A realistic 2026 budget to furnish a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai is AED 15,000–25,000 for a comfortable complete setup. A basic setup can start around AED 5,000–10,000, while premium furniture and appliances can push the total above AED 40,000.
Written by Vincent — MovingToDubai.org
Dubai resident since 2026 · Editorial review: 9 August 2026
Content type: Firsthand furnishing experience + practical planning estimates
That total normally includes much more than a bed and sofa. Most unfurnished Dubai apartments still require major appliances, curtains, kitchen equipment, lighting, bedding, delivery and dozens of smaller household items. Those extras are why the final bill is often higher than newcomers expect.
My own one-bedroom setup cost approximately AED 20,000. I used a mix of practical furniture, good appliances and a few comfort upgrades rather than buying a premium designer setup. The figures below are planning ranges, not fixed store quotations, because apartment size, included appliances and personal priorities vary.
Cost to Furnish a 1-Bedroom Apartment in Dubai: Quick Answer
| Setup | Estimated total | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | AED 5,000–10,000 | Essential furniture, entry-level appliances and second-hand purchases |
| Comfortable | AED 15,000–25,000 | New core furniture, reliable appliances, home-office basics and decoration |
| Premium | AED 40,000+ | Designer furniture, premium appliances, custom curtains and higher-end finishes |
For most single professionals planning to stay for several years, AED 20,000 is a sensible target. Before committing that money, include it in your wider initial Dubai relocation budget, because rent cheques and deposits normally fall due at the same time.
What Is Usually Missing in an Unfurnished Apartment?
While every property is different, many apartments in Dubai are delivered with:
- Built-in wardrobes
- Kitchen cabinets
- Air conditioning
- Basic lighting
However, you will often need to purchase:
- Bed and mattress
- Sofa
- Dining furniture
- Desk and chair
- Refrigerator
- Washing machine
- Television
- Kitchen equipment
- Decorative items
These costs add up quickly if you are not prepared.
Room-by-Room Furnishing Budget
This room-by-room estimate shows where a comfortable AED 15,000–25,000 budget normally goes. Check the tenancy listing first: some apartments include a refrigerator, cooker or washing machine even when advertised as unfurnished.
| Area or item | Typical planning range | Usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | AED 2,500–6,000 | Bed frame, mattress, bedside storage and bedding |
| Living room | AED 3,000–7,000 | Sofa, coffee table, television unit and rug |
| Dining and work area | AED 1,000–3,500 | Dining set, desk and chair |
| Major appliances | AED 4,000–8,000 | Fridge, washer, cooker and optional dishwasher or television |
| Kitchen and household basics | AED 1,000–3,000 | Cookware, dishes, cleaning equipment, towels and small appliances |
| Curtains, lighting and decoration | AED 1,500–5,000+ | Window coverings, lamps, plants, artwork and delivery or installation |
These ranges overlap because every apartment is different. A unit with appliances and fitted curtains may save several thousand dirhams; an empty unit with large windows can cost considerably more to complete.
Basic Setup: 5,000 to 10,000 AED
This budget works for people who want a functional apartment without spending too much.
Typical purchases include:
- Basic bed and mattress
- Essential kitchen equipment
- Simple desk
- Entry-level appliances
- Limited decoration
This approach is common among people arriving for a short assignment or those who want to minimize upfront expenses.
Comfortable Setup: 15,000 to 25,000 AED
This is where most long-term expats should aim.
At this budget level, you can usually afford:
- Quality bed and mattress
- Comfortable sofa
- Good appliances
- Washing machine
- Refrigerator
- Work-from-home setup
- Rug and decoration
- Television
This creates a home that feels complete without entering luxury territory.
Based on my own experience, this range provides the best balance between comfort and value.
Premium Setup: 40,000 AED and Above
There is effectively no upper limit when furnishing an apartment in Dubai.
Designer furniture, premium appliances and custom decoration can push costs significantly higher.
In some cases, a single sofa from a high-end furniture store can cost more than an entire budget-friendly apartment setup.
For most expats, however, this level of spending is unnecessary.
Should You Buy Everything New?
Not necessarily.
Dubai has a large second-hand market where expats frequently sell furniture when relocating.
Many newcomers combine:
- New mattress
- New appliances
- Second-hand furniture
This approach can significantly reduce costs while maintaining comfort.
Where Do Most Expats Buy Furniture in Dubai?
Popular options include:
- IKEA
- Home Centre
- PAN Emirates
- Danube Home
- Marina Home
- Facebook Marketplace
- Dubizzle
Each option targets a different budget range.
What I Actually Bought for My Dubai Apartment
My roughly AED 20,000 setup was not one large furniture order. It was a mix of core furniture, appliances and practical upgrades accumulated around the move. That included a bed and mattress, sofa and storage, refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, lighting, curtains, kitchen equipment and smaller household items. Some purchases were intentionally value-focused, while I spent more on things I expected to use every day.
The biggest lesson from my own setup was that the final 20–30% of the budget disappears into items that are easy to forget: delivery, installation, stacking or mounting accessories, bedding, cookware, lamps, bins, cleaning equipment and window coverings. A spreadsheet with every room listed separately is much more reliable than estimating from the price of the sofa and bed alone.
Hidden Costs Many People Forget
When planning your furnishing budget, don’t forget:
- Delivery fees
- Installation fees
- Kitchen equipment
- Bedding and towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Decoration and plants
These smaller purchases can easily add several thousand dirhams to the final bill.
My Recommendation
If you are moving alone to Dubai and renting an unfurnished 1-bedroom apartment, I would personally budget around:
A practical target: AED 20,000
This amount should allow you to purchase everything needed to live comfortably without overspending.
It won’t be luxury, but it will provide a practical and pleasant living environment while leaving room in your budget for travel, savings and enjoying life in Dubai.
Furnishing is only one part of the move-in bill. Before signing a lease, compare the upfront cost of renting an apartment in Dubai, then budget for DEWA electricity and water and home internet. My Dubai Hills cost-of-living breakdown shows how these expenses fit into a real monthly budget.
FAQ
How much does it cost to furnish an apartment in Dubai?
A realistic budget ranges from 5,000 AED for a basic setup to 25,000 AED for a comfortable long-term setup.
Is furniture expensive in Dubai?
Dubai offers options for nearly every budget. Costs vary significantly depending on whether you buy new, second-hand or premium furniture.
Can I buy second-hand furniture in Dubai?
Yes. Dubizzle and Facebook Marketplace are popular options among expats and can help reduce setup costs significantly.
How much should a single expat budget?
For a 1-bedroom apartment, 20,000 AED is a reasonable target for a comfortable setup.
How much will it cost to furnish a one-bedroom apartment?
Plan around AED 15,000–25,000 for a comfortable one-bedroom setup in Dubai. The total can be lower if appliances are included or you buy second-hand, and higher if the apartment needs custom curtains or premium furniture.
Does the furnishing budget include appliances?
The estimates in this guide include common major appliances. Always check the property inventory before buying because some nominally unfurnished apartments already include a cooker, refrigerator or washing machine.
Continue Your Relocation Plan
- Check the full upfront rental cost
- Add DEWA and utility deposits
- Calculate your complete starting fund
Update History
16 August 2026: Added a more specific firsthand breakdown of what the approximately AED 20,000 furnishing budget actually covered and where hidden setup costs appeared.
9 August 2026: Improved the direct answer, room-by-room budget, assumptions, image description and decision-based navigation.
Read how material corrections and updates are handled.
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