Furnishing an apartment from scratch: steps, tips and costs

You have bought an apartment and now comes the furnishing. Plan it smartly and avoid the typical mistakes.

For many new owners the real work begins once they have the keys. In an empty apartment with floors, tiles, doors and windows but no kitchen, bathroom or furniture, it is easy to get lost among dozens of decisions.

First, measure everything

Measure every wall, the room heights, door widths, windows and the positions of water connections and sockets. Only then can you plan the large pieces and estimate what furnishing will really cost. There is no universal budget: set priorities instead. The aim is not a magazine look at once, but a functional home as soon as possible.

Bathroom and kitchen come first

The bathroom must be finished before moving in: sanitary ware, water heater, shower or bath, mirror and storage, with a place for the washing machine. A complete kitchen means a worktop, sink, basic storage, fridge and cooker; a hood and dishwasher if you wish. Meanwhile choose a dining table and chairs that fit the space.

Then the bedroom and living room

In the bedroom, a good bed and wardrobe come first: do not save on the mattress. The living room needs a corner sofa or three-seater, a TV unit and a small coffee table. Plan storage early: wardrobes, shoe cabinets, shelves and chests of drawers.

What can wait

Decoration, pictures, lamps, rugs and terrace furniture can wait. Once the apartment works, think about an air purifier in a big city, a water filter, and good cookware of glass, steel, cast iron or ceramics.

Frequently asked questions