — dubaiexpathub.com, accessed 30 October 2026
- RealKeyper, Furnished vs Unfurnished Property: Costs and Pros — realkeyper.com, accessed 30 October 2026
- PropertyStellar, How Much Does It Cost to Furnish an Apartment in 2026? — propertystellar.com, accessed 30 October 2026
- Pearlshire, Furnish an Apartment Under AED 50K: Room-by-Room Guide — pearlshire.com, accessed 30 October 2026
- IKEA UAE, sofa, sofa-bed, day-bed and bed listings — ikea.com/ae, accessed 30 October 2026
- Emirates Appliances, LG vs Samsung Appliances 2026 and Top 10 Budget-Friendly Used Appliances — emiratesappliances.com, accessed 30 October 2026
- LuLu UAE Abu Dhabi catalogue, 29 October – 8 November 2026, via WowDeals — wowdeals.me, accessed 30 October 2026
- Dubizzle, October 2026 furniture and appliance listings — dubizzle.com, accessed 30 October 2026
- IKEA Price Lowered programme, via Zawya and HiDubai Focus — zawya.com, accessed 30 October 2026
- ServiceMarket, Furniture Assembly costs — servicemarket.com, accessed 30 October 2026
- Pan Home, via AnySqft; Pan Emirates store network, via UAE Stories — anysqft.ae, accessed 30 October 2026
- Danube Home showrooms and promotions, via SavePlus and EverySaving — saveplus.ae, accessed 30 October 2026
- Marcolo next-day delivery, via EIN Presswire — einnews.com, accessed 30 October 2026
Prices change with sales and stock. Check the current retailer price before you buy. Second-hand listings are individual asking prices, not market averages, and ranges here are planning estimates, not quotes.