How much does it cost to furnish a house?
How much does it cost to furnish a house?
$10,000 – $40,000 average cost to furnish a 3-bedroom house
Average cost to furnish a house
The cost to furnish a house ranges from $4,000 to $100,000, depending on the home size, number of rooms, and the quality and price of the items selected. The average cost to furnish a 3-bedroom house is $10,000 to $40,000 with moderately priced furnishings. High-end decorator furnishings cost more.
| House size | Average cost to furnish |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $4,000 – $15,000 |
| 2 bedroom | $7,000 – $25,000 |
| 3 bedroom | $10,000 – $40,000 |
| 4 bedroom | $15,000 – $60,000 |
| 5 bedroom+ | $25,000 – $100,000+ |
Cost to furnish by room
Home furnishing prices vary, depending on the room you are furnishing and whether you choose budget, moderate, or high-end furnishings. Living rooms are one of the most expensive to decorate since they need more pieces to fill the space. Bathrooms are the cheapest since they need just a few functional accessories.
| Room | Budget cost | Average cost | High-end cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | $1,500 – $4,000 | $4,000 – $6,000 | $6,000 – $25,000 |
| Dining room | $1,000 – $2,000 | $2,000 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $17,000 |
| Kitchen | $750 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $12,000 | $12,000 –$23,000 |
| Primary bedroom | $1,000 – $2,500 | $2,500 – $4,000 | $4,000 – $18,000 |
| Additional bedrooms | $800 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $2,500 | $2,500 – $18,000 |
| Home office | $400 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $2,000 | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Bathrooms | $50 – $100 | $100 – $500 | $500 – $4,500 |
| Outdoor living space (optional) | $500 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Average cost for all spaces* | $6,000 – $13,000 | $13,000 – $37,000 | $37,000 – $135,000+ |
*Not including outdoor furniture.
Living room
Furnishing a living room costs $1,500 to $25,000, depending on the number and quality of the pieces you purchase. Keeping things simple with a budget sofa, armchair, and end tables will cost the least. Using high-end, quality furniture and more accent pieces greatly increases costs.
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Sofa | $400 – $4,000 |
| Armchairs (2) | $300 – $3,000 |
| Coffee table | $50 – $1,500 |
| End / side tables (2) | $200 – $3,000 |
| Area rug | $100 – $3,000 |
| Standing lamp | $50 – $500 |
| Window treatments / curtains | $50 – $1,500 |
| Entertainment console / TV stand | $150 – $5,000 |
| Wall art | $50 – $1,500 |
| Decorative accents | $150 – $2,000 |
| Average total room cost | $1,500 – $25,000 |
A great way to add comfort and function to your living room is with window treatments. There are countless options available for nearly any style and budget.
Window blinds cost $30 to $200 per window for prefab blinds or $70 to $600 for custom blinds.
Curtains cost $20 to $200 per window for standard window sizes, while custom curtains cost $500 to $1,500 or more, depending on the size and fabric.
Dining room
The average cost to furnish a dining room is $1,000 to $17,000. The main pieces you will need include a dining table with enough seating for family and guests, a sideboard or hutch to store china and glasses, and decorative accents to show your personal style.
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Dining table | $300 – $3,500 |
| Side chairs (6 – 8) | $250 – $4,000 |
| Sideboard / buffet | $200 – $3,500 |
| Area rug | $100 – $3,000 |
| Wall art | $50 – $1,500 |
| Window treatments / curtains | $50 – $500 |
| Decorative accents | $50 – $1,000 |
| Average total room cost | $1,000 – 17,000 |
Kitchen
Most people spend $750 to $12,000 furnishing a kitchen with essentials like plates, glasses, silverware, cookware, and small kitchen appliances. If you love cooking and want a gourmet kitchen with new high-end appliances and a custom kitchen island, expect to spend more than $23,000 or more.
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Casual table & chairs | $400 – $3,000 |
| Dinnerware & glasses | $75 – $1,500 |
| Silverware | $25 – $1,500 |
| Cookware and kitchen gadgets | $100 – $2,000 |
| Small kitchen appliances (toaster, blender, coffee pot, etc.) | $150 – $4,000+ |
| Average total room cost* | $750 – 12,000 |
*Not including major kitchen appliances.
If you want to make a huge impact in your kitchen, consider replacing the old appliances or adding a kitchen island to update the space.
A kitchen appliance installation package costs $2,100 to $5,400 for a refrigerator, microwave, range, and dishwasher.
A kitchen island installation costs $800 to $2,500 for a prefab island or $3,000 to $6,000 for a custom kitchen island.
