If you are moving to a new apartment, congratulations! Moving can be a huge hassle, not to mention that it is a costly endeavor.
There are a lot of costs to consider, such as the moving fees, the utilities, the internet, as well as the rent itself.
In all this hustle and bustle, you might have overlooked one major aspect – the cost to furnish the apartment as well.
Usually, most people bring in some furniture with them but, if you are moving to a place on your own, you will have to consider the costs here.
On average, the cost of furnishing an apartment can cost you anywhere from $2930 to $5450 – and this cost only includes the essentials.
If you are going to factor in for the non-essentials, such as the side tables, area rugs, and more, you can easily see this cost of furnishing an apartment can be in the range of $4100 to $7600. Now, how did we reach this price tag?
We are going to break this down for you here. We are also going to explore what kind of furniture pieces you need for your new apartment.
Furnishing Cost When Shopping for the Essentials Only
In most apartments, the most important areas tend to be the living room as well as the bedroom.
The furniture for these two rooms is going to be considered as essential. After that, there might be some space left where you can fit in non-essential furniture items.
So, to help you understand the price tag as well as understand how you should be budgeting, we’re going to take a closer look at the furnishing costs for each room.
| Item | Furnishing Cost |
| Sofa, Accent Chair or a Sectional Sofa | $1800 to $2600 |
| Coffee Table | $120 to $260 |
| Floor Lamp | $130 to $290 |
| Bed Frame | $400 to $800 |
| Mattress | $300 to $1200 |
| Night Stands | $180 to $300 |
The Cost of Furnishing Essentials for the Living Room – $2050 to $3150
The typical cost for furnishing a living room can be as much as $2050 to $3150. This cost covers the essential pieces of furniture you need for this room.
Let’s do a further breakdown of the furniture costs here:
Sofa, Accent Chair or a Sectional Sofa – $1800 to $2600
The first piece of furniture will probably be a sofa. Whether you get a sectional sofa, an accent chair or a sofa will be dictated by the amount of space you have.
For larger living rooms, it is a good idea to have something like an accent chair and a 3-seater sofa in order to create a conversational environment.
For smaller spaces, a sectional sofa may be the best option.
Coffee Table – $120 to $260
For a coffee table, the shape and size will be dictated by the space you have as well as the usability you want from it.
Many coffee tables are found to be multi-purpose in design with additional storage. These can be a bit more costly but well worth the extra money.
Floor Lamp – $130 to $290
Since most apartments do not always have ceiling lights, you can make a room brighter with a floor lamp. Pay attention to where the outlets are in order to figure out the placement.
Based on the existing lighting system, you may want to get more than a one-floor lamp for your living room.
And there you have it, the total cost for the essentials for your living room will fall between $2050 and $3,150.
While these prices take into account the cost that most retailers use, we have also followed a strict budget here.
Coffee tables and lamps can be found at higher price ranges of $500 and $600 too with some even going up to $1500 and more.
The Cost of Furnishing Essentials for the Bedroom – $800 to $2300
When it comes to the bedroom, the total cost you can expect to spend is anywhere from $800 to $2300.
While we are mentioning the costs of all new furniture, we are still applying a strict budget to the overall costs that one can spend on them.
Bed Frame – $400 to $800
Make sure to keep the space of the room in mind when you are picking out a bed. Moreover, even if you are getting a single bed, make sure that it is good quality.
Consider this a key investment because a good bed frame can last you for decades.
Mattress – $300 to $1200
Mattresses are another essential item that you should try not to skimp on.
Since they can directly affect the quality of sleep you get, you want to make sure that you are getting a good quality mattress.
In general, you want a mattress, which is at least 8 inches thick, and if you add any padding or foam on top, ensure that they are of high quality as well.
Night Stands – $180 to $300 Each
You need a nightstand next to your bed so that you are able to keep an alarm clock, table lamp, or even a book or phone within easy reach.
Always consider the shape of the bed and the space in the room in mind when picking nightstands. Make sure that an outlet is also within easy reach in order to charge your electronics.
With these in mind, your total cost for the bedroom can come down to $800 to $2300. However, this only relates to instances where you are getting all new furniture.
If you already have furniture for the bedroom that you are bringing with you, you can effectively cut down on the overall costs associated with furnishing your apartment.
In total, though, shopping for only essentials for your living room and bedroom can cost you anywhere from $2930 to $5450.
Furnishing Cost When Shopping for Non-Essential Furniture Pieces
Apart from the essentials, there are also non-essential pieces of furniture that you have to consider.
These are considered non-essential because they are not a necessity but they do help to make a room look finished and complete.
If you want to incorporate an aesthetic look or a theme, these pieces make the most impact in bringing everything together.
