How Much Does it Cost to Furnish a House?

You’ve done the hard work of finding your dream home, now it’s time for the fun part. Furnishing your home is one of the most exciting parts of being a homeowner. You get to express your style and build a space specially made for you and your family. But how much does it cost to furnish a house?

The truth is, there isn’t one concrete answer. It depends on the size of the house, how many rooms you have, the furniture you choose, and how much you want to spend. It’ll always differ based on your tastes and needs.

To help you estimate the cost of furnishing a house, we’re going to break down the average cost to furnish a house by room and discuss the general pricing of common household items.

How Much Does It Cost to Furnish a House?

Before embarking on your home furnishing adventure, you’ll need to come up with a rough budget for how much you want to spend. Go through your finances and think about what you want to achieve. In other words, what’s the “vibe” you’re aiming for? Everyone’s got a unique style, and, after all, your home is your castle.

Let’s start with the basics and break down the average cost of furniture for a house by room.

Living Room

The living room is likely where you spend most of your time, relaxing with your family and entertaining any guests you have over. With any modern living room furniture, your most significant (and most important) expense will be the sofa. Because the living room is the centerpiece of most homes, most people like to invest most of their cash reserves here. 

• Sofa – Ranging from an affordable $180 Midtown Sofa to a more expensive Georgetown Bench at $420, make your contemporary sofa the living room’s primary focal point without breaking the bank.
• Recliners and Chairs – Modern living room chairs and recliners can vary between $100 and $400. It depends on if you want any features, such as retractable footrests and cupholders.
• Coffee/Console Table – Whether you’re looking for a coffee or console table, budget between $100 for a standard table to $200 for a stylish Norrell Console Table.
• Media Consoles/TV Stands – Complete your entertainment center with a media stand. Prices vary from $100 to $500+.
• Rugs – Outfit a tile or hardwood floor with a stylish rug. Prices cost anywhere from $30 to $200. For example, a Diamond Trellis Area Rug can cost as little as $35.

Tasteful decoration and an eye for a deal can stop you from spending thousands of dollars on your living room.

Dining Room

Impress your guests with a timeless dining room with modern dining room furniture. The big secret about furnishing a dining room is that you don’t need a big budget to create a stylish room for exquisite dinner party experiences.

Let’s take a look at what you’ll need for your dining room.

• Dining Chairs – Invest in luxury with dining chairs at $200+ each or purchase a casual set of two or more for just over $100.
• Curio Cabinets – Add a little something different with a cabinet full of curiosities. The narrow profile and compact style make for great storage space. You can find a Loraine Canted cabinet for as little as $300.
• Dining Table – Dining tables depend on the size, style, and type of material used. You can spend as little as $200 or more than $4,000. Shop around to make sure you get the best deal.
• Sideboard – Clear the clutter and expand your storage space with an elegant wooden sideboard. Find sideboards like the Liam 55” sideboard for as little as $250.

You can make the most of your dining area with an intelligent layout and start creating those magical moments with family and friends.

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom might be a private space, but this is where you’ll rest and recharge after a long day. Don’t scrimp on the costs just because it’s hidden from view.

• Bed Frame – Your bed frame creates a natural focal point. Low-end frames cost as little as $2,500, with more opulent options costing up to $2,500.
• Nightstands – The nightstand frames the bed. Buy one (or two) for $100, or splurge and spend up to $1,000.
• Lighting – From bedside lamps to trendy contemporary shades, expect to pay $200 to $900 on your lighting.
• Full-Length Mirror – Make sure you’re ready to take on the day with a full-length mirror. The price isn’t in the mirror itself but the frame. Budget options range from $50 to $500.

Any extra bedrooms you have likely don’t have the same amount of space as the master bedroom. So how much does it cost to furnish a house with more than one bedroom? Most homeowners find that fitting their extra bedrooms might be 50% to 75% of the cost of furnishing their guest rooms.

Patio

During those golden summer months, you likely want to take the party outside. Enjoy a wonderfully trimmed and manicured yard with modern outdoor furniture.

