Budgeting for home expenses can be complicated because there are so many moving pieces. Along with factoring in your mortgage or rent payment, you need to plan for utility costs, insurance, and furniture. An uncomfortable couch or a lumpy bed can make living in your space difficult and add stress to your life.
Before you move, take some time to estimate your furniture costs. These will vary significantly depending on the size of your house, the furniture you currently own, and the pieces you want to upgrade. This guide can walk you through each room and help you understand your financing options.
What Is the Average Cost of Furniture for a House?
The average homeowner spends $16,000 to furnish their home. On the low end, you might spend around $3,500 if you only need a few key items or visit thrift shops and estate sales. If you love the idea of adding elements of luxury to your home or need to furnish an entire house, you could spend more than $95,000.
These estimates range so dramatically because each piece of furniture or accessory comes with various price points. An affordable sofa will cost around $400, but some people will spend more than $5,000 for a single piece of furniture.
The details in each room can also affect how much it costs to furnish it. For example, you need more than a kitchen table and a few chairs to furnish your dining room. Most homeowners will also want to add an area rug, lighting, and other accessories that reflect their tastes. Each of these additional pieces will drive up the furniture costs.
One way to estimate your furniture cost is to look at each room individually. Here are a few common rooms found in most homes and the average cost of furnishing them.
Average Cost of Furniture for a Master Bedroom
Homeowners spend an average of $2,500 to $4,000 to furnish a primary bedroom. However, you could spend up to $18,000. Essential items for this space include a bed frame, mattress, box spring, and bedside tables. If you do not have a large closet with inset drawers, you will also want to invest in dressers to store your clothes.
If you want to install an entertainment center in your primary bedroom, you’ll also need to budget for a TV and stand.
Average Cost of Furniture for a Guest Bedroom
Your guest bedroom will have similar furniture costs as your primary bedroom, with homeowners spending between $1,500 and $2,500 on these spaces. These rooms might be more affordable because you can buy smaller pieces that aren’t necessarily used every day. For example, a queen or a full bed is usually cheaper than a king-size model.
Furniture costs for the space might be higher if it serves a dual purpose, as some people set up their home offices in their guest bedrooms. In this case, you will need to budget for your desk, office chair, and equipment.
Average Cost of Furniture for a Bathroom
Most people don’t furnish their bathrooms beyond adding small tables, vanities, and other accessories, but they do remodel and upgrade them over time. The average cost of furniture for a bathroom is usually around $100 to $500.
The average bathroom remodel costs around $12,000 as of 2024. This estimate covers the cost of replacing the cabinets, countertops, faucets and plumbing, shower and tub, fixtures, and accessories.
Average Cost of Furniture for a Kitchen
On average, people spend between $1,000 to $12,000 to furnish a kitchen. The cost depends on the size of the kitchen and whether you plan to use it as a gathering and dining area. If your kitchen is going to be a primary place to spend time with your family, you will want to add a table and chairs. If you have a kitchen island, you might add bar stools so people can sit and chat while you prepare meals.
Average Cost of Furniture for a Dining Room
You can furnish a dining room for a range of $2,000 to $5,000. These spaces usually need a table and enough chairs to accommodate your family and guests. Additional pieces include a storage hutch for plates and formal glassware.
How To Cover the Cost of Your Furniture
Don’t get overwhelmed by the estimated cost of furnishing your home. There are plenty of financing options that will allow you to buy the pieces you love even if you don’t have the cash on hand. Here are a few options to purchase your favorite pieces today so you can furnish your home tomorrow.
Lease-to-Own
With lease-to-own or rent-to-own programs, you make weekly or monthly payments on your furniture until you pay it off. The furniture company will charge interest on the purchase, so you will pay a little bit more for your pieces than if you bought them outright with cash.
The main benefit of these programs is that you don’t need upfront funds to buy the furniture you want; however, some lease-to-own options can be predatory. The Federal Trade Commission explains that if you have a shorter contract, you will pay more each month but less overall, in terms of interest and fees. Some furniture companies will push out excessively long contracts so they can collect more interest.
If you seek out the lease-to-own option, make sure you read the terms and conditions to confirm you get a good deal.
Credit Financing
Your favorite furniture store might also offer financing through its in-store credit card program. Stores often incentivize buyers to take out a credit card to purchase various pieces. They might offer discounted prices, free shipping, and coupons for future purchases. This could be a good option for buying the pieces you need while saving money.
There are some significant drawbacks to taking out store credit. If you do not pay off your credit card promptly, you may be surprised by the high interest rates the furniture store charges. This makes your furniture more expensive. You also likely won’t be able to use that credit card in other places.
Instead of taking out store credit, consider asking your current credit card company to increase your spending limit. This consolidates your debt to one location and you could potentially earn cash back or rewards points on the credit card you have.
Using a Loan To Cover Furniture Costs
If you prefer to secure financing before you start looking at furniture, you can secure a loan so you have cash on hand to buy your ideal pieces. Here are a few different loan options to explore.
Personal Loans
Many banks and credit unions offer unsecured personal loans that use your credit score to evaluate how much you can borrow and at what rate. If you have a high credit score, you might be able to take out a personal loan with a low annual percentage rate (APR) and favorable payment terms. The APR is a better indicator of the cost of the loan because it includes all the fees included with borrowing the money.
These loans can get expensive depending on your creditor and your borrowing ability. If you don’t have a high credit score, you might not be able to secure a favorable loan.
Secured Loans
Secured loans borrow against your existing assets, which means you could get a better rate instead of using your credit to negotiate interest and payment terms. A secured loan uses collateral, which could range from your house to your car. Homeowners usually have a variety of different assets that they can use to procure secured loans.
Another secured loan option to keep in mind is stock loans, which use your publicly traded shares as collateral. Instead of selling your stocks, you simply borrow against their value. This could be a good option if you have significant investments that you do not want to liquidate. Use our stock loan calculator to estimate how much you could potentially borrow.
Payday Loans
A third option is cash advance loans, also called payday loans. These loans work by turning your paycheck into cash the day you receive it. There is no waiting period for the payment to be processed and deposited into your bank account.
The main benefit of these loans is that you get money quickly, but this lending option can be predatory. Payday loans are notoriously expensive, with high interest rates and fees. The APR for these loans can reach up to 390%, creating a cycle of debt where borrowers are so focused on paying off the interest that they can never pay off the principal.
Many homeowners invest in well-built pieces of furniture that last for years. If you recently moved into your home, set a budget to make sure you find items you love and can afford. The right prices and financing options can help you make smart financial choices while embracing your interior design aesthetic.
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