Primary bedroom
A primary bedroom costs $1,000 to $18,000 to furnish. A bedroom typically needs a bed frame, mattress, and a dresser with a mirror to make the space functional. Adding a quality mattress, nightstands with lamps, and light-blocking window treatments make the space more comfortable.
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Queen or king bed frame | $300 – $3,000 |
| Mattress | $300 – $4,000 |
| Nightstands (2) | $100 – $2,000 |
| Table lamps (2) | $40 – $2,000 |
| Dresser | $60 – $4,000 |
| Basic dresser mirror | $50 – $150 |
| Window treatments / curtains | $50 – $500 |
| Decorative accessories | $100 – $1,000 |
| Average total room cost | $1,000 – $18,000 |
Additional bedrooms
The more bedrooms you have in your home, the more your furnishings will cost. Each additional bedroom costs $800 for budget-friendly furnishings or as much as $18,000 for luxury pieces.
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Twin or full bed frames (1– 2) | $200 – $4,000 |
| Mattresses (1 – 2) | $200 – $4,500 |
| Nightstands (1 – 2) | $100 – $2,000 |
| Table lamps (1 – 2) | $40 – $2,000 |
| Dresser | $60 – $4,000 |
| Window treatments / curtains | $50 – $500 |
| Decorative accessories | $100 – $1,000 |
| Average total room cost | $800 – $18,000 |
Home office
Furnishing a home office costs $750 to $10,000. The lowest costs are for basic office setups for occasional use. The highest costs will include quality furnishings that are better for a daily work-from-home office space.
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Desk | $200 – $2,500 |
| Bookcase | $25 – $2,000 |
| Office chair | $50 – $1,500 |
| Filing cabinet | $25 – $1,000 |
| Area rug | $100 – $1,500 |
| Wall art | $50 – $1,500 |
| Average total room cost | $750 – $10,000 |
Bathrooms
A bathroom costs $50 to $500 to furnish if the vanity is already in place. Installing a new bathroom vanity costs an additional $400 to $4,000. Common bathroom furnishings include a shower curtain, bathmats, towels, and soap dispensers.
| Item | > Average cost |
|---|---|
| Shower curtain /accessories | $10 – $100 |
| Bath mats | $10 – $50 |
| Bath towels | $10 – $150 |
| Bath accessories (soap dispenser, toothbrush holder, trash bin, etc.) | $20 – $200 |
| Average total room cost | $50 – $500 |
Bathrooms are an area where many people splurge to make the space more spa-like.
Other spaces
In addition to the main living areas and bedrooms, a home has additional spaces that may need some furnishings to make them functional and stylish. Be sure to include furnishing or accessories for hallways, entryways, garages, and basements when setting your budget.
Outdoor living space
For many families, an outdoor living space is an extension of the home. Adding comfortable and functional furnishings costs $500 to $5,000 for either lounge seating or dining. If the budget allows, outdoor landscape lighting makes the space usable in the evenings, and an outdoor kitchen makes for easy entertaining.
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Outdoor seating | $500 – $5,000 |
| Outdoor dining | $500 – $5,000 |
| Outdoor kitchen costs | $7,000 – $35,000 |
| Landscape lighting costs | $800 – $6,000 |
Home furnishing cost factors
Several factors affect the cost of home furnishings, including:
House size / number of rooms – The larger the home and the more rooms to furnish, the more you will spend filling the space.
Furniture quality – Ready-to-assemble or flat-pack furniture pieces are cheaper than fully-assembled pieces but are usually lower-quality pieces that won’t last. High-quality or antique pieces are more costly but last for generations.
Style preferences – Some design styles like Art Deco and Victorian use higher-quality materials and fabrics that cost more than modern furnishings.
Delivery fees – White-glove delivery that includes assembly and setup costs more than standard delivery to your front door. Expedited delivery also costs extra if you need your furniture faster.
Assembly and installation – Some delivery services include assembly and installation, while others may charge an additional fee.
Single supplier – Purchasing all of your furnishings from a single supplier saves you money on delivery fees and may qualify for bulk purchase prices.
Cost to hire a professional designer
An interior designer costs $50 to $200 per hour in consultation fees or $500 to $1,500 per room for designs. Hiring a designer makes the entire process easier, especially if you are limited on time. More importantly, designers have ongoing relationships with suppliers that often result in discounted prices for furnishings.