• Outdoor Dining Sets – Get the whole works, with tables and chairs priced at $250 to $600. A Miramar three-piece can cost as little as $249.99.
• Decorative Lighting – Wow your friends and family with an innovative approach to lighting. Get the luxury look for anywhere from $100 to $250.
• Bistro Sets – Enjoy a cup of coffee with a chic bistro set. Contemporary bistro sets cost anywhere from $100 to $450.
• Umbrellas – Shade yourself from the sun and rain with a modern patio umbrella costing $50 to $150.
• Patio Swings – Get a simple hammock or a luxurious swing chair from $70 to $210.
• Patio Heater – Keep those backyard parties going outside well into the colder seasons with a high-quality outdoor patio heater. Prices range from $100 to $400.  

Whether you’re sipping coffee or enjoying a glass of wine, investing in your patio can be well worth the money to become the gathering spot on your street.

Average Cost to Furnish a House By Size

Naturally, the cost to furnish a 2000 sq ft house will differ significantly from the cost to furnish a 3 bedroom house? Whenever you’re buying a house or going through a spring clean to bring your current home up to scratch, it helps to know the averages.

A one-bedroom apartment can cost as little as $3,000 to $5,000 to furnish on the low end, but if you want to invest in the finest materials and the trendiest pieces, you could quite easily spend over $10,000.

The cost to furnish a 2 bedroom house is where you can expect to spend more due to the extra rooms and outdoor spaces. Budget at least a minimum of $5,000 to outfit a two-bedroom home. Some people may spend up to $50,000 if they want to go all out with furnishings and decorations.

Finally, we have a three-bedroom house. With just one extra room, you shouldn’t expect your costs to go up by much unless you want to start adding basement rec rooms and home offices. As a minimum, budget a minimum of $6,000 to get the basics.

The choice of standard, luxury, or custom furnishings can impact the overall cost to furnish a house. As always, it depends on your needs and personal style. 

Additional Cost Factors to Consider

Credit: @dressyourdecor

How much does it cost to furnish a home if the rooms are larger than average? What about other factors, like the layout of the rooms? As a savvy consumer, you know there are considerations and are likely wondering what factors influence the final result. Here are the big additional cost factors you’ll need to consider when making your furnishing plan.

Room Size

The more space you have, the more you can fit in it. A two-seater sofa probably isn’t suitable for a large living room with a family of four to accommodate. On the other hand, if you’ve got a one-room apartment, you probably don’t need to take into account a separate living room at all.

As a rule, the bigger your rooms, the bigger your investment.

Room Layout

Newer homes often come with a standard square or rectangular layout. Owners of these homes have a far easier time budgeting for furnishings.

On the other hand, if you’ve got a room with arched windows or a non-standard shape, you’ll need to consider custom-made furniture. The more custom furniture you need to order, the higher your costs.

The costs of hiring someone to make up some custom furniture can average around $2,500. You’re more likely to need custom furniture if you own an older or historic home.

Furniture Quality

The quality of the furnishings will be the biggest influencer on how much you spend. If you’re looking for a wardrobe made from the finest cherry wood harvested from South America, you’re going to pay handsomely for it.

On the other hand, if you’re satisfied with a standard dresser from your local chain furniture store, you’ll save significantly. 

Current trends and styles will also play into the “quality” of your furniture. If you’re regularly picking out pieces from an interior design magazine, furniture providers are going to charge more.

Remember, high-quality furniture might give you sticker shock when you see the prices, but these pieces can potentially last decades. Have you ever bought a cheap sofa, only to realize it’s uncomfortable or unstable? There’s a reason why classic furniture that’s been well taken care of can still be found in homes a century after purchase.

Our advice: spend now to save later.

Delivery Costs

One of the biggest mistakes people make is looking exclusively at the costs of the furniture itself. Delivery costs can ramp up your expenses and obliterate a well-organized budget.

Thankfully, there are furniture companies like Belleze that will provide free delivery for people who spend a minimum amount.

Naturally, where you live will also influence your delivery costs. People who live in rural areas can always expect to pay more. If you’ve got your own truck, you may want to consider arranging the transportation yourself to cut down on delivery costs, assuming the store allows for pickup.

Assembly Costs

Cheaper, flatpack furniture may come to your home in pieces. However, not everyone is handy enough to put everything together by themselves.

For this reason, many furniture stores now offer an assembly service for buyers. These services can cost anywhere from $40 to $50 per hour. Most stores will give you a rough estimate for how long assembly takes for each piece of furniture.

Single or Bulk Orders

Retailers often reward people who purchase their furniture in bulk. If you’re picking and choosing from multiple retailers, it’s going to cost you. Many smaller companies will provide deals, discounts, and other perks for people who buy multiple furnishings simultaneously.