The following are some non-essential furniture pieces you might want to get for your apartment and how much they could cost.
| Non-Essential Item | Furnishing Cost |
| TV Stand or a Side Board | $400 to $700 |
| Side Tables | $100 to $200 each |
| Area Rug | $290 to $500 – Based on the Size |
| Dresser | $400 to $800 |
TV Stand or a Side Board – $400 to $700
In smaller living rooms, the TV stand may be the only piece of storage furniture that you can fit in, so it is a good idea to pick a piece that offers a lot of storage compartments.
A multi-purpose TV stand can be a great buy for you. However, if space is too limited, skip this piece completely and opt for a wall-mounted TV instead.
Side Tables – $100 to $200 each
These are a necessity with the seating arrangement as they offer you more usable surface spaces. You can easily place lamps, décor pieces, or glasses on them.
Make sure that the side tables are at least 18 inches wide to be usable. You want to have plenty of space to keep more than one glass on top of them.
Area Rug – $290 to $500 – Based on the Size
The cost of area rugs can go up or down depending upon the size, as well as the material of the rug.
Moreover, it depends upon how many area rugs you need. Most people usually opt for two, with one going in the bedroom and another going in the living room.
It is a good idea to measure the space of your living room and your bedroom to pick an area rug size accordingly.
Dresser – $400 to $800
A dresser can be a great addition to the bedroom as it makes the storage of clothing easier.
With a mirror mounted on top, it also becomes possible to get ready in front of it with ease. Most dressers are multi-functional in use so it is a good idea to pay attention to this aspect.
All of these are deemed as non-essential furniture pieces in that they are not exactly a necessity as the essential furniture is.
Nonetheless, if you decide to get non-essential furniture along with the essential one for your living room and bedroom, you can expect to see the total cost pushed up to $4100 to $7600 for your entire apartment.
Don’t Forget Labor Costs
When buying furniture, you also have to consider labor and assembly costs that retailers offer.
Assembly and labor costs can be anywhere from $25 to $75, whereas, the delivery, based on the furniture as well as the location that one lives at, can cost anywhere from $100 to $200.
Labor costs can also go up if the furniture has to be carried upstairs. You should make sure to discuss this beforehand with the retailer.
Furthermore, each retailer has its own labor and delivery costs so you can’t expect to get a set price here.
One simple way that you can save on this is by asking friends to help you out. If you know someone who already has a pickup truck, they can allow you to avoid delivery costs.
How Can You Save Some Money When Furnishing an Apartment?
As you can see, even with a budget, we are still incurring a lot of costs here.
Moreover, not everyone has that kind of budget to spend on furnishing their apartment.
Luckily, there are some ways that you can save on furnishing your apartment. The following are some major tips to consider.
Buy Only What You Need
If you have furniture, then you already have cut your furnishing costs in half.
In this case, you will only have to buy pieces that you don’t have. In most cases, you might find that your pre-existing furniture is good enough.
Moreover, if you don’t like the look of your furniture and want to get new ones, consider what can be refurbished.
A new coat of polish or some sanding can bring your old piece back to life. Being smart and thrifty in this manner can make a huge difference in your overall savings.
Buy at Intervals
You can also save some money by buying your furniture as needed. You don’t have to buy it in bulk.
Instead, save up some money and then go buy one or two pieces. Buying at intervals also allows you to take advantage of sales. You can easily get some good pieces at discounts when shopping for retailers.
Additionally, you can keep an eye on yard sales or estate sales.
Both of these give you the opportunity to buy quality furniture at discounted prices. You just need to sift through all the pieces and find the best ones which will look amazing in your home.
Opting for High-Quality Basics
When it comes to furniture, IKEA can be the best choice for most people. However, there is a lot to consider here, particularly that assembly falls on your shoulders.
Moreover, for the fancier pieces, you can expect to pay as much as you would for furniture from other retail outlets.
If you’re looking to shift from IKEA pieces, you are definitely going to have to look for high-end, quality furniture pieces.
These are going to be more durable, last you for longer, and require less maintenance. While the cost may be slightly higher, consider them as a one-time cost.
With the help of these tips, you can realistically save on the furniture budget you have.
Moreover, the information here gives you a better idea regarding the kind of costs you can face when you are looking to furnish your apartment.
Other articles you may find useful:
- How to Make Your Small Apartment Homey
- What’s the Difference Between Flat and Apartment?
- 12 Easy Ways to Save On Heating Costs in an Apartment
- How Much Does Water Cost Per Month in an Apartment?
- How to Lower Your Electric Bill in Apartment
- What Living Expense to Include in the Budget when Renting an Apartment?
- How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Carpet in an Apartment?
- How Much Does it Cost to Renovate an Apartment?