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29 March 2024

Furnishing options – how much would it cost for an apartment in Dubai

(Picture courtesy:Net Interior Project)

Published
By Majorie van Leijen

Many newcomers to Dubai wonder what the best option is; renting a furnished or unfurnished apartment. Likewise, homeowners ask themselves the question whether it is profitable or not to deliver their property ready to move in or leave the furniture shopping to the tenant.  For both parties, Emirates 24|7 went through the catalogues, consulted the specialists and asked random people how much they had spent on their studio, 1- or 2-bedroom apartment.

The one bedroom apartment – Dh15,000 and up

For singles and couples without children the one bedroom apartment is probably the most popular option, and most often these properties are advertised unfurnished. The task is quite simple; one needs to fill a living room, bedroom and kitchen.

Bedroom: Budget shoppers intending to furnish the apartment fast and cheaply, will probably eye the basics only. For the bedroom, this means a bed, a wardrobe and maybe a side table or chest for the remaining items used around the bed that otherwise float around. All can be done with a budget of Dh2,500-5,000. However, mid-range shoppers might prioritise good sleeping, opting for a quality mattress. Likewise, sleeping in style is very well possible as even budget shops offer royal-looking beds and plenty of mid-range options for Dh5,000 and higher.

 Living Room: A living room leaves more flexibility when it comes to budget, but most people will agree about a place to sit, a coffee table and a TV, which together will create the comfortable atmosphere people are looking for. A dining table may not be a must for everybody, as eating on the couch is by many considered a delight after a hard day of work. Depending on how much a person brings along, there might be the need for a bookcase or extra chest, and some like to add carpets and/or artwork as a finishing touch.  

Going for the practical couch-coffee table-TV solution, one might be done for Dh6,000. However, when clinging to a ‘the bigger the better’ philosophy, prices of both couch and TV can climb up easily. The popular L-shaped couch, for example will often start from Dh4,000, and flat-screen TVs can be bought for Dh2,000-5,000. Flaring up the living room with storage items, dining, rugs and art will not cost a lot, unless design is your language, in which case you can go through the roof while decorating your room.

Kitchen: Appliances are the least popular items to shop for, as they appeal to pragmatism rather than taste in design. Moreover, these items are the big bill-fillers and there is not much maneuvering; they are really needed in the house. A stove, fridge, and washing machine cannot be missed. Then there is a long list of small appliances that one needs to purchase before being able to live a decent life; think of silverware, glasses, plates and pots and pans as a minimum basic. For people who like to cook, this list will look much longer. A minimum of Dh3,500 will be required to make the kitchen workable, and depending on the kitchen behaviour this can easily reach Dh5,000 and more.

Altogether, furnishing a one bedroom apartment can be done with a budget of Dh15,000 when shopping carefully, but more likely is a Dh20,000-25,000 bill for the budget shopper. Mid-range packages offered by furnishing companies are billed around Dh60,000, based on a discount. When doing it yourself, the mid-range option could possibly reach Dh100,000.

 The two bedroom apartment – Dh22,000 upwards

There is only one extra space to fill in this apartment compared to the one bedroom apartment, but the bill highly depends on what people do with this extra space. One option is a second bedroom, most likely for the child, the maid or the guest. People do not tend to spend as much on this bedroom as they do on the main bedroom. A single bed can be purchased for Dh300 onwards. The mid-range option will be somewhere around the Dh3,000. A wardrobe has similar pricing options.

For a study or work place, the options are manifold. Basic are a desk and chair that will allow your body to sit in working position for the long hours. These basics do not have to cost much; for Dh1,000 you could be done. Mid-range possibilities do not only extend the price and quality of these basics, but also leave space for the designer eye. Creating a comfortable and simulative environment to work in could very well be considered by the person with a mid-range budget.

Altogether, the bill of furnishing a two-bedroom apartment will probably not be much higher than that of the one bedroom apartment, as the basic furniture is already counted in. The difference will more likely be in the small, decorative items and the willingness to add these to the extra space. Budget shoppers will be able to furnish a two bedroom apartment for Dh22,000-27,000. Mid-range options are heading more towards the Dh70,000.

The Studio – Dh12,000 and more

Most likely it is the budget shopper who will opt for this property type. The studio stands for simple and practical, and many furniture warehouses display samples of smartly equipped studio interiors. Following the practical mindset, a studio requires a bed, couch, TV and one or two wardrobes, in addition to the always needed kitchen appliances.

Looking out for the minimal cost all can be done for Dh12,000-15,000. However, people appreciating style or comfort are known to spend more than Dh20,000 in furnishing their studio. The big advantage of this type of living is that everything is within reach, so there is no need to create extra storage space in other rooms. Moreover, the shopper will probably be limited by space too, as not everything he would like to buy will fit. The mid-range option will probably a matter of quality rather than quantity.

In all cases there are items that cannot be forgotten, but might not be considered on the furniture bill. Think of curtains (budget Dh500– midrange Dh15,000), cleaning equipment, dustbins, lighting, laundry facilities and in case of a balcony or garden; outdoor tables and chairs. The list can be endless.