Cost to furnish an Airbnb or vacation rental home
Furnishing an Airbnb or vacation rental home costs $5,000 to $25,000 on average. Adding stylish and functional furnishings make the space as comfortable and inviting as possible. This helps you attract more guests and get better reviews. Here are some tips to help you furnish your investment property:
Know your target guests – If you are targeting business travelers, you’ll want to have a nice home office set up. If you’re targeting families, you need plenty of seating and a dining table that seats at least 6 or more people.
Find ideas online – Many websites and blogs will inspire your furnishings, including browsing Airbnb listings to see what top-ranking homes are offering.
Define your style – A cohesive style is more appealing to guests. Your rental home’s location is a great place to start when choosing a style. If your rental is at a farm or rural location, rustic interiors will work best. If you have an urban rental, modern or industrial styles are a good choice.
Invest in quality furniture – Income properties get a lot of wear and tear, so cheap furniture will be replaced often. Instead, invest in quality furniture made from solid materials like wood and metal.
Choose easy-to-clean pieces – Avoid furniture with delicate fabrics or finishes. Opt for pieces with stain-resistant and durable finishes that can handle spills and accidents better.
How to save money on furnishing a home
Furnishing your home can be a significant expense, especially if you have a larger home with more rooms to decorate. Some tips to help you stay on budget include:
Prioritize – Identify the essential pieces you need right away, such as a sofa, bed, dining table, and kitchen essentials.
Buy secondhand – Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online platforms for secondhand furniture and décor can save you thousands of dollars over new pieces.
DIY furniture – Repurposing old pieces with new paint and hardware is a great way to save money, especially for quality pieces that just need a refresh.
Price shop – Compare prices before making a purchase. Look for deals with seasonal sales, bulk discounts, and clearance items.
Invest in multi-functional pieces – Look for furniture that serves more than one purpose, such as a sofa bed that can serve as seating and a guest bed.
Embrace minimalism – Focus on a few quality pieces, rather than a house full of cheap stuff. You may spend a bit more upfront, but the pieces will last longer, saving you money over time.
Negotiate prices – Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices, especially if you’re shopping at smaller retailers or individuals.
Bartering – If you can offer a valuable service, such as web design, cosmetology, or catering, you may be able to negotiate a trade of services with one or more retailers.
Buy over time – Spread out your purchases over time, starting with the essentials. This allows you to take advantage of sales and discounts as they arise.
Home furnishing FAQs
What is home furnishing?
Home furnishings are the various items used to decorate a home, including both functional and decorative items. Functional items are essential for everyday living, including furniture, appliances, and cookware. Decorative items are not essential but add personality and style to a home. These items include curtains, rugs, artwork, and throw pillows.
What does selling a furnished house mean?
Selling a furnished house means you are selling the home with all of the furniture and other household items included. This may include everything down to the kitchen appliances, cookware, linens, and bath accessories. Selling a turnkey furnished property is more common in vacation rentals than in residential homes.
Where can I find affordable furniture?
Affordable furniture can be found at:
Online retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, Overstock, and Amazon
Discount furniture stores and outlet centers
Second-hand furniture or thrift stores
Garage and estate sales
DIY projects or upcycling of existing furniture
Social media platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor
Seasonal sales and promotions
Rental or leased furniture for temporary situations
What is the best time to buy furniture on sale?
The best time to buy furniture on sale is usually at the end of each new season when retailers are clearing out their inventory to make room for new merchandise.
January and July are the best months for indoor furniture sales, while holiday weekends like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday also offer good deals.
July through September is the best time to buy outdoor furniture before the cooler weather sets in.
January is the best month to shop for discounted mattresses when retailers are clearing out their inventory from the previous year.
Autumn is the best season to buy appliances when retailers are releasing new models and offering discounts on older models.
Getting estimates from home decorators
These tips can help you select an interior decorator or interior designer near you:
Choose a designer with the best reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask to see their portfolio and look-book from past projects.
Get a few price estimates from different designers to compare.
Select interior decorators with experience in your preferred style.
Look for designers who are members of the American Society of Interior Designs (ASID) or have passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) exam.
Ask for a full itemized estimate and contract in writing.
Avoid paying large deposits upfront. Come up with a payment schedule for work completed.
Questions to ask an interior decorator or designer
When hiring a home designer or decorator, ask these important questions:
How long have you been an interior decorator?
What is your preferred design style?
What design services do you offer?
Can you provide testimonials and references from past clients?
Do you work alone or with a team of designers?
How much input can I provide?
Do you charge a flat rate, by the hour, or use the cost-plus method?
How much will my entire house cost to decorate?
Will you be able to stick to my budget?
Will you provide me with a written estimate or contract?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.