Again, it’s the delivery and assembly charges you have to watch out for.

Professional Interior Designers

If you’re not much of an interior design whizz, you might want to hire a professional who can work out everything for you.

People who want to be on-trend at home will find a lot of value in hiring a professional, but be warned: they don’t come cheap. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 an hour for a reputable interior designer.

FAQs

When furnishing a new home, lots of questions can arise throughout the process. Here are all the answers you need to make sure your home furnishing process goes as smoothly as possible.

What Do You Mean by “Furnishings”?

Furnishings are not just the large, bulky items you carry into your home. Things like sofas, beds, and dining tables will comprise the majority of your budget, but there’s more to your furnishing budget than that.

You’ll also need to consider things like soft furnishings, lighting, artwork, and rugs. Experts recommend including kitchen appliances and utensils in your budget to account for all the potential expenses.

Generally, the definition of furnishings is something that isn’t permanently attached to the home. For example, you wouldn’t include fireplaces or built-in cabinets. Some experts believe even countertops wouldn’t count as furnishing.

How Can I Save Money On My Furniture?

Furnishing costs can escalate quickly. For this reason, you need to shop smart to make sure you keep your budget down.

Follow these tips to save money on your furniture:

• Buy at the Right Time – Look for sales from your local retailers. Black Friday, Christmas, and New Year are great times to find excellent deals. Some stores may even have spring cleaning sales.
• Subscribe – Pick out some furniture stores you like and subscribe to their newsletters. Newsletter subscribers often gain access to exclusive deals.
• Bulk Buy – Most retailers will give perks like free delivery if you spend a minimum amount. Choose your pieces ahead of time and order them at the same time.
• Buy Second-Hand – If you’re willing to get thrifty, consider hunting down online classifieds and yard sales for some deals on furniture. It might take a little more work, but it’s worth it.
• Upcycle Second-Hand – Anyone with older furniture may want to consider upcycling over buying new. The cost to reupholster a dated sofa is still cheaper than trashing it and getting a new one.
• Take it Slow – Finally, don’t feel compelled to fit out your whole home at once. There’s no reason to rush to furnish a guest bedroom as soon as you sign the papers. Take your time and let your bank account take some breaks between purchasing sprees.

It’s easier than you think to save money on furniture. Strategic buying of new pieces can save you up to 50% on your costs. Make sure you avoid impulse buys and take advantage of sales and discounts when you can.

Should I Hire a Painter to Decorate?

You can give a room a whole new look with a fresh coat of paint. It’s by far the easiest way to revitalize a tired-looking home.

Professional painters offer convenience and a better finish, but a 10’ x 12’ room can cost anywhere from $200 to $800, including labor to finish the job. Instead, if you’re willing to get your hands dirty, you could pay as little as $100 to paint the same room yourself. Make it a fun project and save money at the same time! 

Should I Buy My Furniture Before Moving In?

Understanding how much to furnish a house also leads to the question of whether you should buy your furniture before or after moving in.

Most experts recommend buying before moving day to ensure you’re ready to go from day one. However, it can take much longer than you think to purchase all the furniture you need. Don’t underestimate the amount of research and organization required to get everything ready.

Don’t worry about getting everything ready immediately. Focus on the basics you’ll need to construct a functional home. You can take care of the little things later.

How Long Does it Take to Furnish My House?

This is a common question and you may be surprised to learn that it’s nowhere near as long as you think (as long as you’ve organized everything in advance). For an average three-bedroom house, getting everything set should take between six and eight hours, with the help and guidance of a professional.

Expect it to take longer if you’re managing everything by yourself. Depending on your schedule, it’s highly recommended that you invest in professional moving services to assemble any flatpack furniture and position your pieces in their proper places.

Find the Right Price with Belleze

Decorating your home according to the latest trends and styles doesn’t need to break the bank. With an intelligent approach and the right supplier, you can get great deals on furnishings.

Furnish your home affordably with the help of Belleze. Whether you’re looking for a modern sofa to serve as the focal point of your new living room or your dream is to have an exquisite outdoor space with contemporary outdoor furniture, we’ve got you covered. We believe in providing access to cutting-edge style at a price the average hard-working American can afford.

Check out the latest Belleze furniture collections for high-end interior design, or get in touch to learn more about furnishing your home today.